Focus News

Welcome to the March 2010 edition of the Focus on-line newspaper. Here's where you'll find the latest information about Focus/2000 products and upgrades including news about our newest Version 7.5 and 7.5a.

 

Version 7.5a released March 1, 2010.

Our recently released Version 7.5a is a minor revision to Version 7.5. In it we have fixed several problems reported to us. We have also made some changes to printing scorecards in the Course and Tournament modules. Scorecards printed in those modules now give you the option of omitting the dots printed on the holes where golfers get strokes.

If you are using Version 7.5, we do not recommend you upgrade to Version 7.5a unless you need the new scorecard printing features.

Version 7.5 will be current for the 2010 golf season.

Version 7.5 of the Focus/2000 Golf Software Library was released in 2007 and has now been in use for three years. This version has been good, reliable software and we have experienced very few problems with it. Version 7.5 and 7.5a run on virtually all Windows based systems including Windows Vista and Windows 7.0 (both require Home Premium editions and above).

Version 7.5 includes a new CD that replaces any previous 3 1/2 " disks or CD sent with older Focus software. It also includes a complete new User's Guide.

Data files from Versions 7.2, 7.3, 7.3a, and 7.4 can be used with Version 7.5. If you are upgrading from Version 7.1 or older, some data some data reentry may be required.

This newsletter primarily covers changes between Versions 7.4 and 7.5 and some important changes from 7.3 to 7.4. If you are upgrading from earlier versions, see the various module descriptions for current software features.

General New Features In Version 7.5:

Version 7.5 is an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary upgrade. Over the last 16 years Focus software has become very stable and reliable. Our users have made many valuable suggestions which we have incorporated into this and previous upgrades. But there are only so many ways you can calculate handicaps, run golf leagues, and conduct golf tournaments. Focus/2000 software includes most of them. With Version 7.5, you'll find some useful and fun new features. But in general, this upgrade includes many of your suggestions to make Focus software better and easier to use.

The USGA has not had any significant changes in the USGA handicap formulas applicable to Version 7.5.

New Data File Back-Up Procedures:

With Version 7.5 you can back up your data files from the Focus Tools Menu directly to a 3 1/2 " disk, flash drive, or on another area of your hard disk. To back up on CD, you first back-up the data to your hard disk and then use your computer's CD Burner, or Windows Edit/Copy Edit/Paste features to copy the appropriate folder(s) to a CD.

Back up is now done in folders rather than individual data files. That way, multiple golf groups can be backed up on a single device (e.g. Flash Drive or CD). Folder names are assigned automatically so you only need to enter the letter of the backup drive.

Data File Restore Procedures:

When restoring data files from the Focus Tools Menu, you only have to enter the letter of the drive (3 1/2 " Disk, CD, Flash Drive, or Hard Disk) in which that group's backup data files are located.

Copy Data from One Golf Group to Another:

A new program that has been added to the Focus Tools Menu. If you have two or more golf groups that have many of the same golfers and play many of the same courses, you can set up the first group (e.g.in folder C:\LEAGUE1). Then add a new golf group (e.g. in C:\LEAGUE2) and copy the first group's data into it. You can then add or delete golfers, or if necessary add courses in the second group as necessary.

Any glitches and program bugs reported to us from prior versions have been corrected.

Golfer Module Features

Although not many changes were made in the Golfer Module in Version 7.5, there were several important changes in Version 7.4 that we want to repeat here for the benefit of older version users.

E-Mail Addresses:

In Version 7.5, we have added golfers' E-Mail addresses on most golfer reports so that information is readily available.

Make Golfers Inactive / Reactivate Golfers:

In Version 7.4, a new option on the golfer allows you to move selected golfers from an active state to inactive. All of a deactivated golfer's information, including the golfer's handicap and scores, are moved to an Inactive Golfer File. A new list of inactive golfers is provided. Golfers (including their scores) may be moved back to an active status at any time.

Move Golfers From One Group to Another:

In Version 7.4, a new option was added to the golfer screen that allows you to move selected golfers, or all golfers, from one golf group to another. All of the golfer's scores and handicap information are moved at the same time.

Course Module Features

Most changes in the Course Module deal with printing scorecards. The first three items below are new in Version 7.5. The last two were important changes made in Version 7.4.

• Starting with Version 7.5, scorecards printed from the Course Module can combine men and women on the same card with stroke holes dotted based on the hole handicap ratings for the tees from which each plays.
• Golfers' handicap indexes or averages are shown when selecting golfers for the scorecard. You can use the golfers' basic handicaps or override them for the scorecard.
• If requested, the starting tee can be printed in a _ inch bold font. If you use these scorecards for shotgun starts, this will help golfers locate their carts prior to play.
• If you are using Focus/2000 USGA Handicapping formulas, you can now elect to print scorecards with stroke holes for golfers dotted based on (1) the golfers' current handicaps, or (2) you can have the handicaps adjusted based on the golfers' current USGA Handicap Indexes and the slope of the course and tee being played.
• You can now use zero based handicapping as well as full strokes. When you select full strokes, each golfer's stroke holes are dotted based on either full handicap, or full adjusted handicap as described above. When you select zero-based strokes, the full or adjusted handicap of lowest handicap golfer is set to zero and the handicaps of all other golfers on the card are reduced by the amount of the low golfer's handicap. This is the more acceptable way to allocate strokes for individual and team match play.

Handicapping Features

Handicap Calculation Dates:

When calculating new handicaps, we now display both the date of last handicap calculation and the date of the new handicap calculation. Both are displayed as MM/DD/YYYY.

New Golfer Handicap History:

In Version 7.5, we have added a new handicap history structure for all golfers. The new Handicap History file will hold 12 USGA Handicap Indexes or 12 P&L Handicap Averages for each golfer. At the end of each handicap calculation you have the option of updating or not updating the file. We recommend that file be updated on the first handicap calculation of each month. That way you can retain a one year handicap history for each golfer.

• The handicap history feature is optional. You can use it or skip it.
• Handicap history information has been added to each golfer's Handicap Detail Report.
• We have added new report to Handicap Reports Menu so you can print the last 12 periods of handicap history for all your golfers.

The report complete message box displayed when Handicap reports are written to .TXT file, has been expanded to show the full path and name of the .TXT file followed by a note that the report can be printed with your word processor or sent as an E-Mail attachment to golfers.

GolfMaster/2000 Features

Other than items discussed in General New Features, no changes were made to GolfMaster/2000 in Version 7.5.

Statistics Features

Only a few changes and corrections were made in the Statistics Module in Version 7.5

We have added the new 12 period handicap index or average history from the Handicap Module to the statistics reports. That information is shown when an individual golfer's cumulative statistics are printed or displayed.

The current handicap method (USGA or P&L) being used is now displayed at the top of the Statistics Menu each time you start the Statistics software.

Some users encountered an Error 5 when entering putts. This happened because the software erroneously required that both the USGA and P&L handicap parameters files be present for statistics to work properly. The software now checks for only the specific handicap method being used This eliminates the Error 5.

League Management

Several important new features have been added to the League Module in Version 7.5. If you use Focus/2000 League Software, you should upgrade to Version 7.5 before starting your new league season. We do not advise upgrading your league software in the middle of a league season.

New Concept for Partial League Seasons:

The whole concept of how partial seasons work has been changed to give you much more flexibility in partial and full season reporting:

• All golfer and team points are retained for the entire league season. You no longer close a partial season and set golfer and team points to zero.
• We have added a new program to the League Menu Screen which lets you set or change the beginning and ending rounds for a partial season. Partial season reporting is now based on these dates. Now you can have reports for two or more partial seasons and then print combined reports for the whole year.
• The default rounds are the first and last rounds in your league schedule so if your league does not play partial rounds you do not have to change anything.
• If you have rainouts during the first part of the season that are made up during the second part of the season, you can reset your dates and reprint the results for the first part of the season with the made up round(s) included.
• We have changed the season-to-date, or partial season-to-date, reports to add up total points based on the beginning round and ending rounds you select. A new line has been added to the headings for all reports showing: Reporting Period: MM-DD-YYYY To MM-DD-YYYY.

New League Skins Game Added:

In Version 7.5, we've added new voluntary skins game to League Module. This is for your golfers who want to throw in a few bucks and play a skins game which is completely separate from other league results and point calculations. Here's how it works:

• The new skins game can be played by both nine and 18 hole leagues.
• Participation is voluntary. The Golfer Master File has a new League Skins field to indicate who plays the new skins and who does not. That way, you don't have to pick the skins golfers for each round.
• You may play gross skins, net skins, or both.
• For gross and net skins you simply enter the total skins pot. The system calculates who won the skins and amount of each skin won and prints a Skins Payout Sheet showing the results.
• Skins are for the current week only. Nothing adds into points or is retained in results or golfer stats.

Roster of League Golfers:

Added League Skins column with Yes or No for new League Skins feature. Added E-Mail address under golfers for all golfers with E-Mail in golfer record.

League Corrections:

Several important problems reported to us from prior versions have been corrected:

• In LM2, after you entered scores and points for the first pair of teams and clicked Post, the system locked up and you could not go to other teams. You had to end and restart LM2 to enter points and scores for other teams. This problem has been corrected.
• Sometimes when you deleted teams from your league, the system showed "Delete Pending" but depending on how you left the Team Screen, the deleted teams may not have been dropped. This has been changed to drop the deleted teams immediately after every deletion.
• If you let the system assign team names as numbers, e.g. Team 1, Team 2, Team 3, etc., system automatically renames teams with new numbers each time a team is deleted to eliminate duplicate team names, or gaps in numbers in team names.

Tournament Management Features

We've had many suggestions from our users for changes that would make Focus tournament software better and easier to use. We thank you for the suggestions. Many of them have been incorporated into Version 7.5.

• We've changed the way entrant's name appears on all reports, golf cart signs, and scorecards. Instead of just the initial of the first name, names are now first 5 letters of first name + a blank space + first 11 letters of last name. This will eliminate a lot of confusion when two or more entrants have the same last name and similar first names.
• Golf Cart signs now print in starting tee sequence rather than cart number sequence. That way you don't have to worry about cart numbers when lining the carts up for a shotgun start.
• The starting tee for shotgun starts that is printed on scorecards and on golf cart signs has been enlarged to _ Inch and changed to a bold font to make it easier for golfers to find carts. A sample of the new scorecard is in the Tournament section of this web site.
We've changed reports "Print Starting Times" and "Print Starting Tees" for team events to print the team members horizontally across the page. Team members were printing vertically and reports took more pages than necessary. It's lots easier to E-Mail the new report formats to tournament entrants.
• With shotgun starts, the system only provided for 36 tee assignment. You couldn't go higher than 18A. Some users had a few more groups that had to be handled outside the software. We've expanded this so you can now have 54 tee assignments (1 - 18, 1A - 18A, 1B - 18B).
• In prior versions, the reports "Print Starting Times" and "Print Starting Tees" were print only reports. You can now write them to a .TXT file for E-Mailing to your tournament golfers.
• Let user print golf cart signs without assigning cart numbers. For individual play events, not important who rides with who. For team events with all golfers on tee from same team, also doesn't matter. If golfers on same tee are from different teams, put team members together on a cart. If no cart numbers are entered make them all zero and change sort to put team number before cart number for sorting. Also consider letting user assign cart numbers for a few golfers who want to ride together.
• We've tried to fix all reported errors in the tournament software, but in a product this large, it virtually impossible to catch them all. You can always go through some series of steps that we did not anticipate. The most common of these errors are those in the 50 - 58 range. These are file errors (file already open, file not found, etc.). Although these errors are annoying, they are not serious and can be circumvented by restarting the software. However, if you encounter errors other than in the 50's series, please report them to us immediately as they can be more serious.