InfoQube FAQ

  1. What is the Alpha-numeric toolbar ?
    • The Alpha toolbar is a special toolbar. Especially useful for phone books, it can quickly filter the list based on simple 1 or more characters. In addition to the alphanumeric buttons, one can choose the field to apply the filter.
  2. What are the minimum suggested system requirements for InfoQube?
    • Any computer capable of running Windows XP and up
  3. Should I put everything in a single database
    • While you can have as many databases as you wish, for maximum search/filtering/linking possibilities, a single database is the recommended choice. Create fields (i.e. folders) to categorize your information. For users that want/need to share with co-workers, a database for work and one for home is another option.
  4. I'm impressed by InfoQube, but would like to have a rough idea of eventual cost before I commit to making it part of my regular toolset, or start evangelizing it to friends/colleagues.
  5. Can more than one user use the same file at the same time?
    • Yes, it is based on a database. So you can have numerous simultaneous users. No problem. Currently, users need to refresh to see changes made by other users.
  6. Is InfoQube a Portable app ?
    • Yes it is! Windows XP and up users can use it as a portable app. Absolutely no installation and no admin right required! Installation is required when used in Windows emulation (Linux, Mac OS)
  7. What is the difference between a form and a grid? Both of them seem to be just a set of fields ?
    • Field can be displayed in a grid and/or in a form. In a grid, fields are displayed as columns. For forms, they are shown as lines. The grid has the advantage of showing values for all displayed items. Forms show the field values of the currently selected item only.
      You can have any number of columns in your grid but you may want to lock a few to ease right-left scrolling. Tip: Shift-mouse-wheel to scroll left-right.
      Since forms are displayed vertically, they are more compact. So fields that are less used can be put in forms. But remember one important thing. Wherever they are displayed (grid, form, elsewhere in the properties pane), field values can be added/modified and changes will be reflected where needed.
  8. How do you determine what grids an item will appear in? Sometimes I create an item and it magically appears in 2 grids; sometimes, it only appears in one grid. Sometimes it seems to disappear from a grid where it previously appeared.
    • InfoQube separates actual information, from the display of this information (unlike Word or Excel where they are locked together)
      As you enter text, number, dates, etc, these are entered in the database. You choose which of those items are displayed in the various grids. There are many ways and tools to help you display just the relevant information.
      These are: (1) Grid source (2) Grid filter (3) Alpha toolbar (4) DateFilter toolbar. These give you great flexibility in displaying the information.
  9. What is the "data source" of a grid (appears in the "manage grids" dialog) ?
    • The source defines what items are shown in the grid. This list may be later on filtered, so even less items are shown.
      One interesting metaphor is to view fields as folders. Folders can "contain" items. To put an item in a folder, you tick the folder check-box (when a yes/no type). Then, selecting that folder as a source, will display all items it "contains".
  10. Does the outline support subscripts and superscripts and does it include paragraph formatting?
    • The Popup editor supports it. The HTML pane also supports it
  11. How does one delete an outline item?
    • Ctrl + E or Edit > Erase Item. You'll be prompted on what to do with sub-items (delete also or keep)
  12. Is it possible to define a predefined style for each level of the outliner (style 1 for level 1, style 2 for level 2, ...)
  13. Is it possible to create quickly a note, without opening InfoQube ? For instance by using a shortcut (Like Win + N for OneNote), and then quickly edit a memo ?
    • If IQ is running, there are shortcuts for Add New Item (Win + N) and the Universal Clipper (Win + C). Both of these will do it.
      If IQ is not running, or if you're on a different PC, a mobile, a phone, you can use EmailToIQ to send content.
  14. Is it possible to easily capture webpages (like with Scrapbook or Webresearch) into InfoQube?
  15. Is it possible to show which items have content in the HTML pane ?
    • Yes you can. Drag the ItemHasHTML field to the grid. This will display a checkmark for items that have HTML content. You can of course filter on this field too.
  16. Is there is a 'tagging' system and how does it work?
  17. How would I export some of my data and re-import it back into another file?
    • To exchange items from one IQBase to another, select the items then Edit > Copy and select the XML format. To paste, open the other IQBase and do Edit > Paste. Currently, you need to first create missing fields.
  18. What type of data storage does InfoQube use?
    • InfoQube current database backend is based on JET 4.0. It's an open database format allowing for easy access of your information by other programs. Encryption and password protection are available to protect your valuable information if desired. It also allows for huge storage capabilities: 2 GB and millions of items and properties.
  19. Context toolbars
    • Context toolbars are toolbars shown when right-clicking on items, columns, etc. In InfoQube, these can be displayed, like any other toolbars and docked or made floating. They can be customized. This is something even MS Office does not let you do! See details here
  20. Grid columns: Adding / removing
    • Unlike a spreadsheet, columns can be added and removed without loosing any information. A column displays field values.
    • To add columns (i.e. display fields) in a grid, you can
      • 1- Grid --> Displayed columns
      • 2- Drag/drop fields from the properties pane to the grid. Columns will be added at the end of the grid.
    • To remove columns, right-click on the column header and select 'Hide Column'
  21. How can I assign a second parent to an item?
    • Item -> Mark item. Select parent, item -> Add Marked items as Children, or hold Ctrl when you move an item to the parent
  22. Show all sub-items: What does it do?
    • When items and some of its sub-items meet the view criteria (for example when viewing the list of items not done), the sub-items list is a sub-set of all the sub-items. This way, old sub-items are hidden and you can focus on the remaining ones. They are still shown in the properties pane. To see the hidden sub-items, click on 'Show all sub-items'.