Accounting Command Speeds

Each of the MacNail commands show two approximate running times. The first time is based on a standard Mac II. The second time is based on a standard Mac SE, using Excel 1.5. Both computers were tested using moderately large accounting files.

NOTE-- Goldenseal construction accounting software replaced MacNail in 2000. It's an integrated program that includes general accounting, job costing, payroll and project billing, plus estimating and other features. Things usually work much faster in Goldenseal.

You can expect the following speed adjustments on your own computer when using the MacNail construction accounting software:

1. A Mac Plus will be about 15% slower than the SE time.
2. A Mac SE/30, IIx or Mac IIcx will be about 20% faster than the Mac II time. A Mac IIci will be about 60% faster. A Mac IIfx will be about 200% faster.
3. If memory is tight, some commands may take much longer than the listed times. Adding memory (or increasing Excel's memory partition) will solve this kind of speed problem, but it will otherwise have no major impact on speed (see page 214).
4. Faster or slower hard disks may affect some speeds slightly--especially when opening and saving files.
5. Some commands will work more quickly on small files, and more slowly on very large files.file size
6. There are significant and irregular speed differences between Excel 1.5 and Excel 2.2

Using option-command keys:

Many of the MacNail commands have keyboard shortcuts. They are listed at the beginning of the explanation for each menu command.

To use a keyboard shortcut:
1. Hold down the option and command keys. Sometimes the command key is labelled with an apple, or a cloverleaf.
2. Type the desired letter.

About MacNail macros:

Upon opening, each MacNail Manager will close any other Managers that are already open. This prevents conflicts with menu items and option-command codes.

If you are using non-MacNail macros, close them first before opening any of the MacNail Managers. There may be conflicts otherwise.