Category : Databases and related files
Archive   : BOM10.ZIP
Filename : BOM.DOC

BOX OFFICE MANAGER
























BOX OFFICE MANAGER
Version 1.0
Copyright (c) 1990
by
Jerold A. Garber



FOOTHILLS SOFTWARE
1515 Shenandoah Drive
Boise, ID 83712























Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 1
================================================================

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Adding an event............................page 12
Appendices.................................page 19
Blocking out seats (prevent ticketing).....page 11
Changing program configuration.............page 14
Complimentary ticketing....................page 11
Configuring the program....................page 6
Configuring season ticketing...............page 8
Deleting an event..........................page 13
Displaying season shows....................page 12
End of season cleanup......................page 15
Files - distribution.......................page 3
Files - program generated..................page 3
Hall seating plan - creating...............page 16
Hall seating plan - viewing................page 16
Installation...............................page 4
Introduction and features..................page 2
Manual style and the tutorial..............page 5
Multiple hall use..........................page 18
Performance Setup Menu.....................page 12
Returning tickets..........................page 11
Season ticketing...........................page 11
Season ticketing configuration.............page 14
Seating Configuration Menu.................page 16
Selecting a seat...........................page 9
Starting the program.......................page 5
Ticket - label style.......................page 6
Ticket - card style........................page 7
Ticket - selecting to print................page 6
Ticket - testing print option..............page 15
Top Level Menu.............................page 9
Utilities Menu.............................page 14
Viewing available seats....................page 12
















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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 1





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 2
================================================================

Introduction
------------

BOX OFFICE MANAGER is designed for schools, theatre groups,
churches, community concert associations - any group that needs
to be able to manage a box office selling tickets to events.
The program is designed to readily accommodate a wide variety of
"theatres", especially those needing a fast and convenient means
of managing the sale (or free distribution) of tickets for
multiple performances and/or multiple shows/events in a season.

Features include:

- Handles completely reserved seating.
- Ability to configure seating for up to 4800.
- Up to 8 different seating sections.
- Up to 24 rows in each section.
- Up to 25 seats in each row.
- On screen display of each section individually.
- Virtually instant display of available seats.
- Revenue tickets (up to 8 different prices by section).
- Season ticket seat selection
- Complimentary ticketing.
- Blocking out of seats for sight lines or other uses.
- Optional ticket printing in one of two styles.
- Tickets printed on readily available stock.
- Custom ticket printing routines are available.
- Provision for returned tickets.
- Unlimited number of performances.
- Full on screen and printed reports for each show.
- End of season cleanup of obsolete files.
- Display of all shows in the season sorted by name/date.
- Monochrome or color display options.
- Easy program installation and use.
- Full instruction manual on disk.
- Step by step installation and running tutorial.
- Sample files for demonstration and practice.
- Runs on all IBM-compatible.

Foothills Software offers:

- Telephone support (most evenings and weekends).
- Prompt response to questions by mail.
- Custom programming for ticket printing.
- Discounts on related software.
- Upgrades as available at very reasonable prices.




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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 2





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 3
================================================================

Files - Distribution
----- ------------

On your distribution disk you should find the following files:

BOM.EXE - The main program
BOM.DOC - This manual
HALLPLAN.FIL - A sample "hall" configuration
SECPLAN1.FIL - A sample seating section file
SECPLAN2.FIL - A sample seating section file
PERFINDX.FIL - A sample performance index file
REGISTER.FRM - A form to register your use
BOM_READ.1ST - An information/update file


Files - Program generated
----- ------- ---------

BOX OFFICE MANAGER will generate the following files:

BOMCNFIG.FIL - A configuration choices file
SEASON.FIL - A season ticket config. file
HALLPLAN.FIL - The configuration for your hall
PERFINDX.FIL - An index to all "performances"
SECPLANx.FIL - Up to 8 files where x = section
MONJAN01.8P - A performance file (1 per each)
MONJAN01.8$$ - A ticketing report for above

(The last two files are limited by your
season and by disk space only. There may
be many if you're a busy entity.)


It is important that the program be able to locate all the files.
Therefore, it is highly advisable to install BOX OFFICE MANAGER
in a separate directory. That's covered in the installation
section.













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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 3





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 4
================================================================

Installation
------------

BOX OFFICE MANAGER will run on any IBM-compatible system. The
program may be installed on a hard disk. A hard disk is
recommended because of the number of files generated by the
program and because of the faster file access times when using a
hard disk. However, it will run just fine from a floppy, too.

Before proceeding it is recommended that you copy the files on
your distribution disk to the working disk. Tuck the
distribution disk away for safe keeping. You may also want to
label another disk for data file backup, which is always a good
idea. Disk failures do, alas, happen!

Consult your user manual for your computer if you need assistance
in copying files to a working disk, but, generally, the procedure
is as follows:

Hard disk installation
---- ---- ------------

1. Create a directory for BOX OFFICE MANAGER. From the
root directory type "md \BOM" and press [Enter]. This
command will create a directory called BOM on your
hard disk.

2. Change to your newly created directory by typing
"cd \bom" and pressing [Enter]. You are now in the
newly created directory and ready to copy the files
from the distribution disk.

3. With the distribution disk in the a: floppy drive
enter "copy a:*.* c:". (The spacing is important.)
You will see the files listed on your monitor as they
are copied to the hard disk.

Floppy disk installation
------ ---- ------------

1. Place the distribution files in the default drive
usually a: and your work disk in the b: drive.

2. Type "copy a:*.* b:" and press [Enter]. The files
will be copied.

Again, the hard disk is recommended for the sake of speed. In
any case, be sure to put your distribution disk safely away.


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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 4





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 5
================================================================

Starting the program
-------- --- -------

At the DOS prompt simply type "bom" and press [Enter]. (Be sure
you are in the directory containing the file BOM.EXE.) The
program will be loaded into memory and will start. In the case
of the shareware distribution version, you'll see a reminder
screen that explains your obligation to pay for the program if
you decide to use it. Press [Enter] and after the FOOTHILLS
SOFTWARE logo clears the screen you'll see the BOX OFFICE MANAGER
Top Level Menu, or at first running the configuration choices.

{ Type "bom" and press [Enter]. }

Manual style and the tutorial
------ ----- --- --- --------

A note on commands and the style used in this documentation. If
you need to type something for the program to act on, the text to
type (or a sample representation) will be in quotation marks (").
If you need to press a specific key, such as the enter key, the
key to be pressed will be in square brackets ([) such as [Enter],
[Any Key], and so forth. This manual is organized to provide a
tutorial guide through the program utilizing sample files
included on your distribution disk. Presuming you copied all the
files onto your working disk, you will be able to work your way
through the program tutorial. If you utilize the tutorial to
familiarize yourself with the program, simply follow the
instructions in curly brackets ({). The tutorial instruction for
starting BOX OFFICE MANAGER appears above.

The tutorial is recommended. While all programmers have learned
that users read the manual and follow the printed instructions
only after experimentation has failed completely, most of us
still encourage you to take it step by step with us. In the long
run you'll probably save time and a bit of wear and tear on your
central nervous system. The computer doesn't really care, but
you might...

Your success in utilizing BOX OFFICE MANAGER to the fullest
extent will depend on the time you spend in planning and setting
up (configuring) the program to your particular situation. The
program is designed to accommodate "houses" of a few dozen up to
those that can seat 4800. But you will need to plan your
specific setup so that you can work quickly and easily.

The tutorial will help you do that. Enough said.



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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 5





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 6
================================================================

Program configuration
------- -------------

Assuming you have installed and started BOX OFFICE MANAGER,
you're now ready to configure the program for optimum use on your
system and for your specific box office situation. When you
first start BOX OFFICE MANAGER you will be presented a short menu
of program configuration choices. Your answers will be stored on
disk in a file (BOMCNFIG.FIL). You can change your configuration
choices whenever you like in subsequent uses of BOX OFFICE
MANAGER. The configuration choices prompt questions are only
displayed automatically the first time you run BOX OFFICE
MANAGER. Here are the program configuration choices:

Color display?

Simply press the appropriate letter to choose color or monochrome
display.

Print tickets?

If you want to print a ticket automatically each time a seat is
selected, then select the yes [y] option. Otherwise the ticket
printing feature is disabled allowing you to utilize other
tickets you have on hand.

Label style tickets?

If you elect to automatically print tickets, you may select
EITHER the label style OR the card style. The label style is
designed to utilize standard one-across data processing labels
size 3 1/2 inches wide by 15/16 inch high. They are obtainable
inexpensively everywhere. The label style ticket looks like the
sample below (the dots indicate the approx. label dimensions).


. R Boise Little Theatre .
. D Look Homeward Angel .
. 17 Thu., May 31, 1990 .
. 8:15p .
. 5.00 Sec R Row D Seat 17 .


This style of ticket also works well if you're going to place on
a postcard to mail the "ticket(s)"; you simply print, peel,
stick and mail. Couldn't be much easier!

If you prefer a little larger ticket, choose the card style.


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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 6





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 7
================================================================

Card style tickets?

Selecting [y] will cause BOX OFFICE MANAGER to print tickets on
card stock of the type used for inserting into plastic name
badges. It is available from computer supply stores (see
Appendix B for a source) and comes one-across 3 1/2 inches wide
by 2 3/4 inches high. It has the handy feature of having an
additional perforation at the bottom allowing for a tear off
"ticket stub" and looks like the sample below (dash line
indicates the second perf. position).

. .
. Boise Little Theatre .
. .
. Look Homeward Angel .
. .
. Thu., May 31, 1990 .
. .
. 8:15 p.m. .
. .
. $5.00 .
. .
. Sec L Row E Seat 15 .
.----------------------------------.
. Sec L Row E Seat 15 .

You may use either style to print on any other paper or stock
that you choose, including, of course, plain or colored paper.
The label and card styles are designed to be as generic as
possible and to utilize paper supplies that are generally
available. If your organization would like a special design,
that service is available for a one time programming charge of
$25.00. Information on that service is available in Appendix C.

You may also select an enhanced mode of printing. That simply
causes your IBM or Epson FX series compatible printer to print at
a slower speed producing a darker printed text.

Finally you have an opportunity to save your choices or change
your mind. Selecting [n]o will repeat the configuration choices
if you've made an error or want to make a change. You must
eventually save your choices to disk [y], but don't worry they
can be changed, once the program is running, whenever you like.

BOX OFFICE MANAGER lets you know the choices are saved and
prompts to press [Enter] to continue.

{ Create a configuration file of your choices as outlined above,
including saving it to disk. }

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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 7





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 8
================================================================

Season configuration
------ -------------

This configuration screen is important if your organization
provides a "season ticket" option, generally at a discounted
price. In that event BOX OFFICE MANAGER will use the filed
season information to keep track of sales revenue for each
performance and to create reports for your use.

If you utilize a season ticket arrangement, then select [y] at
the prompt.

You'll be asked how many shows/events make up a "season." For
example Boise Little Theatre generally has a seven show season so
I would enter a "7" when prompted for the number of shows.

Next BOX OFFICE MANAGER needs to know what the price of the
season ticket is for that season. It may simply be a multiple of
individual seat prices or arrived at in some other way, but you
must decide on a price and enter that when prompted. BOX OFFICE
MANAGER will permit one season ticket price. Don't forget the
decimal point if your season price is something like 35.50. Do
NOT include a $ sign when entering the price.

{ Complete the entries necessary to create your season
configuration file. }

At this point you will have completed the steps necessary to
configure BOX OFFICE MANAGER to run. There is still more work to
do before you are ready to use the program in the operation of
your box office. It is suggested you read through the following
sections to get an idea of the scope of work necessary to enable
BOX OFFICE MANAGER. You will need to make decisions with regard
to the number of sections in your "house", the seating in each,
pricing differences (if any), etc.

You will find it helpful to have a simple diagram of your seating
configuration at hand. And you will need about a half hour to
enter the seating for a theatre of about 350 seats. Thankfully,
once you have created the files that describe your house to BOX
OFFICE MANAGER, you won't have to repeat the process unless there
is a radical change in the seating.




To summarize. The program now knows about your computer display,
ticket printing preferences (if printing tickets), and the price
of your season tickets (if you offer them). It's ready to learn

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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 8





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 9
================================================================

about the seating in your particular house.

If you are following the tutorial steps, check to be sure that
the following files are on your work disk in the current
directory:
HALLPLAN.FIL
SECPLAN1.FIL
SECPLAN2.fil
PERFINDX.FIL
SEASON.FIL

Those files will be necessary to complete the tutorial.

Top level menu
--- ----- ----

The Top Level menu provides five (5) choices:

[T]icketing

[P]erformances Setup Menu
[S]eating Configuration Menu
[U]tilities Menu

E[X]it This Program

BOX OFFICE MANAGER was designed to manage event ticketing; the
ticketing options will be the most frequently used program
features. We'll use the sample files in the following sections.

{ Press [T]. }

At the Ticketing menu there are seven (7) choices:

[S]elect seats
S[E]ason selection
[C]omplimentary
[B]lock out seats
[R]eturn tickets

[A]vailable seats
[D]isplay season shows

E[X]it to Top Level menu


{ Press [S]. }

To select a seat BOX OFFICE MANAGER must know which performance

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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 9





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 10
================================================================

you are ticketing. Performances are identified by date and time.

The sample files are for an event Jan. 1, 1990 at 8:15 p.m.

{ Type "1/1/90" and press [Enter]. }

A slash ("/"), space (" ") or dash ("-") may be used to separate
month, day and year in the format mm/dd/yy.

{ Type "8:15p" and press [Enter]. }

In the sample files our hypothetical hall - Sample Theatre U.S.A.
- has two sections. Section A seating is priced at $5.00 and
Section B at $7.50. BOX OFFICE MANAGER will permit up to eight
(8) sections each of which may have a different ticket price.

{ Select Section A. Press the number [1] then press
[Enter]. }

The seating for Section A is displayed and BOX OFFICE MANAGER
asks you to select a row.

{ Select Row 1. Press [1] and [Enter]. }

Next you're prompted to select a seat.

{ Select Seat 1. Press [1] and [Enter]. }

If the seat selected is available, not previously ticketed or
blocked, a "$" will appear in place of the seat number.

At this point you may continue ticketing in Section A by pressing
[Enter] and repeating the row and seat selection steps, or you
may quit Section A by pressing [Esc].

{ Press [Esc]. }

Pressing [Esc] will prompt to continue ticketing that performance
or quit ticketing.

{ Press [Enter]. }

Pressing [Enter] will return you to the listing of seating
sections.


{ Press [2] and [Enter] to select Section B. }
{ Press [1] and [Enter] to select Row 1. }
{ Press [5] and [Enter] to select seat 5. }

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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 10





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 11
================================================================

{ Press [Esc] to quit Section B. }
{ Press [Esc] to quit ticketing. }

When you're through ticketing you will see the amount for all
tickets issued since you selected the 1/1/90 performance.

{ BOX OFFICE MANAGER will display $12.50 as the ticket
amount, 1 seat in Section A @ $5.00 and 1 seat in
Section B @ $7.50. Press [Enter]. }

If you have selected ticket printing in the program configuration
selection, the two tickets have been printed as the seats were
selected.

Season, Complimentary Ticketing - Blocking seats
------ ------------- --------- -------- -----

The procedures for selecting season ticket seats, complimentary
seating or blocking out a seat so it can't be ticketed are
exactly the same as selecting a seat. BOX OFFICE MANAGER will
replace the seat number with an "S' in the case of a season
ticket, "C" to indicate a complimentary (non revenue) ticket, and
a "B" to indicate a blocked (not to be ticketed) seat.

{ Select season, complimentary and blocking by pressing [E]
or [C] or [B] and repeating the steps used in seat
selection. }

BOX OFFICE MANAGER will not permit selling a seat ([S]elect
seats) and then season ticketing, "comping" or blocking that same
seat.

Returning tickets
--------- -------

To restore a previously ticketed or blocked seat to available
status is accomplished in the same way the seat was selected.

The date and time of the event are selected. The section is
selected followed by the row and seat names. The symbol
indicating the disposition of the seat is replaced by the
original seat name. In the case of a revenue ticket (symbols "$"
and "S") the file is updated by adjusting the sales amount to
reflect the return(s).






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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 11





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 12
================================================================

Viewing available seats
------- --------- -----

To view the seating for an event, select the [A]vailable seats
option at the Ticketing menu. BOX OFFICE MANAGER asks for the
event date and time and displays the status for each section.

Displaying season shows
---------- ------ -----

BOX OFFICE MANAGER will display the name, performance date, time
and status of every event that has been set up for the season.
The list is sorted alphabetically by event name and by
performance date.

The status will be "Closed" if that event date is past the
current date, "Active" if the event is still to take place, or
"Deleted" if the event was removed from the events BOX OFFICE
MANAGER will ticket. The file containing this information is one
of the files that is eliminated in the end of season cleanup, so
BOX OFFICE MANAGER always is able to display just the current
season. Display of the season events is a menu option at the
Ticketing Menu and at the Utilities Menu.

Performance Setup Menu
----------- ----- ----

There are three (3) choices at the Performance Setup Menu:

[C]reate performance file

[D]elete performance file

E[X]it to Top Level Menu


Adding an event
------ -- -----

To add an event simply follow these steps.

Enter the name of the "show", the date and time of performance as
prompted by BOX OFFICE MANAGER.

Then enter the price of the ticket for each section.

BOX OFFICE MANAGER will check to see if an event is already
scheduled for that date and time and if not the event will be
added.

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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 12





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 13
================================================================


The process is repeated for each new event.
The following tutorial steps will add an event for January 2,
1990 at 8:15 p.m.

{ Select [P]erformance Setup Menu at the Top Level Menu. }

{ Select [C]reate performance file. }

{ Enter the event name - type "My Show", press [Enter]. }

{ BOX OFFICE MANAGER responds by indicating the seating
data has been written for 2 sections. }

{ Enter the event date - type "1/2/90", press [Enter]. }

{ Enter the event time - type "8:15p", press [Enter]. }

{ Enter the ticket price for each section, in this case
two sections. 5, 5.00, 5.25, 10 are all OK, $10 and
$10.25 are not - don't use the "$" sign. }

{ BOX OFFICE MANAGER checks to see if a performance
exists for 1/2/90 at 8:15p and if not creates the file. }

There are now two events in the database. You may check by
selecting [D]isplay season shows at the Utilities Menu.

Deleting an event
-------- -- -----

Deleting an event is similar to adding one. BOX OFFICE MANAGER
prompts for the name of the event, the date and time. The
program then checks to see if that event is on disk and if it is
the files are deleted. The event will remain in the display of
season shows, but the status will show "Deleted."

It is recommended that an event be deleted only if something
prevents it from happening. Use the "[E]nd of season" option at
the Utilities Menu to perform the housekeeping when all is over.
That practice may help to prevent deleting files before the
reports have been reviewed and printed.

{ You may wish to delete "My Show" for practice by following
the procedures outlined above. }





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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 13





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 14
================================================================

Utilities Menu
--------- ----

The Utilities Menu provides seven (7) choices:

[C]hange program configuration
[S]eason ticket configuration
[D]isplay season shows
[R]eports
[T]est ticket printing
[E]nd of season cleanup

E[X]it to Top Menu

Changing program configuration
-------- ------- -------------

The configuration options of displaying in color or monochrome,
printing tickets and, if printing tickets, the ticket style, may
be changed by pressing [C] at the Utilities Menu. The changes
take place immediately.

{ If you wish to try this option, you might try switching
from/to a color display or enabling ticket printing and
then selecting a seat from the 1/1/90 - 8:15p show. }

Season Ticketing Configuration
------ --------- -------------

The season ticket pricing may be changed as needed. However, a
word of caution is in order here. BOX OFFICE MANAGER will
calculate event revenues based on the season ticket price on
record at a particular time. It is highly recommended that a
season ticket price, or the use of the option, be determined at
the beginning of a given season and then left alone. It's one of
those "decide in advance" kind of situations that can save a lot
of confusion later on. The option is accessed by pressing [S] at
the Utilities Menu.

Reports
-------

The reports option provides useful information about a given
event both during the time that tickets are on sale and after the
event has closed for providing the final revenue and seat report.
It is possible to track sales patterns by printing reports at
regular intervals and analyzing the results.

To access the reporting option press [R] at the Utilities menu.

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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 14





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 15
================================================================

BOX OFFICE MANAGER will prompt for entry of the performance date
and time and will advise that the report file is being created.
In a few seconds the report will be displayed on screen. It
contains information on seating availability expressed as a
number and as a percentage of that section and the whole house.
In addition the revenue for the event is displayed in terms of
individual seat sales, season ticket share accruing to the event,
by section and for the house.

After reviewing the report on screen you are offered the option
of printing a hard copy. You will probably want to make printing
of a hard copy a standard box office procedure following the last
closing of ticket sales for that event.

Test ticket printing
---- ------ --------

To aid in loading ticket stock in your printer in the correct
position for printing tickets, use the test option. To print a
test ticket in the style presently selected in the program
configuration, simply press [T] at the utilities menu.

End of Season Cleanup
--- -- ------ -------

It is necessary to clean house at the end of the season. That
will permit BOX OFFICE MANAGER to accept new shows that may fall
at the same dates and times as the season just completed.
However, be sure that you are all through with the records for
all season events before choosing this option. You are reminded
to print hard copies of reports and given a chance to change your
mind. Thereafter, proceeding will cause the season data to
become seriously gone! To "clean up" press [E] at the Utilities
Menu.


{ This ends the basic tutorial. The last section covers the
configuration of your hall seating plan in BOX OFFICE MANAGER.
That process will eliminate the sample files on the
distribution disk by writing over them with your actual hall
data. Again, you may want to save the distribution files for
future practice. }

{ Press [E], and when prompted [Y], to delete the sample "season"
files. }





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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 15





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 16
================================================================

Seating Configuration Menu
------- ------------- ----

The Seating Configuration Menu offers three (3) choices:

[V]iew standard hall seating

[C]reate standard hall seating file

E[X]it to Top Level Menu

Viewing the hall seating files
------- --- ---- ------- -----

To view the seating plan for a hall, press [V] at the Seating
Configuration Menu. BOX OFFICE MANAGER will respond with a list
of seating sections and prompt to press the [number]
corresponding to the section plan you wish to view, or to press
[A] to view all sections.

Creating the hall seating plans
-------- --- ---- ------- -----

It is entirely possible that you'll use this option only once.
Of course, if the seating configuration for your "house" changes
from time to time you may need to create seating plans more
often. A better, and easier, practice would be to use the house
maximum seating plan as your standard plan. Changes could be
made using the "blocking" option at the Ticketing Menu. Since
the elimination (blocking) of seats is event/performance
specific, the basic standard seating plan would remain unchanged.
In most cases, this will be the most efficient means of handling
temporary changes to the seating plan/availability.

As mentioned earlier in this manual, the process of configuring
the hall plan takes some time - not a lot - but enough to require
some advance planning. To accomplish the task you'll need the
following:

- a diagram of your seating arrangement unless
it's very simple. (The sample files are for
the standard seating for Boise Little Theatre
and a diagram was very handy when the plan
was entered.)

- You'll need the section, row and seat names.
(Usually these are letters, numbers or both.)

Remember BOX OFFICE MANAGER will accept up to eight (8) sections.

================================================================
Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 16





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 17
================================================================

The maximum number of rows per section is 24. And the maximum
number of seats per row is 25. If your traditional
description/names exceed those limits, you can overcome the
limitation by dividing your traditional section into sub
sections. For example, if presently you have a section that is
40 rows with 50 seats per row that you designate section L (for
"left), you could divide that section for BOX OFFICE MANAGER.
L1 could contain rows 1-20, seats 1-25. Similarly L2 could
contain rows 1-20, seats 26-50; L3 rows 21-40, seats 1-25; L4
rows 21-40, seats 26-50. BOX OFFICE MANAGER will handle a
maximum of 4800 seats. (8 sections x 24 rows x 25 seats = 4800)

Here is the process, step by step, for creating your hall seating
palan files.

At the Seating Configuration Menu press [C]. You will be asked
for the name of the auditorium (hall). Keep in mind that this is
the same name that will appear on printed tickets. BOX OFFICE
MANAGER will truncate a name longer than the maximum allowed (30
characters).

After entering the hall name you will be prompted for the number
of seating sections. Enter the number (eight maximum). BOX
OFFICE MANAGER will respond that the hall name and number of
sections have been filed.

Next BOX OFFICE MANAGER asks for the name for your first section.
It may consist of one character, alpha or numeric. BOX OFFICE
MANAGER responds to the name entry by indicating it is working on
that section and by asking for the number of rows in the section.
Enter the number of rows and BOX OFFICE MANAGER will respond by
asking for the name of the first row. When you enter the name
(maximum two characters) BOX OFFICE MANAGER will display the name
of the row and indicate how many rows the section contains.

Next you are asked to enter the number of individual (named)
seats in the first row. BOX OFFICE MANAGER responds to the entry
by asking for the name of each seat in the row (two characters
maximum). The display includes the status of the seat naming
entries. When you have named each seat BOX OFFICE MANAGER will
signal that it is ready for the name of the second row.

The process is repeated until each row and seat have been named
in the first section. BOX OFFICE MANAGER indicates that the
section data has been filed and, if there is more than one
section in your plan, prompts for the name of section 2.

This process is repeated for each section.


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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 17





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 18
================================================================

BOX OFFICE MANAGER will advise when the process is finally
completed and you'll be returned to the Seating Configuration
Menu where you can [V]iew your work.

Multiple hall use
-------- ---- ---

In the event that you want to use BOX OFFICE MANAGER for several
halls, you can do that by putting each hall, and all data and
event files together with a copy of BOM.EXE, in a separate
directory. That will prevent any chance of over writing files or
generally confusing BOX OFFICE MANAGER - and your box office
personnel.

And finally...
--- ----------

BOX OFFICE MANAGER was developed over a period of many months and
consumed many, many hours of writing, development and testing.
The program is distributed for your review with the expectation
that if you plan to keep and use the program, you are expected to
register as a user and pay for the program. You are welcome to
try it before you buy it and to copy it for friends and
associates. If you do copy it, please be sure that you attempt
no alterations of any kind, and that you distribute all files
included on the distribution disk. BOX OFFICE MANAGER is
copyrighted. Shareware is an honor system that can really hold
down the cost of computer software. Your cooperation is greatly
appreciated!

The price for BOX OFFICE MANAGER is $49.95. A registration form
is included in the distribution files (REGISTER.FRM) for your
convenience. Your payment and registration will entitle you to:

- a disk containing the latest version without the shareware
reminder screens.
- telephone support (most evenings and weekends). All you
pay is the cost of your telephone call.
The phone support number is (208) 336-3539. Ask for
Jerry Garber (the author).
- Discounts on related software of interest.
- Upgrades for the cost of distribution of the new version
as available.

Here's hoping your seasons and events are successful. "Break a
leg!" (traditional theatre for all good luck!)




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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 18





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 19
================================================================

APPENDIX A


The fine print
--- ---- -----

BOX OFFICE MANAGER has been tested and is believed to operate
correctly. However, the author and Foothills Software assume no
responsibility for the use of this program or for any
consequential damages of any sort. You are encouraged to become
familiar with the program before utilizing it for any critical
data. In short, the user by use of the program agrees to assume
all risk associated with that use. (There, that should keep my
lawyer happy.)




































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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 19





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 20
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APPENDIX B

If you plan to use the card style ticket and have trouble finding
the stock in your area, it may be obtained from the following
supplier:

FACS Corp.
P.O. Box 8284
Boise, Idaho 83707

(208) 344-7997







































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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 20





Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 21
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APPENDIX C

If you wish to have a custom layout for your tickets, that
service is available for a one time programming charge of $25.00.

Please provide about 12 pieces of the stock you are planning to
use for your ticket.

On one of the samples print or type the ticket layout that you
wish BOX OFFICE MANAGER to print for you. It is recommended that
you avoid overly elaborate print layouts as they will slow down
the ticket printing and that's not a good idea on a busy opening
night!

Provide the name and day and evening phone numbers of a contact
person that we may talk with about your request.

Send the above, with your payment, to Foothills Software (address
on cover page).

Allow about six weeks for delivery of a disk containing a
specially written version of BOX OFFICE MANAGER that will include
your custom layout as a ticket print option.



























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Foothills Software BOX OFFICE MANAGER p. 21