Setup

If you are installing Nota Bene on a new computer and you previously used Nota Bene on a different computer, please see Transfer to New Computer and Backup for information about how to transfer your files, databases and customized settings to your new computer. Also see www.notabene.com/setup

There are many ways that you can change various settings so that the program will be comfortable for you to use.

Function Keys (F1, F2, etc.): Nota Bene makes use of the F keys on your keyboard. On most Windows keyboards, the F keys at the top of the keyboard set for use as multimedia keys instead of function keys. To use the F keys in Nota Bene, you can either press the Fn key whenever you use an F key, or you can change the setup on your computer so that Function Keys rather than multimedia keys are active. See Function Keys.

Font and Font Size: You can select the default font and font size by clicking Tools, Preferences, Fonts. The default font and font size that you select will be in effect for all documents unless you make a change in an individual document. You can change the font or font size in an individual document by clicking Format, Font.

Font Size for Menus: The font size of top-level and drop-down menus can be increased by clicking Tools, Preferences, Screen Display. The default is 8 point. It can be increased to 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 point. Increasing the menu font size will make it easier to see the menus.

Font Size for Help: The size of of displayed text in Nota Bene Help can be increased or decreased. Click in any Help screen and press Ctrl+[+] to increase the size or Ctrl+[-] to decrease the size or Ctrl+0 to return to the default size. (Use the + or - or 0 keys at the top right of your keyboard.)

Font and Font Size for Codes View and Action Line: By default, Show Codes View uses Courier New 8 point. The font and font size can be changed by clicking Tools, Preferences, Screen Display. The same font and font size will be used on the action line and in the speller dialog.

Ibidem Display: The point size used for the Ibidem on-screen display can be changed. A larger point size is easier to see, but a smaller point size allows you to see more data on the same screen. To change the point size, press F7 to open Ibidem and then click Tools, Display Options.

Zoom Settings: Zoom settings affect the size of the print on screen, but do not affect the way the document will appear when printed. Try experimenting with the zoom slider control at the bottom of your screen (look for the box that says 100%). When you find the setting that you like, click the down arrow on the slider control and choose Set as Default. For more information, see Zoom.

Spelling: The default spell checking uses US English, but a UK speller can be substituted for the US speller. Many other spell checkers are also available (French, German, Dutch, etc.). Click Proof, Configure Spell and then click the Dictionaries tab to select the dictionary (or dictionaries) you would like to use. For detailed instructions, see Dictionaries or Configure Dictionaries or Multilingual Spell Check.

File Open and Save As dialogs: These dialogs can be resized, and for most monitors a larger size will make the dialogs easier to use because you will be able to see more of the folders and files. To change the size, drag the borders. For more information, see Resizing File Open and Save As dialogs.

InfoTips and ActionTips: Popup messages provide pointers about how to use the program. These messages may be unnecessary for experienced users, and they can be adjusted or turned off by clicking Help, InfoTips or Help, ActionTips. For more information, see NB Learning Tools.

Markers: Nota Bene provides several markers that can be seen on-screen but do not print. These non-printing markers can be displayed or hidden at your option. For more information, click View, Show/Hide Markers, Configure or see Markers.

Visual Appearance: The colors and other aspects of the appearance of your main Nota Bene screen can be changed by clicking View, Visual Appearance and selecting from the numerous options that are presented. You can also right-click on any toolbar for a list of the toolbars and interface options that can be activated or hidden. See Visual Appearance.

Default Settings: Default settings affect the appearance of new blank documents until you choose to make changes to the document. For example, the default font is Times New Roman, 10 point. If you prefer to use a different font or a different font size, you can make the change at the beginning of every document, or you can change the default settings. The font setting and many other default settings can be changed by clicking Tools, Preferences. For more information, see Default Settings

Cursor Settings: You can change the color, the width and the state (flashing or static) of the cursor. Changes to the color or the width may make it much easier to locate the cursor on the page. You can also choose to have an arrow at the top of the cursor pointing in the language direction (left-to-right; right-to-left) of any new text that you would type at the cursor position (this applies only if you have Lingua with support for right-to-left languages like Hebrew). To make any of these changes, click Tools, Preferences, and double-click on Cursor. Select the settings you want and click OK and then click Close to close the Preferences dialog.

Windows Settings: Default settings in Windows Explorer can be changed. Many Nota Bene users like to use different extensions for different kinds of documents, rather than using the default .nb extension. For example, the .res extension could be used for research notes. When Nota Bene is installed, the .nb extension is automatically associated with Nota Bene. You can associate any other extensions with Nota Bene by opening Windows Explorer (press the Windows key+E) and then clicking Tools, Folder Options. Use the File Types tab of this dialog to associate extensions of your choice with Nota Bene. You may also want to review the options on the View tab of this dialog. We recommend that you change the settings so that extensions as well as file names are displayed for all files (on some systems, some or all file extensions may be hidden unless you make this change).

Default Folder: The default folder is the folder that will be assumed if you issue a command on the action line and do not specify a folder. The current default folder is shown at the bottom of the Nota Bene screen to the left of the action line. The default folder can be changed by clicking Tools, Preferences and selecting Directories (default).

Lingua Setup: Lingua, including right-to-left languages, will work properly on most systems with no special set up. But if you find that Hebrew or Arabic letters are not displaying properly or if you are using an older version of Windows, please see Lingua Setup.