1.1 INSTALLATION
On a Mac: Double-click the BookHound_8.zip file. Drag the unzipped BookHound 8
folder to any permanent location of your choice.
To create a startup icon on Mac: Single-click the BookHound 8.app icon inside the
BookHound 8 folder and choose "Make Alias" from the Finder's "File" menu. Drag the
Alias (NOT the original) to the Desktop. You may also drag the application icon to
your Dock.
On Windows: Double-click the BookHound_8_setup.exe file. The BookHound 8 folder
will be installed in your Documents folder and a shortcut will be created on your
Desktop. It is recommended you do not move this folder from its original location.
1.2 BACKING UP
BookHound periodically reminds you to back up but does NOT provide automatic
backups. You are responsible for routinely backing up your:
- "data.fmpur" (single-user version)
- "home.fmp12" (multi-user version)
To back up: Drag the entire BookHound 8 folder (not the shortcut/alias) to an
external hard drive or portable flash drive. Or drag just the "data" file.
When prompted to replace an existing backup, choose "Replace" (Mac) or "Yes to All"
(Windows).
Recommended backup rotation strategy:
- Create two folders on your backup medium: "Backup 1" and "Backup 2"
- Alternate which folder you copy to each day — this gives you two backups
separated by one day at all times
- Optionally, use a third disk for monthly backups stored off-site
1.3 INSIDE THE BOOKHOUND 8 FOLDER
IMPORTANT: DO NOT RENAME OR MOVE ANY FILES OR FOLDERS INSIDE THE
BOOKHOUND 8 DIRECTORY.
BookHound automatically places files in certain subfolders:
- Printed lists are saved in the "my_catalogs" folder
- Upload files are saved in the "my_uploads" folder
- Want upload files are saved in the "my_wants" folder
DO NOT rename these folders or move them — doing so will compromise some functions.
1.4 LAUNCHING, UNINSTALLING, AND ENTERING DATA
Launch: Double-click the shortcut/alias or the original application icon.
Uninstall: Drag the entire BookHound 8 folder to the Recycle Bin or Trash. Windows
users can also use the Control Panel Uninstall feature.
First Launch: Choose "guest" from the USERNAME drop-down on the start screen, then
click GO. You can edit usernames in Preferences; the selected name attaches to all
new inventory, customers, and invoices.
Creating new records (3 ways):
1. Click the blue NEW button on the home screen in the appropriate section
2. Choose New Customer / New Item / New Invoice from the Actions menu
3. Click the blue NEW button on any inventory or customer screen
Each new record gets a unique, sequential ID number that cannot be changed. Deleted
records take their ID number with them. Move between fields using Tab, Enter, or
mouse-click. Use Shift-Tab to move backwards. BookHound auto-saves every few
seconds — no manual save needed.
1.5 & 1.6 DROP-DOWN FIELDS
Drop-down fields speed up data entry, ensure consistency, and reduce errors.
To customize a drop-down menu:
1. Click the down-facing triangle at right of the field
2. Scroll to the last value and choose "Edit…"
3. Add new values by typing them (separate entries with carriage returns)
4. Delete unwanted values by highlighting them and pressing Backspace (Win) or
Delete (Mac)
5. Click OK when finished
Note: Only fields showing the down-facing triangle are drop-down fields.
To select data in a drop-down field (click or tab into the field first):
- Start typing — BookHound shows matching choices; hit Return/Enter to select
- Click the triangle to reveal the full list, then click your choice
- Manually type any word to override the list (BookHound accepts it but won't
add it to the list)