Project Scheduling Speed

NOTE-- In 2000 we retired MacNail construction software, and replaced it with an improved program: Goldenseal software for construction. Our computer software programs are developed for builders, remodelers and other small business. Goldenseal is an integrated program that handles accounting, construction estimating, and project management, plus simple construction scheduling. Project schedules compute almost instantaneously in Goldenseal.

Speed of Use for Project Schedules

The most effective (if not the cheapest) way to speed up the MacNail construction scheduling software is to use one of the faster Macs. The Mac II is two to three times as fast as a Mac SE, Mac Plus or Mac Classic, and the Mac LC is about twice as fast.

The IIcx, IIx, IIsi and SE/30 are about 20% faster than a Mac II, the Mac IIci is about 50% faster, and the Mac IIfx is more than twice as fast.

Accelerators and other speed enhancers are also available to improve the performance of older Macs-- give us a call for our latest recommendations.

If you are using Excel 2.2 on a one-megabyte machine, some operations in the MacNail project management software may slow down drastically because of disk "thrashing". Getting extra RAM will speed things up to normal. Otherwise, extra memory will have no effect on speed-- although it is still very useful.

HINT: A good way to tell if you are "thrashing"-- listen for a faint "chuga-chuga-chuga" sound from your hard disk during slow operation. There may also be an intermittent flashing light, if your hard disk uses a LED display.

Using MultiFinder, you may also get thrashing problems, leading to slow speed. Reset Excel's memory partition (see previous page) to solve this.

A few hints for fastest operation
* Don't let files grow too large.
* Close unnecessary files when you no longer need them.
* Switch between manual and automatic calculation, depending on the type of work you are doing (see page 141).
* Always run from your hard disk instead of a floppy disk. A hard disk is faster and has greater storage capacity.
* Run lengthy operations when you don't need to be at the computer.
* Keep a "clean" hard disk. Avoid excess INITS, sound files, and other toys (see page 135). Avoid public domain programs -- some can cause major hard disk damage.

Expect calculation to go slower
* When you have many worksheets open at one time.
* When you have a very large worksheet.