General Software FAQs
Structural Software FAQs
OnTime Timesheet FAQs
Land Development Proforma FAQs
Answers to General Frequently Asked Questions
I get an error message when I open the program. The drop-down menus don’t work. The program freezes when I click a button or dropdown.
If you are trying to run our software on Mac, Works, Quattro, or some other spreadsheet platform see this FAQ.
With Excel, any of the above problems are due to your computer not allowing our macros (small pieces of computer code embedded in our programs). This is because Vista or Excel incorrectly views them as potential viruses.
Here are the quick, easy adjustments:
If you are using Excel 07, go through the following, A-F.
If you're using Excel '03, scroll down.
A. If your version of Excel '07 is an early version, make sure you've upgraded with the latest Microsoft Service Pack. The first version of Excel 07 was full of bugs and had problems dealing with macros. Microsoft fixed that with their service packs. If you're not sure, you can try to skip this step and go to step B., below.
If you skip this step, and after making the settings adjustments in steps B - D, below, you're still having problems, come back and download the following Microsoft upgrades. After you do that, you may have to go through steps B - D again. But it's quick and easy.
To download Microsoft service packs, here is the link for that Microsoft web page. Once there, scroll down until you find something like this: The 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2 (SP2) That link will take you to the download page.
B. Make sure your Macro and Active-x settings are correct in Excel as follows:
- Open Excel.
- Click on the round Office button, upper left.
- Excel Options, lower right.
- Trust Center in left margin.
- Trust Center Settings, bar right side.
- ActiveX Settings.
- Select “Prompt me before enabling all controls with minimum restrictions.”
- Ok
- You should now be back in the Trust Center Settings screen. Select Macro Settings, left margin.
- Select "Disable all macros with notification.
- Ok
Done. Excel will remember these settings, you should only have to do this once.
C. Open the ConstructionCalc program or demo you want to use. Then immediately Save As, choosing "Excel 97-2003 Workbook". Give the program a new name, such as PBWorkingCopy. Close the program.
D. Reopen the program. Just below the tool bar (upper left of the screen) you may see this note: "Security Warning - Macros have been disabled".
- Click "Options" to the right of that note.
- Select Enable this content.
E. Now you should be good to go.
F. Each time you open the program you will see the Macros have been disabled note in the upper left. Click on Options, then Enable this content.
* In Excel 03 and earlier
Open the program. Then Tools, Macro, Security, Medium. Close the program and reopen it. You should only have to do this once. Of course each time you open one of our programs and are prompted about macros always select "Enable macros".
Your software is written in the Microsoft Excel platform. Why?
There are several reasons:
· Our customers do not have to hassle with setup or installation wizards because our programs open and save just like any other Excel or Word file.
· Most people are already familiar with Excel or other spreadsheet programs. This limits learning curve.
· Excel enables many cool built-in features such as split screen, in-cell equations, variables, etc. Printing and file operations are also a snap with Excel.
· Compatibility problems are virtually eliminated. If you can run Windows and Excel, you can run our software.
How user-friendly is your software?
All software takes a little getting used to, however, we believe ours is the most user-friendly in the industry for the following reasons:
· If you know how to use Word or Excel, by default you know how to use our programs. There’s no hassling with a strange new computer program.
· All input is done on the same screen. There is no clicking or bouncing around between screens or sub-screens. Scrolling can be minimized by simply changing Excel's zoom setting to a lower percentage.
· Input is similar to how you think out the problem. Start at the top with basic information and simply work your way down the screen. This format continually prompts you for all required information, i.e. your chances of forgetting a critical item are minimized.
· Nearly every input cell or area has helpful notes (denoted by red triangles) hidden therein to remind you of the nature of information being requested. All notes are revealed by simple ‘mouse-over'.
· Additional (printable) Help is available on-board via the Help tab at the bottom of screen. No manuals are necessary.
Can I mess up my original program? I.E. how do I ensure that I always have a clean template should something happen to the copy I'm using?
The original copy of your ConstructionCalc software is protected against overwriting equations, so you should not be able to mess up its functionality. However it is strongly recommended that you keep the original copy unaltered and use a working copy instead. To do this, after you've opened your original copy, immediately do a File, Save As and rename it. That renamed, "Saved As" copy is the one for everyday use. The original version is still where you originally saved or downloaded it, unchanged, ready to provide a fresh copy should you need or want it.
Will ConstructionCalc work on Mac or other spreadsheet platforms?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The best way to determine if your platform is compatible is to try a demo. And try it several times, opening and closing between each try. Some Mac users report that a program works fine once, but when they try it again later it doesn't. Keep in mind that we support our products only for Excel, 2003 or later. Pease try a demo several times before you buy.
Like all good software, ConstructionCalc upgrades are inevitable. No product is ever ‘perfect', so even the best of them have room for improvement. But in keeping with our ‘best software value anywhere' philosophy, our upgrades will be very reasonably priced.
To be sure you’re notified of upgrades, bug alerts, and new products, make sure you’re on our mailing list. Or you can email us.
Answers to Structural Software Frequently Asked Questions
Do you do engineering for hire? What about expert witness work?
Yes, we do engineering, but in a very limited capacity. Just enough, really, to keep us up to speed with current practices and codes. We only work in WA and CA and only as our schedule allows.
Regarding expert witness work, generally we do not engage in this. However, if the job feels right we would consider it.
How much past experience do I need to use your software?
The more construction and computer experience you have, the better. But if you have very little, ConstructionCalc will be your best bet because we’re the most user-friendly brand and we provide more free educational materials than anyone. There are lots of free solved examples on this website that will show you, step-by-step, from where each input comes. Also, with your purchase of any structural program you get a free copy of Tim Garrison’s book, “Basic Structural Concepts for the Non-Engineer”.
It is unreasonable to expect that a greenhorn can instantly become a structural expert. But if you’re willing to spend some time with the free resources we provide, you will be able to design using our software. Certainly it is always recommended that a true expert check your designs, particularly at first.
Does your software eliminate the need for an engineer's stamp?
No. No software, span table, calculator, advice from a contractor or building official takes away the requirement for an engineer's stamp. However, the vast majority of residential and light commercial construction in the U.S. is performed without professional engineering. If you have ever used a span table, or sized a beam by some rule-of-thumb, you probably would have been safer using good software, like ConstructionCalc's.
Each state has laws describing what constitutes ‘engineering' and who may perform it. We believe our software should be legally treated the same as span tables, manufacturer's proprietary software, or any other design aid. If in doubt, contact your state board of professional engineers.
Will your software tell me what snow load to use based on location?
No. To our knowledge there is no single place to go for that information. Check with your local building official for basic snow load requirements in your specific area. Once you have that information though, our Loads software will calculate unbalanced, and slope-reduced unbalanced snow loads per the UBC.
Does your software tell what wind speed, exposure, and seismic information to use based on location?
No. To our knowledge there is no single place to go for that information. Check with your local building official for basic wind and seismic information pertinent to your specific area. Once you have that information though, our wind and seismic Loads program will compute your wind pressures in pounds per square foot and your seismic base shear equation per the UBC.
I see your programs list Trus-Joist MacMillan engineered wood products. How about other brands?
At some point we may add other major brands to our program's databases. But in the meantime if you size for Trus-Joist MacMIllan, competing brands (at your lumber yard) should be happy to cross-reference for you.
Are your structural programs IBC 2006 compliant?
In the rigorous interpretation of the code, no they are not. They are compliant with the 2003 IBC and 1997 UBC. However, any structural member properly designed with ConstructionCalc software is absolutely safe. The changes from the 2003 to the 2006 code are so minute relative to our software we had not planned to upgrade. But because of pressure from certain jurisdictions, we have recently changed our thinking and are in the process of updating. Unfortunately that will not be finished until late 2008.
If your jurisdiction is giving you heartburn over this issue, please send us an email and we’ll reply with an official statement that your jurisdiction may accept until we have upgraded versions.
Your structural software seems limited in what it can do. Why?
Our software is the best in the world at solving what most people in the construction industry face daily: simple beams, rafters, joists, columns, and footings. If you want software that will solve skyscrapers and bridges, we're not your brand. We have no intention of creating massive, hard-to-use, complicated programs that only engineers can figure out. We are the hammer and saw… the power tools of structural software.
Answers to OnTime Frequently Asked Questions
Will OnTime work for non-construction-related consultants?
Yes, absolutely. In fact the program was inspired by an attorney friend who was keeping his time on yellow-pad paper!
OnTime is perfect for attorneys, accountants, engineers, architects, builders, and anyone else who tracks billable time.
Does OnTime create invoices and statements?
OnTime is primarily a timecard program. Its printout can be used as an invoice, however, it has no capability to track payments nor produce statements.
OnTime was created for consultants who use accounting software for invoicing (Quicken, Quickbooks, Peachtree, etc) but who track their time on paper or other cumbersome timecard programs. In our consulting division we’ve tried several timecard programs and have always felt them too restrictive, cumbersome, and / or hard to manipulate data. That’s why OnTime was born. Like all ConstructionCalc software, we use it internally and love it!
Does OnTime work with Quicken and Quickbooks?
OnTime can be used in conjunction with Quicken, Quickbooks, or any other accounting software. However, OnTime’s data is not meant to export directly into those other programs. Rather, a hard copy of time data is produced with OnTime then an invoice is produced in the accounting software using information from the OnTime printout. We think this is beneficial for the following reasons:
· Timecard data is separate from accounting data. This provides opportunity for checks and balances between the two. It also maintains the integrity of the timecard data should something happen to the accounting program (crash, change of accounting software, etc.)
· Employees do not need access to the accounting program to track their time.
· OnTime is easy to back up to several computers or to a CD or other remote storage. This way you keep archive copies of your time data without the hassle of trying to back up an entire accounting software program.
What’s the difference between the 5-employee and Unlimited versions?
There is very little difference in the programs themselves. The 5-emplolyee version will give you an annoying pop up note if more than five different names are entered in the main data section.
The primary difference has to do with software licensing, not functionality. You risk severe fines if you make illegal copies, or illegally use any software product.
Bottom line: if a company or entity will have more than five people using OnTime, it needs the Unlimited version.
Can I use the Unlimited version for fewer than five employees?
Yes, absolutely. The Unlimited version can be used for any number of employees within a single business, even if it's just one employee. The Unilimted version is no more difficult to use than the 5-employee version. In fact the two programs are, for all practical purposes, identical.
Why is there only one demo for both versions?
The OnTime demo will give you a feel for either the Unlimited or 5-employee version because the two versions are, for all practical purposes, identical. As stated above, the main difference between the two versions has to do with licensing laws not functionality.
How do I upgrade from the 5-employee version to the Unlimited version?
Simply purchase the Unlimited version. There is no price break for upgrading because the 5-employee version is quite inexpensive to begin with.
Can I make multiple copies of OnTime?
Yes, there is no limit to the number of copies you can make. However, if you purchased the 5-employee version, you must limit the number of users to five.
Answers to Land Development Proforma Frequently Asked Questions
Is the proforma program you sell actually used by the big boys?
Yes, it actually started as a spreadsheet being used by a very large developer in northern WA. We greatly enhanced it, of course, prior to bringing it to market as a ConstructionCalc product. It has been used by large developers nationwide and we’ve not had a single complaint in it’s five year history (as of 8/08).
Cost data is very important in the Proforma. Where do I get that?
Your proforma is only as good as the cost data you use. The best place to get it is from local builders and contractors. They’re in tune with what things cost in your neck of the woods. Another place to get cost data is from the company “RS Means” (www.meanscostworks.com), whose sole mission is to publish cost data for construction. However, using their data is expensive and can be cumbersome and confusing unless you’re an expert in that field.
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