Replies

1. 
   Michael_Leisitko | Mar 09, 2000 09:46am | #1

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   Go to http://www.digitalproperty.com and take a look at what they have. I've been using it for 4 years and am very happy with the program.

   Let me know what you think?

   Michael

2. 
   Guest_ | Mar 10, 2000 04:40am | #2

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   I've been having alot of fun with Excel lately adding buttons and Visual Basic macros to some of my tedius spreadsheets. Entering accounting receipts is practically a one button click operation now. It's totally possible to turn your old methods into a point and click automated solution. Probably not as cool as Michael's suggestion.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 10, 2000 06:08am | #3

   *www.sheetlayout.com

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   Guest_ | Mar 10, 2000 08:17pm | #4

   *OKAY MICHAEL I CHECKED IT OUT. I HAVE TO ADMIT IT SEEMS LIKE A REAL GOOD PROGRAM BUT A LITTLE PRICEY FOR WHAT I AM TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. I ONLY DO LUMBER LISTS FOR FRAMING. I'M GOING TO RESEARCH SCOTT'S SUGGESTIONS AND SEE IF I CAN AUTOMATE MY EXCEL SPREADSHEET BETTER SO THAT INPUTTING THE LUMBER LIST IS MORE OF A POINT AND CLICK DEAL. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE. MARSHALL WINN

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 11, 2000 06:08am | #5

   *Hey Marshall, let me know if you need any tips. Sometimes 90% of the work is just getting through the learning curve.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 14, 2000 01:14am | #6

   *Okay Scott, remember you offered. I've made a template in Excel for doing lumber lists. There are only 5 cells to contend with. When I input data it reads like "4 2X4 16' #2DFS4S Garage". What I want to do is use a button to enter the data in the cells. It would be really useful when I'm going back and forth between lumber grades and types of plywood and so forth. I'm new to the computer world and still feel that I'm an analog guy in a digital world, so please be gentle. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you. Marshall Winn.

2. 
   Guest_ | Mar 14, 2000 09:24pm | #7

   *Well, not entirely sure what you're describing, but give this a check. It's Excel 97 format (hope you've running the same version). As long as the "Automatic" check box is checked, you don't even have to click the "Add to List" button. You can work it around and tell me how it fits what you were thinking.

3. 
   Guest_ | Mar 14, 2000 11:58pm | #8

   *During my stint working for a GC last year, I spent about 2 weeks coming up with an Excel spreadsheet to estimate houses with. I really liked it, and think it's a good concept. Lumber prices were linked to another spreadsheet which was updated when lumber prices changed. There was also a spreadsheet with prices for typical things like doors, garage door openers, and such. That way you didn't have to change lumber prices in several different spreadsheets every time they changed. In the estimating spreadsheet, you entered info in cells, like the floor area of the house, and the area of the roof. Using the area of the floor, for instance, could be used to calc several other things. Like figure out how much T&G plywood you needed for the floor. A labor figure could be attached to the quantity of sheets of plywood, as well as tubes of adhesive and nails required. An allowance could be figured for floor coverings also. After inputting the total roof area, you could link cells with the plywood, felt paper, shingles, and fasteners needed. Then the installation labor could be figured for each one of those. I really liked the concept, but was only able to use it on a couple of houses before I left. You can customize the spreadsheet to do about anything you want to, and figure things the way thatb youlike to do it.

4. 
   Guest_ | Mar 17, 2000 06:59am | #9

   *Ron, it warms my heart that you actually think I understand what you are talking about and that you think of me as a cool computer savy individual. And once I do figure out what you are talking about I know I will appreciate your input even more. Until then I'm going to try and follow what my Canadian Computer Consultant has sent me and see if I can make some progress. Thanks for your response to my questions. Marshall Winn

5. 
   Guest_ | Mar 18, 2000 12:05am | #11

   *Sorry, Marshall - I wasn't trying to talk over anyone's head. I got a bit carried away, I guess, as I really like spreadsheets, and think they can be an incredible tool. If you start messing around with them, I think you'll find that they can do a tremendous amount of your work for you.One of the reasons I like spreadsheets is that you can do the formulasb your way,not the way someone else thinks it ought to be done. Best of luck either way...............

3. 
   Guest_ | Mar 18, 2000 12:05am | #10

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   I would like to find a good program for putting together a lumber estimate and lumber list. I have been using Excel for this but it is tedious and I'm wondering if any of the cyber geniuses at Breaktime can recommend a really cool alternative. Thanks. Marshall Winn