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  GETTING STARTED

The first record entered in the database is named SEEDS.  This is the Bracket/Picks which identifies the team which should win based on Seeding and the AP pole (for the four #1 seeds).  This record was created for two reasons:  

  (1) It's a good starting point when entering new PLAYER's picks (Getting Started Menu includes button for duplicating this record as a starting point).  ADMINISTRATOR then simply edits the differences.

  (2) During the course of the NCAA tournament, the "Seeds" picks provides a good comparison to PLAYERs on how they rate at picking upsets.  If they stay above the "Seeds" score they're doing good.

DATA ENTRY

The abbreviated spelling of the teams in the NCAA tournament MUST be consistent throughout every PLAYER's Bracket and the Winners Bracket when entering data into the database.  This is critical for point calculation formulas to work correctly.  

For example, if it is chosen by the Administrator to abbreviate the 'University of Kentucky' as "Ky" when entering PLAYER's picks, then 'Ky' should be used throughout the file to represent the University of Kentucky.  The Administrator must be consistent in using "Ky" for All PLAYERS and NOT deviating by inputting "Kentucky" or "UK" in some brackets.  Recommend using the abbreviation identified in the first round match-ups identified in the left and right margins of the Data Input or Winner Input Layouts.

Once all PLAYERS have been entered into the database, recommend reviewing the Overview Layouts to verify consistency of entries.  Variances standout and can be corrected as discovered.

SCRIPTS and BUTTONs

Several Buttons and Scripts were written to assists the ADMINISTRATOR in entering data and Previewing reports.  All scripts designed for PREVIEWing Reports have 'pauses' built in to allow printing if the previewed document appears OK on the screen.  To Print, simply select PRINT from the FILE Menu when the script pauses.  When Printing is finished, Click CONTINUE or hit the Enter key.

If problems are encountered with the Previewed Report, PAGE SETUP may require updating depending upon Printer and Driver being used.  Majority of Layouts were designed around an HP Printer printing at 100% with either vertical (Portrait) or horizontal (Landscape) orientation.  Three (3) scripts were written to define PAGE SETUP parameters:

  a. Page Set-Up Vertical/Portrait (establishes an HP vertical/Portrait page orientation printing @ 100%)
  b. Page Set-Up Horizontal (establishes a horizontal/Landscape page orientation printing @ 100%)
  c. Page Set-Up Horizontal 6pp (establishes a horizontal/Landscape page orientation printing @ 58%)*

* Only applicable to Computers with the ability to reduce/enlarge Print jobs.

If problems are encountered when PREVIEWing  a report, the applicable Page Setup Script should be adjusted and saved.  The following steps identifies the process for updating the Page Setup scripts:

  (1) When PREVIEWing a 'problemed' report, CANCEL the active Script, note the report layout title and select PAGE SETUP under the FILE Menu.

  (2) Verify the desired Printer is selected and the correct Page Orientation is identified (Note:  Layouts "POINT SUMMARY" and "OVERVIEW - FINAL FOUR/WINNER" are the only layouts which are Vertically/Portrait oriented) and Click OK.

(Note:  Additional changes may be required, however, for now, just verify the correct Printer is selected and the page orientation is correct.  Additional changes can be made later if problems persist.)

  (3) Under Script Menu, select SCRIPTMAKER

  (4) Highlight the PAGE SETUP script which correlates to the report you are having trouble with and click EDIT

  (5) Click OK (without changing anything...what needs to be corrected comes up next)

  (6) Click REPLACE button on PAGE SETUP

  (7) Click OK

When finished, return to the Report Menu and Preview the subject Report again.  If problems persist (such as data being cutoff in the margins), continue with the above process, changing the parameters within the Page Setup window of step (2) above, until the Previewed report appears OK on the screen.  Modification of margins, paper size selection, or reducing the print job (if an option) may be required in order to for report to preview correctly.

Once OK, all Report Scripts which utilize that same page orientation setup script should also execute OK.

LAYOUTS

There are 13 layouts available to facilitate data input, score monitoring and status report printing.  The font used throughout every layout is Times New Roman with the size varying from 6 point to 18 point.  If Layouts appear rough, verify your computer and printer has this font loaded at the above specified size range.

  (1) - (4) Menus - Starting layouts when file is opened.  Used to navigate the user through the various layouts, executing scripts, in order to enter PLAYER's picks, enter NCAA game winners or view/print a desired report.

  (5) Data Input - Utilizes a "Bracket" structure for data entry and can be used to print "Blanks" for PARTICIPANTs to make their picks.  Note:  The ADMINISTRATOR MUST be consistent in how he/she abbreviates a particular team for the automated scoring formula to work correctly.   Recommend using the abbreviations identified in this layout which are unique and utilizes no more than six characters in identifying a team (minimizes the number of keystrokes when entering everyone's picks - reduces amount of work on ADMINISTRATOR - person entering the data).

  (6) Scoring Scheme/Winner Input - As NCAA games are played, winners need to be entered into the database.  The WINNER INPUT layout is used for this purpose.  Note:  The winning teams must be abbreviated utilizing the same scheme as previously chosen by ADMINISTRATOR when entering PARTICIPANT's picks.  Scoring values are also entered on this layout.  The default scoring values are as follows:  1 pt for first round; 2 pts for second round; 4 pts for third round; 8 pts for fourth round; 16 pts for fifth round; and 32 pts for final game.

  (7) Point Summary - This layout is used for a quick view of PARTICIPANT scoring per round.  PARTICIPANTs are listed in the order of highest-to-lowest score. 

  (8) - (10) Overview - These three layouts give an overview of all PARTICIPANT's picks for each game during each round of the NCAA tournament.  Since brackets are not included, paper is conserved.  This allows quick and easy distribution of reports to PARTICIPANTs keeping them informed of who's winning and the picks of all the PARTICIPANTs in the remaining games.  This layout is good for doing a quick check to verify NCAA teams were abbreviated consistently.

  (11) Bracket Report (1pp) - Used for identifying PLAYER's picks, displayed one (1) Bracket per page.

  (12) Bracket Report (2pp)* - Used for identifying PLAYER's picks, displayed two (2) Brackets per page. 

  (13) Bracket Report (6pp)* - Used for identifying PLAYER's picks, displayed six (6) Brackets per page.  Note, computer system must be capable of Reducing Print Job to 58%.  

*Note:  First round Games not included to preserve space.  The brackets start with the predicted winners of the first round games and includes subsequent picks up to the winner of the championship game.   

SCORING

Default scoring is as follows:  1 pt for first round; 2 pts for second round; 4 pts for third round; 8 pts for fourth round; 16 pts for fifth round; and 32 pts for final game.  This can be changed, if desired, in the Winner Layout in the "Scoring System Scheme" section.

HELPFUL HINTS

(1) When entering new brackets: Use the "Add New Player by Duplicating Seeds" script/button.  This will save countless keystrokes when entering PLAYER's picks.

(2)  Once all PLAYER's Picks have been entered, verify NCAA team abbreviation consistency by viewing the Overview Layouts by selecting "Overview of First Round Picks" and "Overview of Final Rounds Picks" in the Browse Menu.  This same review should be done again after entering NCAA Game Winners each time winners are entered prior to distributing any status reports.

(3)  Status reports should be distributed each Monday during the NCAA Tournament for PLAYER review.  Two Scripts were written to facilitate this effort, one to accommodate computer systems which do not have the capability to reduce print jobs (prints 2 brackets per page) and the other the other which takes advantage of this feature (prints 6 brackets per page) in an effort to conserve paper.  These two scripts execute a series of PREVIEW reports which the ADMINISTRATOR can choose to Print and include in the official Status Report he/she issues.

(4) As a feature of Filemaker Pro, a text "Strike-Thru" function allows the ADMINISTRATOR to mark through teams already eliminated from the tournament:  Text is first highlighted; The ADMINISTRATOR then selects STRIKE-THRU which is a sub-menu to the STYLE menu item under FORMAT. Utilizing this "Strike-Thru" function is very time consuming on the ADMINISTRATOR...It has to be done in every instance where a PARTICIPANT has picked a team to win a game of which they've already been eliminated.   This quickly identifies future games that PARTICIPANTs can't earn points because the team they have winning has already been eliminated.  This adds value to the FINAL ROUNDS OVERVIEW and the FINAL FOUR/WINNER OVERVIEW layouts which are distributed to PARTICIPANTs.  If the ADMINISTRATOR chooses to use the Strike-Out function, it is best applied while viewing the Overview Layouts by selecting "Overview of First Round Picks" and "Overview of Final Rounds Picks" in the Browse Menu.

CONTACTING THE AUTHOR

Tim Morris
6806 Barfield Rd
Louisville KY 40258-2667

Email: Morrist6806@cs.com                                                                                                                                      2f
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