Data Entry
Minaret is easy to use due to its large variety of "fill in the blank" screens for different types of collections. The screens are intuitive and uncluttered. Most data fields are variable length and capable of holding up to 65,000 characters of text. Minaret handles long fields like a word processor. A field that is longer than one line is "wrapped" onto subsequent lines at word boundaries. The number of fields and size of each record are only restricted by the amount of memory available in your computer. We also provide RLIN and OCLC forms for users who prefer those displays. Here is the first page of our archival description forms:

Authority control plays an important role in data entry. When you enter or modify data in a field that is under authority control, Minaret will check the field's new value against an authority list. This is a list of valid entries for a given field. If the value you entered is not in the authority list, a pop-up window will display the authorized entries closest to what you typed in. You can select an item from the list or add a new authority entry by pressing a single key. Every institution builds their own authority lists. You can also exchange authority data with our import and export utilities. Authority control helps you to catalog your objects more consistently and allows you to use students, volunteers and interns for data entry. Here is an archival record with an error in the author's name:

Access
You can search and sort your records by any field (including those long text fields) or combination of fields. The sorting process results in the creation of a database index that is automatically updated by the software whenever you add, delete or modify your records. Minaret can even sort multi-level accession numbers properly.

A powerful feature in Minaret is the index browser. It allows you to browse any index in a database using a pop-up window. After you select the index you want to browse (i.e. the "title" index, you just enter the first few characters of the item you are looking for. You don't have to worry about punctuation, upper and lower case characters, or diacritics (accent marks). Minaret will lead you to the appropriate section of the index. Here is a screen showing a title search for "writs":

After you have browsed around and found an entry you are interested in, you can retrieve the full record with the press of a button. Here's an example:

When your searching requirements are more complex, you can choose from three types of queries. With the EZ style, the user simply enters their searching criteria into the appropriate fields on the screen and Minaret does the rest. "Wild card" characters allow you to perform key word searches in any field. For example, the qualifier "*train*" would locate the word "train" anywhere in a particular field. The BOOLEAN search style allows you to use Boolean qualifiers (less than, greater than, not equal, etc.) with your selection criteria. For power users, there is a FREE-FORM query language which supports Boolean logic operations and complex relationships between the various search criteria.

Reports
Minaret treat printers as extensions of the computer screen. The same forms that are used to display records on the screen are used to format reports. You can place a single record on each page or as many records as will fit. You can print collection guides, catalog cards, inventory reports, and folder and slide labels. Any report can be loaded into your word processor for final editing.

Data Interchange
One of the most important features of any software package is its ability to exchange data with other computers and programs. Minaret supports an ASCII interchange format that allows you to exchange records with other database packages (i.e. dBase, Access, SQL and others). Alternately, you can use the Library of Congress MARC (MAchine Readable Catalog) format. We support the new integrated MARC format and the authority format. You are never locked in with Minaret.

Installation, Support and Training
Minaret includes an installation program that loads the software onto your computer. If you are running Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher, there is also a setup program that creates icons to access Minaret from within Windows. A sample database and an extensive tutorial and reference manual provide instructions and information on all aspects of Minaret -- from installation to customization and administration. Each copy of Minaret you purchase includes an hour of telephone support.

System Requirements
Minaret requires an IBM PC or 100% compatible computer with at least 640K (kilobytes) of RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk with a minimum of 2 megabytes of available space, and MS-DOS version 2.10 or greater. If you are planning to run Minaret on a network, your network must support MS-DOS record locking.  If you are running Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT or 2000, you are all set. Please note that Minaret does not run properly under Windows XP. We recommend any prior version of Windows.

Custom Services
Minaret Corp. offers a wide range of services to ease the transition to automated collections management. These include installation, training, customization and data conversion.

Warranty
Minaret includes a thirty day return privilege. You can return the product for a refund of the purchase price, minus any shipping, support or restocking fees.

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