FHSWIN - Family History System for Windows


This series of pages attempts to describe the appearance and operation of the Family History System for Windows software. Each of the visible FORMs are shown and decribed. (Note: Upon returning to work on the FHSWIN program in 2018, the name of the executable program file was changed from FHSWIN to FHSW2018. If the program is ever considered to be "completed", the name will return to FHSWIN.)

The operation of FHSWIN is somewhat similar to previous versions in that producing a report requires three steps:

  1. Identify the records that are to be included in the report (by creating a "work" file or by selecting records during a search process)
  2. Enter the desired report/chart option settings
  3. "Print" the report to Screen, Printer or File
The difference in FHSWIN is that these operations are controlled using mouse selected "buttons" and "selection lists" instead of special keyboard function keys. Although updating report settings and data entry will still require the use of the keyboard, the only "special function" keys are the Enter, ESCape and Tab keys. At this time, no attempt has been made to continue the use of the program function keys or to provide "Alt+character key" shortcuts to menu options.

The description of the operation of FHSWIN will be done by looking at the different "forms" that make up the visible part of the "user interface". The "Header" or "Title" portion of each form contains a line describing the form. In some cases the text is fixed, but in the case of form FHSWRPGM the line describes the program that will print the report or chart. The descriptions of the forms will concentrate upon the part of the form that is below the title.

There are currently 29 forms: (In the description of each form a small representation of the form is shown. Clicking on that graphic will display a clearer view of the form.)

While the use of independent "forms", instead of a single large form, may seem at times to "clutter" the screen with multiple objects for this one application, you can move the forms around to locations that you prefer and these locations will be "remembered" so that the forms will reappear in predictable locations.