1 Introduction [top]

1.1 What is Disc Manager? [top]
Disk Manager software provides a powerful user interface to be used for controlling the Digital Disc Organizer or the DACAL CD300. Disc Manager lets you organize and maintain information about your disc collection.
The Discs in the database are displayed in a flexible, "Microsoft Windows Explorer"-like screen, letting you customize the look and feel of the data in every possible way. This software has been designed for common and advanced digital disc media users. Users can customize the look and feel of the software by hiding windows, moving specific windows, or even undocking or unpinning windows.
Disc Manager even has full CDDB support, which lets you scan CDs in your CD-ROM drive and retrieve artist and title info from CDDB servers automatically.

1.2 Disc Manager database [top]

1.2.1 What is the Disc Manager database? [top]
The information in Disc Manager is stored in a database. The database will be created automatically for you when you begin to use Disc Manager. You can also backup and restore the database from the File menu, using the Backup Database and Restore Database menu options. For normal use, however, you will create a new database once and just use this database for entering all your Discs.
The default folder for storing the Disc Manager database is the "db" folder, which is located in the folder where you installed the program. The path will be automatically provided when you choose the menu option.

1.2.2 Getting started [top]
The first time Disc Manager is started, it will automatically open a new database. You will be given an automatic 30-day trial. At each startup you will be given a popup window, which will contain a message telling you how many days of your free trial have expired. If your hardware is connected at startup, the add library popup will appear and ask you to give the library a descriptive name. This name can be changed at any time.

1.2.3 Backing up your data [top]
Backing up your data is very simple: just click on the Menu item File and choose option Backup Database. Or, just copy the db folder to your backup medium (floppy disk, Zip-disk, hard drive, etc.).
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2 Main screen [top]

2.1 Overview [top]
The Disc Manager main screen has been designed to work like Windows Explorer. There are some differences but the principle is the same. The left side of the screen shows a "tree", the right side shows two panes: a "list" and "detail" pane. The list always shows the "contents" or "sub-items" of the selected item in the tree and the detail pane shows the details of the selected item from the list.
Tree (Categories, Disk Groups, File Groups & Search Results)
The tree on the left shows a structured view of your database. The high level items in the tree represent the Categories, Disc Groups, and File Groups. There are four default categories: Data, Movies, Music and Software. These folders can be moved, renamed and deleted. New folders can also be added. The folders in these groups can be possibly grouped in subfolders (e.g. Artist folders, Movie types).
In Disc Groups the tree shows Discs, grouped by the selected Folder Field. Expanding the Disc item will reveal the disc(s) of the Disc Group and expanding a disc will reveal the files on that disc. Note that in this group the files can only be viewed in the context of the Disc.
In File Groups however, the tree shows and groups individual files, independent of the Disc they are on. This view allows you to find files in your collection without knowing which Disc they are on (or because you want to find out which Disc they are on).
Dragging the divider between the tree and the list and the divider between the list and the Details View can change the layout of the main screen. The icons in the right corners of the panes (the parts with the 'X' and pin on it) are small "buttons" that can be used to hide a section completely, click it again to make the section reappear. You can also move the panes around by right clicking on the title bar and dragging the pane to the desired location. You can also click View from the menu and choose the panes to view or hide.
List
The list fills the right side of the main screen. It always shows the contents (if any) of the selected item in the tree on the left. For example, if the selected item is a Disc Group, then the list will show the disc(s) of that Disc group and if the selected item is a specific disc, the list shows the headers and/or files on that disc.
The list can display its items in a few ways: Small & Large Icons, Thumbnails, List and Details. If Icons/Thumbnails is selected, the list shows a large icon for each item in the list, with only the title of the item below it. When the list shows Discs, the icons will be small representations (thumbnails) of the Disc covers (if included in the database). This can give a nice overview of your Disc collection. If Details is selected then the list shows the items in multiple columns, each column displaying a different field of the item.
Details
The details pane will show the detailed information for the item selected either in the tree or the list pane. If it is a folder, the general tab will appear. If a disc is selected, the General, Volume, Additional and Status tabs will appear. To view the further detailed information, click the tab.

2.2 List View [top]
You can choose the appearance of the list pane by right clicking in the pane and choosing menu option "View". You can then view your data by Thumbnails, Large Icons, Small Icons, List or Details. When the list shows Details it consists of multiple columns.
You can also sort the listing. The simplest way to sort the list is by clicking on the column header of the field you want to sort on. Click once to sort ascending and again for a descending sort order. This way you can sort on any field that is shown as a column, but only on one field at a time. A small arrow in the column header shows which field is sorted on; it points up for ascending sort order and down for descending sort order.
The columns displayed remain the same for all items selected in the tree list. The columns available are Name, Type, Size and Date Modified.

2.3 Categories [top]
The tree on the main screen can group the Discs or files in Categories or subcategories, representing the values of a specific field. Right clicking on the folder can change the Category, and choosing Rename or Delete.
You can move up and down within the folder tree by clicking the arrow icons or choosing View from the menu and clicking Back, Forward, or Up Folder.
If a folder contains subfolders a box with a plus sign will appear to the left of the folder name. Click on the plus sign to view the subfolders.
You can create new folders by right clicking on the folder and choosing New Category. A box will be provided for you to enter the folder name.
You can drag and drop folders within the same Group. (Ex. Category folders can be moved within the Category Group. Disc Group folders can be moved within the Disc Groups folder.) Folders cannot be moved across groups.
You can drag entire Discs, tracks or files into the folders by left clicking on them in the tree or in the list view and dragging them to the desired folder or subfolder.

2.4 Quick Search [top]
To quickly search in any field, use the Quick Search edit box on the Search toolbar. Type the text you want to search for, chose the field to search from the drop down list and click Find Now to search your collection. If the search text is found in the chosen field, the Disc will be shown. The search is case-insensitive. Your search results will be listed in the tree view pane under Search Results. If you have performed multiple searches, you can view previous searches without having to perform the search again. Click on the previous search from the list in the tree view pane. The search results are cleared from the list each time you close the program.

2.5 Toolbar [top]
The toolbar contains icons for the most commonly used functions: Move back one folder, Move forward one folder, Move Up Folder, Print, Search, Add Disc, Fast Add Discs, Retrieve Disk, New Category, Barcode and Delete. If you hold the mouse over the icon, a label containing the description of the icon function will appear. The toolbar can be undocked (floating within your screen area) or moved to the top or bottom of the application main window.
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3 Disc Groups [top]

3.1 Creating, Moving, Deleting [top]
Disc groups allow users to create groups or subgroups of similar Discs for easy access for organization. You can easily create a disc group and drag and drop discs from your entire collection. This allows you to retrieve the discs you need quickly and easily. Each disc can be in multiple disc groups if desired.

3.1.1 Create a Disc Group [top]
There are two ways to create a disc group. In the tree pane, right click and highlight the Disc Groups, then select New Category from the pop up menu. This will create a blank category and allow you to type in the name you choose. Or, you can click on Disc Groups in the tree pane and click the blue folder with the green + on the toolbar. Again, a blank category will be provided to allow you to type the name you choose.

3.1.2 Move a Disc or Disc Group [top]
To move a Disc(s) you can highlight the Disc(s) you want to move and drag and drop them to the disc group category of your choice. To create a subfolder, drag and drop the entire group folder to the desired folder.

3.1.3 Delete a Disc Group [top]
There are two ways to delete a disc group. In the tree pane, right click and highlight the Disc Groups, then select Delete from the pop up menu. By default you will be asked to confirm that you want to delete the group. Or, you can click on Disc Groups in the tree pane and click the red 'X' on the toolbar. Again, you will be asked to confirm the delete. Click on your desired response.
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4 File Groups [top]

4.1 Creating, Moving, Deleting [top]
File Groups allow users to create groups or subgroups of similar files for easy access and organization. You can easily create a file group and drag and drop files from ANY disc in your collection. This allows you to retrieve the disc you need by selecting a desired file, without ever knowing or caring on which disc that file is located.

4.1.1 Create a File Group [top]
There are two ways to create a file group. In the tree pane, right click and highlight the File Groups, then select New Category from the pop up menu. This will create a blank category and allow you to type in the name you choose. Or, you can click on Disc Groups in the tree pane and click the blue folder with the green + on the toolbar. Again, a blank category will be provided to allow you to type the name you choose.

4.1.2 Move a File Group or Files [top]
To move a file(s) you can highlight the file(s) you want to move and drag and drop them to the file group category of your choice.

4.1.3 Delete a File Group [top]
There are two ways to delete a file group. In the tree pane, right click and highlight the File Groups, then select Delete from the pop up menu. By default you will be asked to confirm that you want to delete the group. Or, you can click on File Groups in the tree pane and click the red 'X' on the toolbar. Again, you will be asked to confirm the delete. Click on your desired response.
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5 Adding, re-cataloging and deleting Discs [top]

5.1 Adding Discs [top]
The basic way of adding a new Disc to the database is to use the Add Disc item from the Actions Menu (or the corresponding toolbar icon). This will open the Add Disc screen showing the information that needs to be entered for the Disc, once information is completed click START. You can also add multiple discs at once using the Fast Add feature.

5.1.1 Adding one Disc (with or without CD Contents cataloged) [top]
To add Discs, choose Add Disc from the Actions Menu or click the big Add Discs button (disk with green +) on the toolbar. If you prefer to enter all information for a disk you can use the Add Disc command from the Actions menu. Either method will open the Add Disc screen. You will need to enter the Disc info and choose your specific options and click START to add the new Disc to the database. The options include: Catalog files on disc, Store thumbnails for known image types, and Use CDDB for Audio Discs. If you choose Catalog Files on disc, all information on disc is cataloged. This will allow for searches to be performed on all contents of the disc. (Note: the Fast Add option does not catalog data on the disc). The CDDB option lets you add audio Discs by retrieving Disc information from the online information source CDDB. This way you can quickly enter your entire collection with a minimum of typing.

5.1.2 Adding Multiple Discs (Fast Add-- without CD Contents cataloged) [top]
To add multiple discs with less detail, choose Fast Add Discs from the tools menu or the icon (stacked discs with a green +). This will open the Add Multiple Discs window. Enter the title, select the library from the drop down list and enter the description for each Disc. Click the Save button when finished entering all discs.

5.1.3 Re-catalog existing Discs [top]
To Re-catalog a Disc choose Re-catalog from the actions menu or right click on the Disc and choose Re-catalog Disc from the popup menu. Re-cataloging is useful if you've already added a disc via the Fast Add method and you are now ready to catalog the information on the disc. Choose from the provided options when re-cataloging.

5.2 Deleting existing Discs [top]
Use the Delete option under the File menu to remove the currently selected Disc(s) from the database. Or, click the red X icon on the toolbar once you have select your disc, file or folder. By default, Disc Manager asks you if you'd like to retrieve the disc before removing it. You can choose Yes, No or Cancel.

5.3 Moving discs or files between Categories using Drag and Drop [top]
In the main screen you can move discs between Discs using the standard Drag and Drop principle. Just drag a disc from one folder, drop it on another folder and the disc will be moved.
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6 Advanced Search [top]

To perform an advanced search, choose Search from the Actions Menu or click the magnifying glass icon on the toolbar. Enter the name to search for in the provided text box and choose the Search category. You can click on the button to the right of the search field to browse the list of categories from which you can choose. Click on the desired category in the provided list and click OK. To enter advanced Search options click on Advanced Search Options or click the arrow to the right. (to collapse the advanced options list, click on the down arrow.) In the advanced options you can choose search types (e.g. Disc Title, File Folders, File Name, etc.), as well as specific file sizes and file creation dates. When all search criteria has been selected, click Search. This advanced feature is very helpful for extensive Disc collections.
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7 Printing [top]

To print the information in your collection about one or more Discs or files, or a list of your entire collection, use the Print function (select File\Print on the menu, or the Print button on the toolbar).
In the Print Manger window, you can select the fields you want to display, the file location to which you want to export the file, use print preview, and configure your printer.
Use the Print Preview button to open the Print Preview window; it shows the first couple of pages of the document, as they will be printed. In the Print Preview screen, use the toolbar at the top to navigate through the pages, zoom in or out, print the document or return to the Print dialog box with the Close button.
The Configure printer button allows you to change the properties of the printer like paper size, paper source, landscape/portrait printing and margins. You can also change the selected printer with the 'Printer...' button.
You can use the Excel button to save (export) your report to Excel. You will also be asked if you'd like to open the saved file in Excel.
By default a file name and location will exist in the Export field, if you want to change this, you can type in a different path or browse by clicking the small square button to the right of the file name.
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8 Signin Manager [top]

The Sign in Manager was designed to be able to track the checking in and checking out of discs that are in your catalog. The Sign in Manager works in two ways: either you sign in as you start up the application or you can set it up to enter a user id and password each time you access a disc. You have the ability to run reports on disc activity and even export those reports in Microsoft Excel format.

8.1 Setting up Signin Manager [top]
To enable the Signin Manager select Tools and then Options from the main menu. Select the Sign in Manager tab. Select option Start Up or Disc Level and enter the administrator password. Initially the administrator password is "admin" all lower case letters. Once you enter the password, select the Enable button. The changes will take affect the next time you restart the software.
To switch the sign in types you will need to enter your administrator password and select the Disable button. Next, select the sign in option you prefer and click Enable.
To disable the Signin Manager select Options from the Tools menu. Under options select the Sign in Manager tab and enter your administrator password. Select Disable button and hit OK.
(Note: restart your software after any changes to the Signin Manager.)

8.2 Add or Edit Users [top]
To add or edit users enter your administrator password and click the Users button. The User List window will then open. You can change the status of a user to Active or Inactive. The inactive status will suppress the user id from the drop down signin box. To add users just select the Add button. Enter a user id and a password. You will need to enter the user password again for verification and click the Save button. When editing a user you cannot change the name of the user, only the status.

You can reset a user password by highlighting the user name and selecting the Reset button. The password will to set to "reset". The user should select Change password option from the Main toolbar to change his/her password. An administrator can also reset a user's password.

8.3 Start up or Disc Level [top]
Signing into the software at startup: At start up the login box will appear. Choose your user id and enter your password, the click the OKAY button. This will log you into the system. When you sign in at startup you will be unable to change the user dropdown box from the main toolbar. You would need to close the software and sign in as another user.
Accessing a disc while signed in at startup: Disc Manager does not act any differently when retrieving a disc while signed in. Behind the scenes, the software keeps an audit trail of every time a disc is accessed. Disc Manager keeps track of CD, Userid, date and action (insert/remove). This data can be accessed from the Main File menu under Reports. Please see the Reports section of this document for more information.
Accessing a disc while signed in at disc level: When tracking disc access at disc level anytime a user tries to add or remove a disc, Disc Manager will prompt the user to select a name from the dropdown User List box and then enter a password. The user name stays selected until someone manually changes it. (Note: remember that you will have to reenter your password every time you want to access a disc.)

8.4 Audit Data [top]
You can change the length of time you want to keep audit data. Under the Sign in Manager tab enter your password and click the Audit button. A drop down list will appear with available intervals (1-week, 1-month, 1-year, etc.) choose the desired interval for when you want the history data deleted. The data is deleted at the expiration of the interval you specify when you shut down the program.
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9 Barcodes

9.1 Adding a Barcode to a Disc [top]
You can add a barcode to a Disc by right clicking the Disc and choosing Properties. Or, click on CD to select it and click Edit on the detail pane. Under Properties choose the Additional Tab. Next, click in the Barcode field and scan your barcode. Click Apply and then click OK to save this data.

9.2 Retrieving a Disc by Barcode [top]
A barcode is a quick and easy way to retrieve a Disc. To retrieve a CD using the barcode click on the Barcode Icon on the toolbar or choose Actions and Barcode from the main menu. Next, scan your barcode and click Go. If you have only one CD with that barcode it will be retrieved. If multiple discs have that barcode a list of all discs found will be displayed. Double click on the disc you would like to retrieve.
Another way to retrieve the disc by barcode is to use the quick search. On the quick search toolbar click in the Search for field and scan your barcode. Choose Barcode from the drop down list. Click Find Now, the results will be displayed in a search results set.

9.3 Print Catalog with Barcode [top]
To use this feature you need Microsoft Excel and a barcode font installed on your PC, To print your catalog by barcode, from the Main Menu select File and then Print. Or, select the printer icon from the toolbar. Check the barcode field under Fields to display. Export your report to Microsoft Excel and once you are in Excel, highlight the barcode field and change your font to your installed barcode font.
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10 Restore/Backup database [top]

10.1 Restore database [top]
You can restore your database by choosing Restore Database from the File Menu. The Database Backup and Restore window is opened. Select radio button Restore Database and click OK. The database will be restored from the default file in the path shown.
NOTE: you can only restore your database from and to the EXACT same locations. If you reinstall your software in another location the restore will not work.

10.2 Backup database [top]
You can backup your database by choosing Backup Database from the File Menu. The Database Backup and Restore window is opened. Select radio button Backup Database and click OK. The database will be backed up to the default file in the path shown. You can also backup your data by copying the db folder from where the application is installed.
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11 Reports [top]

Disc Manager allows you to produce Reports categorized into the following: Removed, Loaned/Due, Signed Out and Disc Audit. You can produce the reports by choosing Reports from the File Menu. The reports window will open. Once the radio button of the desired report is chosen, the report will appear in the right side panel of the window.
You can view reports by selecting File and then Reports from the Main Menu. Select Disc as the audit type. You should see the data list change. You can resize the width of the window to make your report wider. To sort your data click on the header column of the field by which you would like to sort. To sort on multiple fields hold down the shift key and select the fields on which to sort.
Once you have the data listed the way you would like it to be presented, select either Print Preview to print the report or choose a file name and select the Excel button to export your report to Excel. Hit Done when finished printing or exporting.
By default a file name and location will exist in the Export field, if you want to change this, you can type in a different path or browse by clicking the small square button to the right of the file name.
Use the Print Preview button to open the Print Preview window; it shows the first couple of pages of the document, as they will be printed. In the Print Preview screen, use the toolbar at the top to navigate through the pages, zoom in or out, print the document or return to the Print dialog box with the Close button.
The Configure printer button allows you to change the properties of the printer like paper size, paper source, landscape/portrait printing and margins. You can also change the selected printer with the 'Printer...' button.
You can use the Excel button to save (export) your report to Excel. You will also be asked if you'd like to open the saved file in Excel. Click Done when finished viewing, printing, or exporting the report.
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12 Tools [top]

12.1 Options [top]
12.1.1 General [top]
Use xp style icons. This option is used only for xp users only. If you experience slowdown when displaying contents of cds, it maybe from the use of xp style icons. Disc Manager allows you to disable this feature in the application.
Remind me when discs are due. Check this option if you use the loan/comment manager and you are checking reminders. If this option is selected you will receive an alert with a list of discs that are due (or past due) when you start up the application.
Show Disc groups in tree. Check this option if you would like to display Disc Groups in your tree on the main screen.
Show File groups in tree. Check this option if you would like to display file Groups in your tree on the main screen.

12.1.2 Thumbnails [top]
Disc Manager has an option to store the thumbnails of known image types when cataloging your discs. By default we have added the common image types. On the thumbnail tab you can add or remove image types that you would like to use.

12.1.3 Sign In Manager [top]
On this tab you can enable/disable sign in manager and change options. Please see 8 Sign in Manager for more details.

12.1.4 Database Path [top]
WARNING: this feature is for advanced users only! Improper use can cause your application to not function.
Disc Manager allows users to point to a different database. This can be used if a user wants to move the database to a shared location for other users to access. Please see cautions under Database for the backup and restore function when using the shared location.

12.1.5 CDDB Setting [top]
Please see 13.1 using the CDDB.
The Disc Volume label field is currently not being used. This field is for future use.

12.2 Language Editor [top]
Disc manager allows you to load a new language.
WARNING: this feature is for advanced users only! Improper use can cause your application to not function.
To load a new language, choose Tools from the Main Men and then select Language Editor. Click the Load Language button. Next, click Open and then choose a file from the language directory. A message box will appear saying the language has been loaded.
To create a new language file, select the Load Language Button. Click the Create New button and select a file from which to copy, this is usually Localized.txt. You will need to rename the file with the new language name in the title field. Enter an author name and a version number. Select the key you are changing, the English version is listed in the original text box and the new translated text will be typed into the translated text box. Change all text that you would like to change by clicking on the key. Once completed you can save your language file by clicking the save button.
To edit a language file, click the Open button and browse to the language you would like to change. It is good practice to add a version number to the name of the text file when making a change. Select the keys that you would like to change and edit them in the translated text field. Save the file. To use this file you will have to select the Load Language button and choose your new file name.

12.3 Disc Library Utilities [top]
The Disc Utilities allows you to perform utilities on your Disc Libraries. To use the utilities, click Tools from the Main Menu and select Disc Library Utilities. Select the Library from the drop down list box.
The Test Utilities group box allows you to perform the following actions:
Device Id will give you the device id of the selected library. LEDON will turn on the led. LEDOFF will turn off the led. Reset will force the library to reset itself (library will spin). Disc Down will close the CD library if the ejector is open. Move To will move the unit to whichever slot is chosen in the drop down box.
The Delete button will delete the selected library as long as there are not Discs cataloged in the library. Rename allows you to rename a library. Click the Rename button, enter a library name and click OK.
Move Content will move all of your disc information from one CD Library to another. You can only move the data to an empty library that contains no discs. Select the library you want to move FROM (source library), from the Library Name drop down list box at the top of the screen. Choose the library you want to move the discs TO (destination library) from the Move to Library drop down list box. Click the Move Content button.
The Install button is used when you want to install a new library. First, plug the new library unit in and click the install button. The search for the new library begins. If found the new library found box would appear where you enter the new library name. You can also install a new library by restarting the software. Each time you start the software it looks for new devices that may have been plugged in.
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13 Using the CDDB [top]

13.1 Using the CDDB. [top]
For your convenience Disc Manager allows access to the CDDB. The CDDB is an internet site that stores music disc information. Disc Manager accesses the site freedb.freedb.org.

13.2 Using a proxy. [top]
If you use a proxy to get to the internet, Disc Manager allows you to enter that information. From the main Menu under tools, choose options. Select the CDDB settings tab. Check the use Proxy check box and it will enable the proxy fields. Enter your host/address, port number and a user id and password if required, then choose the okay button. You should now be able to access the CDDB through your proxy.
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14 Further Information [top]

More information about Disc Manager can be found at website: www.discmanager.net