This website is devoted to Plug-Ins for thinkDB v2.0+. Plug-Ins written for thinkDB in most cases, if not all, will work with DataViz SmartList To Go (SLTG). Palm OS5 may cause some Plug-Ins to not function correctly. Although the information below is for thinkDB, almost everthing is still relevant for SLTG (tinyBytes are SmartLists, Field Type 'ThinkDB Plug-In' is 'SmartList Plug-In' etc.).

thinkDB Plug-In Overview

A thinkDB Plug-In is simply an add-on program that fills a specific purpose in thinkDB. As such, they extend the functionality of thinkDB. Plug-Ins are usually created by third-party developers to "plug into" thinkDB on a Palm OS based handheld.

Installing a Plug-In

There are a couple of ways to install a thinkDB Plug-In (or any Palm OS application):

1. Double-Click on the .prc file to be installed.
2. Select Install from within Palm Desktop and choose the file.

In both cases, the Palm Install Tool will then present a dialog to continue installation. After doing a HotSync, the Plug-In will be installed into thinkDB and is ready for use. To verify that it was installed correctly, launch thinkDB on your handheld, choose Tools/Plug-in Manager from the thinkDB application menu. Tap the arrow beside "Plug-In" and you should see the Plug-In listed. If not, repeat install instructions. If you do see it listed, it has been installed.

Un-Installing

To remove a Plug-In from thinkDB, first remove the Plug-In from all fields in all your tinyBytes. If you do not, you will encounter problems and could potentially corrupt data. Once you have removed all references of it from your tinyBytes, choose Tools/Plug-in Manager from the thinkDB application menu and follow the menu to delete the desired Plug-In.

Usage Overview

Before configuring any Plug-In, you must first create all the fields that the Plug-In requires for both input and output. After creating these fields, continue with the instructions that came with it for configuring the Plug-In to utilize the fields.

Upgrading from a previous version

If you are upgrading from a previous version of a Plug-In, the following is some special information to help you avoid problems. Before attempting to configure the Plug-In fields, it is necessary to "un-configure" the Plug-In. There is a special Plug-In named Update.prc supplied with many Plug-Ins that will do just that. Install Update.prc if you do not have it already installed. Please do the following steps:

1. From the Field Editor, select the small box to the right of the field you have previously selected as the Plug-In field.
2. From the Plug-In list, select Upgrade and press the OK button.
3. Select the small box to the right of the field you have selected as the Plug-In field and re-select the desired Plug-In.
4. Configure the Plug-In as described in the documentation that came with the Plug-In.

Configuring Plug-In Fields

Each Plug-In has different input fields and output fields. Therefore each Plug-In is configured differently though the following outlines how you go about configuring a Plug-In.

1. From the Field Editor, select Field Type ThinkDB Plug-In from the Field Type list. Selecting the small box to the right will then open the Field Properties dialog.
2. From the Plug-In list, select the desired Plug-In you wish to use.
3. Selecting the small box to the right of the selected Plug-In will allow you to configure the "Input" and the "Results In" parameters that the Plug-In uses to do its function.

Running the Plug-In

There are two methods for having any Plug-In perform its duties:

1. Place the "plugged-in" field onto a form and tap it.
2. "Apply" the Plug-In from the "Filtered Operations" screen (which is one of the menu options that appears by tapping on the "tool" icon).

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