Introduction
Here are some of the basics of the Cheatsheet Compiler and
Draft Buddy software to get everyone up and running as quickly
as possible.
Download and Installation
The download file, indicated with a .exe extension on the
end of the name, is a self-extracting zip file. The Compiler
and Draft Buddy files, one each and indicated with a .xls
extension, are archived within the download file. It is packaged
this way to save on download time. Here are the steps to download
and install the Compiler and Buddy:
1. Save the download (.exe) file to you computer, and then
choose Open when the download is complete.
2. A window will appear prompting you to unzip the file.
Select Unzip.
3. After unzipping this file, your copy of the Cheatsheet
Compiler and Draft Buddy (two .xls files) will be located
on your hard drive in the directory:
/Program Files/Cheatsheet Compiler/
4. From Excel, choose File > Open and browse to this directory
to open the Compiler and Buddy files. (Note the Compiler file
should open right away in Excel the first time after unzipping.)
Mac Users
One of the benefits of the Compiler being in Excel is that it works
cross-platform for both Windows and Mac users. However, unfortunately, the
self-extracting zip file which makes installation a breeze for Windows users
does not work on a Mac. It's not the product, but the packaging.
Therefore, if you are a Mac user please download the standard zip file
package of the Compiler and Draft Buddy from the members page. Save the
file to your computer, open it and extract the Compiler and Buddy files to
the directory of your choice. The standard zip does work on a Mac.
Enabling Macros
When you open either the Compiler or Draft Buddy, you should
be prompted by Excel to enable macros. Macros must be enabled
for the Compiler and Buddy to work properly. If you are not
prompted to enable macros, then it likely means your Excel
macro security setting is set at high, which automatically
disables macros. Perform the following steps:
1. In Excel, choose Tools > Macro > Security.
2. Adjust your security level to Medium. Low will also work, but Medium
is recommended.
3. Close the Compiler and Buddy, then re-open them.
4. You should now be prompted to enable macros. Select Enable.
Compiler Operating Basics
Here are some Compiler basics to create your custom cheatsheets
in the Compiler:
1. Start at the setup tab (formerly the inputs tab), and input your
starters, backups, number of teams and the remaining
settings for your league.
2. Go to the scoring tab and input your scoring. Most all
the scoring inputs are input as X points per Y units. For
example, 6 points per 1 TD.
3. After the scoring is inputted, go back to the setup tab.
Now hit the Compile Cheatsheets button. It will run the calculations
and flip you over to the cheatsheets tab where you can review
the rankings by position for offense, IDP (if applicable) and overall rankings.
Print this tab and you will have your rankings (2 or 3 pages).
Draft Buddy Operating Basics
1. Start on the setup tab in Draft Buddy. In the very first
yellow box that indicates "Cheatsheet Compiler Filename:",
input the full filename of the Compiler file you want to copy
over the cheatsheets from. Note the filename must be EXACT
(including the .xls on the end) and the Compiler and Buddy
files you are using must be in the same directory on your
computer. By default, that should be the case.
2. Complete the Team Information box by inputting the team
and owner names for each team in your league.
3. Hit the Setup Draft Buddy button on the setup tab. Flipping
through the tabs, the offense, overall, depth chart and IDP
(if applicable) cheatsheets should be consistent with the
data you had from the Compiler.
4. Go to the auction or draft input tab, depending on the type
of draft it is, and start selecting players
as they are acquired. This is done by first selecting the appropriate
position under the Pos heading, and then the player name under
Player. As each player is input on the auction or draft input tab,
the other tabs in Draft Buddy will update.
Draft Buddy Note: Word to the Wise
Hopefully to the wise. Certainly not from the wise ;)
Seriously, I just want to mention to all of you who are planning
to use Draft Buddy at your live draft, to take a hardcopy
of your cheatsheets, notes, etc. to fall back on if you need
to. Let me stress that I really don't think anything should
go wrong with Buddy, BUT, you never know when something unexpected
could happen with the laptop, battery, Windows, Compiler,
Buddy, etc. I would hate to see someone get frustrated at
their draft because Buddy is not working the way they expect
it to.
Along the same lines, make sure to spend sufficient time
with Buddy beforehand to get used to its functionality rather
than figuring it out on the fly at the draft. If you've done
this, and have sufficient backup, then you'll be more than
ready to kick some ass!
Questions?
Check out the Compiler
Message Board or send
an email to Mike MacGregor and he will respond ASAP.
|
