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WHAT IS IT??

The Lane Generator (Version 2.0) is a self-contained program for PC’s that randomly generates Lane Rotations for Games rallies. The program will take any number of teams and any number of lanes, and randomly generates lane assignments. It analyzes its “randomness” to assure this feature after the assignments have been made. The output can be used “as is” (it outputs a file which you name), and further it can be imported into Microsoft Excel in a spreadsheet format. The teams can be assigned numbers by the program, or you can enter the actual team names, and the output will have the same team names. The same is true for the lanes. It was designed by two-time USPC Nationals Advanced Champion Chris Clader, and has been utilized to assign the lane rotations for all of the the USPC Eastern Nationals since 2001. The program is free, and downloadable from the USPC web site. It is self-extracting, requiring no additional program to run it. There is a help file included with the program should you require assistance.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

Must Have:

      IBM-Compatible machine

      Windows 98, 2000, Me, NT or XP

DIRECTIONS:

You may wish to print these directions before proceeding.

1. Open the USPC Games Web Site

2. Click on the "Misc. Links" button on the left column

3. Click on the "Games" button

4. RIGHT CLICK Here

5. When the menu pops up, go to "Save Target As"

6. A dialogue box will pop up. You must decide at this point where the program will be downloaded to. I would suggest that you download it to your desktop; it can always be dragged into a folder of your choice later. This dialogue box will have a smaller box at the top that says "save as", and (if you are saving it to the desktop) this should now say "Desktop."

7. At the bottom of this box, you will see "File Name:" followed by "LaneGeneratorSelfExtractor"

8. Click the "Save" button

9. You will see a dialogue box that tells you that the program is being downloaded to your desktop.  WAIT FOR THE BOX TO SAY “DOWNLOAD COMPLETE”

10. Go to the desktop. (You can close your internet program at this point altogether if you wish at this point. You will need to see your desktop in order to extract the program.)

11. You will see an icon on your desktop named "LaneGeneratorSelfExtractor" that looks like a little vise. DOUBLE CLICK IT.

12. A new dialogue box will now appear that is labelled "WinZip Self-Extractor-LaneGeneratorSelfExtractor"

13. You must now tell this self extractor where to put the final program. CLICK THE "BROWSE" BUTTON.

14. Once again, I would suggest putting the final program on the desktop, as it can always be moved later. After you have clicked the browse button, you will see another dialogue box that asks you where to place the program. DOUBLE-CLICK "DESKTOP"; if you cannot see the word "Desktop", you can use the bar at the right of this window to drag up and down until you see "desktop".

15. Click "O.K."

16. You are now back to the previous small window. Click the "UNZIP" button.

17. A small window should appear that says "WinZip Self-Extractor: 2 file(s) unzipped successfully."

18. Click "OK" on this small window.

19. You may now also close the "WinZip Self-Extractor - LaneGeneratorSelfExtractor" window.

20. You should see two new files on your desktop: A little running pony and a text file. You have successfully downloaded the program. The pony is the program itself; the text file is the "Help" file that explains the program. You may drag the unextracted file (the icon with the little vise on it) into the trash now.

Lane Generator Version 2.0

Created by Christopher T. Clader, Graduate C-2 Pony Club Member (Mendon Pony Club, Western New York Region) and Games enthusiast. Chris is also an approved Clinician on the official USPC Games Clinicians List.