
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                         Trench Estimating Program                      
                                User Manual                             
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                               MKM Software                             
                             2812 Ingrid Lane                           
                            Metairie, LA  70003                         
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                           Phone  (504) 885-7470                        
                           CompuServe 72704,3566                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
          Copyright (c) 1992-93 MKM Software, All Rights Reserved       
     







                              _______
                         ____|__     |               (R)
                      --|       |    |-------------------
                        |   ____|__  |  Association of
                        |  |       |_|  Shareware
                        |__|   o   |    Professionals
                      -----|   |   |---------------------
                           |___|___|    MEMBER






     This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
     Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
     principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
     shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member
     directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you
     resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide
     technical support for members' products.  Please write to the ASP
     Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX
     616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to
     ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.

     

     1    Getting Started                                               
          ===============                                               
                                                                        
          1.1  Introduction                                             
                                                                        
               Trench is designed for General and Electrical Contractors
               for use in estimating production, labor and material     
               costs of multi layered trenches.  The program generates  
               a complete estimate based upon the trench dimensions,    
               contents and costs that you enter.                       
                                                                        
               There is no limit to the number of projects it can       
               manage, and there is no limit to the number of trenches  
               you can add per project.                                 
                                                                        
               The program is very easy to use.  It will save you       
               hundreds of hours by performing routine calculations and 
               producing detail and summary reports of project estimates
               based on your specifications.                            
                                                                        
               Two sample projects are include so you can get started   
               right away by viewing, adding, changing data and running 
               reports.  Customize Trench as you go along by entering   
               your own costs for labor and material.                   
                                                                        
          1.2  Generally Speaking                                       
                                                                        
               When using the Trench program, there are some simple     
               constants.  Pressing <Enter> will usually take you one   
               step forward in the program.  Press the <ESC> key to go  
               one step back to where you were.  Pressing <ESC> several 
               times will always take you back to the Main Menu and the 
               option to exit.  Look to the bottom of the screen for a  
               display of available commands, options, "hotkeys" and for
               context sensitive help.                                  
                                                                        
               When Trench needs to get information from you, it will   
               display a popup box or window, hereafter, referred to as 
               an edit window.  When you enter data in an edit window,  
               always exit the window by pressing <Enter> or <PgDn>.    
               This will guarantee the information you have just entered
               is properly saved.  If you exit an edit window by        
               pressing <ESC>, your entries will not be saved.          
                                                                        
               Exit the Trench program by pressing the <ESC> key enough 
               times to take you back to the Main Menu.  There you can  
               press <ESC> again or you can select the option to "Quit".
               This is the correct way to exit the program.  All your   
               data will be saved.  Please do not turn off your computer
               or re-boot the computer while you are in the Trench      
               program.  This 'may' cause loss of data and other        
               problems.  If this should happen or, for example, there  
               is a power failure while you are using the program, next 
               time you run Trench, start the program with the command: 


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                    TRENCH NEW <Enter>                                  
                                                                        
               This start switch will check all the data files to be    
               sure they are in good condition, however, it will not    
               recover any lost data.  Next, move to the Utility Menu   
               and select the option to 'Optimize'.  This is a double   
               check of all files.  Your best guard against lost data is
               to back up your data often.  See the section on Data     
               Backup and Restore later in this manual.                 














































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     2    Legal Notice                                                  
          ============                                                  
                                                                        
          2.1  Disclaimer of Warranty                                   
                                                                        
               Users of Trench must accept this disclaimer of warranty: 
               "Trench is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all     
               warranties, expressed or implied, including, without     
               limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of     
               fitness for any purpose.  The author assumes no liability
               for damages, direct or consequential, which may result   
               from the use of Trench."                                 
                                                                        
          2.2  Definition of Shareware                                  
                                                                        
               Trench is a "shareware program" and is provided at no    
               charge to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it
               with others, but please do not give it away altered or as
               part of another system.  The essence of "user-supported" 
               software is to provide personal computer users with      
               quality software without high prices, and yet to provide 
               incentive for programmers to continue to develop new     
               products.                                                
                                                                        
          2.3  Registration                                             
                                                                        
               If you find this program useful and find that you are    
               using Trench and continue to use Trench after a          
               reasonable trial period, you must make a registration    
               payment of $65.00 to MKM Software.  The $65.00           
               registration fee will license one copy for use on any one
               computer at any one time.  You must treat this software  
               just like a book.  An example is that this software may  
               be used by any number of people and may be freely moved  
               from one computer location to another, so long as there  
               is no possibility of it being used at one location while 
               it's being used at another.  Just as a book cannot be    
               read by two different persons at the same time.          
                                                                        
               Users of Trench must register and pay for their copies of
               Trench within 30 days of first use or their license is   
               withdrawn.  Site-License arrangements may be made by     
               contacting MKM Software.                                 
                                                                        
          2.4  Distribution                                             
                                                                        
               Anyone distributing Trench for any kind of remuneration  
               must first contact MKM Software for authorization. This  
               authorization will be automatically granted to           
               distributors recognized by the Association of Shareware  
               Professionals (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for    
               shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin  
               offering Trench immediately (However MKM Software must   
               still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up- 


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               to-date with the latest version of Trench.).             
                                                                        
               You are encouraged to pass a copy of Trench along to     
               others for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register
               their copy if they find that they can use it.  All       
               registered users will receive the latest version of the  
               program without any shareware notices and free technical 
               support.                                                 
















































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     3.  Installation                                                   
         ============                                                   
                                                                        
          3.1  Installation                                             
                                                                        
               This section explains how to install and start the Trench
               program.  The Trench program files are stored in         
               compressed format on a floppy diskette.   They are       
               compressed in order to save space.  To install the       
               program we will first, copy the compressed file from the 
               floppy diskette to the hard drive,  then decompress or   
               uncrunch the installation files.  If you are familiar    
               with some DOS commands you can probably bypass these     
               instructions, however, here is a step by step description
               for installing Trench on your computer hard drive:       
                                                                        
               3.1.1  Make sure you are in the 'root' directory of your 
               hard drive, type:                                        
                                                                        
                    CD \ <Enter>                                        
                                                                        
               3.1.2  Make a directory on your hard drive called TRENCH.
                                                                        
                    MD TRENCH <Enter>                                   
                                                                        
               3.1.3  Move to the TRENCH directory.                     
                                                                        
                    CD TRENCH <Enter>                                   
                                                                        
               3.1.4  Copy the Trench installation file to the Trench   
               directory.  Enter this command:                          
                                                                        
                    COPY TREN18.EXE  C:\TRENCH <Enter>
                                                                        
               3.1.5  Unpack the Trench program which is now on your    
               hard drive in the Trench Directory.  Enter these         
               Commands:                                                
                                                                        
                    TREN18  <Enter>
                                                                        
               You will notice that the Trench program now uncrunches   
               and installs in your Trench Directory.  When this is     
               done, you can get rid on the install file on your hard   
               drive (carefully) by entering this command:              
                                                                        
                    DEL TREN18.EXE <Enter>
                                                                        
               Please note, the number 18 refers to the version number -
                108.  If you have a later version of the program, this
               number might be different, for example 19 or 20.
                                                                        
          3.2  Starting Trench - Normally                               
                                                                        
               The installation is now complete.  Start the program by  


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               entering the command:                                    
                                                                        
                    TRENCH <Enter>                                      

          3.3  Starting Trench - Monochrome Monitors                    
                                                                        
               If you have a monochrome monitor, you can force Trench to
               display in monochrome by entering the command:           
                                                                        
               TRENCH M <Enter>                                         
                                                                        
          3.4  Sign-On Screen                                           
                                                                        
               The initial screen is the Shareware sign-on screen.  This
               screen can be exited by pressing the keys <ALT-F10>.     
               Please review the screen and if you choose to use Trench,
               register your copy and support the shareware concept.    
               The shareware sign-on screen is not in the registered    
               version of the program.                                  




































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     4    Quick Start                                                   
          ===========                                                   
                                                                        
          Once you complete the sign-on, the Main Menu is displayed.    
          Trench comes with some sample data to get you started right   
          away.  But to quickly customize the program, please move to   
          the Utility option on the Main Menu and press <Enter>.        
                                                                        
          There are several important options, but for now we are only  
          concerned with the three set-up options.                      
                                                                        
          4.1  Site Set-up                                              
                                                                        
               Enter your company name and address.  This information   
               will be used on reports.  For printer type, press the    
               SpaceBar then press <Enter>.  You will see a pop up menu 
               of printer selections.  Select your printer type.  If    
               your printer is not on the list, refer to the section    
               "Printer Set-up" later in this manual.  Next, indicate   
               whether your printer is attached to port 1 or 2.  It's   
               probably attached to port 1.  If you are unsure, enter 1.
                Press <Enter> to exit the edit window and save your     
               entries.  Do not exit Edit windows by pressing <ESC>     
               because your entries will not be saved.                  
                                                                        
          4.2  Project Set-up                                           
                                                                        
               Select "Project Set-Up".  These are the default values   
               for cost of labor, materials and production that will    
               appear each time you define a new project.  Each project 
               can have its own unique set-up values for cost of labor  
               or materials but usually these values are the same and   
               this screen will save you from having to redefine these  
               values for every project.  Each entry is explained in    
               detail in the section of the manual called "Project Set- 
               up".                                                     
                                                                        
               There are other options on the Utility Menu, but more    
               about that later.  Now you are ready to begin entering   
               and displaying results.  Arrow left to the Main Menu     
               option "Trenches", press <Enter> and let's begin.        















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     5    Entering Projects                                             
          =================                                             
                                                                        
          There are two samples projects that come with the program.    
          These projects are displayed in a browse table.  Before you   
          enter your own projects, view the two samples and print out   
          the accompanying reports.  This will give you a good idea of  
          what Trench can do and where you are going before you begin   
          entering your own data.                                       
                                                                        
          5.1  Project Browse Table                                     
                                                                        
               Browse tables are very powerful tools for organizing your
               work.  The projects you enter are listed in the browse   
               table one project per row.  You can sort the projects in 
               order by Estimate number or by project name.  When the   
               order is set to project name, press any letter key       
               <A...Z> and you will jump to the first project with a    
               name beginning with that letter without regard to upper  
               or lower case.  Try to use the "speed key" approach.  You
               will find a real improvement in performance.  When you   
               have many projects in your browse table, and you want to 
               locate a specific one, just press <Alt-S> to search for  
               a project name.  Enter the first four letters of the     
               project name you want to find and press <Enter>.  The    
               highlighted cursor will move directly to that project.   
                                                                        
          5.2  Project Browse Table Options and Commands                
                                                                        
               Cursor up and down to select the project that you wish to
               work with.  Look to the bottom of the screen to see what 
               options are available:                                   
                                                                        
               F4        Trenches - Look at another browse table of     
                         Trenches defined for the currently highlighted 
                         project.  The Trenches appear in a separate    
                         browse table with its own set of commands.     
                         More about that in the next section "Entering  
                         Trench Data".                                  
                                                                        
               F8        Summary - Display/Print a Summary of the       
                         currently highlighted project.  It is a good   
                         idea to view and print one of these reports    
                         now.  It is a three page summary of all        
                         production, labor and material costs for all   
                         trenches defined for this project.  Press      
                         <ESC> to Exit from the report.  A menu will    
                         appear asking if you want a printed copy of    
                         the report.  Answer "Y"es or "N"o.             
                                                                        
               F10       Details - Same as F8 but in addition to the    
                         three page summary, this option will print     
                         itemized reports for each Trench in the        
                         Project.  The detailed reports can be used to  


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                         prove the results on the summary report.       
                                                                        
               F1        Order - Change the order in which the projects 
                         appear in the browse table.  Projects can be   
                         listed in order by Estimate Number, or by      
                         Project Name.                                  
                                                                        
               <Enter>   Edit - Edit the Set-up information for this    
                         project - also referred to as the project      
                         header.  As stated earlier, when you create a  
                         new project it receives the default values for 
                         labor, material and production costs you       
                         defined on the set-up menu.  However, you can  
                         adjust these values as needed on an individual 
                         project basis.                                 
                                                                        
               <Insert>  Add - Add a new project.  Enter the            
                         descriptive information and the values for     
                         cost of labor and material and waste and       
                         swelling factors for each material.            
                                                                        
               <Delete>  Delete - Delete the currently highlighted      
                         project and also all of the trenches defined   
                         for this project.                              
                                                                        
               <ESC>     Exit - Exit the browse table and return to the 
                         Main Menu.  Always press <ESC> to exit a       
                         browse table.                                  




























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     6    Entering Trench Data                                          
          ====================                                          
                                                                        
          For each project, you can add as many trenches as you want.   
          You access the trench data from the Projects browse table when
          you press the <F4> key.                                       
                                                                        
          6.1  Trench Browse Table                                      
                                                                        
               A second overlapping browse table appears with trench    
               data - one trench per row.  All browse tables work the   
               same.  Move the cursor to the row or 'Trench' you want to
               work with and refer to the bottom of the screen for      
               information on what options are available.               
                                                                        
          6.2  Trench Browse Table - Options and Commands               
                                                                        
               At the bottom of the screen you will see a display of the
               available options and commands for the Trench browse     
               table.  These commands, <Insert>, <Enter> and <Delete>   
               will be consistent with commands you already know from   
               the projects browse table:                               
                                                                        
          F9        Print Trench Data - View/Print detailed information 
                    on the highlighted Trench - only.  This is a        
                    breakdown of all information entered for this one   
                    Trench.                                             
                                                                        
          <Enter>   Edit - Update data for the highlighted Trench.      
                    This will display a detailed but simple edit window 
                    which we will discuss in the next section "Entering 
                    Trench Details".                                    
                                                                        
          <Insert>  Add New - Add a new Trench to this project.  An     
                    edit window appears requesting all details about    
                    this new trench.  The content of the edit window is 
                    discussed in the next section.                      
                                                                        
          <Delete>  Delete - Delete the highlighted trench from this    
                    project.                                            
                                                                        
          <ESC>     Exit - Exit the Trench Browse Table and return to   
                    the Projects browse table.                          













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     7    Entering Trench Details                                       
          =======================                                       
                                                                        
          7.1  Defining Trenches                                        
                                                                        
               For each trench you create on the Trench browse table,   
               using the <Insert> key you must define that trench in    
               detail with regard to the dimensions and the content of  
               each ductbank.  This information is inputted in a single 
               edit window.                                             
                                                                        
               A trench can have up to three layers or ductbanks.       
               Ductbank three is on the top and we work down to ductbank
               one.  Ductbanks 2 and 3 can contain conduit of various   
               quantity and dimensions which you must describe.  Also,  
               the ductbanks can be reinforced with rebar of various    
               sizes and spaced at intervals that you specify.          
                                                                        
          7.2  Trench Details                                           
                                                                        
               For each trench you need to enter the following          
               information:                                             
                                                                        
               Trench No.     Descriptive information of your own       
                              choosing.  You may want to assign a       
                              number sequence to the trenches.          
                                                                        
               Length Ft.     Enter the total length of the trench in   
                              feet.                                     
                                                                        
               Width In.      Enter the trench width in inches.  We do  
                              not need to know the depth because we     
                              will calculate this from the dimensions   
                              of each ductbank.                         
                                                                        
               From           Free text description of the trench       
                              starting point.                           
                                                                        
               To.            Free text description of the trench       
                              ending point.                             
                                                                        
               DW Prod.       Ditch Witch Production measured in feet   
                              per day.  This may differ from trench to  
                              trench based on factors that only you may 
                              know.                                     
                                                                        
               BH Prod.       Back Hoe Production measured in feet per  
                              day.  You can enter either Ditch Witch or 
                              Back Hoe Production, but not both.        
                                                                        
               Wk Prod.       Wacker Production measured in feet per    
                              day.                                      
                                                                        
               DB 3...:       Ductbank 3 - the top layer.  We need to   


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                              know:                                     
                                                                        
                              Dpth:     Depth in inches of ductbank 3.  
                                                                        
                              Mat:      Material that will be used.     
                                        There are some codes we use: CO 
                                        - Concrete; NA - Native Soil;   
                                        SA - Sand; SL - Slurry.  If you 
                                        cannot remember the codes, just 
                                        press <Enter> for a picklist.   
                                                                        
               DB 2...:       Ductbank 2 - the second layer.  We need   
                              to know the depth in inches and the       
                              material used.  Also, as an option you    
                              can define the quantity of conduit        
                              running through this layer per the        
                              diameter of the conduit.  For example,    
                              how many 6 inch, 4 inch or 2 inch conduit 
                              are contained in this layer.              
                                                                        
                              Optionally, you can define the rebar used 
                              for this ductbank.  Be sure the Size you  
                              use is defined in your rebar table.       
                              Trench will calculate the amount of rebar 
                              needed to wrap the perimeter of the       
                              ductbank at intervals defined by the      
                              number of inches you enter under Space.   
                              The entry for Rods is the number of rods  
                              that run the length of the trench.        
                                                                        
               DB 1...:       Ductbank 1 - Same as ductbank 2.          
                                                                        
          7.3  Modifying Trench Details                                 
                                                                        
               Once you have entered details for a trench, you can      
               return at any time to the edit window to make whatever   
               adjustments are needed.                                  
                                                                        
          7.4  Viewing Trench Details                                   
                                                                        
               It is a good idea when learning the program to enter some
               individual trench data.  Press the <PgDn> key to save the
               data and return to the trench browse table.  Now press   
               <F9> to display the calculations based on the data you   
               just entered.                                            
                                                                        
               This is an excellent way to learn the program and how    
               Trench calculates results.  The detailed trench data is  
               the building block of the program.  Notice how the report
               only contains relevant information.  If you do not enter 
               rebar values, none are printed on the report.  Notice too
               that these detailed calculations and reports are produced
               in a matter of seconds.  Now we are ready to customize   
               Trench and make it work for you.                         


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     8    Project Set-Up                                                
          ==============                                                
                                                                        
               When you define a new project you need to enter the      
               following information:                                   
                                                                        
               Estimate No    Enter a unique estimate identification    
                              number.                                   
               Project Name   Free text description of the project      
                              name.                                     
               Location       Free text description of Project Location 
               Bid Date       Bid Date                                  
               Digging Diff   Not Now in use.                           
               Estimator      Estimators Name or Initials               
               Labor Rate     Cost of Labor rate per hour               
               Supervisor Rt  Cost of Supervisor rate per hour          
                    Percent   A percentage of total labor hours         
                              calculated by Trench will be added to     
                              labor costs and billed at the supervisor  
                              rate.                                     
               Tax Rate       Enter the applicable tax rate.            
               Backhoe Ft/Day Back Hoe production in feet per day.      
                    Cost/Day  Back Hoe rental/cost per day.             
               DitchWt Ft/Day Ditch Witch production in feet per day.   
                    Cost/Day  Ditch Witch rental/cost per day           
               Wacker Ft/Day  Wacker production in feet per day.        
                    Cost/Day  Wacker rental/cost per day.               
               Conc. Hrs/CYd  Labor hours per cubic yard of concrete.   
                    Cost/CYd  Concrete cost per cubic yard.             
                    Wst.      Concrete waste factor as a percentage of  
                              total concrete used.                      
               Sand Hrs/CYd   Labor hours per cubic yard of sand.       
                    Cost/CYd  Sand cost per cubic yard.                 
                    Wst.      Sand waste factor as a percentage of      
                              total sand used.                          
               Slurry Hrs/CYd Labor hours per cubic yard of slurry.     
                    Cost/CYd  Slurry cost per cubic yard.               
                    Wst.      Slurry waste factor as a percentage of    
                              total slurry used.                        
               NS Hrs/CYd     Labor hours per cubic yard of native      
                              soil.                                     
                    Cost/CYd  Native soil cost per cubic yard.          
                    Swl.      Native soil swelling factor as a          
                              percentage of total native soil used.     












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     9    Rebar Data                                                    
          ==========                                                    
                                                                        
          As part of the set-up, you have to fill in the rebar table    
          with the data you need.  Define the rebar by size or gauge.   
          Next enter the Pounds per Foot, Cost per Ton, and the average 
          Hours to Install per Ton for each rebar size you enter.       

















































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     10   Utilities                                                     
          =========                                                     
                                                                        
          The utility menu has some important additional options that we
          have not covered.                                             
                                                                        
          10.1  Re-Index                                                
                                                                        
               This option will recondition the search tables Trench    
               uses to speed up processing.  It is very important that  
               these tables are correct.  Should trench produce         
               inaccurate results, run this option or the next option - 
               Optimize.                                                
                                                                        
          10.2  Site Set-up                                             
                                                                        
               Enter basic address and telephone information for your   
               site.  Trench will use this information when printing    
               reports.  Additional items of information needed to      
               complete this screen are as follows:                     
                                                                        
               Printer Type..:  Select the printer type that you are    
               using.  Enter spaces if you do not know and press the    
               <Enter> key.  A picklist will appear with different      
               printer to select.  If your printer type is not on this  
               list, you can add it to the list on the next menu option 
               'Printer Set-up'.  The printer selection is important    
               because it will send printer codes that control the      
               format of reports.  If your printed results are not      
               correct, call technical support for information.  We     
               probably have the correct codes for your printer, or we  
               can find them.                                           
                                                                        
               Printer Port...:  Enter the printer port you are using.  
               This is probably port 1.  If you do not know which port, 
               enter number 1.                                          
                                                                        
          10.3  Printer Set-up                                          
                                                                        
               Trench comes with a list of printers from which you can  
               choose to match the printer that you have.  We include   
               Epson and HP LaserJet, two of the most popular printers. 
               If you have another kind of printer, you need to add it  
               to the list.  Adding a printer to the printer browse     
               table is done as always by pressing the <Insert> key.    
                                                                        
               Printer set-up requires that you enter the following     
               information for your printer:                            
                                                                        
               10.3.1  Printer ID....: Enter a unique identification    
               code to distinguish this printer from other printers on  
               the list.                                                
                                                                        
               10.3.2  Description...: Enter a free text description of 


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               your printer type.                                       
                                                                        
               10.3.3  Printer Codes                                    
                                                                        
               The next three entries are printer codes or ESCape       
               sequences that you can find in your printer manual.  If  
               you do not have these codes, please call our technical   
               support number and we can probably find them for you.    
               Please have your printer name and model number available.
               Here is some quasi technical stuff about printer codes.  
                                                                        
               For Trench to make your printer print in condensed type, 
               it must send a special code to the printer, sometimes    
               called an Escape Sequence.  These printer codes can      
               consist of printable and non-printable characters.       
               Printable characters like a-z and 0-9 can be typed in    
               directly as printer codes.  Non-printable characters like
               ESCape (which produces an arrow pointing left) cannot be 
               entered directly.  We have to enter the ASCII code for   
               ESCape as a three-digit number preceded by a "\".  The   
               result is \027.  Refer to the sample printer set-ups to  
               see how this works.  For example, the reset command for  
               HP printers is ESCape 'E'.  Since ESCape is a non-       
               printable character, we enter this reset command as \027E
               - substituting the ASCII code '27' for ESCape.           
                                                                        
               10.3.4  Reset.........: Enter the code or 'ESCape        
               Sequence' that resets your printer to normal print       
               settings.  For Epson printers, this code is ESCape and   
               '@'.  Since ESCape is a non-printable character, enter   
               this printer code as \027@.                              
               10.3.5  Condensed.....: Enter the code or 'ESCape        
               Sequence' that places your printer in condensed print.   
               This print style is used often to permit MotelMAX to     
               print more columns of information on reports.            
                                                                        
               10.3.6  Landscape.....: This code is optional since      
               MotelMAX does not currently print reports in landscape   
               mode.                                                    
                                                                        
               The next entries are for page formatting.  You can       
               designate the top left corner of the page to begin, page 
               length and page width depending upon the print format,   
               normal or condensed.  You should find the default        
               settings acceptable.  However, as always you can modify  
               program output needed.                                   
                                                                        
               If you want to experiment with these options, do not use 
               the original printer set-up, make a new one, for example,
               EPSN2.  Make EPSN2 your selection on the 'Site Set-up'   
               screen.  Change the EPSN2 set-up as many times as you    
               want to experiment with different page formats.  If you  
               find that you have improved your set-up, leave EPSN2 as  
               your printer on the 'Site Set-up' screen.  Otherwise,    


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               return to 'Site Set-up' and re-select EPSON as your      
               printer.  You will be back to where you started without  
               having to make numerous changes.                         
                                                                        
          10.4  Project Set-up                                          
                                                                        
               Enter the default set-up values to use on all new        
               projects.                                                
                                                                        
          10.5  Backup/Restore                                          
                                                                        
               Use this option to backup data to floppy diskettes.  If  
               necessary you can also use this option to restore from   
               the floppy diskettes to the hard drive.  Remember that   
               when you restore data, it overwrites all data on the hard
               drive.  Refer to the section below 'Backup Data' for a   
               complete description of this option.  Refer to the next  
               section of this manual for more details on backing up and
               restoring data.                                          
                                                                        
          10.6  Optimize                                                
                                                                        
               Recondition all file structures and indexes.  Run this   
               option if your machine has a power spike or abrupt loss  
               of electricity.  This option will ensure that all files  
               are in order.  You should run this option once a week or 
               anytime after you delete several projects from the       
               projects browse table.                                   
                                                                        
          10.7  Colors                                                  
                                                                        
               Use this option to re-define screen colors for all menus,
               edit windows and browse tables.                          
                                                                        
          10.8  Manual                                                  
                                                                        
               Access this user manual on screen while you are in the   
               program.  Refer to the bottom of the screen.  If you are 
               searching for a keyword, for example, 'restore', type    
               <Alt-S> and enter the keyword.  You will move to the     
               first instance of that word in the User Manual.  Press   
               <Alt-A> to find the same word again.                     














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     11   BackUp/Restore                                                
          ==============                                                
                                                                        
          Always backup your data.  The information you enter into the  
          Trench program for projects and for individual trenches is    
          kept in files ending in the extension ".dbf".  Trench comes   
          with a backup/restore option on the Utility Menu.  You might  
          choose to use the Trench backup utility or you may choose to  
          work from DOS.                                                
                                                                        
          If you are using the Network version of TRENCH, be sure no one
          else is using the program when you backup and restore data.   
          Otherwise, these commands will not work.                      
                                                                        
          The Trench backup utility uses the DOS BACKUP and RESTORE     
          commands.  You have to tell Trench how to use these commands  
          by entering the correct DOS command in the 'Configure...'     
          option of the Backup Menu.  It is probably a good idea to     
          refer to your DOS manual for a quick look at the use of the   
          DOS commands BACKUP and RESTORE.  The DOS BACKUP and RESTORE  
          files are most likely located in your DOS directory on the    
          hard drive and \DOS is probably part of your system path.     
          There are three Options on the BackUp/Restore Menu:           
                                                                        
          11.1 BackUp Data                                              
                                                                        
               The first step is to place a backup diskette in the A: or
               B: drive.  Next, select the option for 'Backup Data'.    
                                                                        
               Here's how the Trench Backup Utility works.  First, it   
               takes all the .dbf files and compresses them to reduce   
               their size prior to the backup.  This will reduce the    
               number of floppy diskettes needed to complete the backup.
               As an example, the "Trench.dbf" file is compressed into  
               another file called "Trench.cmp".  You might notice that 
               the Trench.cmp file is much smaller than the Trench.dbf  
               file.  Only the *.cmp files will be backed up.           
                                                                        
               A typical backup command on your 'Configure...' option   
               might read:                                              
                                                                        
                    BACKUP *.CM? A: /S                                  
                                                                        
               or, if DOS is not defined as part of your system path you
               should enter:                                            
                                                                        
                    C:\DOS\BACKUP *.CM? A: /S                           
                                                                        
               Very important:  include the file specification *.CM? as 
               part of your backup command.  We only want to backup the 
               'Compressed' data files, those ending in '.CMP' or       
               '.CMT'.  We are telling DOS to backup the *.CM? files in 
               the current directory onto the floppy diskette in the A: 
               drive.                                                   


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          11.2  Restore Data                                            
                                                                        
               You only need to restore data if your files have become  
               damaged or if you are transporting data to another PC    
               running a registered copy of TRENCH.                     
                                                                        
               Place Backup Diskette 1 in the floppy drive.  Select the 
               option to 'Restore Data'.  Trench will first restore the 
               compressed data files from the floppy drive into the     
               Trench directory using the restore command that you set- 
               up under the 'Configure...' option.  A typical restore   
               command might read:                                      
                                                                        
                    RESTORE A: C: /S                                    
                                                                        
               or if DOS is not part of your system path, you should    
               enter:                                                   
                                                                        
                    C:\DOS\RESTORE A: C: /S                             
                                                                        
               Once the compressed files are restored to the hard drive,
               Trench will prompt you to confirm that you wish to       
               decompress the data files.  If you agree, the *.cm? files
               are decompressed and written over your current '.dbf'    
               data files.  If you say No, the *.cm? files are deleted  
               and the Restore is not completed.                        
                                                                        
               If you complete the restore, all index files are rebuilt 
               to match the newly installed data.                       
                                                                        
               Very Important:  Be careful NOT to restore old data over 
               new data.  All the changes you have made since the last  
               backup will be lost.  You will rarely restore data to the
               same machine unless your data files become damaged.  A   
               more common use for 'Restore Data' is when you backup    
               data from computer A and restore that data to computer B 
               so that both machines have the same data set.            
                                                                        
                                                                        
          11.3  Configure...                                            
               We already covered the Backup and Restore commands that  
               you enter here.  You only need to enter these commands   
               once.  Your entries are saved and reused until you choose
               to change them.                                          










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     12   Network Version                                               
                                                                        
          If you would like to run Trench on a Network, so that multiple
          users can access and share the same project and trench data,  
          contact us.  A network version is available to registered     
          users.                                                        
                                                                        

















































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