Estimating Glossary

NOTE-- In 2000 we completely replaced MacNail with the newer Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for their use! Goldenseal is an integrated program that also includes accounting, job costing and contract writing features. There are answers to many Goldenseal questions on our website.

Estimating Glossary H to M

Hard Disk: A piece of hardware, included with or attached to your computer, that holds memory used for storage. See also RAM, ROM.

Hardware: Generic term for computers, hard disks, monitors, printers and other physical computer equipment.

Hypercard: An application used for information management. Uses the metaphor of a stack of file cards.

Hyper*Estimators: Hyper*Estimator and Hyper*Remodeler are two programs used for rough estimating and as front ends to the MacNail construction estimating software. Available from Turtle Creek Software.

Icon: A picture on the screen representing a disk, folder, document or application. Often duplicates the program's logo. Clicking once on an Icon allows you to move it or change it's name. Double clicking on it will open it (and run it in the case of documents and applications).

INIT: A small program that is put in the System folder (e.g. accelerators, screen savers, menu bar clocks). It is loaded up every time you restart the computer, and performs its function automatically.

Job Dimensions: Measurements (usually taken from blueprints) such as ceiling height, wall lengths, and square footage.

Keyboard shortcut: A key combination, usually the command key and a letter, pressed to run a menu item. Used instead of dragging down the menu with the mouse. Sometimes key driven commands (usually option-command and a letter) are available which do not appear on the menu.

Kilobyte (K): 1,000 bytes.

Linking: An Excel feature that lets a worksheet get information from another worksheet.

Macro, macro sheet: Excel creates three different kinds of documents: worksheets, macros, and charts. Each one has a different icon.

MANAGER: Excel macro documents used for the different operations in the MacNail construction estimating software.

Megabyte: 1,000 Kilobytes.

Menu bar: At the top of the Macintosh screen.