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Frequently
Asked Questions
What
software do I need to use BMCDataDirect?
How
do I access BMCDataDirect from my home computer or laptop?
You'll
need an internet connection. Then just go to www.bmcdatadirect.com and
log-in using your user name and password.
Each
report can be downloaded in three different formats. Which is best?
It depends
on your needs, but here are some tips:
- View
online - best if you have a high speed connection and don't need to
do complex searches.
- Auto-Install
(PC) or Zip (Mac)- if you frequently run into line speed issues, you
can wait once and then by-pass the Internet on future research session
by selecting the option that matches your platform. Also, if you need
to use the advanced search functions you'll need to download. This
can also be useful if you travel frequently and don't have access
to the Internet. Just download data to your laptop and work off line
later.
Why
do I see only a flash when I click on any of the format options?
There
are several reasons this can happen: 1) You may need to disable
your pop-up blocker or add BMCDataDirect.com to your list of allowed
sites. 2) If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer on a Windows
XP system with Service Pack 2 installed and you want to select
the Auto-install or Zip options, you will need to press the Ctrl
key while clicking on either of those options 3) Your firewall
may not allow you to download EXE (auto-install) files. If this
is the case, you may need to speak to your system administrator.
What
are advanced search functions?
Unlike
a simple search that allows you to locate a particular word, an advanced
search gives you the option to:
- search
for multiple words (Or Company Names) at the same time
- locate
a relevant phrase
- look
for words that have similar meanings to your word
- locate
various forms of your word
I
have Adobe Reader on my computer, but how do I know if I have the Advanced
Search Software?
The
easiest way to find out is to download a report using the auto-install
or zip versions of the report. Open it. If your Adobe Reader toolbar
does not show a pair of binoculars with a piece of paper behind it,
you do not have the necessary plug-ins. Go to your BMCDataDirect Welcome
page and download them (free of charge).
When
I look at the report in Adobe Acrobat, the table of content on the left
has little plus signs next to some of the topics. What do they mean?
The
plus signs mean that that topic contains sub-topics. Just click on the
plus sign to see what is contained within.
Each
report is in two formats - Word and Adobe Acrobat. Why?
- Adobe
Acrobat allows you to move through the report easily with just a click.
- Word
is best if you need to cut and paste data into another program without
losing the formatting.
How
do I get from the Adobe Version to the Word Version?
On the
title page of the report (in the Adobe Acrobat version) is a link or
links to the Microsoft Word version. Just click on the link to open
the Word document.
Why does nothing happen when I click
on any of the format options?
There
are several reasons this can happen: 1) You may need to disable
your pop-up blocker or add BMCDataDirect.com to your list of allowed
sites. 2) If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer on a Windows
XP system with Service Pack 2 installed and you want to select
the Auto-install or Zip options, you will need to press the Ctrl
key while clicking on either of those options 3) Your firewall
may not allow you to download EXE (auto-install) files. If this
is the case, you may need to speak to your system administrator.
My
company uses the UNIX platform. Can the system work for me?
Yes.
Simply install the Adobe Acrobat + Search software designed specifically
for UNIX users. Select the View online or Zip version of the Report
and you're all set.
If
your questions are not answered here, please see the BMCDataDirect
User Manual.
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