The Profound, Penetrating, & Powerful
Book of MOM
DATA for MOM 4.0
Introduction
Welcome
to the Profound, Penetrating, and Powerful Book of MOM Data 4.0,
the sequel to the Gigantic, Thorough, Lucid, & Exciting Book of MOM
Data 3.14.
Here is what some real
MOM users* had to say about
the previous book:
- This book is like a box
of chocolates . Ron
Mancini, Mother Myrick's Confectionery, Manchester Center,
Vermont
- Go ahead...make my data. . Shawne Kleckner, The Right Stuf
- I just want to say
one word to you...just one word...append . Larry
Selman to Marti Selman, TheGlassGallery.com.
-
Show me the DATA! . Wayne
Stephenson, Comfort Trac (backtohealth.com)
- Before this book, I didn't know
nuthin' bout manipulatin' no data! . Jessica Hammond,
Wedding Gown Preservation Company
- "You want answers?" "I want the DATA!" "You can't HANDLE the data!" .
Elizabeth Kellogg and Cathy Daughtridge, Marietta, GA
- Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! . Chrissy Caggiano, Independent Living Aids
As the title of the book indicates, we've made profound
improvements to this version of our MOM data book. We've
added details of about 18 new MOM tables, and we've...ok, ok,
let's dispense with this we business...it's enough that the book is Profound,
Penetrating, and Powerful...it doesn't have to be
pretentious, too! I wrote the book, I don't have to pretend there
is more than one of me here. I have also eliminated the graphical
representations of individual tables (which users told me were not
particularly valuable) in favor of an improved table relationship layout
at the beginning of the book (color-coded for your viewing pleasure).
Who uses this book and
why?
Let's face it. The comments above
notwithstanding, this book is boring. A real snoozer. That's
just the nature of computer data books, I'm afraid. If you want
insightful analysis, pick up the Wall Street Journal. If you're looking for
thoughtful commentary, read E.D. Hirsch. In the mood for
spray-beer-through-your nose slapstick? Go find a Dave Barry column. In
short, if you want something interesting, this book is not for you. Put it
down and back away slowly.
But
if you're manipulating data using MOM's DBUWIN
program or a different utility, then you've come to the
right place. If you're writing MOM reports with R&R Report Writer or
Crystal Reports, or if you're importing the tables into Access for
independent analysis, you now have what you need. If you're a web
developer or independent software provider who is writing programs that
use and interface with the MOM data, then keep this book handy. If you
want the basic tools to use DBUWIN and the knowledge to implement them,
then you're in luck. Now is the time for the Chair Dance of
Computer-Geek Joy.
What this book does
NOT tell you
How to program in R&R Report Writer (That's a serious
skill that requires at least two days of intense instruction.
please call 585-425-8066 for information about my classes)
Why the NEW table is called NEW rather than
something like COMPOS
What CMS stands for (just assume it stands for
Classified MOM Stuff)
How the book works
This book provides the
following information for each of 55 MOM tables:
- Type of field (C=Character, N=Numeric, D=Date, L=Logical,
T=Date/Time and M=Memo)
-
Width of field (how many characters are available)
-
Function of the field (in detail, often with smart-ass
remarks)
-
Related tables to which the field provides a link
When you
want to know where to find a particular kind of information in the MOM
tables, the first place you should go is the index. I. ve done my best to
cross-reference it thoroughly so you should have no trouble finding what
you. re looking for no matter what words you use. The index will point you
to the table and field where you. ll find the information; the tables are
in alphabetical order.
And
if you're not yet skilled
at using DBUWIN, turn to the appendix for detailed instructions. You'll find information about both simple and basic functions.
Aren't there more than
55 tables in MOM?
Sure, there are more than 55 tables. But we
chose to dissect the tables that in our experience MOM users are most likely
to need to understand. Many of those extra tables are temporary tables that
store information for a very short amount of time when MOM procedures
are running, and the likelihood of your requiring them for some extra-MOM
use is very small. The book provides information on both static tables
(those that get added to or changed very infrequently or never, like "PAYTYPES") and dynamic tables (those that get added to
or changed constantly, like "ITEMS") that you are likely to
require for reports or data manipulation.
One more thing (a.k.a. "covering
my bottom")
This
book provides information exclusively
for the Windows version of MOM (4.0) that is in use as
of summer 2001. Updates of MOM sometimes (though rarely) add fields or change
the functionality of fields within tables. It's impossible to anticipate
how changes to MOM will affect the precision of the data in this
book, so while I firmly believe that you. ll find this guide useful,
please keep in mind that some things may change in future releases of MOM.
If you're a keyboard-happy
person who doesn't read directions carefully, stay away
from DBUWIN. Using DBUWIN or another interface to the data tables makes it
easy to change or delete data.too easy, in some cases. So here's the deal:
I can tell you what's in those tables, but if you decide to muck around
in them, you're on your own. Capice?
One last thing: Thanks,
thanks, and more thanks
I
love working in this industry. The
owners, managers, and workers of small- to medium-sized mail order businesses
really are a breed unto themselves: They. re self-reliant, engaged,
enthusiastic thinkers who are great at creating value in the marketplace,
and usually are as attentive to creating value in the workplace.
(Most of them even pay their consulting bills on time!) As such,
they. re wonderful to work with; when we assist our clients, we
acquire a kind of personal stake in their businesses that you might not
expect from mere consultants.
So I want to thank my
loyal base of clients who have been so supportive all through the years.
You know who you are. This book is, quite literally, for you.
Debra
Ross
President of Axton
Enterprises
Fairport,
NY
January, 2002
__________________
*These are real MOM Data Book readers,
although their comments ran headlong into my poetic license.
Ok, ok, if you're not going to buy the book but
still want to tell me what the movies are because you're feeling smart,
send email to mailorder@axton.com. You won't
be in the drawing, but I'll still give you recognition on the congrats
page.
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