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User Guide - Session 12
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Transporting your Flower Genie database between PC’s, on a Flash Disc
In this session you will learn how to:
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- Create a SWAP database on a Flash Disc
- Transport your Flower Genie database between computers
- SWITCH data sources
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Flower Genie works like
a dream on Flash Disc.
This is by far the easiest way to backup your Flower Genie data files, and those little flash discs are very reasonable. You can carry them anywhere - in your pocket,
handbag or briefcase.
Theres an additional bonus. If you follow this procedure, you will have created a SWAP Library database.
You'll be able to plug this in and use it on your laptop
or second computer (with Flower Genie installed).
You can also SWAP it with a Flower Genie friend.
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Creating the SWAP database on your Flash drive
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- Create a folder on the Flash Disc (lets assume its the i: drive) called:
fgdata_sets
The full path to this folder is:
i:\fgdata_sets
Theres a reason for using the name
fgdata_sets
Its hard coded into Flower Genie, and used to indicate that the folder is a SWAP database.
Now we need to make a sub folder under fgdata_sets. To do that:
- Double click on the folder name.
- Make a new folder called MyName
This name is NOT important. However, its the name that will show up in the Data Source pop-up, so make it
something meaningful, particularly if you intend to SWAP your database with friends.
The full path to this folder is:
i:\fgdata_sets\myname
Now we need to make a sub folder under myname. To to that:
- double click on the folder name.
- Make a new sub folder called fgdata
This name IS important. Dont change it
The full path to this folder is:
i:\fgdata_sets\myname
\fgdata
Create the SWAP
- Start Flower Genie
- From the menu tabs (top of screen) run the program System>System Paths - FG197
- In Backup Folder No 2 click the Get a folder button
Find and select i:\fgdata_sets\myname\fgdata\
Note: A backslash is required at the end of the path. Flower Genie will do this for you. However, if you do this manually, be sure to add the
backslash.
- SAVE Changes. (FG197 closes)
- Start the backup program System> Backups - FG201
- Change the Backup to pop-up to Backup No 2
- The name of the path to the folder on Flash should be displayed
- Click the Do Test button
- Flower Genie tests the integrity of the files in your database
If files are OK, Flower Genie automatically proceeds to show you another screen (FG201S01)
- In FG201S01, Click Do Backup
Thats it!
Testing your SWAP
- Start Flower Genie
- Start FG037 (or any action program with a Data Source pop-up)
- Click on the Data Source pop-up
- Your SWAP, or backup, with the name myname will be listed in the pop-up.
- Select this and explore.
If you follow this procedure, the files on the Flash can be edited.
Thus you can work
directly on the Flash Disc.
This opens up many options to the fertile mind!
Suggestions for the obvious:
myname=
mygarden2005
myname= mygarden2006
myname= mybackupJuly06
These can all be saved side by side on the same Flash Disc, if it has enough disk space.
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Transporting your Flower Genie database
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Viewing the data on the Flash disc on another computer
This is the simple option. Heres some pointers
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- Insert the Flash drive with your SWAP database into the computer
- Use any program which offers the Data Source pop-up to explore your database
Programs FG037, FG014 and FG034 have a Data Source pop-up
- Use the Data Source pop-up to locate your database on Flash
This will work only if your database location on Flash conforms to the SWAP folder structure described
above.
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Editing the data on the Flash disc on another computer
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- Insert the Flash drive with your SWAP database into the computer
- FG037 offers the Data Source pop-up to explore your database
- Use the Data Source
pop-up to locate your database on Flash
This will work only if your database location on Flash conforms to the SWAP folder structure described above.
- The program FG037 can also be used to edit the data on the Flash
- Do not use ANY programs which do not offer the Data Source
pop-up
If you do, you are NOT acessing the data on the Flash
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Another option - Editing the data on the Flash disc on another computer
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- If you wish to edit the database on another computer, you can restore the files onto that computer.
Use the program FG197 to configure your system paths
Use the Restore program - FG203 in
Flower Genie to do the restore
- When you're finished, backup again (use FG201) onto the Flash, to update the data.
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SWITCH data sources
Using a database on Flash disc as your Flower Genie data source
You work on two computers e.g. a desktop computer at home and a laptop when you travel
You wish to
work on the same database on each computer
In the configuration described below, there is no need to restore the data files from the Flash to either computer.
You work directly on the data
files on the Flash
This feature is for advanced users. A good understanding of folders is required.
Having said that, you’ll find lots of information in the Help supplied with Flower
Genie.
Before you begin, heres a list of things you should read:-
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- The following Help Topics (display Help topics using Program Help Topics-FG002)
Folders and Data (Core, Switch and SWAP data)
Folders and
Backups
- Start the program Switch data source - FG026
Click the Help button beside the Switch button
- Start the program About Flower Genie - FG200
Click the Help button beside Information Item 7. Switch Data Folder
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- Start the program Tools> Switch Data Source-FG026
- Click the Get a Flower Genie data folder button
- Select the folder on Flash, created in the previous exercise
- Check the Make this my start-up folder checkbox
If you choose NOT to check this checkbox, the SWITCH will last until you close Folwer genie
If
you DO check the checkbox, the SWITCH will persist,even when you close and re-start Flower Genie
- Click the Switch button
Do the above steps on each computer which you
intend to use to work with your Flower Genie database
In this configuration:
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- your live database travels with you on the Flash Drive.
- Flower Genie will look for the data on your Flash disc on start-up
- Plug your flash drive into the computer before starting Flower Genie
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