The "Common Data Directory" is a term used when you utilize AnyPO in a networking situation.  When you set-up AnyPO on a network, you'll pick one of the computers where you want to store AnyPO's data files.  All of the other computers on the network will use this one directory to access AnyPO's files.  The designated computer for the Common Data Directory is usually the server machine.  If you have a peer-to-peer network (no server), then you'll pick one of the faster computers.

AnyPO is installed to the designated computer.  The directory on this designated computer where AnyPO is installed, then, becomes the "Common Data Directory."  If you use the default installation directory, the Common Data Directory will be named: "C:\AnyPO."

To access the Common Data Directory from other computers in the network, you'll indicate the path in Basic Set-up (reached by selecting FILE and BASIC SET-UP from the menu).  The path to the Common Data Directory can be indicated in two ways: 1) by the use of the UNC (Universal Naming Convention) system; or 2) by a mapped drive.  UNC names begin with two back-slashes such as: "\\myserver\AnyPO "  Mapped drive letters are drive letters like "J."  For more details, see: Networking.