First of all, let's start with a definition of HCFO: The Highly
Customizable Framework for Organization (HCFO) is a software
framework used for building software applications that organize
information on your computer quickly and easily without having
to do any computer programming.
To make this concept less abstract, we will deal with HCFO in
one dimension: calendar supported software. HCFO and building
practical software applications are discussed in greater detail
in my "Computing Success Secrets" newsletter. See my website at
the end of this article to find out how to become a member.
Calendar supported software includes such software types as
appointment calendars, day planners, and any other software
package that needs calendar functions as its underlying support
system.
Simply, HCFO provides a canvas with a calendar frame in which to
paint your software program. Let me illustrate this concept to
you with a story about Data Calendar -- a product that
implements the HCFO.
Paul wants an appointment calendar program. He thinks to
himself, "I need an appointment calendar that allows me to enter
appointments on a calendar just like I do with my paper
appointment calendar. I would also like to be able to set
reminders of my appointments."
Then Paul sits down with Data Calendar and creates a category
called "Appointments." When the appointment category is created,
Data Calendar automatically creates a yearly calendar equipped
with monthly calendar views. Data Calendar also adds the ability
to enter appointment data directly on the date box just like a
paper appointment calendar. Data Calendar also allows him to set
appointments reminders based on date and time.
Let's recap what HCFO and the Data Calendar software did to make
Paul's appointment calendar software needs easily accomplished:
Paul simply created a category called "Appointments" and Data
Calendar created a yearly calendar with monthly views for his
appointments.
Data Calendar provided the ability to enter his appointments
into a date box just like his paper calendar.
Data Calendar provided the ability for Paul to set appointment
reminders based on date and time.
Obviously, due to the limitations of an article, the above
example is a very simplistic application of HCFO using Data
Calendar. However, you should be able to see that HCFO opens the
door to creating valuable software with little effort in minimum
time.
Olan Butler is the Chief Architect of BHO Technologists, a
computer productivity & organization software provider
http://www.bhotechnologists.com with headquarters in Kansas
City. Olan also provides Computer Services in the Kansas City
area. Join his FREE newsletter "Computing Success Secrets" for a
steady stream of computer and life profiting tips. You'll be
glad you did!
(c) Copyright 2005 Olan Butler All Rights Reserved
About the author:
Olan Butler is the Chief Architect of BHO Technologists, a
computer productivity & organization software provider
http://www.bhotechnologists.com with headquarters in Kansas
City. Olan also provides Computer Services in the Kansas City
area. Join his FREE newsletter
"Computing Success
Secrets" for a steady stream of computer and life profiting
tips. You'll be glad you did!
