Advanced Data Management Corp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it do?

ADM allows you to integrate all your computer-based information - no matter where it's stored. It helps you create a single unified "desktop" that organizes all of your projects, files and other information and allows you to create and integrate documents commonly called "outlines".

What are some of the basic features?

The basic desktop features include: seven different outliner views of your data that you can easily switch between; internal document screens; an internal Web and document browser; ability to instantly link external files into your outlines; and powerful search for both ADM files and the Internet.

I've already purchased Version 2.0. Is there a charge for the upgrade to 3.0?

All registered, paid users of Version 2.0 are entitled to an upgrade to Version 3.0 at no charge. Simply download the new version from our download page and install it into your ADM program folder.

What is Metadata and how does ADM use it?

New in Version 3.0, Metadata dramatically extends ADM's power for outlining and project-management. It enables you to attach additional arbitrary and user-defined 'data' to outline topics or documents via columns, forms, keywords, and user-customizable 'Views' of your ADM data. Metadata is commonly composed of 'field/value pairs'; for example, "TITLE: This is my Document". In ADM, this Metadata is completely customizable and defined by the user. You can search on any Metadata and view only those topics that meet the search criteria. You can also view topics and associated Metadata in column format and then sort it in any way you like.

What other important new functions have been added to 3.0?

To begin with, there's an imporant new Folders window; it let's you easily organize and use links, quickjumps, and user-customized views to access all the information in all your ADM files, and on the web and your hard-drive information as well. There's also a new data aggregator, called the 'Outbound window'. It let's you instantly capture, organize, and email, save, or move data from anywhere in your ADM outlines. And there's also improved access to MS office products - you can view and edit Word, Excell, and other office files inside the ADM browser.

What kind of search capabilities does ADM have?

ADM's search capabilities have been greatly extended in Version 3.0. You can now search for any term(s) inside ADM - or instantly search the same term(s) on the Web and in dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopedias, and more. Metadata entered into columns, forms and keywords is also searchable.

But my information is all over the place - in files, on the Web, and in scrawled notes. How can ADM integrate that?

That's precisely the point of ADM. You can rapidly enter, organize, and inter-relate projects, information and to-do lists inside ADM. But you can also instantly link any external files on your hard-drive or pages on the Web into your projects and outlines.

How do I view all this information? Don't I have to use different programs to see different kinds of files, and a browser to see Web-pages?

ADM has an internal browser which let's you instantly link and view any Webpage, and many common kinds of files, inside ADM. You can even edit MS word, Excel, and other MS-Office files while viewing them in the ADM browser. You can also employ powerful user-customizable 'views' which give you one-click access to any pre-selected set of data items.

What is ADM good for?

It's invaluable for the management of any project or business, for research, for learning, for composition of reports or articles or books, for brainstorming or creative endevours.

Who uses ADM?

ADM can help anyone who uses Windows extensively. Current users include managers, lawyers, academics, students, graphic artists, Web-designers, researchers, writers, programmers, executives, small business operators and power-users of the Web. In short, anyone who needs to creatively and quickly organize and access information on their computer. Check out our testimonials page for some examples.

What is the ADM OpenTriz Creativity Desktop?

The ADM OpenTriz creativity desktop is a free add-on for ADM. It can be used to radically boost your creative capabilities and those of your organization. Triz is a leading method of inventive problem-solving which opens up the power of the world patent database, and is used by corporations, non-government organizations, and government agencies worldwide. Triz, and the ADM OpenTriz desktop, can be used to creatively solve difficult scientific, technical, and social problems, which elude solution by normal means. The OpenTriz desktop can be downloaded free-of-charge by all registered and trialware users of ADM.

What are the system requirements for ADM?

ADM can be used on any computer capable of running Windows 95 or later. If your computer runs Windows, ADM will work for you. When running, ADM uses a minimum of only about 4 Megabytes of memory; the maximum memory requirement depends entirely on the size of outlines you'll be working with. Most computers built in the last few years will have enough memory to allow you to work with extremely large outlines incorporating millions of items.

Is there a Macintosh version?

Currently, we have no immediate plans to port ADM to the Mac platform. However, we are considering doing so in the future. If a Mac version becomes available, it will be for Mac OS-X; we will not be developing a version for older versions of the Mac operating system.

I'll need to use ADM on more than one computer. Is that allowed under the License?

A registered, purchased copy of ADM 3.0 may be installed on more than one computer, provided that only one copy is used at any one time. For example, if you have two people in your office that need to work on ADM at the same time, you must purchase two copies. Conversely, if you want to run it on your desktop computer at the office, and your laptop when you're out of the office, this is permissible.

How much does ADM cost?

Once you've experienced ADM's remarkable power to integrate and organize all the information and projects in your life, we're sure you'll want to acquire it for permanent use. We've made that easy for you to do - the full purchase price is only $129 U.S., payable online with your credit card. But before you order it, we'd like you to try it free for up to 30 days with our compliments. Just click the download link below to try the free, full-featured trial version for up to 30 days. After 30 days, the Trialware version will revert to "read-only" mode meaning you can view your outlines but not alter them until you purchase the full version.

How do I get technical support?

We offer free technical support via email to both paid and registered trialware users of ADM. Paid users will receive priority support - all emails will be answered within 24 hours of receipt - for as long as they use the product. Registered trialware users' support questions will be answered as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours) during their trial period. Simply email support@adm21.net. You can also view our support page for more information.

Are there other ADM support resources?

There is a public discussion group on Yahoo Groups called ADM_Fans for people wanting to learn more about harnessing the power of ADM. It's THE place to ask questions of the experts! There is also a moderated discussion group of a more technical nature; if you're interest in ADM is more advanced, or you'd like to become involved with the ADM development process, please email us at support@adm21.net requesting inclusion in the development forum. (Please note that participation in this forum is limited).

How long has ADM been available?

ADM was co-developed by Eric Sommer and Arne Hermann over many years; our conceptual discussions began back in 1995. ADM was developed in response to what we saw as a critical need to help users organize the vast and diverse data we all need to work with every day. At the time we also saw a need for an advanced Windows-based outliner and brainstorming program. We developed ADM as an outliner-based knowledge management program for that reason.

Version 1.0 was launched in the Spring of 2001 and has undergone dozens of incremental version updates including (now) two major product revisions. It has been downloaded by thousands of users and is referred to in certain circles as the premiere outliner and personal knowledge management program available.

What are the plans for ADM in the future?

ADM development is based on a new computing paradigm, stemming from the original discussions, which treats data as: 1. Structurable; 2. Purpose-centric (able to organize data around user's purposes and *not* on file type or location of data); 3. Shareable; 4. Collaborative; and 5. Globally interconnectable.

Our development philosophy is one of constant improvement and innovation and ADM is constantly being improved. We will release product upgrades on a continual basis. We listen closely to our valued users; many of the improvements in 3.0 are the result of user feedback. If you have any suggestions, please send them to support@adm21.net. We have many ideas for new features and improvements that we'll build into ADM in the near future. If you subscribe to our newsletter, we'll keep you abreast of these updates.

Download a FREE Trial now!

For unparelled power to organize, access, and inter-relate all of your projects and information, click here now for a free full-featured 30-day trial download.