When Diamond Dental Software opens you will be presented with the Main Menu. Notice in this sample, at the bottom of the Main Menu there are Log Off and Log On buttons, and a window between them indicating the currently logged on user. This is called the UserName Window. When the Main Menu first opens, the UserName Window displays Logged Off. In the Logged Off state, none of the buttons on the Main Menu function (except the Exit Diamond Dental Software  and the Log On buttons). In order to proceed, an authorized user must first Log On by clicking the Log On button. This will open the Enter Password screen where the user will enter their pre-determined  individual password. After successful entry of the password, the UserName Window will display that person’s UserName and access to the program will be allowed, but limited to the permissions granted that particular user.

Running The Program Without Password Protection
If you have not entered any passwords the Main Menu will have a different appearance.  You will notice the Log Off and Log On buttons will be disabled or “grayed out”.  The UserName Window will contain the word “Admin”.  Admin is the reserved UserName of the Password Administrator. The Password Administrator is the one user who has complete access to all areas of the program including the Passwords and Permissions screen. This is the screen where passwords are assigned and will be discussed shortly. If you do not set a password for the Password Administrator, the program will remain in Admin mode and essentially will not be password protected. This is perfectly OK as far as Diamond Dental Software is concerned. Simply leave the Admin password as a blank and you will not be required to Log On and full access will be given to whoever is using the program.

Setting Passwords and Permissions
To set passwords and create new users click the Passwords/Permissions button from the Utility Menu.  The Passwords and Permissions screen will open. In the sample screen shot, the Admin record is displayed. The Admin record belongs to the Password Administrator. Only the Password Administrator is allowed into this screen. The Admin record is a reserved record and the only items you may modify on the Admin’s record is the Password field and the UserName Required at Log On checkbox. All other fields are fixed. The UserName is permanently set to “Admin” and the Initials are permanently set to “XX”.  The remaining checkboxes are called the Permissions. When a permission checkbox is checked, the user has permission to access that module. On the Password Administrator’s record these permissions are all permanently checked and you may not uncheck them because the Password Administrator always has permission to access any program module.

UserName Required At Log On
When viewing the Password Administrator’s record you will see the checkbox entitled UserName Required at Log On. When this is checked the person logging on will be required to enter both the correct UserName as well as the Password. When it is not checked, people logging on will be required to enter the password only. When logging on, the UserName is not case sensitive. For example, if the UserName is Mary, then Mary, mary, or MARY will all be accepted. However the password is case sensitive and must be typed exactly as it appears on the Passwords and Permissions screen.