DVC-Programs by Caskbill

[Caskbill]

For those of you who use any of my programs, I just wanted to give a progress report for the latest updates.

The basic DVC-Chart program's update is complete and the latest version is on the download site.

DVC-Planner and DVC-Tracker are still in the process of being updated. I'm doing them concurrently as I'm changing some things in DVC-Planner so it can use some more common code with DVC-Tracker. For example the old "Point Chart" display in DVC-Planner is being replaced to use the same one found in DVC-Tracker.

There are numerous changes being addressed with these updates. For example DVC-Planner is having the following changes: (DVC-Tracker is getting some similar changes.)

1. Add BLT
2. Add THV
3. Add AKV-Kidani
4. Change booking windows to 11/7 months from Check-Out to Check-In date (7-days maximum)
5. Change Day-by-day booking windows to start on day 8
4. Change MS hours from Mon-Sat to 7-days a week which changes dates you can call to make a reservation.
5. Change old banking rules to new banking rules
6. Make DVC-Planner Vista compliant (DVC-Tracker and DVC-Chart are already Vista compliant)

The addition of the new resorts also requires coding them for opening dates and expiration dates.

I'm also including some code, not activated yet, but for Grand Californian and KoOlina updates so they will be much quicker when those resorts finally open.

Some things in DVC-Planner are being eliminated: EG the banking deadline calculator is being replaced by just a chart since there's no more 25%, 50% and 100% windows based on combined points of same master contract's add-on purchases.

The "QuickPick" feature for changing resorts in DVC-Planner is being eliminated and only the main selection form is being retained. With the additions of AKV-Kidani/Jambo, BLT and THV there are now over 70 combinations of Resort, Villa Type, and View among the DVC resorts. Thus selecting from a list of 70 choices is no longer quick.

A number of little things are also being 'updated' since the last version of DVC-Planner was quite awhile ago.

If all goes as planned updates for both programs should be available before Christmas.

For those not familiar with my programs, just follow the link in the signature below.

For those of you using DVC-Tracker who have purchased points at BLT...Congratulations on your purchase, and thanks for your patience waiting for the DVC-Tacker update so you can add your purchase to your program's data file.



My ultimate goal for the future (hopefully in 2010) is to have a common database file that contains all resort information and points, that all 3 programs can read directly. That way just updating one data file would automatically update all programs for any new DVC resorts.

Any other changes in DVC operations would still require specific program updates.

 

[JaxFLBear]

Thanks for the update.

 

[jbrowna]

Thanks for all your work, Caskbill! Your programs are great.

 

[spiceycat]

thanks for the update and doing this in the first place!

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

Thanks for keeping up posted. We really appreciate all you work!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Thanks so much for your hard work, CaskBill. Your work is invaluable.

Looks like I'm gonna have to buy the upgrade to support my add-on at BLT. That's a GOOD problem to have.

 

[mickeymorse]

Thanks for all your hard work Bill. Looking forward to the new and improved versions.

 

[RobDoc]

Thanks, Bill! Now please get some sleep .

 

[PutnamDS]

Thanks a million for all your hard work. I really appreciate it!

Deb

 

[msabol01]

For anyone who hasn't used any of Bill's programs I highly recommend them. I would also encourage you to purchase an upgrade of his DVC Tracker. Bill produces a fine product and backs it up with superior customer service!!


*this was an unsolicited endorsement*

 

[Donald is #1]

Thank you for all of your work with these programs!

 

[Mamiamjo]

Bill you are AWESOME! I'll have to update my DVC Planner.

Thanks so much for providing such wonderful tools for us to use.

 

[tidefan]

Any possibilities of ever creating a Mac version?

 

[SamSam]

Love your programs Bill, thanks for keeping us up to date!!!!

 

[corky441]

Thanks for helping to keep my sanity and keep all this straight. All of your programs are fantastic tools

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks for the update. I have been anticipating a new version and I know you are working hard on it.
Your work and your programs are appreciated.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just reading all those changes makes me realize just how much our DVC has changed recently!!! Bill, you are a real sweetheart!

 

[SamSam]

Bill, Thanks for all the time and hard work you put into keeping your programs up to date. Love your programs!

 

[Pennyguy23]

Thanks Bill for all the hard work that you do. I look at your calender just about everyday. I use it as my calender for everyday stuff when I am on the computer and starting to try and plan a new trip

 

[jpolak]

Thanks Bill. Will these work on my mac?