EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Biomed Databases Database (Service Manuals) Management Software

It doesn't rely on windows explorer, its a stand alone piece of software that has similar functionality but dumbed down i.e. add, delete, rename, etc

It reads sub directories from wherever you point it to, the application does not have to sit in the root of the folder to be scanned

if you want to add an internet shortcut, just copy and past whatevers in your browser bar in windows explorer and normally a file is created (just like a bookmark/html file) - whenever this is clicked on it opens your internet browser and goes to the page

have a play, I've emailed a copy through

Nice one!

Just had a quick go (on various machines) ... but it keeps insisting that "the following version of the .NET Framework needs to be installed: v4.0.30319".*

mscorees.dll also got a mention on my Win 2000 rig.

I'll have another go later (and also take a look at the other files) ... but you'll need to be aware of the above if you're planning to make the package generally available.

* Which is looking like a 48 Meg download.

In Windows Explorer:-

1) Navigate to the folder of interest
2) Click on File | New | Shortcut
3) Create Shortcut dialogue box will appear
4) Enter the URL (http://www..... etc.)
5) Click on [Next]
6) Enter a name for the shortcut
7) Click on [Finish]

Later:-

1) Right-click on the shortcut
2) Go to Properties
3) Click on [Change icon] etc., etc.

*.url files. I learn something new every day! Thank you, Joe.

My excuse (somewhat feeble, I grant you) is that normally I almost never use Windows Explorer (but prefer Good Old Total Commander instead).

How about Pathfinder?

I like Pathfinder for many reasons ;o that works for me.

.net 4.0 framework is a freebie download from microsoft (used by a variety of packages). Available here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=17718


In Vb.net to open web pages (or any other file!) I'm using
process.start (strFilename) which sends the command to your existing system so it opens with whatever the default application is (in the case of a .url would be a browser) or in the case of pdf etc would be whatever viewer you use.

Likewise with explore from here etc, I'm using process.start ("Explorer",strFullpath)

Yes. I had already hounded down that location, Joe.

Trouble is that (on the rig I have here), I have yet to successfully download it!

As an Old-Timer I can't help but comment on the similarities of those VB commands (scripts?) and Good Old-Fashioned command line (and [or] batch file) commands (aka "DOS commands").

I've had a look at some of the stuff you sent me, Joe ... and I see what you're doing. But at this stage, I'm wondering if many others will be able to replicate your method.

Perhaps, in the first instance, you could lay out the folder structures required, and let potential users decide if they want to arrange their own collection of documents to suit. After all, I find that I can (when using a logical folder structure) pretty well get on OK using whatever file manager (Windows Explorer, whatever) I have available on any machine I'm using.

What your system adds (as far as I can see) is the nice paneling ("windowing") of the display. And the menu panel relationship between Equipment Type and Equipment Model. A bit like your own bespoke file manager, if you like. It's a nice approach.

I'll leave you to it for the time being, Joe. But when I get some time I might have a go at doing something similar, but by "other means" (just for my own satisfaction, as it were).

OK, Joe ... I've got it going.

Following the link you gave, I was able to download* the (standalone) "bloat" of MS .NET Framework 4.0.

That is:- dotNetFx40_Full_x86_x64.exe ... all 50 Meg of it!

I then installed it OK on a Windows 7 (32-bit) machine. Happily the installation proceeded effortlessly.

FYI: when I tried your Manuals.exe it threw up a message insisting that it could not find the path "C:\SampleManualsFolder". But once I had created that directory (folder) the .exe fired up OK (from, as you mentioned before, any location). I then shifted your sample folders across (into that root directory), and then there they were:- displayed as you had intended. Nice one!

* By "sniffing" off someone else's Wi-Fi connection ... but let's not go into that now.

After putting on the kettle (it is Sunday morning, after all), I then proceeded to add a few Equipment Types and Equipment Models of my own:-


Yes, some "blasts from the past" I know (but just for purposes of illustration, as they say).

But that's the drill, guys:- a new directory folder for each type of equipment (and you decide what those types are), then a new sub-directory folder for each model (manufacturer-model if you prefer) within the type.

Observations:- as expected, the entries both the Equipment Type and Equipment Model panels appear in alphabetical order (and also in UPPER CASE).

Thoughts:- "if it were me" I believe I would have added another layer of structure (and yes, another panel) to display the manufacturers name separately (if only to enforce "correct" spelling of manufacturers names!). That is:-

...\Type\Manufacturer\Model

If you take a look at the screen shots given at the top of this thread, you will see (under Equipment Model) that some entries include the manufacturer name, whilst others don't (and simply show the model by itself).

OK, it's another layer of folders (and, perhaps, of complication) and I realise (and respect) that it would have been a decision (and one of many) taken at "design time".

Lastly for now, Joe ... how about being able to tab (you know, the good old-fashioned <tab> key) to er, tab (step) between panels?

Geoff, thanks for taking the time out to have a go and provide some feedback.

Yep, its pretty much a folder browser, but don't forget the potential power of those search buttons for images and manuals!

On my hitlist so far then is:

* Add new manual and delete source file after sucessful transfer (Some limited logic to try to determine what you are adding and provide you with choices) <IN PROGRESS>

* Addition of ID number against the equipment model - to enable you to link with other databases (Saves ID_xxxxxx.txt in the folder)

* Addition of Revision number against the service manual (for later exporting)

* (ISO QMS): Option to automatically archive your old service manual if you add a new version (ISO QMS), adding in the revision/date of the manual

* Automatic generation of a summary Excel document with hyperlinks to your manuals, revision number, equipment type, model, Equiment Model ID

* Option to set equipment models as *DONT DISPLAY* so you can have large archives of manuals but only show the ones you have in your areas.

* Maybe, search for company address by equipment type/model

* (ISO QMS): Email to company stating current version of service manual and equipment type/model to see if this is the latest revision smile

* Add Tab between panels (and right cursor)

* Supply Default folder structures to get started (might also encourage some domination standard!)

* Consider Adding Company Field between Equipment Type and Equipment Model (I was previously debating using the ID number of the equipment, relating to the specific model to look up the company name from a separate list?) take the 572 volumetric pump for example, IVAC, Alaris, Carefusion bit of a nightmare if someone started adding new manuals because they didn't know. ID Number = 7 (572), Separate list ID 7 = Company 10 (Carefusion). Possibly could do it both ways and make it an option, I'll add this when I've struck some of the earlier ones out of the way.

Point taken about IVAC ... Confusion. But (as I say) it's a design choice.

Personally, I think I would shy away from codes (for the manufacturer etc.) - I have had a lifetime of that! I believe I would just stick with directory folders named Alaris, Eschmann, IVAC et al simply following what was written on the kit itself. And then hope for the best! After all, someone with "dominant" powers (as you put it) could always come along and tidy things up later.

Also about the power of the search facilities. Although it seems that you need to be on line to gain full use of those. Maybe you could have it (optionally) search the current hard-drive and (or) network as well. Or indeed any other source available to the native machine:- memory stick, USB link to another machine (via software "by others"), a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth link ... or any other means (just as long as the PC can "see it").

Meanwhile, maybe you need to say a few things about file naming conventions. For instance, every model folder likes to have a Folder.jpg file (for the "picture") ... and it looks like the service manual .pdf needs to be (re)named Service.pdf in order for it to appear in the correct panel (window). Similarly with Operators.pdf and Results.xls. And Spares.xls etc. Am I right?

I'm interested in the ID_xxxxxx.txt business, by the way. What is the "spec" - format - for that? I'm guessing it can just provide a pointer indicating model (type \ manufacturer \ model) only, but not for each of the (what could be many) individual items of equipment within that sub-set. And ... how does (can) it link to a database, I wonder? More information, please!

A configurable folder browser? Anyone else remember (amongst others) PC-Tools?