NEWSLETTER

Product Q&A

SpecLink-E

Q. I see that all projects in SpecLink-E are saved to one database. How can I protect my data in the case of computer or server problems?
A. SpecLink-E provides two ways of saving data outside of the database:

• Under Tools, Backup Databases:  This command allows you to make a database backup to a server location you specify. This will backup all the projects currently in your database. You can restore this database whenever you need to.
• Under Tools, Save Project to File:  This command allows you to save a specific project outside of the database. You can save this file to any location, and e-mail it to others for their use. In order to use these exported projects, they would have to be loaded back into a SpecLink-E database.

Q. I have upgraded my SpecLink license from SpecLink+ to SpecLink-E. Can I access my projects without importing them into SpecLink-E?
A. You will still be able to print your projects from SpecLink+ without a current subscription. You will also be able to export the data to rtf format, and update the projects to the current SpecLink+ version to prepare the project for importing into SpecLink-E. You will not have access to editing the sections within the SpecLink+ program without a current subscription. To edit the projects, you will need to import them into SpecLink-E.

Q. Why are there so many "empty folders" in SpecLink?
A. The folders in the Project Tree (left-hand side of the SpecLink window) represent the CSI MasterFormat 2004 (MF04) numbering system down to Level 2 in most cases. BSD does not have content for every single Level 3 specification section in MF04.

The “empty” or “place holder” folders serve a couple of purposes:  The MF04 numbering system is built into SpecLink to:

• Assist the user in finding the appropriate Division and Section number for any new sections the user decides to add to a project, and
• Provide a standardized location for new content, which BSD is constantly adding.

Our website has a page with links to spec collections available free-of-charge at: www.bsdsoftlink.com/library/freespecs.htm

LinkMan-E

Q. What CAD (or BIM) products do I need to use LinkMan-E?
A. LinkMan-E currently works with Autodesk Revit 2009 and 2010 and includes Architectural, Structural, and MEP versions. Revit 2011 is supported beginning with the Fall Update. Future consideration of other CAD products will be based on demand. Note that LinkMan-E only links Revit to SpecLink-E, not to SpecLink+.

SpecLink+

Q. I am getting a message that it is time to install my update and that I must install it to gain access to the software. I just renewed my subscription, so why am I getting this message?
A. There are two different effective dates for the software. One is your subscription effective date, and the other is the master database effective date. Your subscription expires once a year and the software master expires each quarter. The two dates are not related. To see both dates, close any open projects and click on File and then Registration and Settings. The master end date is when you will start receiving the message to install. You have 28 days to install it. If you have not installed your update by the time that the master expires, then you will no longer have access to the software. Installing the update will allow you to use the software. If your subscription has expired and you have already renewed it, you need to enter the access key that you were emailed when you renewed your subscription.

Q. I have noticed that some sections have an Optional Checklist at the beginning. What is it, and how do I use it?
A. The checklist highlights the principal specifying decisions to be made in the section. As you select applicable options in the checklist, SpecLink’s built-in links will pre-edit major portions of the text. Additional product options may remain to be selected, including optional text for submittals, quality assurance, reference standards, cross-references, and similar issues. To get a list of which sections have this option, you can print out our catalog listing from the CD or get it from our website at www.bsdsoftlink.com/speclink/catalogs/all_catalogs.htm. Any section with two plus signs to the right of the title includes a checklist.

Q. The names of several section titles are appearing in pink or magenta text in my Tree panel. What does that mean?
A. In short, it means the project has not been completely updated. The software automatically marks any section that has not been completely updated to the latest master by turning the document title magenta. To update the whole project, go to the Tools menu, select "Update to Master," then select "Update Project" and click the Update button. You can also update only certain sections by selecting "Update Section," selecting the section you want to update, and clicking the Update button. Once the sections are updated, the titles in the tree panel turn back to their normal colors, black or blue.

Note that SpecLink does not require that you update a project; there can be many legitimate reasons for not updating. The magenta titles simply act as reminders that those sections contain some obsolete data. You can open any of those sections at any time to see which paragraphs have updated versions available (marked with a rust color), and you can view the individual paragraph changes before updating them. You can also print a report that lists every paragraph in your project affected by updates. This report is useful right after opening the project, but becomes less informative as you continue to edit your project. For more detail on updating, see Chapter 11 in the updated User Manual on the latest BSD SoftLink CD-ROM or from our website at www.bsdsoftlink.com/support/sl_manual.htm.


Q. Can I turn off the formatting for just one section?
A. You cannot change the formatting for just one section. There are two exceptions: Changing the paragraph numbering (Autonumber), and upgrading to SpecLink-E to use custom templates per section.

Autonumber: If you want to turn all the auto numbering off in a section (not globally for the project but for the section only), have your cursor in front of the section title in the Document panel. Click and hold the Control, Shift, and End keys. This will select the whole section. Then go to the Document menu and click No Autonumber.

Custom Templates: The formatting can be customized in SpecLink+; however, the customization applies to all sections in the project. You cannot create custom formatting for just one section. SpecLink-E does allow you to create custom formats that you can apply to individual sections as well as the entire project.

More questions? Contact BSD Technical Support:

• Toll Free: 800-266-7732
• In Atlanta: 404-365-9226
• Email: support@bsdsoftlink.com