Copyright: ® 1994, Designer Label Software


Help Index
Contents

Introduction	General information about using the program, and hints on where you'll find essential information in this help file.

Command Reference:

File Menu	Maintains winning drawings files and selects game.

Edit Menu	Manages files on a drawing by drawing basis, sets preferences.

Pick Menu	Commands for generating numbers to play.

View Menu	Provides onscreen access to the data.

Reports Menu	Commands for printing data in special formats.

Topics:

The First Time You Run the Program

Playing Smarter

Data Security vs. Speed

Running Faster

Error Messages

Microsoft SysEdit

Expand

Uninstall

Printer Setup

Game Codes

Technical SupportMicrosoft Diagnostics

Please Register!

Registering this Product

Registration Form

License and Warranty Disclaimer


File menu
The File menu

The File menu provides commands for maintaining your winning drawings files, as well as choosing the active game. This includes sending the data elsewhere (backing up, or sending the data to Excel to create a chart), as well as trimming unwanted games to make switching between the remaining games faster. The command to quit the program is also located on this menu.

Game	Choose a different game from a list and make it active.

Days	Specify the days of the week a drawing takes place.

Re-analyze	Do another analysis of the current game.

Delete Drawing	Mark specific drawings in the current game to erase.

Link Excel	Send data to Excel, and ask it to make a graph.

Backup	Back up the current master file to a floppy drive.

Trim Master	Delete unnecessary games, to make the program faster.

Merge	Automatically add drawings from a special disk file.

Exit	Quit the program. Never simply turn the power off.


Game command
Game

This command (on the File menu), allows you to change from the current game, to another state or game which you'll pick from a list box. The list includes both the state and the game names. Double click the game you wish, or highlight it and select the OK button.

When you change the active game, the program will examine the master database file and move the drawings for that particular game to a separate file. Note that if you switch between games frequently, you should use the Trim Master command to cut the size of the master database file. This will make the switches between games much faster. (See also 'Data Security vs. Speed' and 'Running faster').


Days command
Days

This command (on the File menu), allows you to change the current games drawing days. This is so that if your state lottery commission adds a new drawing to the week, or deletes one, the Update and Multi-Update commands can automatically fill in the next drawing date for you.

When you choose the command, the Set Drawing Days dialog will appear. Mark the checkboxes for each day of the week for which there is a drawing, and select the OK button.


Reanalyze command
Re-analyze

You should never have to use this command (on the File menu). It's there only to provide a 'manual' control.

Any time you change the active game, or add a drawing(s), the program will automatically update the analysis. During the analysis, the program will examine each drawing to determine which numbers appeared much more often than average, and which appeared much less often. The program will remember both these groups and make them available to you to pick as hot and cold numbers. A separate analysis file will also be created which will track the number of times each particular number has been picked, and the percentage of total numbers drawn that represents.

The results of the analysis are always available with the Analysis command on the View menu. You may print the analysis file with the Analysis command on the Reports menu.

The analysis will also search the past drawings to see whether a single number hasn't been called in a long time, i.e., every other number in the pool has been called since except that one. If it finds one, it will display it on the game screen. In effect, if a single number is way overdue, say, it hasn't been called in over 40 drawings, it might be a good time to play it. Note that if there's a tie and two numbers are the 'longest not drawn,' an 'N/A,' for 'not available,' will be displayed.


Delete Drawing command
Delete Drawing

This command (on the File menu), allows you to mark a past drawing(s) in the current game for deletion. You'll see a scrolling list of past drawings. Type a capital 'X' in the column marked 'X.'  It must be capital - not lower case. You may delete as many drawings as you wish, providing you leave at least thirty drawings. The program will ask you to reconfirm that you wish to delete the drawings. After you reconfirm, the program will update the analysis. Please note: when you first start the program, this command will be 'grayed out' or unavailable. To make it available, execute the Preferences command on the Edit menu. Change the radio button marked 'Allow delete drawings' to Yes.

Deleting drawings will make the analysis procedure run faster. It's up to you to decide whether the analysis will be more accurate. Some people feel that only the more recent drawings matter in spotting trends, but ultimately, that's your personal decision. Our personal preference is to keep approximately three times as many drawings as the high number in the lottery game. There's absolutely no mathematical basis for this preference.

The unregistered version of this program contains twice as many drawings for each game as the high number for the game. To obtain more drawings, which you can automatically add with the Merge command, see the topic on registering this program.


Link Excel command
Link Excel

This command (on the File menu) tells the program to send information and instructions to Excel, so that it can create a graph from the numeric analysis. A sample appears below.

In order to execute this command, you must have Microsoft Excel 5.0. Excel's directory should be in your path statement (Excel's setup program does this by default -  see also the topic on SysEdit). If it's not, the program won't be able to automatically start Excel, but will be able to send it information if Excel is already running when you execute the command. A sample chart appears below.

Each number in the pool appears along the bottom legend. The yellow bar above each represents its past picks. The vertical scale shows how many times the number was drawn. Thus, to see how many times the number one was drawn, compare the top of the yellow bar above the number one to the vertical scale: between 15 and 20 (actually, 17).

More importantly, look at the dark blue, blue and light blue (bright cyan) horizontal stripes behind the yellow bar. These are the zones: cold, average and hot. If the top of a yellow bar is in the dark blue zone, that number is cold, in the blue, average, and in the light blue, hot. These graphs may be the most intuitive way to get a feel for what groups of numbers are hot or cold in a given game. In this graph, for instance, you could quickly tell that the numbers between 32 and 39 are pretty cold as a group (with the exception of #35). Thus, when playing this particular game (unless you believe that it's always best to play the cold numbers because they're 'overdue'), it might be best to reject a pick with two or three numbers from this group.

To users who don't own Excel; we're sorry we couldn't build this feature into the program itself for you. Frankly, the tools we used to make this program wouldn't support it. We hope that as more tools for developing database applications become available for Windows, we'll be able to build in our own graphing functions.


Backup command
Backup

This command (on the File menu) allows you to copy the data you've personally entered to a floppy disk for safekeeping. These files are the master database file, the settings file, the states file, the current game file, and the log file. If you ever need to restore these files, use File Manager to copy them back into the program directory. Remember though, before re-starting the program, to delete the following files: MASTER.NDX, SETTINGS.NDX, STATES.NDX, and LOT_LOG.NDX. These latter three files are the index files, which maintain the order of the first set of files.

When you execute the command, be sure to have either a blank formatted floppy, or a floppy you've previously used for this program's backup in the proper drive. The program will check if there's enough space, and tell you when it's done.

You can tell the program to back up to either floppy drive A: or B: by choosing the Preferences command on the Edit menu, then selecting the radio button of your choice, next to the description 'Backup/Merge drive.'  Note: this command is not a substitute for a regular full backup of your hard drive. The computer world is divided between those users who have had a hard drive failure, and those who will one day.

For a list of files this program creates (to help if you need to un-install it), refer to the Uninstall topic.


Trim Master command
Trim Master

This command (on the File menu), allows you to radically cut the size of the Master drawings file by deleting games and/or states you won't ever play. This will make the time required for switching games much shorter. (It will also save disk space, but not a large amount).

When you execute the command, you'll see a list of available games, each with a blank checkbox. Click on the checkbox of each game you wish to DELETE, leaving an 'X' in it. When you've marked the checkboxes you wish, press the OK button. Note that the program will refuse to delete the currently selected game (a message box will appear).

We recommend you do not delete any alternate games(s) for your state that you don't currently play, in case you change your mind in the future. We also recommend you keep your neighboring states' games. If you tend to travel repeatedly to a distant state, keep the game(s) in that one as well. This command is not reversible; once they're gone, they're gone!  (See also 'Data Security vs. Speed' and 'Running faster').


+ Merge command
Merge

This command (on the File menu) allows you to add records from a special file on a floppy disk. The file must be called MERGE.DBF, and have a special structure. With this command, you can rapidly update your master database with an update disk from Designer Label Software. This can save you the trouble of obtaining information for and inputting many new drawings.

The Merge command will also add past drawings to your database. The current Merge file will add over 9,000 winning drawings to the approximately 4,000 drawings Grand Prize Winner is distributed with.

This command will also automatically add information for any new lottery games introduced after the current version of this program. Note that we will not make drawing files available for any game until enough drawings have occurred to make statistical analysis worthwhile. In general, 26 drawings will have to be drawn before we add a game to a new Merge file.

If a state changes the days on which drawings for a game occur, the Merge file will also update the program files. When you use the Update command, the correct date will appear. (Note: if the last drawing entered before Merging was a day for which drawings no longer occur, you'll have to enter another drawing and edit the date manually before the program can 'catch up' to the new drawing days.

See the topic called Registering this Product for information on obtaining a MERGE.DBF file.

When you execute the Merge command, be sure to have the floppy disk with the proper file in the proper drive. The program will tell you when it's done. You can tell the program to look in either floppy drive A: or B: for the merge files by choosing the Preferences command on the Edit menu, then selecting the radio button of your choice next to the description 'Backup/Merge drive.'


Edit menu
The Edit menu

The Edit menu provides you with the commands for 'editing' on a drawing by drawing basis, as well as executing your preferences for how the program looks, works and picks numbers.

Update	Add single drawing to the winning numbers databases.

Multi Update	Add two or more new winning drawings.

Favorites	Tell the program to pick specific numbers.

No Favorites	Clear previously entered favorite numbers.

Set Mix	Choose how many hots and colds to pick.

Preferences	Select miscellaneous game options and choose colors.


Update command
Update

This command (on the Edit menu), allows you to add the latest winning numbers to the drawings databases. Note that this works one drawing at a time. To enter more than one drawing, see the Multi Update command.

You'll see a dialog box; simply enter the new numbers, then select the OK button. You may enter the numbers in numeric order or not. The program will check that they're legal numbers, and re-display them to you in order for you to verify. Then it will update the files.

The program will automatically calculate the next drawing date. When entering the numbers, if you need to change the date (say, if a drawing date is moved for Christmas or New Year's), click on the date and edit it. If your state game draws a supplemental number or extra pick, this must be entered in the last box on the right. Thus for the New York state Lotto game, place the six winning numbers in the first six boxes, and the bonus number in the seventh.

Once the numbers are verified, the program will re-analyze and update all the hot numbers, cold numbers and other things it needs to do automatically.

Important: for games with supplemental picks (such as the Multi-State PowerBall game), the supplemental number will not be counted in the analysis.


Multi Update command
Multi update

This command (on the Edit menu) allows you to add more than one new winning drawing at once. You may enter them up to five drawings at a time.

While not required, try to enter the drawings in date order. Doing so will allow the program to handle the winning numbers database slightly faster.

By default, you will not be able to edit the dates in the entry dialog box. This allows you to move from number entry box to number entry box without stopping. You can tell the program that you want to edit these dates by choosing the Preferences command on the Edit menu, and selecting the appropriate radio button for the choice labelled 'Allow date editing on multi-update.'

You can enter up to five new drawings at a time. If you have less than five, simply fill out as many rows of entry boxes starting from the top as you have drawings. If you have only three weeks, for example, fill in the first three rows, leave the last two blank, and select the OK button.

When you select the OK button, the program will re-display the winning numbers you entered in numeric order, and ask you to verify that they were entered correctly. Select the button with the proper choice.

If you need to enter more than five new drawings, fill in all five rows with your winning numbers, then select the More button. The program will pause to update the file with the first five drawings, then update the dates and clear the boxes so you can enter another five.


Favorites command
Favorites

This command (on the Edit menu) allows you to dictate to the program that it must  use the number(s) you enter in this dialog box, when it picks a set of numbers to play with either the Random, All hots, All colds or Mix commands on the Pick menu. Simply enter your favorite number(s) in the dialog box and select the OK button. Any active favorite numbers will appear in the game window.

If you must play birthdays, anniversaries, etc., use this command to enter the number(s). We recommend against using a date to generate a number. Remember -- your game probably has a pool much higher than 31 (the most days there can be in a month). In effect, you're limiting at least one pick to a pool of 31, vs. the actual pool, of say, 48. (See also 'Playing Smarter').

For as many favorites as you enter, each will override, if necessary, a choice you made in the Mix dialog. If, for example, you use the Set mix command to choose three hots and two colds in that order, in a game of five, one favorite will override the first hot. In a game of six, however, the favorite would take the first pick, and the three hots and two colds would take the rest.

Note: the Auto Pick command will ignore any favorites.


Set Mix command
Set Mix

This command (on the Edit menu) allows you to tell the program to pick from the subsets of numbers the analysis has classified. You can specify the number of hot, cold or average numbers in any combination, or random numbers picked from the entire pool. The program will use these preferences when it generates a new set of picks for you to play with the Mix command on the Pick menu.

The program always has four sets of numbers it can pick a number from. First is the total lottery pool, all the numbers between one and, for example, 49. The next set are those numbers which have been picked in past drawings significantly more than if all these numbers had been called an equal amount of times. In the example graph (see Link excel command), these 'hot' numbers were 15,19,27,34,42 and 47. The next set are those numbers picked significantly less times than if all had been called an equal amount of times. From the graph, these 'colds' were 1,2,4,10,16,22,26,32,33,36,37 and 39. Finally, there are the average picks -- those that fall inbetween hot and cold.

For those numbers the program picks for you to play, you can specify that so many come from the hot numbers pool, so many from the cold numbers pool, so many from the average pool, and so many from the total pool. This allows you to weigh your play in favor of hots or colds, according to which you believe: that the hot numbers will continue to appear a disproportionate amount of times, or that the cold numbers are overdue and thus stand a better chance of being called. The arrangement of picks you choose will be reflected when you use the Mix command on the Pick Menu.

When you choose the Set mix command, you'll see a dialog box with as many combo boxes as there are picks to choose in the current game. Each choice allows you to choose 'Hot,' 'Cold' or 'Average' or 'Random.'  If you choose Random,' the pick will come from the total pool, and so could be a hot, cold or average number. Select your choices by clicking on the arrow to the right of each choice, then highlighting a choice from the drop down list.

It's up to you to decide how many of each to play. Remember that any favorites entered will override the mix choices if there aren't enough picks in the current game to include the favorites, hots and colds you've indicated.

Note: when you change the current lottery game with the Game command from the File menu, the program will clear the current mix choices.


Game Colors command
Preferences

This command (on the Edit menu) allows you to set miscellaneous program options and the program's colors. To set the program options, click on a radio button with the proper choice, then select the OK button to make it take effect. The options are:

View drawings order	Allows you to specify that the Drawings command on the View menu will display past winning drawings in ascending (oldest first) or descending (most recent first) order.

View analyses order	Allows you to specify that the Analysis command on the View menu will display the specifics for each number in order of the number itself, or by the date last picked.

Allow date editing	Allows you to specify whether you can edit the date when using the Multi update command on the Edit menu.

Backup/Merge drive	Allows you to specify whether to use floppy drive A: or B: when using the Backup and Merge commands on the File menu.

Invert Auto-pick?	Allows you to specify the Auto-Pick selection should take the opposite proportion to the games history. For example: in a five number game, if 20% of past picks were cold, 40% average and 40% hot, the auto-pick would be based on 40% cold, 40% average and 20% hot.

Play Sound When Picking?	If you run Windows 3.1 (or 3.0 with MultiMedia extension) you may automatically play a sound wave file after each pick. For example, with the file 'TADA.WAV' in your Windows directory, you may play a fanfare for each new set of picks! Specify whether you wish to pick a new file, or change the current one by using the combo box. After you select the 'OK' button, a standard file dialog will appear, allowing you to choose a .WAV file. Note: you must have a valid sound driver (capable of playing a wave file), or this option will not appear.

This command also allows you to specify the screen colors for your program. Three buttons allow you to choose the window background, the color for the text (such as the summary information), and the color for highlighted text (such as the name of your state game). A dialog box will appear with sixteen color samples. Choose a color by clicking on it.

A fourth button tells the program to use the default colors you set with the Windows Control Panel.

Note that any time the program displays a dialog box, it will be in your default control panel colors.


Pick menu
The Pick menu

The Pick menu provides the commands that generate numbers for you to play. It also allows you to make a log entry in case you want to record the numbers you played and when you played them.

Auto	Automatically selects hot, cold and average numbers based on your game's past history.

Random	Picks random numbers to play, from the entire pool.

All Hots	Picks numbers to play, only from the hots pool.

All Colds	Picks numbers to play, only from the colds pool.

Mix	Picks numbers to play, from your choices of pools.

3 out of 999	Picks a random pick for a 3 digit numbers game.

4 out of 9999	Picks a random pick for a 4 digit numbers game.

Log	Allows you to make a log entry with numbers, text and date.


Auto command
Auto

This command (on the Pick menu) looks up the history of the current game, then generates hot, cold and average picks in proportion to how they've appeared in the past . The program puts them in order, then displays them on screen inside the 'balls.'  The previously picked numbers will be displayed on the 'Last Picks' line.

Let's say there are five picks in your game. In the past, 20% of the picks have been 'hot,' 60% 'average,' and 20% 'cold.' This command would pick one pick from the 'hots' pool, three from the 'average' pool, and one from the 'cold' pool.

Obviously, the pools won't usually be perfectly divisible by the number of picks in your game. The Auto command sets as many 'whole' picks as it can. It divides the remainder by percentage. In the example above, suppose that the 'hots' and 'colds' had been 30% each, the 'averages' 40%. Auto would have picked two 'averages', one 'hot,' and one 'cold.' The 20% left over would have represented 10% hot and 10% cold. The program would have split the last pick 50/50.

The program splits a pick by randomly picking a number from one to a hundred. It then chooses a 'hot,' 'cold,' or 'average' according to the 'left over' percentages. Theoretically, one hundred 'Auto picks' should exactly mirror the past game history.

Note that favorite numbers will be ignored by this command.


Random command
Random

This command (on the Pick menu) generates a random number for each pick in the current game, choosing from the total pool of numbers available (for example, 1 to 49). The program puts them in order, then displays them on screen inside the 'balls.'  The previously picked numbers will be displayed on the 'Last Picks' line.

This program uses a special algorithm for generating random numbers. Mathematicians have found that the standard calculations that most computer programs use for generating random numbers aren't really all that random. Without revealing our algorithm, be assured it's much more powerful than what other programs like this generally use -- in other words, our random numbers are 'randomer!' (See also 'Playing Smarter').

Remember that if you've set favorite numbers, the number of random numbers will be reduced by as many favorite numbers as you've chosen.


All Hots command
All Hots

This command (on the Pick menu) generates a random number for each pick in the current game, choosing from the subset of numbers classified as 'hot.'  The program puts them in order, then displays them on screen inside the 'balls.'  The previously picked numbers will be displayed on the 'Last Picks' line.

The program always has more than one set of numbers it can pick from. The 'hot' set are those numbers which have been picked in past drawings significantly more than if all the numbers in the pool had been called an equal amount of times. In the example graph (see Link excel command), these 'hot' numbers were 15,19,27,34,42 and 47.

This command tells the program to randomly choose from this subset of numbers. If there aren't enough to fill the number of choices in a game, the program will fill them out with numbers randomly picked from the whole pool. Note that the number of 'hots' found is always displayed on the screen.

Remember that if you've set favorite numbers, the amount of hot numbers will be reduced by as many favorite numbers as you've chosen. (See also 'Playing Smarter').


All Colds command
All Colds

This command (on the Pick menu) generates a random number for each pick in the current game, choosing from the subset of numbers classified as 'cold.'  The program puts them in order, then displays them on screen inside the 'balls.'  The previously picked numbers will be displayed on the 'Last Picks' line.

The program always has more than one set of numbers it can pick from. The 'cold' set are those numbers which have been picked in past drawings significantly less times than if all the numbers in the pool had been called an equal amount of times. In the example graph (see Link excel command), these 'hot' numbers were 1,2,4,10,16,22,26,32,33,36,37 and 39.

This command tells the program to randomly choose from this subset of numbers. If there aren't enough to fill the number of choices in a game, the program will fill them out with numbers randomly picked from the whole pool. Note that the number of 'colds' found is always displayed on the screen.

Remember that if you've set favorite numbers, the amount of cold numbers will be reduced by as many favorite numbers as you've chosen. (See also 'Playing Smarter').


Mix command
Mix

This command (on the Pick menu) will generate a set of numbers to play, custom selected the way you specify. Using the Set Mix command on the Edit menu, you can select, for each pick, which pool (hots, colds, average or all numbers) each will come from.  You can specify the number of hot, cold or average numbers in any combination, or random numbers picked from the entire pool.

The program always has four sets of numbers it can pick a number from. First is the total lottery pool, all the numbers between one and, for example, 49. The next set are those numbers which have been picked in past drawings significantly more than if all these numbers had been called an equal amount of times. In the example graph (see Link excel command), these 'hot' numbers were 15,19,27,34,42 and 47. The next set are those numbers picked significantly less times than if all had been called an equal amount of times. From the graph, these 'colds' were 1,2,4,10,16,22,26,32,33,36,37 and 39. Finally, there are the average picks -- those that fall inbetween hot and cold.

For those numbers the program picks for you to play, you can specify that so many come from the hot numbers pool, so many from the cold numbers pool, so many from the average pool, and so many from the total pool. This allows you to weigh your play in favor of hots or colds, according to which you believe: that the hot numbers will continue to appear a disproportionate amount of times, or that the cold numbers are overdue and thus stand a better chance of being called.

It's up to you to decide how many of each to play. Remember too that any favorites entered will override the mix choices if there aren't enough picks in the current game to include the favorites, hots and colds you've indicated. (See also 'Playing Smarter').


3 Out of 999 command
3 Out of 999

This command (on the Pick menu) allows you to play a numbers-style game on the side. The pick generated will be for a three digit numbers game. Important: the program won't analyze a numbers game. This pick command is provided as a convenience for lottery players who play a numbers-style game occasionally and want to be sure of a random pick.

The difference between a numbers-style game and a lottery game is that in the numbers game, each digit is drawn from a separate pool containing picks zero through nine. There are usually three or more separate pools, each containing the entire range of picks, allowing a pick to be duplicated: for example, 9 - 0 - 9. In a lottery game, each pick reduces the pool by one. If 32 is the first pick, the second pick will come from a pool that's one less than the first, and doesn't contain the number 32. Thus, a number can't be repeated.

When you choose this command, the numbers will appear at the bottom of the screen; however, the balls which normally appear will instead be squares, so that you can tell at a glance that you've made a numbers pick. The next normal pick command (Random, Hots, etc.) will return to normal play.


4 Out of 9999 command
4 Out of 999

This command (on the Pick menu) allows you to play a numbers-style game on the side. The pick generated will be for a four digit numbers game. Important: the program won't analyze a numbers game. This pick command is provided as a convenience for lottery players who play a numbers-style game occasionally and want to be sure of a random pick.

The difference between a numbers-style game and a lottery game is that in the numbers game, each digit is drawn from a separate pool containing picks zero through nine. There are usually three or more separate pools, each containing the entire range of picks, allowing a pick to be duplicated: for example, 9 - 0 - 9. In a lottery game, each pick reduces the pool by one. If 32 is the first pick, the second pick will come from a pool that's one less than the first, and doesn't contain the number 32. Thus, a number can't be repeated.

When you choose this command, the numbers will appear at the bottom of the screen; however, the balls which normally appear will instead be squares, so that you can tell at a glance that you've made a numbers pick. The next normal pick command (Random, Hots, etc.) will return to normal play.


Log command
Log

This command (on the Pick menu) is provided so that you can keep track of the picks you play, a game at a time. You can keep a record of all the lottery games you play.

When you choose this command, you'll see a dialog box which will have the most recently picked numbers and the next drawing date in the fill in boxes. This is to make it easy to just pick a set of numbers with the program and make a note of it. You can change the numbers and date in the boxes if you wish. You may also enter free form text in the larger box provided for it. When done, select the OK button.

You may view a log file with the Personal Log command on the View menu. The program will sort out the various games you play if you play more than one, and only show you the appropriate drawings.


View menu
The View Menu

The View menu provides on screen access to the various data files the program maintains for you. It allows you to browse through them on screen. In this way, you can choose between the program doing the work and handling the data in the background (classifying hots and colds, etc.) or getting your hands dirty and examining, number by number, drawing by drawing, where the picks all came from.

Analysis	View times picked, percentage, etc., for each number.

Drawings	View winning drawings for current game in date order.

by Number	Check winning drawings for a single or pair of numbers.

Master	View every drawing in every game in the master file.

Personal Log	View your personal log for the current game.

Did they win?	Check if a set of numbers won a past drawing.


Analysis command - View menu
Analysis

This command (on the View menu) allows you to view each number in the pool, to see how many times it won past drawings, whether it's hot, cold or average, and more. A window will appear with the information. To close the window, choose the command from the menu again, or press the Escape key.

The information is organized as follows:

·	The left column (entitled '#') lists the number being analyzed.

·	The 'Pix' column tells how many times it was drawn. The status bar tells you what the equalized number of picks would be, i.e., how many times each number would have been picked had each one come up an equal number of times.

·	The 'Pct' column tells what percentage of all the numbers drawn the 'pix' number represents. The status bar tells you what the equalized number of percentage picked would be, i.e., what it would have been had each number come up an equal number of times.

·	The 'LastDate' column tells you the last time that number was drawn. Note that many players look for specific numbers that are way overdue. In the Preferences command on the Edit menu, you can set the Analysis to appear in date order, so you'll quickly see which numbers haven't appeared in the longest time.

·	The 'Score' column gives you a quick view on how that number did. On a scale of one to ten, the number called the most times gets a ten, and a number called zero times gets a zero. (Note: ties are possible).

·	The 'Type' column tells you what pool the number is in: hot, cold, or average. Remember that when you pick, the hots, colds and average are separate pools, and the random pool includes all hots, colds and average numbers.


Drawings command - View menu
Drawings

This command (on the View menu) allows you to view each past winning drawing from the current game.  A window will appear with the information. To close the window, choose the command from the menu again, or press the Escape key.

In the window, the left column will provide the date of the drawing, and the other columns will list the picks. Note that if the current game has a supplemental winning number, it will appear in the right column, marked 'S.'

With the Preferences command on the Edit menu, you can specify whether the drawings should appear in chronological or reverse chronological order.


View by Number
by Number

This command (on the View menu) allows you to tell the program to look through the past winning drawings for the current game, and display all drawings in which a number (or two numbers) which you specify appeared.

When you choose the command, a dialog box will appear in which you may enter up to two numbers. Note that if you enter an illegal numbers (for example, 55, when the current game only goes up to 54) the program will simply throw that number out and check the other number if you entered two. Select the OK button once you've entered the number(s) you wish to search for.

The numbers will appear in a window. The left column will provide the date of the drawing, and the other columns will list the picks. Note that if the current game has a supplemental winning number, it will appear in the right column, marked 'S.'

To close the window, choose the command from the menu again, or press the Escape key.


Master command
Master

This command (on the View menu) allows you to tell the program to display all winning drawing for all the games in the master database.

The numbers will appear in a window. The left column will provide the code for the game. To view a list of the codes, jump to the topic called Game Codes in this help file. (Click on the colored word in the previous sentence). The second column will display the date of the drawing, and the other columns will list the picks. Note that if the current game has a supplemental winning number, it will appear in the right column, always marked '#7.'

To close the window, choose the command from the menu again, or press the Escape key.

Every reasonable effort is made to insure the accuracy of the numbers in the Grand Prize Winner database. In the event of discrepancy between these numbers and the official winning numbers as maintained by your state lottery commission, the latter shall prevail.


Personal Log command
Personal Log

This command (on the View menu) allows you to view your Personal Log for the current game, which should list the previous picks you recorded, along with any notes you entered (see Log command, on the Pick menu). A scrollable window entitled 'Personal Log' will appear.

In the window, the left column will provide the date of the drawing, and the next columns will list the picks you recorded. The right column, entitled 'Notes,' will indicate whether you recorded a free form text note for those picks. If 'NOTES' is capitalized, you did. Double click on the word 'NOTES' to launch a Notepad-like editor to read or edit that particular note. If 'notes' is in lower case, there is no free form note applicable.

When done viewing, double-click on the control menu box of the 'Personal Log' window, or select 'Close' from its control menu to make it go away.


Did They Win command
Did They Win?

This command (on the View menu) allows you to check whether a set of numbers ever won in the current game. When you choose the command, a dialog box will appear. The most recently picked numbers will appear in the fill-in boxes. You may change these numbers if you like, but you must fill all the boxes with numbers. You cannot search for five numbers if the game calls for six.

Choose the OK button, and the program will search the winning drawings database and tell you whether these particular numbers ever won a drawing for this game.


Reports menu
The Reports menu

The Reports menu provides a way to print data from your analysis or past winning drawings. The menu choices allow you to choose what data should be printed. Note that you also have a choice to send the report to a text file which can be automatically viewed with the Notepad accessory.

Analysis	Prints the main analysis data.

Drawings	Prints the winning drawings for the current game.

by Number	Prints drawings containing a number(s) you specify.

Pattern Map	Prints a visual representation of the winning drawings.

P.S. If you've used Microsoft® Windows™ extensively, you're probably used to seeing the Print command on the File menu. That makes perfect sense if the application is document oriented, in which you straightforwardly print the document  that you happen to be editing. This is a database application. When you wish to print something, you have to first select what data and in what format you wish to print it.  We felt it was more straightforward to organize those choices on one menu, rather than have you go through submenus or a series of dialog boxes for that process.


Analysis command - Reports menu
Analysis

This command (on the Reports menu) can print or send to a text file the analysis for the current game. When you choose the command, you'll see a dialog box asking whether you wish to send the report to a printer, or to a file.

All reports are formatted for portrait mode printing. If the Control Panel is set for Landscape mode, the program will display a message asking you to change the setting when you choose to send the report to the printer.

Note that if you choose to send the report to a file, it shall be called REPORT.TXT. The program will automatically start the Notepad accessory and load the file. Notepad should flash on the screen before returning control to the program. Press Alt - Tab to switch over to Notepad, and Alt- Tab again to switch back. Note that each new copy of the file REPORT.TXT will overwrite the old one. To save the file under a new name, use the 'Save As' command in Notepad.

If SHARE is running on your system, you may wish to exit Notepad before running a second report if the first is still open.

A sample excerpt from the report appears below. An explanation follows:

Page No.  1              Florida Lotto

10/13/92

                 Grand Prize Winner Analysis Report

No.   Picks    Percent    Last Drawn    Score    Category

1      17       1.23      08/01/92          4    Cold

2      23       1.66      08/01/92          6    Cold

3      33       2.38      10/03/92          8    Hot

·	The left column (entitled 'No.') lists the number being analyzed.

·	The 'Picks' column tells how many times it was drawn.

·	The 'Percent' column tells what percentage of all the numbers drawn the 'Picks' number represents.

·	The 'Last Drawn' column tells you the last time that number was drawn. Note that many players look for specific numbers that are way overdue.

·	The 'Score' column gives you a quick view on how that number did. On a scale of one to ten, the number called the most times gets a ten, and a number called zero times gets a zero. (Note: ties are possible).

·	The 'Category' column tells you what pool the number is in: hot, cold, or average. Remember that when you pick, the hots and colds are separate pools, and the random pool includes all hots, colds and average numbers.


Drawings command - Reports menu
Drawings

This command (on the Reports menu) can print or send to a text file a list of winning numbers for past drawings of the current game. When you choose this command, you'll see a dialog box asking whether you wish to send the report to a printer, or to a file.

All reports are formatted for portrait mode printing. If the Control Panel is set for Landscape mode, the program will display a message asking you to change the setting when you choose to send the report to the printer.

Note that if you choose to send the report to a file, it shall be called REPORT.TXT. The program will automatically start the Notepad accessory and load the file. Notepad should flash on the screen before returning control to the program. Press Alt - Tab to switch over to Notepad, and Alt- Tab again to switch back. Note that each new copy of the file REPORT.TXT will overwrite the old one. To save the file under a new name, use the 'Save As' command in Notepad.

If SHARE is running on your system, you may wish to exit Notepad before running a second report if the first is still open.

A sample excerpt from the report appears below. If the game has a supplementary winning number, it will appear in the rightmost column with an 'S' preceding it.

Page No.  5              Florida Lotto

10/13/92

                 Grand Prize Winner Drawings Report

Date       N u m b e r s   D r a w n

02/08/92         1     11     14     16     17     40

02/15/92         2     13     22     24     38     46

02/22/92        12     21     27     41     44     45


Reports by Number
by Number

This command (on the Reports menu) allows you to tell the program to look through the past winning drawings for the current game, and print or send to a text file all drawings in which a number (or two numbers) which you specify appeared.

When you choose this command, you'll see a dialog box asking whether you wish to send the report to a print, or to a file. (See also the by Number command on the View menu).

When you choose the command, a dialog box will appear in which you may enter up to two numbers. Note that if you enter an illegal numbers (for example, 55, when the current game only goes up to 54) the program will simply throw that number out and check the other number if you entered two. Select the OK button once you've entered the number(s) you wish to search for.

All reports are formatted for portrait mode printing. If the Control Panel is set for Landscape mode, the program will display a message asking you to change the setting when you choose to send the report to the printer.

Note that if you choose to send the report to a file, it shall be called REPORT.TXT. The program will automatically start the Notepad accessory and load the file. Notepad should flash on the screen before returning control to the program. Press Alt - Tab to switch over to Notepad, and Alt- Tab again to switch back. Note that each new copy of the file REPORT.TXT will overwrite the old one. To save the file under a new name, use the 'Save As' command in Notepad.

If SHARE is running on your system, you may wish to exit Notepad before running a second report if the first is still open.

A sample excerpt from the report appears below, displaying drawings in which the numbers 7 and 11 appear. If the game had a supplementary winning number, it would appear in the rightmost column with an 'S' preceding it.

Page No.  1              Florida Lotto

10/13/92

                 Grand Prize Winner Drawings Report

Date       N u m b e r s   D r a w n

02/08/91         7     11     14     16     17     40

08/15/91         2      7     11     24     38     46

02/22/92         7     11     27     41     44     45


Pattern Map command
Pattern Map

This command (on the Reports menu) can print or send to a text file a visual representation of the past winning numbers by drawing. Each row represents a drawing. Each column provides a 'slot' for each number in the pool. A pound sign '#' marks a number drawn. By analyzing the patterns created by the pound sign marks you may gain insight into pick trends.

All reports are formatted for portrait mode printing. If the Control Panel is set for Landscape mode, the program will display a message asking you to change the setting when you choose to send the report to the printer.

Note that if you choose to send the report to a file, it shall be called REPORT.TXT. The program will automatically start the Notepad accessory and load the file. Notepad should flash on the screen before returning control to the program. Press Alt - Tab to switch over to Notepad, and Alt- Tab again to switch back. Note that each new copy of the file REPORT.TXT will overwrite the old one. To save the file under a new name, use the 'Save As' command in Notepad.

If SHARE is running on your system, you may wish to exit Notepad before running a second report if the first is still open.

A sample excerpt from the report appears below:

Page No.  4              Florida Lotto

10/14/92

               Grand Prize Winner Winners Map Report

Date         5   10   15   20   25   30   35   40   45

         ----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|--

02/09/91            #    # #     #   #               #

02/16/91           #      #   #   #               #  #

02/23/91            #       # ###   #


Introduction

Overview

Grand Prize Winner is different than other Lottery Analysis programs. Other programs may provide more types of analyses, or allow you to do 'wheeling.' Yet when it comes to picking numbers to play, other programs expect you to pick the numbers, after studying 20 pages of printed reports. Grand Prize Winner combines both analysis and number picking in one. All you do is give the program basic guidelines on how you want to pick your numbers, and it can automatically check the analysis and pick numbers for you.

When you want new numbers to play, the numbers appear in the 'balls' at the bottom of the window. Write the numbers down or fill out your game card, then play them at your local lottery vendor.

Choose a state lottery by picking from a list of over 50 games. You can switch back and forth between different states or games. The program looks up the past winning numbers for each game. Search for patterns in past drawings, or have the program do it for you automatically: in one step, the Auto command will suggest a set of numbers to play based on past drawing patterns.

Where To Find Detailed Instructions

Analysis:	See the Re-analyze command to learn how the program analyzes past drawings. See the Set Mix command to learn how to tell the program to pick exactly the way you want.

Games:	There are winning numbers for many different games. See the Game command for information on switching between games if you play more than one. If you'd like to see a list of the lotteries that come with the program, see the Game Codes topic. Note: if your state begins a brand new game, we won't add it to the program until it's accumulated 30 drawings -- fewer drawings might not provide enough data for a worthwhile analysis.

Latest Drawings:	By registering, you can obtain a special file that automatically brings current games up to date and adds new games automatically with the Merge command. Or you can manually add a group of past drawings with the Multi-Update command. Once you're up to date, you add each new drawing as it's picked with the Update command.

Registration:	This program is an evaluation copy, distributed under the shareware concept. Please see the Registering this Product topic for more information. The Registration form and License are also included in this help file.

Reports:	You can print a variety of reports. The Reports Menu lists them. There are also samples right in the help files, such as in the Analysis topic. You can also browse through the same information on screen: see the Analysis command on the View Menu. If you have Microsoft Excel, you can view a graph that shows which numbers are hot, and which are not with the Link Excel command.

Options:	The program can even play music or make a funny sound when it picks new numbers for you. This and other special options, such as the program colors, can be set with the Preferences command.

We hope you enjoy the program. To get the most out of it, be sure to view three more topics: Playing Smarter, Data Security vs. Speed, and Running Faster. Good luck!


The First Time You Run the Program

This program manages lottery data by game. There must always be a game selected. If this is the first time you're using the program, it will automatically display a dialog box with a list of lottery games for you to choose from. Select one to set up the program for normal use.

If you do not select a game the first time you run the program, it will automatically quit.

For more general information about Grand Prize Winner, see the topic called Introduction.

To see more information on choosing the game, see the explanation for the Game command.


Playing Smarter

·	Exclusively playing birthdays and anniversaries may not be so smart. A lottery number generally comes from a pool with forty or fifty numbers in it. A month can have a maximum of 31. Choosing a number from a calendar can be like putting blinders on - you could ignore up to 40% of the possibilities.

·	Choose your winning philosophy. In every game, there's a group of numbers that gets picked more often, a group that gets picked less often, and a group that's just average. This program refers to the them as hot, cold and average numbers.

Some players think the hot numbers indicate a trend or bias in the way the state picks the numbers. They believe these numbers will be drawn again and again, and so it's best to play them.

Some players think the law of averages dictates that the cold numbers are due for their turn; therefore, you should play the colds.

This program gives you the ability to set the mix. You can decide to play all hots, all colds, or whatever combination of hots, colds and average numbers you like. You may fill in with numbers randomly picked from the total pool, or a special favorite number you have a feeling about. Once you decide which camp to favor - the hots or colds - you'll have set in motion your systematic approach to your state's lottery game.

·	Think about playing the secondary state game. The jackpots are smaller, but the chances of winning are usually greater.

·	Look at the 'Longest Not Drawn' number - if a single number is way overdue, it may make sense to play it. Enter it as a 'Favorite' and pick your usual mix for at least one game.

·	Use the Analysis command on the View menu to look at the scores. You might notice either a very hot or very cold number (according to your winning philosophy) which might be worth adding as a 'Favorite' for a pick or two.

·	When playing a new game, or in the first month or so you use this program, use the Analysis command on the Reports menu to print reports each time you Update by entering a new drawing. When the next winning numbers are drawn, mark down how many hots, colds and average numbers appeared. Do this for a few weeks. Once you get a feel for what pools are hitting, use the Set Mix command to set the Mix you're most comfortable with.

·	If you're playing a game you don't usually play, and you have Microsoft Excel, take a moment to create a graph and study it, using the Link excel command. If you don't own Excel, print a Pattern Map and look it over.

·	If the amount of Hot and Due numbers are both very low - say, added together they don't equal more than twenty five percent of the pool - consider using the Random command on the Pick menu rather than your usual Mix preference.


Data Security vs. Speed

This program was designed to strongly favor security of data over speed of execution.

Note that when we say a program is using a data file, the file is open. When a program is done with it, it closes the file.

This program, at its core, is a database application. It needs special access to files that contain data, and other files that keep the data files in order. Usually, a program like this would keep all those files open (in use) the whole time the program runs. Leaving them open speeds up access the next time the program needs data from the file. But there's a risk - if something happens to the system, some of those files could be damaged.

Since Windows is a multi-tasking environment, there's a greater risk that another program working at the same time might do something (accidentally) that brings down the system, uses up the DOS file handles (the numeric limit on how many files may be open on your system), or do something that prevents this program from writing data to disk accurately.

We've designed the program so that, in most cases, as soon as it gets the data it needs, it closes the file. The down side is that the next time it needs data from the same file, it has to open it again. That slows it down. But this increases the safety. If the file is closed and something happens to your system, most likely the data will be safe for the next time you need it.

Note that the only times this program leaves a file(s) open for a lengthy period of time is when you use the View menu. As long as the small data windows appear on screen, the file in which the data resides is open. If you're in the habit of running a Windows application, and leaving it open when switching to other programs to do other work, it's in your best interest to close the small data windows before switching away. If you just see the normal program window with the balls at the bottom, all your files should be closed.

In designing the program, we spent a lot of time running it on a 10 MHz 286 with a slow hard drive, so that we'd know just how slow it could run, and try to keep it to acceptable limits. Even on a machine like this (especially with a large Smartdrive cache under Windows 3.1) the program ran acceptably.


Running Faster

·	For greater speed, cut the size of the master database using the Trim Master command. This file contains many different state games. If you eliminate all but your own and neighboring state games, it will be much smaller, and subsequent analyses will go faster. Remember that if you have a vacation home in another state you'll probably want to keep that state's history as well.

·	Use the Smartdrive disk caching utility, included with both Windows and MS-DOS. A disk cache remembers the last information you read from the hard drive, so that it's on hand the next time you need it. This program is a database application, so it's very disk intensive. Note: when using the 32 bit file access feature in Windows for Workgroups 3.11, turn off smartdrive, because the two together can actually slow down hard disk performance.

·	Use a disk defragmenting program once in a while (that would be a DOS program, not a Windows program). The hard disk will be able to read your files in one continuous read, rather than reading part from here and another part from there, which is slower. Note that if you're using DOS 6.0, and running the program from a DoubleSpace (compressed) drive, the defragmenting program included in MS-DOS 6.0 will not help you to speed up the program, as it will not lay out the files 'end to end.'

·	Don't even think about running this program from a floppy disk. It would be too slow.


Error Messages

When the program encounters an error in the operating system, it will attempt to safely close your data files, report an error code to you and quit. The list below provides you with error numbers, very brief descriptions of the problem, and suggestions for fixing. Note this is not a complete list - only the codes most likely to occur.

Please refer to two other help topics -- Technical Support and Microsoft Diagnostics for further information if the information below does not solve your problem.

1.	Requires a numeric: somehow, you got past the safeguards built into the program and entered an alphabetic character where the program expected a number. Quit and restart.

2.	Undefined variable: some information the program usually stores wasn't available; it may be that the file that stores the program settings was damaged. Quit and restart. If that doesn't work, Expand the file SETTINGS.DB_ from the program disk.

3.	(Same as 1).

4.	Requires an alpha: somehow, you got past the safeguards built into the program and entered a numeric character where the program expected an alphabetic one. Quit and restart.

5.	Expected a logical argument. Some information the program usually stores wasn't available; it may be that the file that stores the program settings was damaged. Quit and restart. If that doesn't work, Expand the file SETTINGS.DB_ (renaming it SETTINGS.DBF in the process) from the program disk.

8.	Error closing a file: most likely due to a disk full error. Quit immediately and make some room before restarting. In worst case situations, you may need to re-install.

9.	Out of memory: quit the program, and close as many other running applications as possible before restarting.

10.	File not found: did you accidentally move or erase a file?  Will probably need to re-install the program.

26.	Write error: most likely due to a disk full error. Quit immediately and make some room before restarting. In certain situations, you may need to re-install.

31.	Index corrupted: the last time you ran it, you may have interrupted the program before it finished its housekeeping tasks. Use File Manager to delete all the files ending with .NDX in the program directory, then restart.

33.	No more DOS file handles: DOS wouldn't allow the program to open a file because your other applications are using too many. The simplest thing to do is to close other applications. If this often occurs, the FILES= line in your CONFIG.SYS file is too small. See Microsoft SysEdit.

38.	(same as 33).

42.	Not a database file: another program may have been used to modify one of the files ending with .DBF and the program can no longer read it. You'll need to re-install the program. If you're sure you didn't try to modify the file, it may be a good idea to scan for viruses.

43.	Error reading a file: there's a problem with your hard drive. It may be wise to get a hard disk utility program to check it thoroughly.

62.	Error in index file: something happened in one of the files used to keep your data in order. Use File Manager to delete all the files ending with .NDX in the program directory, then restart.

86.	Cannot create a file: cause is most likely related to error numbers 26 or 33. Quit the program and follow directions for one, then the other.

89.	Incorrect data for range: same as either 1 or 4; could not completely identify which.

92.	(same as 62).

95.	(same as 62).

97.	Bad memo field: something happened to your log file. You'll need to replace it. Expand the files LOT_LOG.DBF and LOT_LOG.DBT.

128.	Undefined window: you somehow managed to get around the safeguard procedures built into all the dialog boxes and special windows in the program. Quit and restart.

140.	No DDE response: The link to Excel went dead. Check to see if it's running.

141.	(same as 140).

142.	(same as 141).

159.	Input box still active: you somehow managed to get around the safeguard procedures built into all the dialog boxes and special windows in the program. Quit and restart.


Microsoft SysEdit

Microsoft put this small gem of a program on your hard drive when you installed Windows and didn't tell you much about it - in fact, the manual for Window 3.0 didn't even mention it!  This program edits the four most important configuration files for the Windows user. Two of them are important to this program.

To start SysEdit, use File Manager. Locate the 'System' subdirectory below the directory in which you installed Windows. In most cases, it would be the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. Click on the directory name in the tree window, then locate SYSEDIT.EXE in the file list. Double click on that file once you find it.

SysEdit is like the Notepad accessory, but it works with four files at once. You simply click on the 'inside' window whose name matches the file you wish to edit, make your changes, then choose Save from the File menu. Note that you'll need to restart your machine to make these changes take effect.

There are two items in two of the files you may wish to look at.

·	If you've ever received an error that relates to DOS file handles (#'s 33 and 38), click on the CONFIG.SYS window. Look for a line that says 'FILES=' followed by a number. When working with Windows, that should be a good high number. We recommend 49. This number represents all the files that can be in use by all the programs you run at the same time on your system. Since Windows is a multi-tasking environment, you can really run up this number. Here's a before and after example:

(before)	FILES=20

(after)	FILES=49

Once you've made the change, remember to choose Save from the File menu, exit Windows, and restart your machine by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete.

·	If you have Microsoft Excel, and haven't been able to automatically start it when you choose the Link Excel command, click on the AUTOEXEC.BAT window. Look for a line that starts with the word 'PATH.'  Is the directory in which Excel is installed (usually, this is called C:\EXCEL) here? If not, go to the end of that line, add a semi-colon and the drive and path in which you installed Excel. Here's a before and after example:

(before)	PATH C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS

(after)	PATH C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\EXCEL

Once you've made the change, remember to choose Save from the File menu, exit Windows, and restart your machine by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete.


Expand

In certain situations, this Help file recommends that you attempt to re-install one or more files from the program disk, without doing a full re-install. This allows you to replace a single part that malfunctioned without deleting any data that you added to the master file.

To do so, you must use the Microsoft EXPAND program, which the Windows setup program placed in your windows directory. This is a DOS program, so to run it, you must first double-click on the DOS Prompt icon in the Main program group in Program Manager. (Note: be sure to quit this program first). When you see the DOS prompt, you'll need to type in a command arranged as follows:

EXPAND CompressedFileName ExpandedFileName

If the program disk was in drive A:, and you installed the program to C:\LOTTO,  to expand the file SETTINGS.DB_ into the file SETTINGS.DBF, you would type:

EXPAND A:\FILES\SETTINGS.DB_ C:\LOTTO\SETTINGS.DBF

Note that the file we wanted from drive A: was in a subdirectory called '\FILES.' Most of the important program files are found in that directory. Note also that the compressed files have an underscore character in place of the last character of the file extension. You must replace the underscore with the proper letter of the file when typing the expanded file name.

When you're all done, to return to Windows, type EXIT at the DOS prompt.


Uninstall

It's sometimes difficult to erase all the traces of a Windows program you decide you no longer want. Many programs change important system files to add special information applicable to that program only. Or, they add special files to the Windows or Windows System directory. This program does neither. At installation, we made no changes to any configuration files whatsoever, and program files are copied to a single directory (by default, called \GRAND).

We agree that it's only polite for a program to reverse any changes it effected at installation. Had we made any, we would have gladly made an Uninstall program to automatically do so. Since we didn't, uninstalling is something you may easily do by yourself.

To uninstall the program,  simply use File Manager to erase all the files and the directory in which they're installed. If you've installed other files from other applications to that directory, you can selectively delete our program's files with the help of the list below:

File Name or Extension	Description

*.DAT	Settings files for internal program use.

*.DBF	Data files whose names takes this form: two letter state abbreviation, a '1' or '2' for primary or secondary game, two digits for choices (e.g., 06), two digits for pool size (e.g., 49). These are the state files. Example: FL10649.DBF.

*.NDX	Files that keep the data files in order.

*.OVR	Overlay files.

ANALYSIS.DBF	Current analysis file.

LOT_LOG.*	Your personal log.

LOTOdate.XLS	Excel file used to create graph.

LOTTO.EXE	Main program

LOTTO.HLP	This help file.

MASTER.DBF	Master drawings file

REPORT.TXT	Notepad file holding text you sent to file.

SETTINGS.DBF	Settings carried over from session to session


Printer Setup

This refers to current state of your printer, controlled with the Control Panel accessory.

To set up your printer, switch to Program Manager. You may press the 'CTRL' and 'ESC' keys at the same time. The task list will appear. Find the words 'Program Manager' and double click on them.

In Program Manager, find the Main program group, then double click on the 'Control Panel' icon. The Control Panel application will launch. Find the 'Printers' icon and double click on it. A dialog box will appear. Your printer name should be highlighted.

Click on the button called 'Setup.'  Another dialog box will appear. Look for the square marked 'Orientation.'  Two radio buttons appear inside: 'Portrait' and 'Landscape.'  If the 'Portrait' circle is unselected (empty), select it by clicking on it, then select the 'OK' button. If the 'Portrait' circle was already selected (dark spot inside), you can select the 'Cancel' button. This dialog box should disappear, leaving the previous one.

In this dialog box, select the 'Close' button. You may choose to close Control Panel at this point, or simply return to this program by pressing the 'CTRL' and 'ESC' keys at the same time again, and double clicking on this program's name from the list.

Please note: on certain PostScript printer drivers, the page numbers which should print at the top of each page may not appear. This is a known bug. The data that appears on the report will print correctly.


Game Codes

The following is a list of games whose past drawings appear in the MASTER.DBF file. You may use the codes listed below as a legend when you view the Master file.

AZ1	Arizona Lotto

AZ2	Arizona Fantasy 5

CA1	California Super Lotto

CA2	California Fantasy 5

CO1	Colorado Lotto

CT1	Connecticut Lotto

CT2	Connecticut Cash Lotto

DC1	Wash D.C. Quick Cash

DE1	Delaware Lotto

FL1	Florida Lotto

FL2	Florida Fantasy 5

GA1	Georgia Lotto

IA2	Iowa Cash

ID1	Idaho Fantastic 5

IL1	Illinois Lotto

IL2	Illinois Little Lotto

IN1	Indiana Lotto

IN2	Indiana Lucky 5

KS1	Kansas Cash Lotto

KY1	Kentucky Lotto

KY2	Kentucky Cash 5

LA1	Louisiana Lotto

MA1	Massachusetts Mass Millions

MA2	Massachusetts Megabucks

MA3	Massachusetts Mass Cash

MD1	Maryland Lotto

MD2	Maryland Match 5

MI3	Michigan Lotto

MI2	Michigan Cash 5

MN1	Minnesota Gopher 5

MO1	Missouri Lotto

MO2	Missouri SuperCash

MS1	MultiState PowerBall

MT1	Montana Cash

NH1	New Hampshire Cash Lotto

NJ1	New Jersey Pick 6

NJ2	New Jersey Cash 5

NX1	Tri-State Megabucks

NX2	Tri-State Cash 5

NY1	New York Lotto

NY2	New York Take 5

OH1	Ohio Lotto

OH2	Ohio Buckeye 5

OR1	Oregon Megabucks

PA1	Pennsylvania Wild Card Lotto

PA2	Pennsylvania Cash 5

RI1	Rhode Island Lot-o-Bucks

SD1	South Dakota Lotto

TX1	Texas Lotto

VA1	Virginia Lotto

VA2	Virginia Cash 5

VT1	Vermont Lotto

WA1	Washington Lotto

WI1	Wisconsin Megabucks

WI2	Wisconsin SuperCash

WV1	West Virginia Cash 25

Note:	One additional game is not yet available to play as of this release. This game is so new that not enough drawings have been held to do a meaningful analysis:

TS1	West Tri-State Lotto

This game should be available via a merge file approximately mid-July.


Registering
Registering This Product

This is a shareware product. That means that you may evaluate the product for a limited period -- 30 days -- for free. Once you decide you like it and wish to continue using it, you must pay the author. When you pay, you'll receive extra benefits.

The registration fee for this program is $20. (Foreign users, $30 USD; sorry, we cannot accept foreign funds). When you send your check or money order, please fill out a short form in a file called REGISTER.WRI which should have been included in the disk or file you received this program in. If that file is missing, please print the Registration Form included in this help file. See also the License topic for further information.

What you get when you register:

·	The most recent winning numbers. Chances are, you received this file sometime after it was first uploaded to the BBS you downloaded it from, or copied by the service you purchased it from. With the Merge command on the File Menu, you can automatically bring the past winning numbers for all the games you play up to date.

·	Additional past winning drawings. The non-registered version of the database contains no more than 108 past winning drawings per game. In most cases, we have many more winning drawings which you may easily add to your database with the Merge command on the File menu. Currently, the Merge file contains over 9,000 additional drawings.

·	A program update, if we determine from your registration form that the version you're using is not the most recent.

·	No more annoying reminders. We've designed this game to 'remind' you to pay the registration fee every so often. We hope that we've neither intruded so much as to be a complete nuisance, nor that we've been so unobtrusive as to be unnoticeable.

·	Technical Support. In most cases, you'll find the answers you need in the Error Messages list in this help file. If you're lost, you may write. Support for non-registered users is via mail only, and all inquiries must include a printed Microsoft Diagnostics report and a self-addressed stamped business size envelope. Registered users will receive an E-Mail address to send technical inquiries via CompuServe™ or other on-line services as they become available.

·	Updates via Modem (Maybe). If demand warrants (i.e., if a target number of registered users check off the box on the registration form), we will set up a dedicated BBS for downloading the latest Merge files. In this way, you'll merely have to do a file transfer to get the latest winning numbers. Though we haven't done a cost analysis yet, we will make every effort to keep the 'target number' to the absolute minimum.

Note: if you paid a service or store a few dollars for a diskette(s) containing this program, that does not cover the registration fee; only their charge for distribution.

Individuals may copy unregistered copies of Grand Prize Winner™ to evaluate and for others to evaluate as long as no fee or other consideration is charged. This copy must contain all files, unaltered and with no additions, as originally received by the individual.

Vendors: our requirements for distribution are that you distribute ALL Grand Prize Winner files including README.WRI, and LOTTO.HLP (or READ_ME.WRI, LOTTO_.HLP before installation), both of which contain the Registration forms, unmodified. If any files are missing, then distribution is prohibited. Small additions, such as text files used to convey information by shareware distributors are acceptable. No price or other compensation may be charged by vendors other than Designer Label Software for Grand Prize Winner. A distribution fee may be charged for the cost of diskette(s) and handling. If you are unwilling or unable to comply, please do not distribute our Shareware products. We make an active effort to control distribution of our products. The ability of a Shareware author to do this is protected by copyright law, and that protection has been affirmed in court (Datastorm Technologies, Inc. v. Software-to-Go, Inc., CA5-88-120W, United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, 1989).


Registration Form

Please read the topics on registering this product and the license statement. To print this page, maximize this help window, then use the Print Topic command on the File menu.

Quantity ________  x $ 20.00    =           $  ________

Foreign Users please add $ 10.00            $  ________

Florida Residents please add 6% sales tax   $  ________

Total                                       $  ________

Please include a Check or Money Order (U.S. funds only) made payable to Designer Label Software.

          Diskette size: [  ] 3.5"   [  ] 5.25"

 Name     _______________________________________________

 Company  _______________________________________________

 Address  _______________________________________________

          _______________________________________________

 Phone    _______________________________________________

I have read and agree to abide by the license agreement:

 Signature  _____________________________________________

Where did you get Grand Prize Winner?  __________________

If you received Grand Prize Winner from a BBS, what is its complete name and phone number?__________________________

_________________________________________________________

Would you take advantage of drawing updates via BBS? ____

If you are a member of an on-line information service (such as

CompuServe™) or a very large BBS (such as Exec-PC), please provide the name of the service, and your address on the service if applicable. This will help us advise you of future software

updates:_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Please include any comments or suggestions regarding this program.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Mail this form to:  Designer Label Software

                    P.O. Box 635134

v. 1.2              Margate, FL 33063


Technical Support

The first thing you should do should you feel you need technical support is to write down the exact error message you see on screen. Then check the help topic called Error Messages. It may quickly explain the problem and tell you how to solve it on your own. Note that even if the program doesn't work, you may view the help file by double-clicking on the file name 'Lotto.hlp' in File Manager.

Support for non-registered users is via mail only, and must include a self-addressed stamped business size envelope. Registered users will receive an E-Mail address to send technical inquiries via CompuServe™ or other on-line services as they become available.

All written inquiries must include a printed Microsoft Diagnostics report, if you use Windows 3.1 or MS-DOS 6.0. We request that registered users requesting support via an online service send the MSD report in file format. Please review the help topic on Microsoft Diagnostics before sending your tech support request.

Every effort has been made to insure that Grand Prize Winner™ is as bug free as possible.


Microsoft Diagnostics

Microsoft Diagnostics (MSD) provides a detailed report about the hardware in your system, and how Windows is set up on it. It's invaluable in diagnosing why a program won't work. If you're sending a technical support request by mail, please print an MSD report.  If you're sending a technical support request via an online service, please forward an MSD report file, with a description of the problem.

This help topic provides detailed instructions. You may wish to print this topic. To do so, choose the 'Print Topic' command on the File menu here in the help system.

All users of Windows 3.1 or MS-DOS 6.0 or higher have a copy of MSD. It was automatically installed. Please note that you must exit Windows before running the MSD report. If you don't, it won't provide as much information as it should because Windows acts as a barrier between Microsoft Diagnostics and your system.

To print an MSD report:

1.	Exit Windows, by choosing Exit from the File menu in Program Manager.

2.	(If this leaves you at the DOS Shell, choose Exit from the DOS Shell File menu. You need to go out to the DOS prompt).

3.	Check to see your printer is turned on, and at the DOS prompt type:

MSD /P REPORT.TXT	<Enter>

COPY REPORT.TXT PRN	<Enter>

To create and send an MSD file:

The following example assumes you've registered the product. It describes how to send an MSD report file via CompuServe™. To create an MSD file suitable for sending via an on line service, and to place a description of the problem in the report file:

1.	Exit Windows, by choosing Exit from the File menu in Program Manager.

2.	(If this leaves you at the DOS Shell, choose Exit from the DOS Shell File menu. You need to go out to the DOS prompt).

3.	Choose a unique 8-letter name that will identify you. If your last name is 8 letters or less, that will do fine. In the example below 'YOURNAME' will stand in for your unique name.

4.	We will place the MSD report file in the root directory of the C: drive. You may place it elsewhere if you prefer. We're using this as an illustration so that we can find the file easily later. At the DOS prompt type:

MSD /P C:\YOURNAME.MSD	<Enter>

5.	We'll use the DOS Editor to place a description of the problem, and your CompuServe™ address (so we can contact you in return -- please have it handy before typing the command below) at the beginning of the MSD file. At the DOS prompt type:

EDIT C:\YOURNAME.MSD	<Enter>

6.	The DOS Editor will appear. With the cursor at the first letter of the first line, press the carriage return key several times, to place some blank lines at the top of the file. Move the cursor back to the top line. Type in your name and CompuServe™ address. Skip a line and write a short description of the problem, and any special information you think we should know about your system. Remember that the MSD file will already tell us a lot!

7.	When done typing, choose the Save command from the File menu. Then choose the Exit command from the File menu. This should return you to the DOS prompt.

8.	Turn your modem on if it's not already, then start CompuServe™ Information Manager for DOS or Windows.

9.	From the Mail menu, choose 'Send File.' A dialog box appears. Fill in our name and CompuServe™ address, which you receive upon Registering this Product. Where it says 'File Name,' type C:\YOURNAME.MSD . Then choose 'Send Now.' CIM will automatically connect and send the file. Remember to disconnect when done. You'll receive an answer from us via CompuServe™ as soon as possible. If you really need an answer fast, feel free to include your phone number when you add your note to the MSD file!


License
License and Warranty Disclaimer

Unregistered Users:

This software is a user supported program. It is not free and it is not in the public domain. You are granted a limited license to use this product on a trial basis. If you continue using it after the thirty day evaluation period, you must register by sending the registration fee and form as described in this document.

Registered Users:

The author grants to the registrant a non-transferable, personal license to use this software on one computer workstation. You do not become the owner of the software nor do you have the right to copy (excepting backup copies for your protection) or alter the software or documentation. You are legally accountable for any violation of the license agreement and copyright, trademark or trade secret laws.

Warranty Disclaimer:

Grand Prize Winner is intended for your entertainment. This program, consisting of all related software, instruction manual, data files, and reference materials, is provided 'as is,' without warranty as to its performance, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. The entire risk as to the results and performance of this product is assumed by the user. In no event will the author be liable for any damages, including lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or inability to use these programs, or for any claim by any party, regardless of circumstances.

All prices, benefits and incentives mentioned in this document expire June 30, 1995. We reserve the right to change product descriptions, system requirements and other information without notice, and to modify or rescind any offers or discounts at any time.


Command Reference
Command Reference:

File Menu

Game	Choose a different game from a list and make it active.

Days	Specify the days of the week a drawing takes place.

Re-analyze	Do another analysis of the current game.

Delete Drawing	Mark specific drawings in the current game to erase.

Link Excel	Send data to Excel, and ask it to make a graph.

Backup	Back up the current master file to a floppy drive.

Trim Master	Delete unnecessary games, to make the program faster.

Merge	Automatically add drawings from a special disk file.

Exit	Quit the program. Never simply turn the power off.

Edit Menu

Update	Add single drawing to the winning numbers databases.

Multi Update	Add two or more new winning drawings.

Favorites	Tell the program to pick specific numbers.

No Favorites	Clear previously entered favorite numbers.

Set Mix	Choose how many hots and colds to pick.

Preferences	Select miscellaneous game options and choose colors.

Pick Menu	Commands for generating numbers to play.

Auto

Random	Picks random numbers to play, from the entire pool.

All Hots	Picks numbers to play, only from the hots pool.

All Colds	Picks numbers to play, only from the colds pool.

Mix	Picks numbers to play, from your choices of pools.

3 out of 999	Picks a random pick for a 3 digit numbers game.

4 out of 9999	Picks a random pick for a 4 digit numbers game.

Log	Allows you to make a log entry with numbers, text and date.

View Menu

Analysis	View times picked, percentage, etc., for each number.

Drawings	View winning drawings for current game in date order.

by Number	Check winning drawings for a single or pair of numbers.

Master	View every drawing in every game in the master file.

Personal Log	View your personal log for the current game.

Did they win?	Check if a set of numbers won a past drawing.

Reports Menu

Analysis	Prints the main analysis data.

Drawings	Prints the winning drawings for the current game.

by Number	Prints drawings containing a number(s) you specify.

Pattern Map	Prints a visual representation of the winning drawings.


algorithm

A sequence of instructions like a recipe. Example: the algorithm for finding the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle (A² + B² = C²) would be 'add the squares of sides A and B, then find the square root of the total.'


analysis

In this program, analysis means to take all the drawings in the current game and examine them closely to see how each number in the pool acted over the period of time that all these drawings took place.


application

In the Windows environment, application is generally synonomous with 'program.'


AUTOEXEC.BAT

A special file which stores a sequence of DOS commands. When you boot or start your system, these commands are automatically executed one by one as if you had sat at the keyboard typing them in. Typically, the last line contains the command 'WIN.'  This starts Windows. You may use the SysEdit program to edit this file.


Back up

Generally means to make a copy of a file and place it on a different media, for example, copying a file from the hard drive to a floppy. The duplicate serves as insurance, in case of failure of the primary media. This duplicate is also referred to as a backup.


check box

A small square box which usually appears within a dialog box which may be selected (in which case an 'x' appears inside the box) or cleared. In general, the 'x' means 'yes' or 'on,' and cleared (no 'x') means 'no' or 'off.'


click

To press and release the mouse button quickly. This action often selects something for a subsequent action, such as selecting an object in a drawing program, then changing its color with a menu command. A single click on a control usually activates the control, such as clicking on a button in a dialog box.


close

To remove a window or dialog box - to make it go away. Or to quit an application. In general, for the dialog boxes in this program, closing a dialog box is accomplished by selecting a button.


cold numbers

The numbers in the current game which have appeared in past drawings significantly less times than had every number been drawn an equal amount of times.


Combo Boxes

A special control which displays a drop down list when you select the arrow at the side of the box. Highlight a selection from the list then release the mouse button (or press Enter) to make your choice.


CONFIG.SYS

A special file which is read when you boot or start your computer. This file contains a list of parameters which determine the 'configuration' of your 'system.'  Typically, on a machine configured to run Windows, this file will load the extended memory driver (HIMEM.SYS), set a high number of file handles (FILES=#), and if a 386 or higher, most likely run the Expanded memory driver (EMM386.EXE). You may use the SysEdit program to edit this file.


control menu

The special menu appears in the upper left corner and looks like a long dash (it was supposed to look like a space bar - when you hold down the Alt key and tap the space bar, the menu drops down). This menu generally controls special window functions such as sizing, moving, etc.


current game

The lottery game the program has most recently analyzed and is currently set to pick for. The state name should appear at the top of the menu bar following the program name. The game name should appear in the main application window, followed by a legend advising how many choices and how large a pool the game has (e.g., 6 out of 49).


database application

A program whose main function is to collect and maintain information which is specially organized by category or type.


DDE

Dynamic Data Exchange is a special way that two separate programs in Windows can communicate with each other. This program can thus send Microsoft Excel dates, words, numbers and special instructions on what to do with them. While this program doesn't know how to draw a fancy graph, Excel does, and will when requested to by this program.


dialog box

A temporary window that appears inside the main program window, either to give you information, or take instructions from you. For the most part, the dialog boxes go away when you press a button or use the close command from its control menu box.


Disk defragmenting program

This is a utility program (you usually purchase it separately) which can rearrange the files on your hard drive so that they're laid out end to end (contiguous). Usually, files are split up into many pieces and scattered around the hard drive over time. Defragmenting is advantageous as the hard drive can deliver the information faster if it can read it in one fell swoop rather than stopping to figure out where the next piece is. Please note that the Defragmenting program in MS-DOS 6.0 does not lay out the files on a DoubleSpace drive contiguously.


DOS Prompt icon

Found by default in the Main program group in the Program Manager, double-clicking on this icon will send Windows to the background and enable you to enter commands via the old fashioned DOS command interpreter, more widely known as the 'C' prompt. To get back to Windows, type 'EXIT.'


double-click

To press and release the mouse button twice, quickly, in succession. This usually causes something to happen, such as when you double click on an icon in Program Manager.


Excel

A spreadsheet application published by Microsoft. Excel is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.


extension

Usually found at the end of a DOS file name, comprising a period and up to three letters. Useful, because you can usually tell the nature of a file by its extension. Files with the extensions .EXE and .COM are program files. In this program .DBF designates the data files, .NDX, the files that keep them in order.


file

The primary unit for storing a specially formatted collection of information on a disk.


File handles

Think of these as 'slots' in memory in which DOS can remember the name of a file in use by a program. Each slot can hold one name, and the number of slots is limited. You can optionally make more slots available with the 'FILES=#' line in the CONFIG.SYS file. If you run out of file handles, DOS will deny a program permission to work with a file, which can cause the application to halt.


game

This program limits the definition of 'game' as an individual lottery, for which there are a set number of picks to be drawn out of a pool with a specific numeric limit. Each choice drawn reduces the pool for the next number by one.


hot numbers

The numbers in the current game which have appeared in past drawings significantly more times than had every number been drawn an equal amount of times.


list box

Found within a dialog box, it lists all available choices; often, if more choices are available than can fit a given amount of space, a scroll bar will allow you to see all the choices. Highlight a choice by clicking on it.


log file

A special database this program may maintain for you, with which you may record the picks you play, as well as the date you played them. You may also save free form text notes in the log file.


logical argument

A true or false choice.


Main program group

The collection of icons which Program Manager places in a window called 'Main' by default. This group usually concerns the most important housekeeping programs for Windows, including File Manager, the Control Panel and the DOS prompt.


master file

The biggest data file this program maintains. It contains all the drawings for all the games. The actual file name is MASTER.DBF.


Notepad

A special Windows accessory which saves only unformatted text. This type of application is also called an 'editor' or 'text editor.


path

A list of directories which DOS will search for a program, if it doesn't find the program in the current directory.


portrait mode

The paper orientation. Portrait means it will print with the page taller than it is wide when you look at the text right side up.


radio button

Sometimes called an option button. The little small round circle which may appear in a dialog box. Within a set of radio buttons, only one may be selected at a time. Clicking on one unselected circle will deselect another.


scroll

To move up and down through a document or set of information. To scroll, you usually move the scroll box, click on the scroll bar, click on a scroll arrow, or use the PgUp, PgDn, Up arrow or Down arrow keys.


secondary state game

Usually, a state will have one lottery game with a big jackpot, and a lesser game with a smaller one. Usually, the bigger the jackpot, the longer the odds.


select

To choose something, usually with a mouse click, for a subsequent action.


winning drawings files

The collection of past winning numbers. This program generally maintains one big file, called MASTER, containing every game, and separate files for each game you've ever analyzed. Though the latter are duplicates, they make access to the information much quicker since they're much smaller.