DMAC usually only updates its manuals when the persistent files change (i.e. when the second digit of the release number changes). We count on the readme file to tell users about new features between manual changes. But now we have an Updated version of the Manuals for Unibase by DMAC release 7.4i.

The logic of updating manuals when persistent files change is that when updating from any release within a series (like 7.4i), only new executables need be loaded and users tend not to call this an update. For example we have some users who have moved through the series 7.42i, 7.43i, 7.44i, 7.45i and soon 7.46i. They do these mini upgrades so frequently that new manuals would not make sense.

But the 7.4i series has been very stable. We are tweaking it so that persistent files do not change. Instead, bytes in the binary persistent files mean new things and the ASCII based persistent files just add features as supersets.

Since release 7.4i was first introduced in 1995 so many changes have occurred, we have upgraded our manuals to reflect these changes. As usual, the covers look different so that they can be easily differentiated.

Noreen Dunlap and Ricky Nelson went "over the mountain" to the Washington D.C area to take a course in Ventura Publishing 8.0. This outside training on new releases is so great that it encouraged us to offer regular courses.

Users can order new manuals from DMAC. They also can upgrade to release 7.46i with the new CD-ROM and receive the on line version of the newest manual complete to the smallest detail (same source files).