Questions about licences and software updates

How much does the pool league software cost?
Currently (2007) the software costs £70 for the first year and then £30 per year thereafter. There is also a popular option allowing the purchase of a further 3 years at a discounted cost of £70.
If the software is required on disk then an extra £10 is added to the overall cost.

Why charge an annual fee?
The software development started around 1996 and has progressed immensely over the last 10 years. The annual fee firstly guarantees that leagues are always using a version of the product that is maintainable and secondly allows further development of the product.

Will the cost of the software remain unchanged?
There are currently no plans to either increase or decrease the cost of the software.

Is there a money back guarantee if I am not satisfied?
No. Once the software is purchased no monies can be refunded. However, the software is available for free for a period of up to 3 months to allow prospective purchases to evaluate the software. This means that if the decision is to purchase the software then there is no need for any refunds.

If I renew early do I lose any time on the licence?
No. You can renew at any time and the extra years will be added to the end of your current licence.

How do I get updates?
Periodically updates are emailed out to customers. This is normally when major new functionality has been introduced. You can request an update at any time. It is usually a good idea to do this prior to starting up a new season so you can benefit from the most up to date functionality.

The update I have received is only valid for 3 months but I still have 18 months on my licence. Why has this happened?
Sometimes, especially when exciting new functionality has been introduced, it is necessary to get the most up to date software out to customers in the quickest time possible. It is much quicker and easier to compile the new software and licence once and send it out to all customers rather than produce several individual versions of the software, each one with its own licence. Eventually a version, with a licence appropriate to each user, will be produced and sent out.

I first bought the software 2 years ago but did not renew last year. What are my payment options?
You can either pay the full amount for a 1-year licence or pay the discounted amount for a 3-year licence. If you take the second option the 3-year licence will only be valid for 2 years as it is a continuation of your original licence. The second option is obviously still more attractive as it gives 2 years rather than 1 year, for the same cost.

What happens when I renew?
You will receive the current software in a zip file. The zip file will contain the programme (or executable) and the associated help file. It is not necessary to release the entire associated library routines again as these are already installed on your PC.

When I originally installed the software there was a lot of files in the installation package. However, when I receive an update there are only two files in the zip file. Why is this?
The programme uses several library routines that must be installed on your PC for it to work properly. These are installed, along with the software, by using the full installation package. When an update is released it is only necessary to release the programme (or executable) and the associated help file.

I have recently purchased a new PC. I have copied the old software to my new PC but it will not work. Why is this?
You need to install the library routines in the same way that you did when you originally purchased the software. This can only be done by obtaining a full installation package (this is free if you currently own a licence).

I have recently formatted my PC and loaded a backup copy of the software but it will not work. Why is this?
See previous answer.

When I install an update will I lose the league(s) currently running on my PC?
No. Your leagues are not overwritten or deleted. Only the programme is updated.

If I uninstall the software will I lose the league(s) currently running on my PC?
No. Your leagues are not overwritten or deleted. Only the programme is removed.

How do I install an update to the software?
You must unzip the contents of the zip file to a clean folder and then copy the files over the files you currently use. (There will not be any need to change any shortcuts you have). (When you originally installed the software it would have been installed, by default, to C:\Program Files\Pool_lg.) Alternatively open the zip file and drag the files into the folder you run the programme from.

Can I get a discount if I introduce another league secretary to this program?
Yes. If you have introduced another league, and they purchase the software, your licence will be extended by 1 month. However, the league making the purchase must make it clear that you recommended them.

What if a new secretary takes over the league?
This happens a lot and is normally a healthy natural progression. Normally a league would purchase the software rather than an individual. When a new secretary takes over just let Reseal SW know the new contact details and the new secretary will be sent an installation package appropriate to the licence previously purchased. No licence time is lost.

Technical questions

Will this software work on the latest Windows Vista platform?
Yes, if you have an upgraded version of Windows Vista then there should not be a problem. However, if you have a new PC with Windows Vista then you will need to install any components that do not ship with Windows Vista. Currently only one such component, msvbvm50.dll, has been identified. Try downloading and then installing the trial software. This will register msvbvm50.dll for you.

I have Windows Vista. Can I load an old league that was created under a previous operating system?
Yes. But you will have to read the database in to MS Access 2007 and then save it.

Are there any major updates to the software planned for the future?
Yes. You can view the major ones by selecting What’s New? From the Help menu and then clicking on the Future versions tab.

Does version 3 of the software support leagues created with version 2 of the software?
Not any more. The code that automatically upgrades version 2 to version 3 has been removed. If you have a version 2 database that you want to use with the current software then Redaseal SW can upgrade it for you.

How can I change the name of a division?
Select Initial Options from the League menu and then click on the Names/Frames tab.

How can I change the number of frames in a match?
Select Initial Options from the League menu and then click on the Names/Frames tab. Use the Copy first division settings command button to set the number of frames, reserves and the session length in all the other divisions to the same value as the first division.

Can I add new players to a team while entering a match result?
Yes. Just press the Edit players command button for either the home or the away team.

Can I copy teams and players from one season to another?
Yes. When creating a new season there is the option to do this. However, you can also paste the player data from one season into a text file and then read the text file into a new season. This is done by selecting Lists from the Players menu and clicking on the paste button. Then open WordPad and paste the data. The WordPad document must them be saved as a text document. Then open the new season and select Import from file… from the Players menu.

Can I substitute a player in a match?
Yes. Select the player that is being substituted (the background will go red) and then click on the substitute.  

Can I keep a note of substitutes that do not actually play in a match?
Yes. Just add their names in the boxes provided for substitutes.

How can I keep track of which teams have sent in a result sheet?
On the match entry form simply click Received next to the team’s name. A list can be obtained by selecting Results not received from the Reports menu.

How can I show player registration numbers on match sheets?
Select League Options from the League menu and click the Averages tab. Then check the Show reg numbers box.

Can I print a team invoice for registration fees owed by that team?
Yes. Select Lists from the Players menu and then select the required team. Then select the Invoice menu.

How can I display knockout results so the final is shown at the top of the screen?
You cannot do this; you can only cause the HTML output to be generated in the reverse order.

How can I remove the league title from a web page?
Select Report Options from Reports menu and then check the Disable Header box.

How can I create mailing labels for venues, contacts and team captains?
Select Lists from the Players menu and then select the subset of players required (e.g. Captains). Then press the paste button and all the information required is copied to the PCs paste buffer. It can then be copied into a desired application for formatting. Currently this cannot be done automatically but it is intended to incorporate a mail merge facility in the future.

What is the difference between a team captain and a team contact?
For most leagues there is no difference. However, the team contact can be through of as the manager who gets and distributes all information and the captain is the person that organisers the players on the match night. This can be useful as not all captains may have access to the Internet or email and so the contacts can be used. If the captain does have email then the captain can also be the contact.

Do I need to make my website look the same as the website that the program produces?
No. Select Report Options… from the Reports menu and you will find plenty of options for changing fonts, colours and even adding pictures to the background. There is no reason why the main page that is produced cannot be disregarded in preference for a better-designed main page. Just add the links to the files.

Can I track 8 Ball clearances?
Yes. Select League Options from the League menu and click the Averages tab. Then check the Track bonus points box.

Can I track the team frame that teams in my league play?
Yes. Select League Options from the League menu and click the Averages tab. Then check the Track extra (Captains) frames box. Although this is called Captains it can be used to track a team frame if required. This will not add the frame to the overall team score. If this is required it is suggested that you create a new player for each team. For example, the team player for the Red Lion could be “Team Red Lion”.

I run a singles league. Can I make the individual payments end before the end of the season?
Yes. Select League Options from the League menu and click the Payments tab. Use the horizontal scroll bar to change the last payment week.

Can you tell me how I can generate a list of over 50's or U21's etc?
Select Lists from the Players menu and then select the required age group from the Select menu.

Can I get a list of everybody’s birthdays?
Select Lists from the Players menu and then use the horizontal scroll bar to locate the column headed DOB.