Azz Cardfile version 4.0 Beta - Windows Vista compatible, new options
October 14th, 2007 . by Rytis ZumbakisAzz Cardfile version 4.0 Beta for testing can be downloaded here :
http://www.azzcardfile.com/dl/azzCardfile-setup-40b1-c.zip
Final release of public version 4.0 is estimated around end of year 2007.
This Beta version is for testing only and not for regular use. If you intend to use it to open your existing .azz data files, please backup them first.
We thank you in advance for any feedback.
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Windows Vista/XP/2003/Me/NT4/98/95 compatible upgrade version 3.3 has been recently released. It is exactly the same as version 3.2, only fixes “access violation” bug on Windows Vista operating system.
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What’s New in version 4.0Version 4 is made as a new application – almost no code from the previous versions. That’s why it took so long. Although the program’s appearance is similar to the previous version (we tried to make it as simple as possible), the functionality is highly improved.
File Format
Instead of RTF heap (AZZ Cardfile versions 3.x), modern XML standard was applied. If the data file .azz gets corrupted (in case of computer emergency shutdown while ediding .azz file, or similar), it’s easier to restore data, as cards content resides in plain text format in a XML file. For the record, MS Office 2007 applications too use compressed XML files to store documents. No temporary files are created while opening, working with, and closing the .azz files. All these processes occur in computer RAM and no longer involve creation of temporary files.
File Locations
A new folder “\My Documents\My azzCardfile Files” is created during AZZ Cardfile software installation. Sample.azz file is put there. It is recommended to keep all .azz data files (documents) in this folder. Program and help files are located in “\Program Files\azzCardfile”. It is not recommend to change anything in this folder (especially on Windows Vista).
In version 4, program settings (options) have been relocated from Windows Registry to “.ini” files. They are located in “…\Application Data\azzCardfile” folder. It is possible to import or export AZZ Cardfile settings from “Tools | Options” dialog.
Grouping of Cards
This most-wanted feature has finally been implemented. Grouping is realized by vertical tabs located on the left side of the cards list. Manage groups by selecting the menu item “Card | Groups” or just right-clicking on the group tabs. After creating a new Cardfile, two tabs are visible – “all” and “new”. These tabs don’t represent groups - they are controls for viewing all cards or creating a new group. Assign selected cards to the group by dragging them to the group’s tab or by selecting “Assign to group” in the list’s pop-up menu. The program doesn’t keep cards in groups physically, like files are stored in folders. A group consists of a list of links, not real cards. So, if you remove a card from the group, the card will still remain on file and is accessible by selecting the “all” tab.
If you don’t use grouping, it is possible to hide the group tabs by deselecting “Groups” in the “View” menu.
Cards Editor
Many new editing features have been implemented in version 4.0 : enhanced Font and Paragraph formatting, borders and backgrounds, lists, and more. Create and format tables, using default or custom styles. Use the ruler to change indents and tabs.
Header
Change the style of the Card Header (selected card title above the card) by selecting formatted text in the card and then selecting “apply style to header” in the card’s popup menu. This allows applying all text and paragraph formatting possibilities not only to the application screen header, but also to the printed page headers. See few header samples in “Sample.azz” (card “Header styles”).
Task Panel
This docked window helps perform some common tasks like searching, working with styles, etc.
Dialing
Modem selection and configuration is now possible in AZZ Cardfile. You can create dialing hyperlinks (see below).
Hyperlinks
Together with standard hyperlinks (”http://”, “mailto:”, “file:”, etc.), two unique types of hyperlinks have been implemented: “dial:” and “card:”. Dial a phone number or go to another card on file, by clicking these hyperlinks. To use hyperlinks, hold Ctrl key or activate “Cards Lock” button.
Search
We have received many requests to make a more advanced search. The Advanced Search procedure (task panel) has been implemented. Add prefixes “+”, “-”, quotes and brackets to the search query. Enter a search query, and a special results group will be created, listing matching cards.
Support for USB flash drive
A wizard is designed to assist copying AZZ Cardfile software and selected data files to USB flash drive, iPod, or a portable hard drive and use it on any computer, without leaving any personal information behind. Run this wizard by selecting menu item “Tools | Flash Drive”.
BACKUP YOUR .AZZ FILES BEFORE OPENING THEM IN VERSION 4
Installation
No need to uninstall existing AZZ Cardfile program before installing version 4. A new version will not change older settings, both versions can coexist on the same system. You can even choose which program version to use to open .azz files, by right-clicking the file and selecting “Open With”.
Note that once the older version .azz file is first edited and saved in version 4 software, the file will longer open in earlier versions of the program, as new version 4 format will be applied (backup file “.version3.azz.bak” will be created alogn the way).
If you decide to return to version 3 after making changes to data files (which converts them to v.4), export back to version 3 format by loading the file into AZZ Cardfile 4.0 program and selecting menu File | Export | Save as type | AZZ Cardfile version 3… . Uninstall version 4 and continue to use version 3.
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Windows Vista/XP/2003/Me/NT4/98/95 compatible upgrade version 3.3 has been recently released. It is exactly the same as version 3.2, only fixes “access violation” bug on Windows Vista operating system.
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AZZ Cardfile team
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Hi you guys,
AZZ Cardfile 4.0 Testing
I’ve been using your Cardfile program since the early days when I discovered your program to replace the old Windows 3.1 Cardfile. It’s still one of my main daily tools so I was very interested when a new version was about to be released. The Dialer is one of my most useful features and I was hoping the new release would prevent the beeping sound when the modem has dialed the number. The dialer window has to be cancelled or OKed to stop it. This doesn’t occur when the Microsoft dialer option is used but I prefer your dialer as it is simple and less complicated. Can you look at stopping this beeping because if it isn’t cancelled it leads to the person dialed hanging up because they think it is a Fax machine calling them. Now program is not held in a temporary file this certainly has improved program. Cleanup and defragging programs no longer kill the AZZ temp file causing program to crash.
Observations so far from my tests of version 4.0
Very happy that user interface remains as previous version and the added tools are a great improvement.
I remember reading in one of your articles that you didn’t want to expand the program much further and wanted to keep the program simple and nobody can fault you for that. I’m glad you decided to add additional features and enhancements. However, I didn’t find all the changes to be improvements. There are a few changes that have removed certain quirky features that were good and I was familiar with. If the removal was intentional rather than a bug then this takes away some of the programs flexibility.
On starting the program it no longer goes straight to the system tray if minimized to system tray is selected. At program start up I want this to occur so it is ready for use at any time unless Exit it used in the File menu. I start the program in Windows Startup. Please retained this feature same as Ver 3.2 or make it optional with the minimize to system tray. i.e. Minimize to system tray on Windows Startup.
On closing AZZ window with window X button I prefer this to close the window only or send program minimized to system tray same as Ver 3.2 and not Exit the program when this minimized feature is selected. Only kill program by Exiting is my preference. This makes it more intentional rather than a mistake hitting the X window button.AZZ is a program that I think should always be there in the background and not be able to be closed unintentionally. Please retain this feature or make it optional. i.e. minimize to system tray on Window closure. Use Exit on file menu or right click on system tray icon only to Exit and terminate program. I use the password feature so it is annoying when program. is terminated unintentionally. New users may not consider this a problem but for power users such as myself I would miss it.
In the Options-View-Menu the Card List position option top or side has now been removed. This made positioning card list simple and should be retained. Although the Card List can be dragged into position using the Filter bar this wasn’t obvious and I had difficulty making the drag and drop work.
In Options-View-Card. Options in this window don’t function. There is also a typo on the word group.
In Options-View-Status there is a typo on the word paragraph.
‘Change’ button not working in Styles Task panel.
When a function is selected from the Menu bar that uses the task pane the task pane select bar title doesn’t change to the selected task. Even though the task pane has its own title I think the select bar should also change to the current task in the pane at all times to save confusion such as when the select bar is used to change the task pane.
When Advanced search used, matching text or words are not highlighted in the text like the Find function.
Advance search using created or modified dates returned and error window not a valid date or time for all entries. This feature may be enhanced using the VB calendar function to select dates from calendar table etc.
New Feature suggestion
Calendar function may also be used with individual cards to select and add a date marker to card so to highlight card on certain dates to provide reminders.
Task Panel needs to have a docking option. If panel only floats then panel can get hidden. Also size (width and height) should automatically accommodate tools available in task pane. If task pane height set too small buttons are hidden and go unnoticed.
On opening AZZ Cardfile an error window with OK button appears. ‘Cannot focus a disabled or invisible window’ pressing ‘OK’ then starts normally. This also occasionally occurs when selecting advanced search from Edit or Task pane.
On occasion when exiting AZZ Cardfile an error window appears ‘TProgressBar property out of range’.
When file changed to the ‘sample.azz’ file an error window ‘ Access violation at address 00405E56 in Module ‘azzCardfile.exe’. Read address 45524338. This occurred with the appearance of a new name in the card list. The Read address changed number each time. I had to use CTRL-ALT-DEL to kill and exit program in Windows task manager.
This is as far as I’ve got so far. Hope it helps
Regards
Nigel
Nigel - thank you very much for your report on AzzCardfile 4.0 Beta.
We will definitely eliminate all bugs, your suggestions for further improvements will be considered in all seriousness.
Hi, Nigel,
I really appreciate the time you took to look at azzCardfile v4 beta and the suggestions you provided.
Dialer issues are most difficult to reproduce – it depends of modem, telephone line, service provider and other things. I implemented standard Windows Telephony API (TAPI) functions and some 3-d patrty communications toolkits in my program. I am using AZZ Cardfile dialer myself, it works on my system. A most significant improvement in version 4 is possibility to select and configure modems. Perhaps some tuning in a modem configuration dialog can resolve your problem.
Anyway, I will return to dialier programming in the next version. Hopefully, I will utilize new TAPI features, MS Speech API and VOIP.
Start minimized option has problems when minimize to system tray selected – properly startup minimization should not initialize any forms and dialogues (and file opening too) before the first restoring. It takes a lot of time to make a workaraound in previous versions. Every fix raises a couple additional bugs
. I turn it off, because of too much trouble of this small advantage – you can always set start minimized on a shortcut properties instead. However, I recently recreate this option, but it works not so smootly as it should – simply, after full program initialization and files opening, main window is compulsively minimized by posting system command message. You will see flickerings, but program will be minimized anyway. Maybe beter than nothing. I hope, this will not irritate most of users.
I also added “Minimize on closing” option in version 4 beta 2.
You correctly noticed, that a list position could be changed by dragging. This should not happen frequently. However, if you often need to switch between left and top orientation without dragging, you can load different predefined options (buttons on the left bottom edge of the options dialog). Anyway, I plan to add list position settings in the next version.
Options-View bugs and typos are fixed in beta 2.
Styles task panel needs more explanation. There will be comprehensive help about it in the final version.
Task pane title is synchronized with menu in beta 2.
I will work on a hightlining of a advanced found text in the next version. It is a difficult task.
Adding pop-up calendars on the date fields is not so difficult, hopefully, it will be implemented in future.
I have made some additional Task pane (it has a docking options) size constraints in beta 2.
I fixed your reported bugs (hopefully).
Thanks again, and if there are any more feedback, please let me know.
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I used to have a problem with V4 on Win98 groups would vanish or I couldn’t export a group at times. I just made a new smaller file for the “current group”, then I copy cards to my main file. The new V4 is working great since. Except I have to paste special when copying text to get RTF format.