MagicBase
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you have an international version with currency
and date options?
MagicBase is fully international compatible. You can
choose the currency symbol in preferences. And MagicBase will conform
it's date format to your computer system. And the printing functions let
you choose your page sizes like A4.
Q: Is there any difference between MagicBase on
the disc and the MagicBase download?
No. The programs are the same. However the disc contains
MagicBase software for three operating systems: Windows, Macintosh os
X, and Macintosh os 9. The disc also contains the Users Guide and the
Quick Tour videos, which are available as separate downloads.
Q: Is any additional software needed besides MagicBase?
No. MagicBase contains everything you need: Database;
Show planner; basic Word processor; Mailing List Manager; Trick List;
Reports, and more.
Q: Can I use MagicBase to keep track of events
booked through an Entertainment Agency?
Yes. The Customers Screen will allow you to list the
Entertainment Agency and every event that the Agency has booked for you.
And you can also keep a separate contact record for each customer that
the agency has hired you for. Additionally, you can print out a report
that lists all income just from that Agency.
Q: Why are there three shows columns on the Customers
Screen? Is that all the events I can list?
No. Each customer record can have an infinite amount
of Events listed under it. Within each event you can list up to three
types of shows on a screen. For example, if you perform for a corporate
event, you may do some Walk-Around Magic during the reception, then a
Stage Show after dinner, then some Close-Up in the Hospitality Suite.
Each of these can be listed under a different show column, as part of
the same event. And you can itemize the fee charged for each show. The
total event fee is listed at the bottom and appears on the contract too.
Q: When I do a search for Tasks to Do (Undone Actions)
by clicking on the 'By' button, why do all of the Actions appear?
Anytime that you do a search, and you want to view your
search results, you must hold down the Shift key as you click on the Forward
or Previous arrows in the header. Holding down the Shift key as you click
on the arrows is how you tell MagicBase that you want to browse through
a CURRENT SET, and not the usual alphabetical listing. So, click on the
'By' button then browse the results by holding down the Shift key while
you click on the Previous or Next arrows in the header.
Q: How do I search for undone actions; that is,
actions to do that are not yet due?
1) Click on the Find button. 
2) Type this into the "action" box:
""
That is two quotations marks
right next to each other, w/ no blank space between them. This will show
all records w/ anything in the action box.
3) Then just use the Shifted search (SHIFT key
held down as clicking on Event nav-arrows).
And you can manually
scroll through all events.
Note: this will show all events, not just future
events.
Q: How do I print letters and the senders address
individually and in groups with a logo?
In order to print an individual letter or address,
from the main screen, make sure that you have the customer you want to
work with displayed on screen. Also, make sure that you have selected
the right Event for this customer. (You may have multiple Events for a
Customer like a Birthday party, or a corporate show. Select the correct
event by using the Event Selection Arrows. Then click on the "Reports"
button. Then in the reports screen select the option from the box in the
upper left entitled "Current Customer", and click on the button
box above it entitled "Show Reports Using".
This will lock in the Customer you want to work with;
you will see that Customer displayed in the Customer Display Box on the
upper right.
Then it is a simple matter to choose whichever letterheads or envelopes
you wish to print, from the "Customer Contacts" columns on the
far right.
Also, to print with a logo, you must first load your
logo into the "Preferences" screen. Then the logo will occur
on all of your printed literature. To choose the logo, go to the Preferences
screen and click on the "Insert your logo" button. This will
allow you to browse to your company's logo, select it, and choose OK.
It will now be included on your customer mailings.
Q:How do I manage my reminders?
1) Select the Customer you want
2) Select the Event for that Customer using the Event selection arrows
in the Events row (shown below).
3) Then choose the action you want for that Event, from the available
list, or make your own Action by choosing the "edit..." button.
4) Then select the date on which you want to be reminded by clicking on
the calendar icon. This will pop up a calendar which will allow you to
choose a date.
5) Once that date is reached, every time you open MagicBase, you will
be reminded of the action, until you delete it.
 |
Q:Why does it seem that MagicBase
locks up while in print preview mode? What's up? Whenever you go to the Contracts & Reports Screen and click on any of the Contact buttons on the right side of the screen (Envelopes, Letterhead, Contracts, etc.), you have entered the Print Preview mode. You can tell when MagicBase is in Print Preview mode because the Status Bar on the left side of the screen will appear. You will note the 'Continue' button. This means that MagicBase is waiting for you to click on that button. You cannot activate any other windows (like Help, or FlexContracts) until you click on the 'Continue' button in the Status Bar. |
Q:When I switch to the FlexContract, it seems like
I can't do anything. Why do I only see one window?
The FlexContract is a dual window display.
If you only see one window, then you need to look behind it to find the
FlexContract control buttons. (It is recommended that the computer window
size be set to 1024 x 768.)
Q: When I try to import graphics into MagicBase,
I get an error message.
MagicBase uses the QuickTime technology to import
or insert graphics, sounds, movies or other multimedia files. QuickTime
is installed by default as a component of Mac OS and Mac OS X. To install
QuickTime on Windows, goto: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/.
1) Once there, download QuickTime for Windows.
2) Then when installing QT, you will see a button marked, "Mime Types".
3) Please click on that button, and select the .bmp mime type.
4) Then on the next screen for multi-media options, be sure to select
the Windows option (which also lists .bmp in parentheses under it.).
5) You may need to restart MagicBase to get it to recognize the system
change.
Q: I need to transfer all of my data to my new
computer. How do I do that?
Do not install a new version of MagicBase on your
new computer, because that will just get you a blank copy of MagicBase.
All that you have to do is to duplicate the entire MagicBase folder, burn
it to a disc, and copy the whole folder to your new computer. Then just
place a shortcut or alias on the desktop to point to the MagicBase file
in the MagicBase folder. That's it!
UPDATER QUESTIONS
MagicBase 2.6 was released in June 2007. It is a full version of MagicBase, but it has an updater built into it which can be accessed on the 'MB Action' menu.
Here are some questions that have been asked:
Q: Do I need to purchase the new version to get full version?
No. If you're a registered owner it's free.
Q: What are the differences over the older version that I have?
• Access to "Actions to do List page." You no longer have to browse through one at time.
See them all and click on the one that you want.
•
Exporter function.
• The updater! If you have data in your old MagicBase, then this will copy your old
data into the new MagicBase 2.6.
View Updater Movie and doc file...
• The older that your version of MagicBase is, then the more changes will be available in the new version.
Q: Is there a handbook to help me know how to use it? Or is there little difference?
Use the current Users Guide which is available here...
Q:
I am very interested in how to best utilize your program. How can I learn?
• There is onscreen help built into MB.
• There is also the Users Guide, and lots of videos online.
• Subscribe to MagicBase Power for detailed lessons here...
Q: Could you give me a suggestion on the steps that I should go through so that I can use it to the fullest?
Start with small things like just keeping track of customers names and numbers.
Later you can use MB to send out form letters, or plan shows, or do financial reports.
The best help will come from the Users Guide. Read it all!