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{{CategoryBox|Getting started}}
This article provides instructions on what to expect when starting Fishbowl for the first time, and how to change from the example database to your own database.

==Launching the Fishbowl Server and Client==

Fishbowl has two parts which work in tandem: The Fishbowl Server and the Fishbowl Client. The Fishbowl Server must be running before the Fishbowl Client can be used. See [[Install_Fishbowl#Fishbowl_fundamentals|Fishbowl fundamentals]] for more information about the relationship between server and client.

To run the Fishbowl Server and Client you may do either of the following:

* Choose the Fishbowl Server or Client desktop icons. These icons were an option during the Fishbowl install; therefore they may not apply for everyone.
* Go to your '''Start Menu | All Programs | Fishbowl | Fishbowl Server and/or Client.''' 

[[File:FB install Program Files.png]]

When the Client Login screen comes up, enter the username and password. If this is the first time running Fishbowl, enter the following:

* '''Username: admin'''
* '''Password: admin'''

[[File:Login_client.png]]

To connect to the Fishbowl Server remotely you must have the Client installed on the remote machine. At the log in screen, choose the Details button. Replace the word localhost with the IP address of the computer that is running the Fishbowl Server and click Login. Clicking the {{Button|Search}} next to the Server Address field will search for any Fishbowl Client signals being broadcast from the Fishbowl Server.

If you are unable to connect to the server, you may need to open port 28192 on the server in order for clients to connect to the server.

For details about staring Fishbowl on Linux, see [[Fishbowl_for_Linux#Start_Fishbowl|Start Fishbowl on Linux]].

==Running Fishbowl for the First Time==

With a new installation, the server will be running an example database called Bicycles Unlimited. This database is already populated with parts, vendors, customers, etc. and is designed for you to test and explore before [[Start_Fishbowl#Changing_your_Default_Database|creating your own default database]].

To login to the example database for the first time, enter the following:

* '''Username: admin'''
* '''Password: admin'''

A '''Setup''' wizard will be displayed. Click '''Cancel''' or complete the wizard to change the admin password.

[[File:Welcome Example.png]]

==Parts of the Screen==

Fishbowl is organized by modules. A module is an area of Fishbowl that is used for a specific business function. Some common modules include Part, Product, Sales Order, Purchase Order, and many more. The layout of Fishbowl is designed to make it easy to navigate between modules. Below is an image and description of the parts of the Fishbowl window.

[[File:Parts of the Screen.png|900px]]

'''1. Menu Bar'''

:* The '''File''' menu contains useful options such as '''Logout''', '''Exit''', '''Print''', etc. [[Imports and Exports]] are also located in the File menu.
:* There is a menu for each '''Module Group'''. Any module can be opened by selecting it from the appropriate Module Group menu.
:* The '''Reports''' menu provides convenient access to reports that are [[Reports#Module_associations|associated]] with the currently open module.
:* The '''Tools''' menu contains [[Module Options]] as well as '''Bookmarks''' and [[Product#Options|Program Options]].
:* The '''Help''' menu contains access to training materials as well as information about the installed version of Fishbowl and any plugins.<br>{{anchor|Version}}[[File:Help version.png]]

'''2. Tabs'''

:Tabs are used to display all of the currently open modules. Right-click a tab to close the module.

'''3. Module Tabs'''

:Most modules have several tabs that contain different information regarding the module.

'''4. Action Bar'''
{{anchor|Send a message}}
:* Users with the [[Access_Rights#Dashboard|'''Dashboard-Send a message''' access right]] can click the {{Icon Button|Send a message}} near the top-right corner of Fishbowl to send a message to another user that is logged into Fishbowl.<br>[[File:Send message.png]]
:* The '''Load Bookmarks''' button will load the [[Customize_Fishbowl#Bookmark_Tabs|saved tabs]].
:* The '''Home''' button will load the {{Module|Home}}.
:* Clicking the green bubble will logout of Fishbowl. Hovering over the bubble displays the user that is logged in.

'''5. Component Toolbar'''

:Several modules have component toolbars. A component toolbar is a column of small buttons that are used to perform functions such as '''Add''', '''Edit''', etc.

'''6. Module'''

:The currently active module will display in the center of the window.

'''7. Search Pane'''

:Most modules have a pane that allows searches to be performed. Double-clicking a search result will open the item in the module.

'''8. Module Groups'''

:A module group is a logical grouping of modules. Clicking a module group button will display the list of modules.

'''9. Modules'''

:This is a list of the modules in the current module group. Clicking a module button will activate that module.

'''10. Module toolbar'''

:The module toolbar displays buttons for the currently active module. Each module has a several buttons in the module toolbar that perform functions such as '''New''', '''Save''', '''Delete''', etc.

==Changing your Default Database==

Whether you are trying to '''create a blank database''' or '''connect to a different existing database''', the following information will provide step-by-step instructions on how to do so.

===Creating a new database===

To create a new database you will need to be on the Fishbowl Server computer. The Fishbowl server will also need to be stopped, which will not allow any existing clients to stay connected.

# Double-click the Fishbowl Server icon in the system tray and then click the '''Stop''' button.
# Click the '''Tools''' menu and then select '''Options'''.<br>[[File:Server options stop.png]]
# Click the {{Icon Button|New|Add Database Connection}} on the '''Database''' tab of the '''Fishbowl Server Administration''' window.<br>[[File:Fishbowl Server Admin.png]]
# Enter a new database name and then click '''Connect'''. The checkbox to '''Include Demo Data''' will populate the new database with example data and allow a country and industry to be selected.<br>[[File:New MySQL database.png]]
# For empty databases, choose the country and costing method (Average, Standard, FIFO, LIFO). Once this costing method has been chosen, it cannot be changed. For an explanation of each type of costing method, see [[Accounting_Integration#Module_Options_Costing_tab|Costing methods]].<br>[[File:New database costing methods.png]]
# The new database should now appear in the database list of the '''Fishbowl Server Administration''' window.
# Click '''OK''' and then right-click the Fishbowl Server icon and choose '''Start'''.

===Connect to an existing database===

Follow the instructions below to connect to an existing database.

# Double-click the Fishbowl Server icon in the system tray and then click the '''Stop''' button.
# Click the '''Tools''' menu and then select '''Options'''.<br>[[File:Server options stop.png]]
# Click the {{Icon Button|New|Add Database Connection}} on the '''Database''' tab of the '''Fishbowl Server Administration''' window.<br>[[File:Fishbowl Server Admin.png]]
# Enter an existing database name and then click '''Connect'''.<br>[[File:Existing MySQL database.png]]
# Click '''OK''' and then right-click the Fishbowl Server icon and choose '''Start'''.

===Switch between databases===

Follow the instructions below to switch between databases.

# Double-click the Fishbowl Server icon in the system tray and then click the '''Stop''' button.
# Click the '''Tools''' menu and then select '''Options'''.<br>[[File:Server options stop.png]]
# Click the desired database and then click '''OK'''.<br>[[File:Fishbowl Server Admin.png]]
#* Databases can be removed from the list by clicking the {{Icon Button|Remove}}. To delete the database, right-click the database and select '''Drop database'''.
# Right-click on the Fishbowl Server icon in the system tray and select '''Start'''.

===The Startup Wizard===

If you are connecting to a new database, Fishbowl provides the Startup wizard to help your company enter some basic information. Below is a description of the steps in the Startup wizard.

* '''Company Step'''

:This step allows the user to enter the company name and address. This information will be used throughout Fishbowl. If necessary this information may be modified at a later date through the {{Module|Company}}. This module also allows you to associate additional contacts and addresses with your company.

* '''Admin Password Step'''

:This step requests you to change your admin password. If necessary, this [[User#Change a user password|password may be changed]] later. If you have forgotten your admin password and need to have it reset, please contact Fishbowl Support.

* '''Next Steps'''

:In this step a few remaining steps are listed, as well as a link to the [[Implementation Checklist]].

==Change license key after Fishbowl is installed==

Sometimes it may be necessary to change a trial license key to a permanent key, or to enter a new license key for a new version of Fishbowl. {{Update License Key}}

Follow the steps below to change the license key after Fishbowl is already installed.

# Right-click the Fishbowl Server icon in the system tray and choose '''Options'''.<br>[[File:Server Options.png]]
# Click the '''License''' tab to enter the '''Name''' and '''License Key'''.<br>[[File:License Tab.png]]
# Click '''OK''' and the license key will be automatically activated.
# Click '''OK''' to close the '''Fishbowl Server Administration''' dialog.