Viv's Vocabulary and BON Databases (www.vivquarry.com)
Advanced Features
You will need to be more confident using a computer for these advanced features!
Making a backup of your database (Windows 7)
Open 'Windows Explorer'
Double-click on the 'Documents' folder.
Click on 'Viv's BON Database' or 'Viv's Vocab Database' folder.
You should now see two files 'Viv's BON (or Vocab) Database ver 3-48 (or 3.88).accdr' and 'VBONDB.chm' (the help file).
Click once on the 'accdr' file with the left mouse button.
Now click once on the same file with the right mouse button and copy the file.
Now save it to a new folder, which you can create by clicking on 'New folder' at the top of the screen.
Backup your file REGULARLY!
For teachers:
If you have a computer room and your students use Viv's Vocabulary or BON Databases in class, make a backup of their database files regularly and keep this backup somewhere safe. It's very frustrating for a student to spend time putting words onto a database and then find that the work has been lost. I've tried to make the program as 'idiot proof' as possible, but accidents do happen (sometimes maliciously), so it's always best to have a recent safety copy. My students have their own read/write cdroms (cd-RW), which means that the same cd-rom can be used over and over again. A pen drive can also be used.
To use the following features you must use the DBA key (Database Administrator). These options are only available if you buy the teachers' version of Viv's Vocabulary/BON Database. Contact Viv using the web site guest book or to this link to do this (cost $10).
Class testing
You can set your Vocabulary/BON Database to automatically record students' test results. This option is useful for group testing, especially if the teacher has set up word groups which are part of the language course (see the following section). If automatic test recording is enabled, students can't leave the test page until they have completed all the test questions, and the test result is recorded, along with the date and time of the test, as soon as they finish the test. To enable automatic test result recording, use your DBA key and check the box next to 'Always record test results' and then click on the 'Close' button'. A message will appear telling you that the vocabulary will close, and the new options will come into effect next time you open your database. To switch off automatic test recording, just follow the same steps and then uncheck the box by clicking on it.
Creating a class word set
Teachers can use Viv's Databases to create word groups for their students to use during a language course. These word groups can be added to as the course progresses. Students can revise and test themselves as often as they like, but they can't change or delete the words in the vocabulary sections, or add words and context sentences of their own. In order to 'lock' a word set the teacher has created, follow the same steps as above (in the class testing section), then check the box next to 'No deletions, edits or updates'. Close the Teacher's Options, and the next time you open your Database file it will not be possible to change or add new words to the database. You can combine both the class word set and class testing options by checking both boxes.
Deleting words from the database
To delete a word along with its meaning, context sentence and section heading, go to the blue 'Add words' page and click on 'See all my words' or 'See all BON'. Click on the grey box to the left of the word. The box will change to black and an arrow will appear at the top of it. Press the 'Delete' key (usually to the right of the 'Enter' key). You will be told that you are about to delete one record. Select 'Yes' and the word will be deleted. You can delete multiple words if you drag the mouse up or down over the grey boxes to the left of several words, then repeat the process above.
Copying words to other programs
Starting a new vocabulary notebook (Viv's Vocab Database)
After completing a level of English, the student may go on to a new level, perhaps with a different teacher. At the new level, they can still use the same Vocab Database program to add new words and revise the words they learnt at previous levels. With the Teacher's options, it's possible to test and revise only those words at the new level. To do this, use the DBA key to open the teacher's options. Check the box next to 'New student notebook', then click on 'Ok'. Now a box will appear with the date on which the new notebook was started. Close your database and the next time you open it, the last section in the box on the right will have the title 'Words in my new notebook'. This section will only include words added after the new notebook has been set, which can be revised and tested separately.
Cambridge First Certificate and Cambridge Advanced versions (Viv's BON Database)
If you have purchased the DBA key, you can set your BON database to help your students prepare for the Cambridge Use of English and interview papers. Open the Teacher's options and check the box next to 'FCE Database' or 'CAE Database'. The next time you open your BON Database, there will be sections, with accompanying help pages to practice Cambridge specific questions. Don't worry, the expressions in these sections of your previous BON database haven't been lost. You can return to them any time you like by using the teacher's options as before, and checking the box next to 'BON Database'.
Viv's Vocabulary Database - introduction
Viv's BON Database - introduction