Instruction on how to use - rsanchez-wsu/RaiderPlanner GitHub Wiki

Detailed Instructions

Now that you have downloaded RaiderPlanner, it is time to start using it. The following is a detail report on how to use this program.

THE BASICS The first thing to know is that when you want to move from one screen to another you must use the navigation bar. The only time you have back arrows is when you are in the Modules, and you are adding items to that specific course. The first couple of screens are setting up your account, then saving your account. After that, you get to the meat of the program and there are four icons you should be aware of, and they are The Navigation Menu, the Message Icon, The Calendar Icon and the Add Activity Icon, which is a + sign.

DESCRIPTIONS

THE NAVIGATION MENU - This is where you navigate through the program. There is a list of 9 different items on this menu that you can navigate to. The first thing you need to learn and understand is the items on the menu. This is the control center of the program.

  1. The New Profile item is used to create a new profile. If you wish to have more than one profile you can create it here. The process is the same as when you created a new account.
  2. The Open Profile item is used to open an existing profile. There will be a popup screen that shows all the profiles that you can choose from. Highlight the profile you want to load and click on open.
  3. The Study Dashboard item is used to view your profile. Click on this item and your courses will be shown here
  4. The Milestone item is used to keep track of important events that you have completed or that are coming due.
  5. The Module item is used to view your individual classes, you can add tasks and requirements here.
  6. The Study Profiles item is used to view the profiles that you have created.
  7. The Chat item is used to chat with anyone that is using RaiderPlanner at the same time you are. It is an instant messaging system
  8. The Help item directs you to an online overview of how to use this program.
  9. The Import Hub File item is used to bring a file into your RaiderPlanner.

THE CALENDAR ICON - When you click on the calendar item, it will show all upcoming events. These events include tasks that need to be completed, activities that are coming due, as well as any news worthy event.

THE MESSAGE ICON - This icon is where you will get system messages displayed. When you see a small circle on the envelope, that indicates there are unread messages. Click on the envelope, read the messages and the circle will disappear.

THE ACTIVITY ICON(+) - this item is used to create new activities.

REQUIREMENT - A requirement is section of coursework that needs to be completed successfully if you want to pass the course. Requirements can be added in the Modules section only.

TASKS - A task is some sort of work that is going to help you complete a requirement. For, example the TASK could be study group, for a REQUIREMENT that is an exam. Tasks can be added in the Modules section only.

DEPENDENCIES - The tasks that you enter will become dependencies that you can add to any requirement that you added. For instance, you have a requirement to read 4 books, and you added a task for each book. Once you have read one of those books you can remove that task, then your requirements list will be updated, as well as your progress on the Gantt chart. All the tasks that you have added will show, select the one that you want associated with that requirement.

SCREENS AND INSTRUCTIONS

Navigation Menu item 1: Create Account - This is where you create a new account

How to Create a New Account

  1. Select the salutation that is right for you
  2. Enter your full name
  3. Then choose whether you want your last name to be your identify name. If you do then leave the “Check Mark” on, then you will be identified by your last name.
  4. Enter your unique identifier.
  5. Enter your full email address
  6. Click OK.

How to Save an account

  1. Create a user name for your file
  2. Click Save

Navigation Menu item 2: Open file - This is where you save a new account

How to Open an Existing file

  1. Click on the file you want
  2. Click on open file
  3. That file is on open in RaiderPlanner

Navigation Menu item 3: The Study Dashboard - This is the main screen of the program, you can see all your modules here and can navigate to then directly. When you click on the square icon of the Module (course) you want to edit, it will take you to the modules screen. Once there you can edit the module

The Navigation Menu item 4: Milestones - This is where you can add dependencies, from a task list that you created. This screen tracks important dates and events of requirements, activities and tasks. Your milestones are listed with all the pertinent information, like deadlines, tasks that have been completed as well as showing your progress.

To Add a Milestone

  1. Click on the add milestone.
  2. The add milestone popup window appears
  3. Name the milestone
  4. Add a deadline.
  5. List any details that will assist in this milestone.
  6. You can add tasks that also will help in completely this milestone by clicking the add button below the Tasks window.

To Delete a Milestone

  1. Click on the milestone you wish to delete
  2. In the popup window select it again, from the tasks window.
  3. The remove button is now active, click it.

The Navigation Menu item 5: Modules - This screen shows the different modules in your profile. You can edit these modules here.

How to Edit

  1. Double Click on the Module you want to edit. This opens that module
  2. Double Click on the assignment you want to edit. This opens up that assignment
  3. Now you can add or deleted Requirements or Tasks.
  4. Once you are done editing, use the back arrows to return to the main page of Modules
  5. You will notice a new button in the upper right-hand corner "Generate a Ganttish Diagram". (explained later)

The Navigation Menu item 6: Study Profiles - When you choose a profile, that profile will be populated in this screen.

How to Add a Profile

  1. Double Click the profile
  2. From the popup window, click on set as current
  3. Click OK

How to Delete a Profile

  1. Double click the profile
  2. Click on Delete
  3. Click OK

Navigation Menu Item 7: Chat - This is an instant messaging system. Once you get a connection you can start chatting, If the person you are chatting with is on line it is just like instant messaging, if not the message will be waiting for that individual when they log in.

How to Use Chat

  1. Click on it and the chat window pops up.
  2. Enter you W number
  3. Enter the host W number.

Navigation Menu Item 8: Help - This item takes you to an website that has an overview of how to use this program.

Navigation Menu Item 9: Import Hub File - This item takes you to a database of profiles.

How to Use

  1. Select the profile you want
  2. Click open
  3. That profile is now loaded into RaiderPlanner

FUNCTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

Requirement Function

How to Add

  1. First click on the button in the lower left-hand corner, the popup window for new requirements shows up.
  2. First you name the task
  3. Next, enter the estimated time to complete the task,
  4. Next, enter the details that will help remind you of what is needed to complete the requirement.
  5. Next, enter the number of items it took complete the task (i.e. 4 hours, 2 books)
  6. Next, enter the type of items that it will take to complete the requirement. Items like videos watched, words written etc.
  7. If the type is not in the list, you can add a new type. Next to the Quantity type drop down you will see a button with a plus sign symbol. Click on this button and an input box will appear. Enter the new type, click add and the list will be updated.
  8. Next, click OK and your done.

How to Delete

The only way to remove a requirement is to complete it.

Task Function

How to Add

  1. Click on the Add a new Task button. This will direct you to The Create a new Task popup.
  2. Add the name of the Task.
  3. Add the weight that is task holds. Weighting is what percentage of your final grade this task has. For example, if your course only had four exams, then each exam would be weighted at 25
  4. Enter any details that will help with completing this task.
  5. Enter the deadline for this task, or the due date.
  6. In the task type drop down box is where you will select the description of books you need to read, videos to watch, words to be written, questions that need answered, or other.
  7. If the type is not in the list, you can add a new type. Next to the Quantity type dropdown you will see a button with an eclipse symbol. Click on this button and an input box will appear. Enter the new type, click add and the list will be updated.
  8. If you need to change the type you entered there is a button to the right with a “-“. Click on it and it will reset the type to nothing.
  9. If there are requirements that are needed to complete this task you can add them here as well. Click on the add button below the requirements box and follow the procedure for adding a new requirement.
  10. Next, you can add a dependency, click the add button and a list of dependencies will pop up. Choose the dependency you want and click add.
  11. Click OK

When a task has been completed, you can click on that task. Once it is shows, the “mark as completed” button will be active, click it and that task is highlight in a different color

How to remove a Task or Requirement

To remove a Task of Requirement, just highlight the one you want to delete. The remove button at the bottom left becomes active.

Generate A Ganttish Diagram

What is it?. After you have entered the tasks and requirements that you want, you will be able to create a Gantt type Chart. This is a visual representation of all your task for that course. You can generate a Gantt Chart for each course. It gives a breakdown of what you have completed, tasks that you have started, tasks that can be started, and those that can"t be started(i.e. a future lecture). You can save this progress report on your hard drive, if you wish. One can print it out then and have a paper copy of it, if you wanted to.