Starting APS and required keys
To start APS from the PC desktop, double click the APS icon.
If the ESCape key is pushed from the Main Menu then the program exits and the cursor is at the APS Prompt. To restart APS, just type in the letters “APS” and hit the ENTER key.
Operator keys on the keyboard
There are only four keys to know "understand" in order to use the APS software. There are a lot of shortcut keys available but it is not necessary to learn them immediately. The keys to know in order to run the software are:
ENTER or RETURN: push this key to accept or go forward.
ESC (Escape): push this key to Exit, stop or Escape (exit) from change no. ...
TAB: This key has two meanings: In screens that are designated as full "screen", the TAB key will advance the cursor to the next field. In screens that do not have full screen for example in g, i.e. the Display / Print routines, the TAB key means to Not select and the displayed field will say “ANY”.
? (Question mark): push this key when the "?" is displayed on the "Mini-Help" line to designate that help is available. The Purchase & Loan category entry uses the “?” to pop a list of categories.
Single alphabetic letters are "Fast Field". The system "knows" when a single letter is requested, all of menu selections are fast field; do NOT hit the ENTER key with the letter.
NOTE, the exception to the fast field single letter is when using the memo and notes selection. When finishing a memo push the ENTER key after entering the "F" for finish at the command arrow ">". The reason for this is that there are multiple commands that may be entered at the ">" command prompt and the system doesn't know when you are finished typing.
Exiting and closing an APS window
To exit APS and close the window, push the ESCape key from any sub menus to return to the Main Menu and then push “G” Close APS Window session. This selection is also available in the Store and System utilities menu.
Note do NOT use the “X” in the upper right corner of a window with APS running. This will close APS and a file or program may be executing. This may lead to an APS error 101, too many users.
This will exit the APS software and then close the A-Shell window, returning the user to the desktop.
A-Shell definition: A-Shell stands for Alpha Shell. It is an emulator of the Alpha Micro operating system AMOS. A-Shell provides the capability to run the APS software on multiple versions of operating systems without changing the source programs or the displayed screens. The most popular systems are Linux and Windows.
