<i><font color="#663300">I downloaded the latest version and the patch. I am so confused! I tried to find a manual and the one I found is years old! Why is this so confusing?!?! Is it intentional? I'm not the smartest guy around, but I'm certainly not stupid.</font></i>
There is no manual per se. We've been looking for someone to volunteer to write it, but everyone seems to be busy earning a living <g>.
There are docs on the <a href="http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~Topictextsearch~Codebook">Wiki</a> which explain various aspects of developing with Codebook, but so far there is no single document. What most users do is try some stuff, get stuck, post a question here, get an answer, try some more stuff... you get the idea.
<i><font color="#663300">When the files unzip, they all end up in one folder but the program expects a specific folder arrangement! Sheesh!</font></i>
The files are zipped with the path information. You need to be sure you unzip them so that the path information is restored, too.
<i><font color="#663300">I have spent the better part of 2 days and so far haven't made any progress! It seems that everything I read about this assumes that everyone has been on board the Codebook bandwagon since its' inception. What about us newbies!?!?!
Does anyone have any advice for a new user who is at this point TOTALLY frustrated and ready to remove this from my computer and move on?!?!</font></i>
First, please realize that Codebook is a free framework which is maintained by volunteers. There are lots of people willing to help, but nobody can afford to take a few months off from our paying clients in order to create the equivalent of a commercial package. If you need that level of documentation and support, I think Visual FoxExpress is an excellent choice. It is based on Codebook, but comes with a whole lot more in terms of docs and tools, and the folks at <a href="http://f1tech.com/">F1 Technologies</a> do a great job supporting it.
If you do want to stick with a free framework, then take the time to look through the classes and read the docs on the Wiki. Re-unzip the files, and try creating a new app. When you get stuck, if you spend more than 15 minutes trying to figure something out, post a message here. Odds are that someone else has already encountered that problem, and can explain what to do.
We have also begun the process of creating a sample app, which I hope to have available in the next few weeks. I would be especially interested in the feedback of a newbie such as yourself, since you are the target audience for this effort.
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Ed Leafe
©2001 Ed Leafe |
