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DAYS OFF CALCULATOR    Version 2.2 for DOS
                       Version 1.1 for Windows
                   ....the software for AFTER your run cuts!
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USER'S GUIDE           For quick reference, see QUICKREF.TXT
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The software and this documentation are Copyright 1992-1996
David Grant - all rights reserved.  However, you may freely
copy the software and documentation, provided that you keep
the copyright information including address and telephone
numbers intact.  You may not alter, modify, de-compile, or
reverse-assemble the software.

The software is neither warranted nor guaranteed.  All risk
for use of the software and this documentation lies with the
user.  All information herein is subject to change without
notice.

The Days Off Calculator is freeware.  You may not charge for
its distribution or that of the accompanying material beyond
a nominal fee covering actual copying and distribution
costs.  If you distribute the software, you must include all
accompanying files; for a list of these files, see
"Calculator files."  (You may omit VBRUN300.DLL if you
include a statement that you are so doing and give a
location where this file can be obtained.)

Schedule me! is a sole proprietorship owned and operated by
David Grant.  Trademarks used in this documentation are the
properties of their respective owners.

DERIVATIVE WORKS:  To distribute a derivative work as
freeware, you must first get written permission from David
Grant; and you must give David Grant a copy of the complete
freeware package.  To distribute a derivative work as
shareware and/or for pay beyond a nominal fee covering
actual copying and distribution costs, you must first get
written permission from David Grant; in this case, there
will be a licensing fee.  To reach David Grant, write to
5545 Bundy Road, Suite 370, New Orleans, Louisiana
70127-4821, USA; call 888/5-SCHEDULE or 504/244-9234; fax
504/245-1627; or send e-mail to david@schedule-me.com.

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CONTENTS

Topic                                                   Line

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    83
Versions covered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   121
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   139
Calculator files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   289
Uninstallation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   356
Using the calculator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   418
Workweek variations and cycles . . . . . . . . . . . .   538
Extra-day priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   618
Shell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   696
Shortcut keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   732
Data correction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   762
Sound. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   775
Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   785
Run data files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1299
Name lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1361
Custom header and footer lines . . . . . . . . . . . .  1425
Command keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1468
Changing calculator defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1593
Filling extra runs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1662
Online help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1736
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1767
What's new . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1794
Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1864
Increasing data entry speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1930
Using the DOS version from within Windows. . . . . . .  1982
Technical support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2047
About us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2083

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INTRODUCTION

The Days Off Calculator allocates crew members among the
seven days of the week, allowing for different staffing
levels on various days and optimizing the off-days assigned
to each crew member.

The calculator is designed for public transit agencies to
use in scheduling bus and rail operators, and uses transit
terminology (such as "runs" for daily work shifts and
"extras" or "extra board" for floating substitute crew
members), but can be used in any crew-scheduling application
(retail operations, maintenance, construction, assembly
lines, field supervision, telephone coverage, etc.).  (For
definitions of calculator terms, see "Glossary" in this
documentation, or the "Glossary" topic in online help.)

If you're scheduling transit operators, use the calculator
after completing your run cuts.  At this point, you'll know
how many daily runs you need on each of the seven days of
the week; you'll next need to find out how many operators
can be given each combination of days off (such as
Saturday/Sunday, Sunday/Monday, Sunday/Thursday, etc. for
5-day workweeks; or such as Friday/Saturday/Sunday, etc. for
4-day workweeks; or individual days for 6-day workweeks).
The calculator produces an optimized solution to this
problem (referred to in the transit industry as
"rostering").

The calculator can maximize either the number of consecutive
days off or the number of combinations with those days off
that you consider most desirable.  (You can change the most
desirable off-day combinations by editing the calculator's
initialization file, DAYSDOS.INI for the DOS version,
DAYSW11.INI for the Windows version.)

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VERSIONS COVERED

This documentation covers both Version 2.2 for DOS and
Version 1.1 for Windows.  Since both versions work almost
identically, we have combined the documentation for both. 
Information specific to one version or the other is always
marked as such.

Questions?  We provide technical support (within reason!) at
no charge.  E-mail us at dayshelp@schedule-me.com, call
888/5-SCHEDULE any time, or see "Technical support" for
other ways of obtaining support.

For the latest information about the calculator, visit us at
http://www.schedule-me.com

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INSTALLATION

Here's how to install the calculator.

1.  If you have a previous version of the calculator,
    uninstall it.  See "Uninstallation" for a checklist of
    steps.

    DO NOT attempt to use a previous version's
    initialization (.INI) file.  If you have customized an
    .INI file, you will have to recreate the customization
    manually in the new file.  Print the old .INI file;
    delete it; install the new .INI file; and use the
    printout as a guide in editing the new file.

2.  How did you obtain the calculator?

    DIRECTLY FROM SCHEDULE ME!:  The files are not
    compressed, and can be used as they are.  (In fact,
    though we don't recommend it, you can run either the DOS
    or Windows version directly from the floppy disk,
    without going through any installation at all.)

    FROM SCHEDULE ME! VIA INTERNET FTP:  There is one file,
    DAYS.EXE, a self-extracting archive.  Follow the process
    below, particularly step 4.

    FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE:  The disk files may be compressed;
    if so, the vendor should have provided you with a way to
    decompress them.  You'll need to do this before you go
    on.  If you have difficulty with this, Days Off
    technical support (dayshelp@schedule-me.com or
    888/5-SCHEDULE) will try to assist, but any compression
    there may be was done by the vendor, and the vendor is
    your best source for help.  If necessary, we'll send you
    an uncompressed copy of the files at no charge.

3.  We recommend that you copy the calculator files to your
    hard disk for use.  There are 15 files, which will take
    about 1090K of disk space.  (If you obtained the self-
    extracting archive, you will have 3 additional files
    which will take 60K extra.)  We assume that you will
    copy the files to a directory named C:\DAYS, but you can
    use some other directory name if you wish; just
    substitute the name you choose in the steps below.

    >   If you're using Windows 3.x, select the MS-DOS
        Prompt icon from the Main group.  If you're using
        Windows 95, open the Start menu, move to Programs,
        and select MS-DOS Prompt.  If you're using a menu
        program, exit to a DOS prompt.

    >   Type:

        md c:\days

        and press Enter.

4.  If you obtained the calculator directly from Schedule
    me! on floppy disk, type

    copy a:\*.* c:\days

    and press Enter.  (If your floppy disk is in B: drive,
    type b: instead of a:.)

    If you obtained DAYS.EXE, the self-extracting archive
    file, type the following, pressing Enter after each
    line.  (We assume here that DAYS.EXE is in the C:\TEMP
    directory.  Substitute the directory name to which you
    downloaded DAYS.EXE.)

    c:
    cd c:\days
    copy c:\temp\days.exe
    days
    del days.exe
    del c:\temp\days.exe

5.  If you'll be using the DOS version, type the following
    from the DOS prompt, pressing Enter after each line. 
    (The DOS prompt will not reappear until the end of the
    process.)  This will make the DOS version accessible at
    any time.

    copy con c:\daysdos.bat
    c:
    cd\days
    daysdos
    cd\
    [Then press the F6 key, then press Enter.]

    If you make a mistake during this procedure, press the
    F6 key, then press Enter.  This will return you to the
    DOS prompt, and you can start this step over again.

6.  If you're working from Windows 3.x or Windows 95, close
    the MS-DOS prompt you opened in step 3.  To do this,
    type EXIT and press Enter.

7.  If you're using Windows 3.x:

    >   Open the group from which you wish to run the
        calculator.

    >   From the Program Manager's File menu, choose New,
        then select Program Item.

    >   Enter the following:
        Description:  Days Off Calculator
        Command Line:  C:\DAYS\DAYSW11

    >   Choose OK.

8.  If you're using Windows 95, right-click a blank area of
    the taskbar, then choose Properties, then Start Menu
    Items, then Add, then Browse, then type either
    DAYSDOS.EXE or DAYSW11.EXE, then choose OK and follow
    the on-screen prompts.

    If you're installing the DOS version into Windows 95,
    and you wish to use the DAYS.ICO icon file we have
    provided, you will first have to install the calculator
    using one of the icons Windows proposes; you can then
    open Explorer, find the shortcut to the calculator,
    right-click, choose Properties, Shortcut, and Change
    Icon.

9.  The calculator is ready for use.  To learn how to use
    the calculator, see "Using the calculator."

If necessary, you can use the DOS version with only
DAYSDOS.EXE and DAYSDOS.INI, and you can use the Windows
version with only DAYSW11.EXE, DAYSW11.INI, and
VBRUN300.DLL.  You can also omit the .INI files if you are
willing to use the calculator's preprogrammed defaults,
which most users will find acceptable.

For the DOS version to generate signup sheets or assignment
lists, you must include a FILES=11 (or higher number)
statement in CONFIG.SYS.  (If using name lists, the minimum
increases to 12.)

For installation assistance, check your DOS and/or Windows
manuals, see your computer resource person, or contact Days
Off technical support at dayshelp@schedule-me.com or
888/5-SCHEDULE.

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CALCULATOR FILES

Here's a description of each of the calculator files. You
can use the calculator without this information; it's here
for those who are interested.

DAYS.ICO is an icon file for use with Windows.  (The icon is
built into DAYSW11.EXE, and Windows extracts it
automatically when you install the Windows version into a
Windows program group; but it's also provided separately for
DOS version users and others who may find it of use.)  The
design represents a calendar showing a 7-day week (the 7
squares) with two days off (the two shaded squares).

DAYSDOS.EXE and DAYSW11.EXE are the DOS-version and Windows-
version program files.

DAYSDOS.INI is an ASCII text file with user-configurable
variables for the DOS version.

DAYSW11.INI is an ASCII text file with user-configurable
variables for the Windows version.

EVALUATE.TXT is an ASCII text file containing an evaluation
form, which we encourage you to print out, fill out, and
return - so we can make future versions better!

NAMELIST.TXT is an ASCII text file which you can use to
practice generating reports containing name lists.

OVERVIEW.TXT is an ASCII text file containing a quick
introduction to the calculator.

QUICKREF.TXT is an ASCII text file containing a condensed
step-by-step guide to using the calculator.

REPORTS.TXT is an ASCII text file containing samples of the
reports the calculator can generate.

USERGUID.TXT is the file you're reading now - an ASCII text
file with detailed calculator instructions.

WEEKDAY.TXT, SATURDAY.TXT, and SUNDAY.TXT are ASCII text
files which you can use to practice generating signup sheets
and assignment lists.

VBRUN300.DLL is a standard dynamic link library used by the
Windows version and also by a variety of Windows freeware
and shareware.  If you already have this file in a directory
on your path, you don't need to install it again.

Our self-extracting archive (DAYS.EXE) also contains
LHA.EXE, LHA.HLP, and LHA213.DOC.  The archive was created
using the LHA file-compression utility. We are required,
under the conditions for using LHA, to include these 3 files
as part of the archive, and to inform you that we use LHA
subject to its copyright notice which is included in these
files.

There are no separate printer drivers.  Calculator printouts
avoid graphical or non-standard characters that would
require printer-specific instructions.  However, see
"Compatibility" for information on using the DOS version
with PostScript printers.

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UNINSTALLATION

To uninstall or remove the calculator files, simply delete
them from your disk.  (For a list of the files, see
"Calculator files.")  The calculator itself does not alter
any other disk files when it is used (except when you
generate reports on disk).  (When you print reports from the
Windows version using Windows 3.x, Print Manager creates a
file in your Windows temporary directory for each page of
your printout.  Normally, Print Manager deletes these once
it has successfully sent the job to the printer, but if you
exit abnormally, the files may still be in your temporary
directory.)

We advise that you not delete VBRUN300.DLL, since this is a
standard dynamic link library file used with a wide variety
of Windows freeware and shareware programs.  (Even if you
aren't a Windows user, be sure to keep VBRUN300.DLL if only
on floppy disk; you may in the future start using Windows,
and want to use Windows programs that require it but don't
include it!)

You may also wish to:

Delete any report files you created.

Remove the directory containing the calculator files if it's
empty.

If you've used the DOS version, delete any reference to the
calculator in DOSAPP.INI if you have run it from Microsoft
Windows 3.x; if you installed it in Windows 3.x as either a
program group or program item, delete the group or item; if
you installed it into the Windows 95 Start menu, right-click
a blank area of the taskbar, then choose Properties, then
choose Start Menu Items to remove it from the Start menu.

Delete any DOS batch file you created to run the calculator.

If you're a Windows user, delete your calculator program
group or program item in Windows 3.x; or, in Windows 95,
right-click a blank area of the taskbar, then choose
Properties, then choose Start Menu Items to remove it from
the Start menu.  You cannot uninstall the calculator using
the Windows 95 Uninstall procedure.

If you're a Windows user, and you set up associations
between the calculator and report file name extensions,
break those associations.

Delete any reference to the calculator in any shells or
application launchers into which you installed it.

Edit AUTOEXEC.BAT to remove the calculator directory from
your PATH statement.

Delete any installation or decompression program that came
with the calculator, if you obtained it from a source other
than Schedule me! and the vendor included such a program.

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USING THE CALCULATOR

Here's a general description of how to use the calculator. 
Succeeding sections provide more detail about these steps
and other, more advanced options.

1.  To use the DOS version:

    >   If you did not follow the installation procedure we
        recommend under "Installation" or make other
        provisions, change to the directory where
        DAYSDOS.EXE is installed.

    >   From the DOS prompt, type daysdos, then press Enter.

    To use the Windows version, simply open the calculator.

2.  Set:

    >   The number of runs on each of the 7 days of the
        week.

        *   You can specify up to 99,999 runs per day.  You
            cannot enter more than 5 digits without first
            deleting already-entered digits.  You can
            specify a different number of runs on each of
            the 7 days.

        *   See "Shortcut keys" for a list of keys that
            speed data entry.

        *   Windows-version users can enter daily run totals
            with the mouse by clicking on the appropriate
            keys on the keypad displayed on the screen.

        *   If you wish to "start over," choose Clear to
            reset the daily runs for all 7 days to zero.

    >   The workweek length - 4, 5, or 6 days.

    >   The calculation strategy.

        *   If you select Maximize desirable off-day
            combinations,  the calculator maximizes the
            number of combinations with the most desirable
            days off, at the expense of additional split
            days off.

        *   If you select Maximize consecutive days off, the
            calculator maximizes the number of combinations
            with consecutive days off, at the expense of
            additional less-desirable days off.

        *   If you select Allow only consecutive days off,
            the calculator groups as many runs as it can
            into combinations with consecutive off-days and
            stops.  This may cause many more extra runs than
            would otherwise be the case.  To the extent
            possible, the calculator equalizes the number of
            extras it leaves on the various days.

        *   We recommend that you try all 3 options if you
            are using 4- or 5-day weeks.  The results may or
            may not be the same.  With 6-day weeks, any
            option gives the same results.

    >   Your preferred extra-day priority sequence, if you
        wish to vary from the default.  For details, see
        "Extra-day priorities."

    >   If your workweek lengths vary, rerun the calculator
        for each workweek length.  For details, see
        "Workweek variations and cycles."

    >   How do you tell the calculator how many people you
        have available?  You don't.  Rather, you tell the
        calculator how much work you have, and the
        calculator tells you how many people you need to get
        it done.

3.  The calculator shows:

    >   The number and percentage of combinations with each
        group of days off.

    >   The breakdown by day of week of any runs that could
        not be fitted into 4-, 5-, or 6-day combinations. 
        These runs will have to be worked by the extra
        board, part-timers, regular operators on a day off,
        etc., on the day shown every week.

    >   The following statistics:

        *   The total number of daily runs per week.

        *   The total number of combinations.

        *   The total number of extra runs.

        *   For 5-day workweeks, the number and percentage
            of combinations with consecutive days off, with
            split days off, and with split weekdays off.

        *   For 4-day workweeks, the number and percentage
            of combinations with consecutive days off, with
            2-1 split days off (such as Wednesday/Thursday/
            Sunday), and with 1-1-1 split days off (such as
            Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday).

4.  If you wish, you can print various reports of the
    results, or save reports to disk or (for Windows users)
    to the Windows clipboard, by choosing Report.  For
    details, see "Reports."

5.  You can change inputs and prepare reports as many times
    as you want.  To end your calculator session, choose
    Exit.

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WORKWEEK VARIATIONS AND CYCLES

The calculator assumes that all members of your work crew
work the same number of days each week.  If this is not the
case, split the runs into groups, and work with each group
separately.  For example:

>   If you have workweeks of varying lengths, enter data
    separately for workweeks of each length.  For example,
    if you have both 5-day and 4-day workweeks, enter the
    data for those runs which you intend to combine into
    5-day workweeks, then clear that data and enter the data
    for those runs which you intend to combine into 4-day
    workweeks.

>   If you use part-time operators, set aside the runs to be
    worked by the part-timers for separate treatment, and
    use the calculator to set up off-day combinations for
    your full-timers.

The calculator also assumes a 7-day cycle of work shifts -
that is, that each crew member works the same days and times
each week.  If you use a multiple-week cycle, calculate off-
day combinations on a weekly basis, then set up a rotation
in which each crew member works each combination in turn.

If your crew members work varying numbers of days during
different 7-day periods within a multiple-week cycle (for
example, alternating 5-day and 4-day weeks), you'll need to
adjust the calculator's results manually.  In this case:

1.  Multiply your total number of crew members by the
    LONGEST workweek length.

2.  Apportion this number of runs over 7 days, allowing on
    each day your needed number of runs, and adding
    additional "phantom" runs to make up the total.  For
    example, suppose you have 7 runs per day on each of the
    7 days, and 12 operators who work either 4-day or 5-day
    weeks.  You therefore need a minimum of 49 runs per
    week, but you should input a total of 12 times 5 or 60
    runs.  The 11 "phantom" runs should be apportioned among
    the 7 days.  For example, you may apportion 2 "phantom"
    runs per weekday and 1 on Saturday; in that case, you
    will input 9 runs per weekday, 8 per Saturday, and 7 per
    Sunday.

3.  When you group your daily runs into combinations, you
    won't have enough daily runs.  The shortfall will match
    your "phantom" runs.  Make up this shortfall by
    assigning an extra day off where each "phantom" run
    would otherwise go.

4.  As explained above, set up a rotation in which each crew
    member works each combination (with different
    combinations thus involving different workweek lengths)
    in turn.

If you use this procedure, we recommend that you develop
reports using run data files manually, rather than using the
calculator.  If you do use the calculator for this purpose,
you could, in the run data files, enter "Off" as the
information for each "phantom" run, but there is no
guarantee that "Off" runs will be distributed evenly among
the combinations; your workweek lengths could be as short as
zero days!  (You can, however, use the calculator to develop
templates for these reports, by not specifying any run data
files.)

You will also want to develop reports using run data files
manually if, rather than (for example) an 8-hour daily
guarantee, you pay full-time employees (for example) a
40-hour weekly guarantee with short and long runs on
different days combined to total 40 hours.  Again, this is
because the calculator does not examine the information
about each day's runs before setting up combinations (it
treats the information in run data files simply as text).

------------------------------------------------------------

EXTRA-DAY PRIORITIES

By default, the calculator, as much as possible, assigns
extra runs during the middle of the week, when your
absenteeism is presumably lowest and you thus have the
greatest number of extra board operators available.  The
calculator shows the extra-day priority sequence for the
currently-selected workweek length.

However, you may wish to change this priority.  The most
common reason for doing so is that setting Monday and Friday
as priority days will often produce more consecutive days
off if you choose the Maximize consecutive days off
calculation strategy.  But be aware that if you choose the
Allow only consecutive days off strategy, the calculator may
ignore your priorities and instead concentrate on equalizing
the number of extra runs per day.

To change priorities:

1.  Make sure that the currently-selected workweek length is
    the one whose priority you wish to change.  (To change
    the priority for more than one workweek length, repeat
    the change process for each workweek length whose
    priority you wish to change.)

    >   Priorities are shown as a string of 7 digits - 1 for
        Monday, 2 for Tuesday, and so on through 7 for
        Sunday.  The left-to-right sequence indicates
        highest to lowest priority.  The default priority
        for 4-day weeks is 2314567, so that to the extent
        possible, any extras needed are assigned first on
        Tuesday, then Wednesday, then Monday, and so on. 
        The default for 5-day weeks is 3241567 - first
        Wednesday, then Tuesday, then Thursday and so on. 
        The default for 6-day weeks is 3425167.

2.  Enter the new sequence (or edit the old one).  Use the 7
    digits from 1 to 7 in the sequence of your choice,
    following the same format as the sequence already shown.

    >   You cannot enter more than 7 digits without first
        deleting already-entered digits.

    >   Windows-version users can enter extra-day priorities
        with the mouse by clicking on the appropriate keys
        on the keypad displayed on the screen.

3.  Your selection takes effect immediately.

    >   While you are editing the sequence and an invalid
        sequence is showing on the screen, the calculator
        does not combine daily runs, and you cannot select
        Report.  The calculator will combine runs again as
        soon as a valid sequence is again showing.

    >   You are not guaranteed that there will be any extra
        runs on your top-priority days.  However, if the
        calculator has a choice, all else being equal, it
        honors your preferences.

4.  Your choices stay in effect throughout your calculator
    session, but are lost when you exit the calculator. 
    That is, the calculator reverts to the defaults each
    time you start a new session.

5.  If you wish to reset extra-day priorities to the
    calculator's defaults, press Escape while the cursor is
    in the priorities entry box and the box is empty, or
    Escape twice if the box is not empty.  This resets the
    priority only for the currently-selected workweek
    length.

You can change the calculator's default midweek priority by
editing DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.

------------------------------------------------------------

SHELL

This feature is in the DOS version only.  Windows-version
users can use the MS-DOS Prompt icon instead.  In Windows
3.x, this is in the Main group; in Windows 95, you can find
it by opening the Start menu and choosing Programs.

The main screen's Shell button allows you to return to DOS
temporarily.  This is useful for floppy disk formatting,
file management, and similar system functions.

In general, while in DOS, avoid loading or running any
memory-resident programs, especially terminate-and-stay-
resident (TSR) programs.  If you do, you may not be able to
re-enter the calculator, or, after choosing Exit to end your
calculator session, you may be unable to start other
applications.

When you're ready to re-enter the calculator, type EXIT and
press Enter.  Do not type DAYSDOS to re-enter the
calculator!  This may cause a second copy of the calculator
to be loaded into memory; if that happens, you may lose your
inputs, and experience other problems as well.  When you
choose Shell, the calculator reminds you of this.  (You can
disable the reminder by editing DAYSDOS.INI.)

Shell is available only from the main screen.  If you are in
the Reports screen and wish to use the shell feature, you
must first choose Close to exit the Reports screen.  Since
the Reports screen's Close button is disabled while reports
are being printed or saved, you cannot use the shell feature
during this time, unless you first choose Stop to terminate
the print or save.

------------------------------------------------------------

SHORTCUT KEYS

You can speed data entry using these keys:

/   Copies the number of runs on the current weekday to each
    of the 5 weekdays; positions you to enter Saturday runs

/   Pressed after entering Saturday runs, positions you for
    Sunday entry; pressed after entering Sunday runs,
    positions you for Monday entry.  Unlike weekday run
    totals, Saturday and Sunday run totals are not copied to
    other days.

>   Increases by 1 the number of runs in the current entry
    box

<   Decreases by 1 the number of runs in the current entry
    box

Windows-version users can also enter daily run totals by
clicking on the on-screen keypad.

To "start over" with your entries, choose Clear.  This will
reset the run totals for all 7 days to zero.

Also see "Command keys" for a complete list of calculator
commands.

------------------------------------------------------------

DATA CORRECTION

To restore the contents of the current data entry box to
what they were when you last moved the cursor to the box,
choose Undo or press Ctrl+Z.

To reset textual data as it's specified in DAYSDOS.INI or
DAYSW11.INI, press Escape while the cursor is in the data
entry box and the box is empty, or Escape twice if the box
is not empty.

------------------------------------------------------------

SOUND

By default, the calculator beeps when you make an error,
when you print or save a report, and at various other times. 
The main screen's Sound checkbox toggles sound on and off. 
(You can change the default to no sound by editing
DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.)

------------------------------------------------------------

REPORTS

NOTE TO WINDOWS 95 USERS:  The calculator is a 16-bit
application.  It does not support Windows 95 long file
names.

You can save the calculator's results in 5 formats:

>   A one-page summary of the results.

>   A worksheet template, suitable for use in working out
    which runs will be grouped into each 4-, 5-, or 6-day
    combination.

>   A comma-separated-value (CSV) file, which contains
    information about combinations and extras in a format
    readable by spreadsheet and database programs.  This is
    also known as a delimited text file.  This allows you to
    set up a template using your own format.

>   A signup sheet, on which operators can directly pick the
    combinations they wish to work.

>   An assignment list, which shows, for each of the 7 days
    of the week, each operator's assignment for that day.

The file REPORTS.TXT, provided with the calculator, contains
sample reports.

Any report can be printed, saved to disk as an ASCII text
file readable by any text editor or word processor, or (from
the Windows version) sent to the Windows clipboard or to
another Windows application.  Reports are saved to disk by
default.  (You can change this default by editing
DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.)

To generate reports:

1.  If you plan to generate a CSV report, signup sheet, or
    assignment list including run data files, prepare these
    files.  If you plan to generate reports using a name
    list, prepare the name list file.  

    >   It's best to do this before you start the
        calculator.  For details of how these files should
        be set up, see "Run data files" and "Name lists."

2.  If you plan to send your report to an application, make
    sure the application is open and the cursor is in the
    location where you want the report.

3.  Immediately after calculating off-day combinations,
    choose Report.

    >   The calculator estimates the size in kilobytes and
        number of pages of the currently-selected report
        type.  The actual size will usually be slightly less
        than shown, but plan for a variation of up to 10%
        either way from the estimate.

    >   The downward variation in file size of CSV reports,
        signup sheets and assignment lists may be much
        greater, since the report size depends on the
        information you supply in the run data files, and
        will certainly be much greater if you choose to
        generate these reports without including run
        details.  Printed CSV reports including run details,
        on the other hand, may take many more pages than
        estimated, because the calculator assumes that the
        information for all 7 days of each combination can
        fit on one line, which will be true only if your run
        details as recorded in the run data files are very
        short.

    >   Summary reports are always one page and less than
        1700 bytes.

4.  If you wish to direct reports to the printer, select
    Printer.

    >   The calculator assumes letter-size (8 1/2-by-11-
        inch) paper and portrait orientation.  The
        calculator sends a page feed at least every 60
        lines; with a standard 6-lines-per-inch font, this
        allows half-inch top and bottom margins.  Similarly,
        lines contain no more than 75 characters of text, so
        that with a standard 10-pitch font, you can set
        half-inch left and right margins and expect that
        text will fit on the page.

    >   The calculator reverts to the default of saving
        reports as disk files each time you start a new
        session.  (You can change this default by editing
        DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.)

    >   It's usually best to save reports using run data
        files to disk, and then examine them using a text
        editor or word processor.  That way, if you want to
        make any changes in which daily runs are grouped
        into each combination, you can do so, then print
        directly from the text editor or word processor,
        thus saving paper.

    >   The Windows version sends printouts to the Windows
        default printer.  By default, the DOS version sends
        printouts to LPT1:.  You can change this to LPT2: or
        LPT3: by editing DAYSDOS.INI.

    >   To print to a port other than the default, specify
        the port name rather than a file name in the path,
        and print to the file.  For example, if you select
        File and print to C:\DAYS\LPT3, the calculator sends
        the report to LPT3:.  (Note the omission of the
        colon in the port name.)  However, if a printer
        problem develops and the print job stops with an
        error message, you'll have to start the print job
        again from the beginning; you will not have a
        "Retry" option.  If you print this way, the
        calculator does not send a form feed at the end of
        the report or between pages of CSV reports. 
        Finally, Windows 3.x users who print this way will
        be bypassing Print Manager, which may cause
        unpredictable results if other print jobs are in
        Print Manager's queue, or if you are printing to a
        COM port or other device that is in use by some
        other application.

    >   The following additional printing information
        applies to DOS users:

        *   The calculator does not support printing to
            serial (COM) ports.  To use a serial printer,
            you must redirect print output from a parallel
            (LPT) port to a serial port using the DOS MODE
            command.  For details on this command, check
            your DOS manual, see your computer resource
            person, or contact Days Off technical support at
            dayshelp@schedule-me.com or 888/5-SCHEDULE.

        *   It's best to use MODE before starting the
            calculator.  You can use MODE through the shell
            feature, but because of the way MODE uses
            conventional memory, if you do so you will
            probably be unable to start other applications
            after you exit the calculator; if after exiting
            you have this problem, you'll have to reboot.

        *   Because of the way Windows works with serial
            ports, users of the DOS version who are using
            the calculator with Windows running may not be
            able to print to serial ports, even if the MODE
            command is used.  If this happens, try running
            the calculator from the DOS prompt in a window;
            running the calculator from the DOS prompt in a
            full screen; or exiting Windows and then running
            the calculator.

5.  If you wish to save reports to disk, enter a file name. 
    If you wish to save reports in a directory other than
    the one shown, enter a new path.  (By default, the
    calculator proposes to save reports to the current
    directory.  You can change this default to a specific
    location by editing DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.)

    >   By default, the calculator adds the extension .RSS
        to summary files, and the extension .RSW to
        worksheet template files.  (The "RS" is short for
        "roster.")  It adds the extension .CSV to comma-
        separated-value files, .SUS to signup sheet files,
        and .ASG to assignment list files.  This allows you
        to save all 5 types of files without having to enter
        different file names.  However, you can specify a
        different extension, or type . (a period) at the end
        of the file name to save your file without an
        extension.  (You can change default extensions by
        editing DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.)

    >   Even if a file name is too long for all of it to be
        displayed in the entry box on-screen, the calculator
        will still accept it, and will use it if it's legal.

6.  If you're a Windows-version user and you wish to send
    reports to the Windows clipboard, select Clipboard.

    >   The clipboard can hold only one report at a time; if
        you send a second report to the clipboard, the
        calculator overwrites the first one.  To preserve
        it, you must first paste it into another application
        such as a text editor or word processor.

    >   The Windows clipboard can hold only 64K of data. 
        The calculator will send information to the
        clipboard until the clipboard is full; then it will
        show an error message, and ask whether you wish to
        retain the partial report on the clipboard, or clear
        the clipboard.  (Applications that appear to be
        sending more than 64K to the clipboard are actually
        placing into the clipboard information about where
        in memory the data apparently being sent is located. 
        But since the calculator is generating the report
        and sending it to the clipboard "on the fly," it
        does not have this option.)

7.  If you're a Windows-version user and you wish to send
    reports to an application, select Application.

    >   Since some applications may not recognize certain
        keys, the resulting reports may differ slightly from
        those sent directly to the printer, to a file, or to
        the clipboard.  Typically, these differences may
        take the form of extra carriage returns.  Since
        every application is different, we recommend that
        you inspect the output closely.  There should not be
        any substantive differences affecting the
        information itself.

    >   The calculator sends a standard form-feed character
        (ASCII 12) at the end of each page.  Most
        applications will recognize this as a hard-page
        break.  However, your application may be different,
        and if so, you will have to make any needed
        adjustments manually.  (You may be able to use the
        application's search-and-replace feature for this
        purpose.  If this is a problem and this is something
        you will be doing frequently in an application that
        supports macros, you may wish to write a macro to
        perform the search-and-replace operation.)

8.  In worksheet, CSV, signup sheet, and assignment list
    reports, combinations are normally numbered
    consecutively from 1, and extra runs are normally
    numbered consecutively from X1.  To start at a different
    number, choose First combo and/or First extra.  You can
    specify any number from 0 to 99,999. (You can change the
    default starting numbers by editing DAYSDOS.INI or
    DAYSW11.INI.)  You cannot enter more than 5 digits
    without first deleting already-entered digits.  In these
    boxes, you can press > and < (the greater-than and less-
    than arrow keys) to increase or decrease the number
    shown by one.  You can also leave either of these boxes
    blank to suppress the printing of combinations or
    extras.  It you want your report to show only
    combinations, blank out the First extra box; if you want
    your report to show only extras, blank out the First
    combo box.

9.  To specify a line to be printed at the top or bottom of
    each page (or to appear at the top or bottom of each
    page of a disk file), choose Header or Footer.  (In CSV
    and assignment list reports, the header appears only
    once, at the beginning; and CSV and assignment list
    reports do not include footers.)

    >   Your header and footer are each limited to one line
        of up to 66 characters.  Anything after the 66th
        character is truncated.

    >   The calculator does not allow quotation marks (") in
        headers and footers, because quotation marks may not
        import properly from CSV files into spreadsheets and
        databases.  (To get around this, edit DAYSDOS.INI or
        DAYSW11.INI to specify a default header and/or
        footer containing quotation marks.)

    >   To include the current page number in a header or
        footer, type ^ (the caret).  To include the total
        number of pages in the report, type ? (the question
        mark).  In this manner, you can construct a header
        or footer such as Page ^ of ? which will become
        "Page 1 of 3" (or whatever the appropriate figures
        are).

    >   In the DOS version, you can use extended characters
        (those with ASCII codes above 127) in headers, but
        they won't print as you see them on the screen
        unless you set your printer to use the PC-8 symbol
        set (see your printer documentation for
        instructions).  Windows users can use extended
        characters in headers subject to the limitations of
        the Windows character set.

    >   If you have previously edited DAYSDOS.INI or
        DAYSW11.INI to include custom lines, you can use
        them by typing a tilde and the custom line number
        into the header or footer text entry box.  For
        details, see "Custom header and footer lines."

    >   Your header and footer are lost when you exit the
        calculator.  (You can specify a default header and
        footer, and set custom headers and footers, by
        editing DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.)

10. If you plan to generate a report using run data files,
    choose Run data files, then for each of the 7 days,
    enter the name including extension of the ASCII text
    file containing information about the day's runs.  When
    looking for files, the calculator works from the current
    directory regardless of what directory is specified
    under File name.  (Unless you change it, File name lists
    the directory that was current when you started the
    calculator - even if you later used the DOS version's
    Shell feature to change to another directory and/or
    drive.)

    >   Enter ONLY the file names here.  DO NOT enter the
        run information itself - instead, put the run
        information in the files whose names you enter here. 
        In preparing the files, follow the format of the
        WEEKDAY.TXT, SATURDAY.TXT, and SUNDAY.TXT files
        included with the calculator.

    >   You can specify the same file name for more than one
        day.  For example, if you have the same runs on each
        of the 5 weekdays, set them up in one file, then
        specify that file name 5 times.  You can press /
        (the slash key) to copy one weekday's file name to
        the remaining weekdays, just as with daily run
        totals.

    >   If you have no runs for a day (for example, no
        Sunday service), or if you want the calculator not
        to show runs on a particular day (so that you can
        insert them yourself), leave that line blank.

    >   Even if a file name is too long for all of it to be
        displayed in the entry box on-screen, the calculator
        will still accept it, and will use it if it's legal.

    >   To clear any file names you have already entered in
        any of these boxes, choose Clear.

    >   You can set default run data file names by editing
        DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.

11. If you plan to generate reports using name lists, choose
    Name list and enter the name including extension of the
    ASCII text file containing the name list.

    >   Enter ONLY the file name of the name list file here. 
        DO NOT enter the name list itself - instead, put the
        name list in the file whose name you enter here.  In
        preparing the name list file, follow the format of
        the NAMELIST.TXT file included with the calculator.

    >   Even if a file name is too long for all of it to be
        displayed in the entry box on-screen, the calculator
        will still accept it, and will use it if it's legal.

    >   You can set a default name list file name by editing
        DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.

12. If your workweek begins on a day other than Monday,
    choose First day and enter the first day of the week in
    the form of a number between 1 and 7 inclusive (1 for
    Monday through 7 for Sunday).  For example, if your
    workweek begins on Thursday, enter 4 here, and reports
    will show the workweek as extending from Thursday
    through Wednesday.  (You can change the calculator's
    default of starting reports on Monday by editing
    DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.  However, you cannot change
    the Monday-through-Sunday order of the calculator's
    input screens.)  You cannot enter more than 1 digit
    without first deleting the digit already entered.  In
    this box, you can press > and < (the greater-than and
    less-than arrow keys) to increase or decrease the number
    shown by one.

13. Select the report type you want:  Summary, Worksheet,
    CSV, Signup, or Assignment.

14. The calculator shows the number of combinations it will
    put between page breaks.  To change this number, choose
    Items per page and enter the new number.

    >   For assignment list reports, this will be the number
        of lines of text on each page, not the number of
        combinations.

    >   When generating summary reports, the calculator
        ignores the contents of this box.

    >   You can choose any number between 0 and 999.  If you
        choose 0, the calculator will not put any page
        breaks in your report (although, of course, inkjet
        and laser printers will eject each page once it's
        full).

    >   You can change the calculator's defaults by editing
        DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI.

    >   The ability to change this setting is useful when
        you want to print on non-standard paper such as
        legal-sized paper - but the calculator does not
        direct the printer to use different-sized paper for
        you.  You must do this yourself.  DOS-version users
        should change the switches on the printer itself. 
        Windows-version users can make the needed change
        through the Windows Control Panel.

    >   You cannot enter more than 3 digits without first
        deleting digits already entered.

    >   In this box, you can press > and < (the greater-than
        and less-than arrow keys) to increase or decrease
        the number shown by one.

15. To start the print or save, choose Go

    >   If you are sending the report to an application, the
        calculator shows a list of all open applications. 
        Choose the application to which you want the report
        sent.  Normally, this will be a word processor, but
        since the calculator cannot know the specifics of
        every application you may have open, it lists them
        all.  Be sure to choose the right application.  An
        attempt to send a report to an application not
        designed for it may cause unpredictable results. 
        The calculator cannot send reports to DOS
        applications, only to Windows applications.

    >   While the calculator is sending a report to an
        application, do not attempt to do any work with any
        other program.  If you must regain control of the
        system while the application is being sent, first
        try to close the application by pressing and holding
        Alt+F4.  One or more error messages may result.  If
        this fails, a reboot may be necessary.  The
        calculator will return to the screen once it's
        finished sending the report.

    >   A tone confirms your report request (or warns you in
        case you didn't mean to send a request).

    >   If a file already exists with the name you specify,
        the calculator beeps and warns you.  To overwrite
        the existing file, choose OK; otherwise, choose
        Cancel.

    >   To cancel a print or save in progress, choose Stop. 
        (Print jobs won't stop until data already in the
        print buffer is printed.)  Stop and Help are the
        only calculator functions available during a print
        or save.  If you choose Stop and then change your
        mind, you cannot start from where you left off; you
        must restart the print or save from the beginning.

    >   Before printing worksheets, signup sheets, or
        assignment lists, make sure that the printer is set
        for a fixed-pitch font (such as Courier). 
        Otherwise, characters won't be spaced properly.

    >   If the printer is not on-line, out of paper, etc.,
        the calculator beeps and shows an error message. 
        Fix the problem and choose Retry to continue or
        Cancel to cancel the print job.  This may cause a
        line to print twice.  In the Windows version,
        nothing may print (or printing may resume with a gap
        of many pages) even though you choose Retry.  This
        is because by the time Windows reports an error, the
        calculator has already sent through more (perhaps
        all) of the report.  At that point, printing is out
        of the calculator's control; you may have to delete
        the print job from Windows and resend it from the
        calculator.  This is not a problem with the DOS
        version, since the DOS version sends printouts to
        the printer port directly.

    >   If the file cannot be saved due to system error
        (disk unreadable, disk is write-protected, etc.),
        the calculator beeps and shows an error message. 
        Fix the problem and restart the save.  A partial
        file may nevertheless be created on disk.

    >   The calculator sends a form feed at the end of a
        print job, unless the job terminated abnormally
        (either because of a printer error or because you
        chose Stop).  The calculator does not put a page-
        break character (ASCII 12) at the end of a disk file
        or of information sent to the Windows clipboard.

    >   For the DOS version to generate reports using run
        data files, you must include a FILES=11 (or higher
        number) statement in CONFIG.SYS.  If you get an
        error message or if the system locks when you try to
        print or save a report using run data files and
        there is no other apparent cause, use Shell (if you
        can) to view CONFIG.SYS.  If the needed statement is
        lacking, return from the shell; exit the calculator;
        edit CONFIG.SYS to increase the number after FILES=
        to 11 or more; reboot, and try again.  If you're
        using a name list, this number increases to 12.

    >   File size is limited only by available disk space. 
        If the free space is used up before the save is
        finished, the calculator beeps and asks whether you
        would like to retain the partial file on disk or
        delete it.  If you're unsure whether you have enough
        disk space, check before you start the save.  DOS
        users can use Shell and the DOS DIR command for this
        purpose; Windows users can use File Manager or
        Explorer.

16. There are no calculator commands for file deletion,
    editing, management, etc.  For these tasks, you can use
    DOS commands (access the DOS prompt from the DOS
    version's Shell feature or from the MS-DOS Prompt icon
    in Windows); the Windows File Manager; or utility
    software.  For details, check your DOS, Windows, and/or
    utility manual, see your computer resource person, or
    contact Days Off technical support at
    dayshelp@schedule-me.com or 888/5-SCHEDULE.

------------------------------------------------------------

RUN DATA FILES

The calculator can include information about each day's runs
in CSV reports, signup sheets, and assignment lists, if you
set up files in advance containing this information.

1.  If you're using the DOS version, you should set up these
    files before you run the calculator.  You can use Shell
    to prepare them, but you may not have enough
    conventional memory to load your word processor or text
    editor.  This is not an issue with Windows, since
    multitasking allows you to switch away from the
    calculator to create these files on the fly if
    necessary.

2.  These must be ASCII text files.  Each line must contain
    whatever information you want printed about a single
    run; lines must be separated by a carriage return; and
    the body of the run information cannot contain blank
    lines.  Any comment lines must be at the end of the
    file, after the end of the run information.  You are
    limited to 66 characters of run information; anything
    after the 66th character will be truncated.  You may
    find it easiest to create these files with a
    spreadsheet.  But be sure to save them in ASCII text
    format - without margins or page breaks.

3.  If you use the same runs on several different days each
    week (for example, on each of the 5 weekdays), you do
    not have to create a separate file for each day.  Simply
    specify the same file name for each separate day. 
    However, you may want to set up multiple files with the
    same information anyway, so that if the calculator
    doesn't group runs into combinations the way you want,
    you can edit files for individual days and have the
    calculator try again.

4.  If a file does not list as many runs as you specified
    when calculating combinations, the report generator will
    terminate with an error message, and you will be left
    with a partial report.  (If you're saving the report to
    a file, the calculator will ask whether you want to keep
    or delete the file.  If you're saving the report to the
    Windows clipboard, the calculator will ask whether you
    want to retain the partial report on the clipboard, or
    clear the clipboard.)

5.  The calculator does not check for minimum time off
    between runs on consecutive days.  You must do this
    manually.  We've found that a good strategy for
    optimizing combinations, which generally avoids this
    problem, is to list runs by time getting off, from
    earliest to latest.

The files WEEKDAY.TXT, SATURDAY.TXT, and SUNDAY.TXT,
included with the calculator, are samples for you to look at
and practice with.  Calculate using 6 runs per weekday, 4
per Saturday, and 3 per Sunday, then create a signup sheet
and assignment list using these files.

------------------------------------------------------------

NAME LISTS

The calculator can attach a name to each combination in
reports, thus allowing you to prepare reports with
operators' names preprinted.  The calculator does not show
names for extra runs.

If you use a name list, worksheet, CSV, and signup sheet
reports show a name for each combination.  Assignment list
reports show a name for each run on each day of the week, so
that for each of the 7 days of the week, you have a list by
name of who has each run on that day.  The one-per-line
format of CSV and assignment list reports makes these easy
to sort by name, by importing these reports into software
that is capable of sorting.

Name lists are probably most useful with assignment lists,
because after you know who will be working combination #1,
combination #2, etc., you can put those names in order, and
the assignment list report will then list the names instead
of the combination numbers.  To do this, first list the
operator who will work combination #1, then the operator who
will work combination #2, and so on.

If you prefer, you can use the name list for employee
numbers or other data instead of names.  Be sure that the
first 7 characters of each entry in your name list are
unique; the calculator does not flag duplicates.

If you specify a name list file name in the appropriate box
on the Reports screen, the calculator will use the name
list.  If you don't want to use a name list, just leave this
box blank.  Do not enter the name list itself into the
calculator.  Put the name list into a file on disk, and
enter only the file name.

Here's how to set up a name list file:

1.  If you're a DOS user, you should set up this file before
    you run the calculator.  You can use Shell to prepare
    it, but you may not have enough conventional memory to
    load your word processor or text editor.  This is not an
    issue with Windows, since multitasking allows you to
    switch away from the calculator to create this file on
    the fly if necessary.

2.  This must be an ASCII text file.  Each line must contain
    the name as you want it printed; lines must be separated
    by a carriage return; and the body of the name list
    cannot contain blank lines.  Any comment lines must be
    at the end of the file, after the end of the names.  You
    are limited to 7 characters per name; anything after the
    7th character will be truncated.

3.  If the name list file does not list as many names as you
    have combinations, the calculator will stop generating
    the report and show an error message; you will be left
    with a partial report.

The NAMELIST.TXT file included with the calculator is a
sample for you to look at and practice with.

------------------------------------------------------------

CUSTOM HEADER AND FOOTER LINES

When you open the Reports screen for the first time during
your calculator session, the calculator proposes the default
header and footer lines specified in DAYSDOS.INI or
DAYSW11.INI.  (In these files as we supply them, the default
header is blank, and the default footer shows the current
page number and the total number of pages in the report.) 
You can edit DAYSDOS.INI and DAYSW11.INI to change the
default header and footer lines.

However, there may be a variety of header and/or footer
lines that you would find convenient to use in reports.  The
calculator makes this easy by allowing you to specify up to
10 custom lines for use in headers or footers.  You can set
up these custom lines by editing DAYSDOS.INI and
DAYSW11.INI.

The custom lines are numbered 0 through 9.  To use a custom
line, type a tilde and the custom line number into the
header or footer text entry box.  For example, to use the
line of text you have previously entered as custom line 7,
enter ~7 (with no spaces before, between, or after) as your
header or footer.  When you choose Go, the calculator
converts this to the text of the custom line as entered in
the .INI file.

Custom lines are subject to all the limitations of regular
headers and footers (66 characters, ? is replaced with the
total number of pages, etc.).

------------------------------------------------------------

COMMAND KEYS

Also see "Shortcut keys" for a list of keys that speed data
entry.

When pressing Alt and a number, you must use the numbers on
the main keyboard, not the number pad.  When inputting
numeric data, you can use either set of number keys (if the
Num Lock light is on).

All mouse operations are performed by clicking (not double-
clicking) the left mouse button (the right button if you're
using a left-handed mouse).  SPECIAL NOTE TO WINDOWS 95
USERS:  When you right-click on a text entry box in the
Windows version of the calculator, Windows 95 displays a
pop-up menu that allows you to perform actions not normally
permitted by the calculator, such as entering letters into
boxes that can normally accept only digits.  Since it is
Windows 95 producing this pop-up menu, these actions are not
under the calculator's control.  This capability may cause
unpredictable results, and we therefore recommend that you
avoid it.  If you do use it, it's at your own risk.

The calculator does not allow you to press Tab or Shift+Tab
or the cursor arrows to execute commands or select options. 
You must press and hold either Alt key and tap the
appropriate letter or number (or use the mouse).

A star (*) preceding a description indicates a key command
that is new or has changed in the current versions.

MAIN SCREEN COMMAND KEYS:

Escape                    Clear contents of current box
Escape                    From an empty Extra-day priorities
                          box, restore the default priority
                          for the currently-selected
                          workweek length
F1        Help            Go to context-sensitive help
Alt+F4    Exit            Exit calculator
Alt+4     4-day           Use 4-day workweek
Alt+5     5-day           Use 5-day workweek
Alt+6     6-day           Use 6-day workweek
Alt+C     Maximize        *Maximize consecutive days off
          consecutive
Alt+D     Daily runs      Enter daily total runs
Alt+H     Help            Go to help basics screen
Alt+L     Clear           Reset daily runs for all seven
                          days to zero
Alt+M     Maximize        *Maximize desirable off-day
          desirable       combinations
Alt+N     Sound           *Turn sound on or off
Alt+O     Consecutive     *Set up only combinations with
          only            consecutive days off
Alt+P     Extra-day       Edit extra-day priority sequence
          priority
Alt+R     Report          Go to reports screen
Alt+S     Shell           Temporarily return to DOS (DOS
                          version only)
Alt+U     Undo            *Restore contents of current data
                          entry box to what they were when
                          you moved the cursor to that box
Alt+X     Exit            Exit calculator
Ctrl+Z    Undo            Restore contents of current data
                          entry box to what they were when
                          you moved the cursor to that box

REPORTS SCREEN COMMAND KEYS:

Escape                    Clear contents of current box
Escape                    From an empty File name box,
                          restore the current path; from an
                          empty First combo, First extra,
                          Header, or Footer box, restore the
                          default
^ (caret)                 In a header or footer line, is
                          replaced with the current page
                          number
?                         In a header or footer line, is
                          replaced with the total number of
                          pages in the report
F1        Help            Go to context-sensitive help
Alt+F4    Close           Return to main screen
Alt+1     Summary         *Select summary report type
Alt+2     Worksheet       *Select worksheet template report
                          type
Alt+3     CSV             *Select CSV report type
Alt+4     Signup          *Select signup sheet report type
Alt+5     Assignment      *Select assignment list report
                          type
Alt+A     Application     *Direct reports to application
                          (Windows version only)
Alt+B     Clipboard       Direct reports to the Windows
                          clipboard (Windows version only)
Alt+C     Close           Return to main screen
Alt+D     Header          Enter header line
Alt+E     Printer         Direct reports to printer
Alt+F     File            Direct reports to file
Alt+G     Go              *Start the print or save
Alt+H     Help            Go to help basics screen
Alt+I     First combo     Enter number of first combination
Alt+L     Clear           *Empty contents of input data file
                          name entry boxes
Alt+M     Name list       *Enter name list file name
Alt+N     File name       Enter file name under which to
                          save report
Alt+O     Footer          *Enter footer line
Alt+P     Items per page  *Enter number of items between
                          page breaks
Alt+R     First extra     Enter number of first extra
Alt+S     First day       Set first day of workweek
Alt+T     Run data files  *Enter run data file names
Alt+T     Stop            Stop print or save operation
Alt+U     Undo            *Restore contents of current data
                          entry box to what they were when
                          you moved the cursor to that box
Ctrl+Z    Undo            Restore contents of current data
                          entry box to what they were when
                          you moved the cursor to that box

HELP SCREEN COMMAND KEYS:

Escape    Close           Exit help system
Alt+F4    Close           Exit help system
Alt+B     Copy to         Copy current help topic to the
          clipboard       Windows clipboard (Windows version
                          only)
Alt+C     Close           Exit help system
Alt+P     Print           Print current help topic
Ctrl+C    Copy to         Copy current help topic to the
          clipboard       Windows clipboard (Windows version
                          only)

------------------------------------------------------------

CHANGING CALCULATOR DEFAULTS

By editing DAYSDOS.INI and DAYSW11.INI, both ASCII text
files, you can change the calculator's default:

>   Header and footer
>   Off-day combination preferences
>   Extra-day priorities
>   Workweek length and calculation strategy
>   Report type
>   Policy of showing both combinations and extras in
    reports
>   Starting numbers for combinations and extra runs in
    reports
>   Output device for reports (to printer, to disk, or, for
    Windows-version users, to the Windows clipboard or to an
    application)
>   Printer port (LPT1:, LPT2:, or LPT3:) (DOS version only;
    Windows printouts are sent to the Windows default
    printer)
>   Use of sound
>   Policy of reminding you, before opening the shell, to
    type EXIT to return to the calculator (DOS version only)
>   Speed with which run totals are incremented or
    decremented when you click and hold the < and > buttons
    on the on-screen keypad (Windows version only)
>   File name extension for each report type (Note: The
    calculator does not set up associations in Windows
    between itself and the file name extensions it uses)
>   Destination for saving reports
>   Policy of beginning reports with Monday
>   Number of items between page breaks of reports
>   Run data file names
>   Custom header and footer lines
>   Name list file name

For details, view DAYSDOS.INI or DAYSW11.INI online.  The
calculator itself cannot change these files; to edit either,
you must use a text editor or word processor (be sure to
save in ASCII format).  Any changes you make will not take
effect until you exit and restart the calculator.

For the calculator to read these defaults, DAYSDOS.INI or
DAYSW11.INI must be in the current directory when you start
the calculator.  If the calculator cannot find the .INI
file, it asks whether you want to start anyway using
preprogrammed defaults (the same settings contained in the
.INI file when you originally received the calculator). 
Most users will find the preprogrammed defaults acceptable. 
Therefore, you need the .INI files only if you wish to vary
from the defaults.

Do not attempt to use a previous version's .INI file.  If
you have customized an .INI file, you will have to recreate
the customization manually in the new file.  Print the old
.INI file; delete it; install the new .INI file; and use the
printout as a guide in editing the new file.

A corrupted .INI file will cause unpredictable behavior,
including erroneous results - so if you edit DAYSDOS.INI or
DAYSW11.INI, MAKE A BACKUP COPY FIRST!  If in doubt, reload
the file(s) from your original program disk.  If necessary,
download a fresh copy of the calculator from
ftp:/schedule-me.com/days.exe; or contact Days Off technical
support at dayshelp@schedule-me.com or 888/5-SCHEDULE, and
we'll e-mail or send you clean copies at no charge.

------------------------------------------------------------

FILLING EXTRA RUNS

Users often ask how extra runs should be handled, or how to
make sure that all runs are grouped into combinations and
extra runs are avoided.  We offer the following tips:

1.  If you maintain an extra board of operators separate
    from your regular workforce:

    >   Enter data for your regular runs.  You may have a
        few extras which will have to be worked on the
        specified day each week by the extra board.

    >   Once you see how many operators you need to fill the
        regular runs (how many combinations there are),
        subtract this from your total number of operators to
        determine the size of your extra board.  (Or, your
        extra board size may already be fixed.)

    >   Multiply the total size of your extra board by the
        workweek length to determine how many on-call days
        per week the extra board will work.  Apportion this
        number among the 7 days of the week, and calculate
        combinations for the extra board on this basis; the
        result will be a list of off-day combinations that
        can be selected by extra board operators.

2.  If the operators work regular runs on some days and the
    extra board on other days:

    >   Add the total number of runs for the 7 days of the
        week.  Subtract this total from the total number of
        workdays available (the number of operators times
        the workweek length).  The difference will be extra
        runs.  Apportion these extra runs among the 7 days;
        add the regular and extra runs for each day; and
        calculate combinations based on the total of regular
        plus extra runs for each day.

    >   If you use this procedure, it's best to develop
        reports using run data files manually, rather than
        using the calculator.  Your extra runs may not be
        divided evenly among the combinations; some
        operators may not have any extra runs, and others
        may have nothing but!  (You can, however, use the
        calculator to develop templates for these reports,
        by not specifying any run data files.)

3.  If you have separate groups of operators for separate
    groups of runs (for example, day operators and night
    operators), enter data separately based on the number of
    runs assignable to each group.

4.  If you don't have an extra board, but the calculator's
    results include extra runs, take the days of the extra
    runs along with other days of your choice, and manually
    make a combination from them; or rerun the calculator
    with one run added on enough days each week so that the
    total number of runs per week becomes a multiple of the
    workweek length, thus eliminating extra runs.  (For
    example, if you have 52 runs per week and a 5-day
    workweek, arbitrarily add a run on each of 3 days of
    your choice, so the total becomes 55, an exact multiple
    of 5.  In this case, you'll have to have something for
    this person to do - the equivalent of a "run" - on each
    of these days!)

    >   If you do this, and you use the calculator to
        generate reports using run data files, make sure
        that the files for those days on which you added the
        extra run have information for the additional run.

------------------------------------------------------------

ONLINE HELP

The calculator offers online, context-sensitive help, which
you can get by choosing Help or by pressing F1 at any time
(except when error or warning messages are showing).  When
you press F1, your first help screen relates to your current
activity within the calculator.  When you choose Help (with
either the keyboard or the mouse), your first help screen is
an introduction to the help system.

To move among help topics, use the mouse or the cursor
arrows, or press Tab and Shift+Tab (in the DOS version) or
the first letter of a topic name (in the Windows version).

To print the help topic currently showing, choose Print. 
The print job is directed to the default printer port. 
Windows-version users can also copy the help topic currently
showing to the Windows clipboard, by choosing Copy to
clipboard.  You cannot print or copy help topics while
reports are being printed or saved; and you cannot save help
topics to a file or to an application.

The Windows version's help system is built into DAYSW11.EXE. 
The calculator does not use the Windows Help engine; there
is no separate Windows help file.

To exit the help system, choose Close or press Escape or
Alt+F4.

------------------------------------------------------------

GLOSSARY

Though the calculator is useful for any crew-scheduling
application, it is designed first for the public transit
industry, and it uses transit-specific terminology.  Even
within the transit industry, there is variation in
terminology.  The following are defined as used by the
calculator and in this documentation:

Combination:  A group of 4, 5, or 6 runs, one each on 4, 5,
or 6 different days of the week, that together comprise an
operator's workweek.

Extra:  A run on a given day of the week that cannot be
grouped into a 4-, 5-, or 6-day combination.  Such runs will
have to be worked on the given day each week by the extra
board, part-timers, regular operators on a day off, etc.

Extra board:  A group of floating substitute operators.

Operator:  A crew member; a person who works a run, or has a
day off, each day.

Run:  A daily work shift.

------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT'S NEW

Version 2.2 for DOS and Version 1.1 for Windows include
these improvements:

Features

>   The new consecutive-only calculation strategy groups as
    many runs as possible into combinations with consecutive
    days off.

>   The calculator now shows the percentage of combinations
    with each group of days off.

Reports

>   You can begin reports on any day of the week.  For
    example, reports can cover a week from Thursday through
    Wednesday.

>   The Windows version can now send reports from the
    calculator directly to other Windows applications, such
    as word processors.

>   You can now generate signup sheets and assignment lists
    without using run data files.  These will be templates
    into which you can enter your own run information as you
    wish.

>   Individual reports can now contain only combinations,
    only extras, or both combinations and extras.

>   CSV reports can now include run details, just like
    signup sheets and assignment lists.

>   You can now change the number of items listed on each
    page of your report.

>   Summary reports now include the percentage of
    combinations with each group of days off.

>   You can now change the default destination for reports.

>   You can now change the default file name extension for
    each report type.

>   You can now set default run data file names and name
    list file names.

>   You can fully customize both headers and footers.  In
    addition to a default header or footer, you can pre-
    specify up to 10 custom lines and easily use any of them
    in a header or footer.

Interface

>   Windows-version users can increment or decrement daily
    run totals rapidly with the mouse, by clicking the
    greater-than and less-than buttons on the on-screen
    keypad and holding down the mouse button.

>   The current text-entry area is highlighted to make it
    easier to spot.  In the DOS version, its background
    takes a contrasting color; in the Windows version, the
    text describing the data to be entered is bolded. 
    (Highlighting may not be visible on some older
    monitors.)

------------------------------------------------------------

COMPATIBILITY

The DOS version requires DOS 2.1 or later and 400K of
conventional memory.  It cannot use upper, extended, or
expanded memory (unless run through Windows or another
memory-management program).  The Windows version requires
Microsoft Windows 95, or Windows 3.0 or later running in
Standard or 386 Enhanced mode, a 286 or later microprocessor
and 1 MB of RAM.

Notes to Windows 95 users:  The calculator is a 16-bit
application.  It does not support Windows 95 long file
names.  Also, see "Command Keys" for a special note about
using the pop-up menus Windows 95 provides when you right-
click a text entry box.  (In short, these menus are not
under the calculator's control; their use may cause
unpredictable results; and we recommend that you avoid
them.)

There are no versions of the calculator for Apple II,
Macintosh, OS/2, Power PC, Unix, or other operating systems;
however, certain versions of these operating systems, and/or
specific computers using these systems, may also be able to
run DOS and/or Windows programs.  For assistance, check your
operating system manual, see your computer resource person,
or contact your hardware vendor.

The DOS version sends reports to printers in a form that
PostScript printers don't understand.  To print a report
from the DOS version using a PostScript printer, you must
either take the printer out of PostScript mode (see your
printer documentation for instructions), or save the report
as a disk file and then print the file from a word processor
or other application that supports PostScript printers.

There is no network version of the calculator.  It is
designed for stand-alone use.  It should function properly
on a network, but network users should be careful to choose
the most appropriate option for directing reports (to disk,
LPT1:, LPT2:, LPT3:, or, for Windows users, the Windows
clipboard) and help topic printouts (to LPT1:, LPT2:, LPT3:,
or, for Windows users, the Windows clipboard), depending on
network configuration.  Attempts by two users to save files
with the same path and file name at the same time may cause
unpredictable results.  In addition, the calculator uses the
settings in the .INI file in the current directory. 
Therefore, if you change an .INI file in a shared directory,
you are affecting others who use the calculator from that
directory.  For assistance, see your network administrator.

If you're using Windows 95 "large" or "extra large" screen
appearance settings, the extra height used by the title bar
may cause information at the bottom of the calculator screen
to be invisible.  Typically, this should affect only our
promotional information at the bottom of the main screen. 
If this is a problem, right-click on the desktop, choose
Properties, choose Appearance, and select Windows Standard.

If you're using the Windows version on an IBM PS/2 computer
running version 3.0 of Microsoft Windows, do not use the on-
screen keypad.  This will cause erratic mouse behavior.
This problem is due to a bug in Windows 3.0, which Microsoft
corrected in Windows versions 3.1 and later.

------------------------------------------------------------

INCREASING DATA ENTRY SPEED

The calculator features immediate calculation:  Runs are
combined as you enter each keystroke of data.

Since this is time-consuming, users of older, slower
computers may notice delays in the calculator's acceptance
of keystrokes, and may therefore wish to turn off immediate
calculation, to allow data entry without keyboard delays. 
This is more likely to be a problem if you are using the
consecutive-only strategy, since with this strategy it takes
the calculator considerably longer to find an optimal
solution.  We suggest that you try entering data as usual
first; use this procedure only if the calculator can't keep
up with your keystrokes.

The calculator does not allow you to turn off immediate
calculation directly.  However, the calculator does not
combine runs unless a valid extra-day priority sequence is
showing.  You can use this fact to speed keyboard entry,
using the following steps:

1.  Press Alt+P to move the cursor to the Extra-day
    priorities entry box.

2.  Press Escape, which clears the box.  This also blanks
    the results portion of the screen, and prevents the
    calculator from recombining runs.

3.  Press Alt+D to reposition the cursor for entry of daily
    run totals.

4.  Enter the total runs for each day.  Since the extra-day
    priority sequence is not valid and the calculator is
    therefore not using time in combining runs with each
    keystroke, it accepts keystrokes quickly.

5.  With all daily run totals entered, press Alt+P.  The
    cursor moves to the now-empty Extra-day priorities entry
    box.

6.  Press Escape.  The extra-day priority sequence reverts
    to the default, and the runs are combined.

Or...

6.  Type the new priority sequence of your choice.  When you
    finish typing a valid sequence, the calculator combines
    runs.

------------------------------------------------------------

USING THE DOS VERSION FROM WITHIN WINDOWS

The information in this section applies only to the DOS
version of the calculator.

There are several ways to use the DOS version from within
Windows, of which the simplest for beginning Windows users
is:

1.  If you're using Windows 3.x, select the MS-DOS Prompt
    icon, usually found in the Main group.  If you're using
    Windows 95, open the Start menu, move to Programs, and
    select MS-DOS Prompt.

2.  From the DOS prompt, start the calculator as explained
    under "Using the calculator."

3.  After exiting the calculator and returning to the DOS
    prompt, type EXIT and press Enter to return to the
    Windows desktop.

If you run the DOS version from Windows, be aware that:

>   The calculator does not route print jobs through the
    Windows 3.x Print Manager; thus, when you are printing,
    the Print Manager is not aware that the printer is in
    use.  Therefore, printing a report while a Windows
    application is printing, or vice versa, may cause
    unpredictable results.  This is not a problem with
    Windows 95.

>   The calculator does not support Windows 95 long file
    names.

>   The Print Screen key sends a graphic image of the screen
    to the Windows clipboard rather than the printer.  (To
    print a report, choose Report.  To print a help topic,
    choose Print from the help screen.)

>   Because of the way Windows works with serial ports, you
    may not be able to print to serial ports even if you use
    the MODE command as described under "Reports."  If this
    happens, try running the calculator from the DOS prompt
    in a window; running the calculator from the DOS prompt
    in a full screen; exiting Windows 3.x and then running
    the calculator; or, if you're a Windows 95 user,
    rebooting into MS-DOS mode and running the calculator.

Non-Windows applications can be run from Windows in a
variety of ways, of which only one is shown above.

For Windows 3.x users who wish to install the calculator
into a Windows group, the file DAYS.ICO is provided with the
calculator.  If you're installing the calculator into
Windows 95, you will first have to install it using one of
the icons Windows proposes; you can then open Explorer, find
the shortcut to the calculator, right-click, choose
Properties, Shortcut, and Change Icon.

For more information, check your Windows manual, see your
computer resource person, or contact Days Off technical
support at dayshelp@schedule-me.com or 888/5-SCHEDULE.

------------------------------------------------------------

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Contact:

Schedule me!
5545 Bundy Road, Suite 370
New Orleans, Louisiana 70127-4821, USA
Toll-free 888/5-SCHEDULE
Voice 504/244-9234
Fax 504/245-1627
http://www.schedule-me.com
dayshelp@schedule-me.com

You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  If no one is
available, the answering machine will take your message and
we'll call you back as soon as possible (usually within 24
hours).

Customization of the calculator is also available from the
same source.

Your comments, questions, and suggestions for improvement
are always welcome!  Since the calculator is freeware, we do
not register users; however, we would be pleased to have
your input via the EVALUATE.TXT file, or the equivalent User
Evaluation form supplied with the calculator if you obtained
it directly from us.

We've tried hard to make sure that the calculator is bug-
free - but if you do find a bug, we'd like to know.  As part
of any bug report, please include the circumstances that led
to the problem, your name, and a way we can reach you in
case we need more information.

------------------------------------------------------------

ABOUT US

Schedule me! specializes in transit route and schedule
design and run cutting.  As professionals with many years of
day-to-day operating experience, we deliver practical
solutions that work on the street and stay within your
budget.  We're experts at saving you money by setting up the
most efficient run cuts possible - in fact, we'll cut runs
head-to-head against anyone or any software, anywhere!

We also provide other related services such as ridership
checking, public timetable and route map production, and
coordination of your FTA Section 15 trip sampling program.

Our service is fast and our prices are low.  Contact us any
time:

Schedule me!
5545 Bundy Road, Suite 370
New Orleans, Louisiana 70127-4821, USA
Toll-free 888/5-SCHEDULE
Voice 504/244-9234
Fax 504/245-1627
http://www.schedule-me.com
info@schedule-me.com
