Basic Instructions for this Note Taking System

The program uses five basic programs: dbase, Netscape, a word processing system which saves text as RTF, an RTF converter to HTML, and a search engine. The programs are used on all levels of the notesystem. The levels are separated by different pictures so you are more easily aware of which level you are on.

The personalized Clio research mot taking system consists of three primary levels. The first represents the project file numbers you will work with. For example, my first level consists of project file ecp/51 and ecp/99. You may add new project files by utilizing the database system. It is important to remember that database does not really hold any of the "research " information you wish to save. Rather, it acts as a generator to create new HTML records. The database contains a memo field which would describe your assignment , goal, or any problems with accessing the materials included on the record.

Once you are given your specific notepad, you may access your files by clicking on the project number you wish to work on for that particular entry. This takes you to the next level, individualized subject headings or "research notes". Research notes for project files help you to systematically arrange your materials according to your own discretion. Dbase generates the record numbers and subject categories. You can create a research note by clicking on the link on the top of the page. At the prompt, type in the project file you are working with (in this case TRIA). The computer will ask you if this is correct and you respond accordingly. At this point, you would type in your subject heading and other information. TO SAVE that information exit by hitting control end. Hitting escape exits without saving so if you made a mistake for example, you would create a research note, page up and edit document, and then page down and hit escape. Once the research note is created you reload the program and click on the new number. You may enter a link to a converted text file at this level by going under file and clicking EDIT DOCUMENT or if you choose decide to work on the level below with more specific item levels.

The item level is the third level of the program. In general, I use this level for tif images supporting the analysis in my record base. You create an item level record by finding the research note record to which its subject matter falls under and clicking on the create item leve. At the dbase prompt, enter your project file name and the CLIO Number (which is simply the record number with which you are currently in). Create the record and exit. Reload and click on the new number. Go up to Netscape browser File and click on edit document. From this screen create links by clicking on insert links to text supporting your record.

Creating Text images within this system.

First, you would run a program, ie Wordpad, which allows you to save a document as RTF. Save your text as an RTF and exit the program. Click on the F converter at the top of the page. Find your new text document and double click on it. ***Find the Options file at the top of the page. Click on it and choose destination directory. Choose the HTML directory which matches the record number you created for the text. Then click on convert files.

This syetm is not a final product. Rather it is the research notes behind the final product (although you could clearly link to that material) I find the positive aspects of this system are

Universal access. The researcher can work from any lcoation with the aid of the zip drive

Search engine. this is important for extracting information when you are ready to write your final product.

Original documents are linked to your analysis and source information.

Some of the drawbacks:

The research info is entered according to specifics. It is broken down in order to manage a number of TIF files to avoid overloading the system. If you wanted general extraction for example all locations of places Thomas K. Beale lived both prior to his marriage to Isabella Clark and afterwards, you would have to run a general search and then create a new record with linking to all of that information. But this does not take up too much time because of the search engine and Dr. Papenfuse and Betsy are currently working on new ways to make the extraction process more convenient.