Frequently Asked Questions about WinMax

What software does WinMax require to run?

WinMax runs under Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista. No other software is required for basic program operation.
What changes does WinMax's installer make to my system?

WinMax's installer does not add or replace any files in the Windows or system folders. The only changes the installer makes are the following:
- Creates a folder that you specify where it stores the WinMax program and other files that WinMax needs.
- Adds a WinMax item to the Programs menu. You can select this menu item to start WinMax.
- Adds a WinMax shortcut to the Desktop. You can double-click this shortcut to start WinMax. (Tip: If you don't like to clutter up your Desktop with shortcuts, you can delete the WinMax shortcut by right-clicking on it and selecting Delete. You can still start WinMax from the Programs menu or by double-clicking a WinMax project data file in Windows Explorer.)
- Adds several keys to the Windows Registry that are required for file association and uninstalling WinMax.
Can I uninstall WinMax?

Yes. If you need to remove WinMax from your system, use Add/Remove Programs on the Windows Control Panel. This removes the items listed in the previous question. Be sure to exit WinMax first before uninstalling it. Also, if more than one version of WinMax is listed in Add/Remove Programs, uninstall the highest numbered version first.

Uninstalling WinMax does not delete or move project files that you've created. If you reinstall WinMax later, just navigate to where you saved your plan files to open them.

Important! Sometimes you may want to uninstall only an older version of WinMax and keep the newer version. Uninstalling the older version may delete the WinMax shortcut from the Windows desktop and Start Programs menu. If this happens, simply run the newer version's uninstaller using Add/Remove Programs (on the Windows Control Panel) and choose Repair in the Select Uninstall Method dialog to restore the deleted shortcuts.
Is there a Macintosh version of WinMax available?

No. WinMax is a Windows-only program. However, you can run WinMax on a Mac that has Microsoft's Virtual PC with Windows installed (www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx)). WinMax has been tested with Mac OS X version 10.4 and VPC 7 running Windows 2000.
Is WinMax a recordkeeping program?

Yes. WinMax can be used either as an end-of-season analysis tool or as a day-to-day recordkeeper. In either case, you enter information about each field's soil test results, crops, tillage practices, planting, fertilizer and manure applications, field operations, pesticide applications, soils, and harvest.
What's the relationship between WinMax and Manure Management Planner (MMP)?

WinMax and MMP are similar in some respects. For example, both programs ask for much of the same field and crop information. Both use the same state initialization files in calculating fertilizer recommendations. However, MMP is used to create long-term nutrient management plans, whereas WinMax is used to record current farming data and activities and analyze and summarize this information at the end of the harvest season.

Note: WinMax can import field, soil test, crop data, and planned manure and fertilizer applications from an MMP plan file with the File | Import Data command, so you won't have to re-enter that data if you want to use WinMax to record data for fields that you worked with in MMP. You can also export WinMax field, soil test, and crop data to an MMP plan file with the File | Export Data command.

You can download MMP from the following Web address:

www.agry.purdue.edu/mmp

Tip: Here's how MMP and WinMax could typically be used together:
1. Develop a multi-year strategic nutrient management plan with MMP.
2. Import the first year of the MMP plan into a WinMax project file.
3. Enter recordkeeping data into the WinMax project file. At the end of the year, use WinMax's File | Extract Project command to move data to a new project file for the next year, advancing the crop year.
4. Repeat step (iii) with each year's data.
5. When ready to create a revised nutrient management plan, export the latest WinMax project file's data to an MMP plan file.
Can WinMax be used with other software?

Yes. There are two ways you can use WinMax with other software:
- You can export WinMax data to an Access file, to dBASE files, or to an MMP plan file. You can then open these exported files with other software to work with your data.
- You can import field data into WinMax from other software or sources.
How do I import data into WinMax?

WinMax can import field data from dBASE files that are in its standard import format. Choose File | Import Data and select the appropriate import command.

Tip: Some GIS programs store field data in WinMax's standard format or are capable of exporting field data in the standard format. If you are using a GIS program to lay out fields, consult the GIS program's documentation to determine if it can save or export data in WinMax's standard dBASE format.

Note: WinMax's standard dBASE import format is documented in file ImportDbfSpec.doc. For an example of a standard dBASE field data import file, see file ImportExample_IN.dbf. Both of these files are installed with WinMax.
How do I use my field data for next year's records?

Select the File | Extract Project command and be sure to check the Current Data (Advance Year) box under Data To Exclude. When this box is checked, WinMax advances the year in the new project file it creates and excludes any data that's specific to the current project's year. Field data that don't change from one year to the next will be retained, meaning you won't have to re-enter that data in the new project file.
Can I open files created with previous versions of WinMax?

Yes, you can open project data files created with any version of WinMax. Project files created by versions 1.00 through 2.00 have an .mda extension. Project files created by versions 2.01 through 2.05 have an .mxd extension. WinMax now uses an .mxj extension for project files to avoid conflicts with other software that uses the .mda and .mxd extensions. If you have .mda files created by previous versions of WinMax, use Windows Explorer to rename the file (just change the file extension from .mda to .mxd). If you have .mxd files, you can just open them with WinMax (File | Open Project) without changing the file extension.

You can even open renamed .mda files created by the final DOS version of the Max program. WinMax will convert these files to the WinMax format.

You can also use custom cost files (.mcc extension) created by any version of WinMax or any version of the DOS Max program.
Where should I save my project files?

When you create a new project file, you can save it anywhere you want. However, here are a few suggestions:
- If you're running Windows 98 or later, there's a folder called My Documents where you can save your project files and other files that you create.
- You can create a folder where you can save just your WinMax project files to keep them separate from files created by other programs. To locate and open a project file in this folder, use the File | Open Project command and navigate to your folder using the controls at the top of the Open Project Data File dialog box. You can also open a project file by double-clicking on the file (.mxd extension) in Windows Explorer.
- In general, don't open and work with a project file on a diskette or other removable media. Work with the project file on your hard drive, then copy the file with Windows Explorer to a diskette to back it up when you're all done editing the file with WinMax.
- By default, the Save New Project As dialog box comes up in the folder where you installed WinMax. You can save your project file in this folder if you want. Uninstalling WinMax (for example, prior to installing a newer version) leaves your project files alone and removes only the files distributed with WinMax. If you install the new version to this same folder, your files will automatically be available to the new version of WinMax.
How do I move a WinMax project to another computer?

Simply copy the project data file (.mxd extension) to the other computer. Remember that the other computer must have the same or a more recent version of WinMax installed in order to open the project file.

If you have a custom cost file (.mcc extension) that you use with your project, be sure to copy it too.

Tip: You can send a project file as an attachment to an e-mail message. It's a good idea to zip up the project file (www.winzip.com) and send the zipped file to prevent the project file from being modified in transit or by the recipient's e-mail system.
What's the best way to print worksheet reports?

For best results, you can output worksheets to a Rich Text Format (RTF) document, then open the document with Microsoft Word. If you don't have Word, you can download and install Microsoft's free Word Viewer from the following Web address:

support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;165908

If you need to edit an RTF document and don't have Word, you can download and install the free OpenOffice software suite from the following Web address:

www.openoffice.org
How many states does WinMax support?

You can use WinMax to enter data for any state. However, in order for WinMax to calculate crop nutrient needs, it needs a state initialization file that includes the state's Extension fertilizer recommendations. Currently, WinMax includes initialization files for the following 33 states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Initialization files for additional states will be added in future versions as they become available.
Where are the fertilizer recommendations that WinMax calculates?

WinMax shows the crop's nutrient needs both on the Crops panel and on the Nutrient Management Analysis page of its worksheet report, where the calculated nutrient needs are compared against the total nutrients supplied by any previous-legume nitrogen credit, fertilizer applications, and manure applications to determine any nutrient application deficits or excesses.
How does WinMax identify a field?

When you add a new field record to a WinMax project data file, you enter a unique field ID of your choosing. This ID can be up to 9 digits long and must be unique within the project file.

For compatibility with other recordkeeping and nutrient management software, you can also enter an optional field name and subfield name for each field record.

Finally, you can also enter each field's FSA tract number and field number. These numbers are used by USDA-NRCS.
What crops does WinMax support?

WinMax currently supports 12 major field crops. The letter in parentheses after the crop name is the crop abbreviation used by WinMax.
- Corn (C)
- Corn silage (G)
- Soybeans (B)
- Wheat (W)
- Oats (O)
- Barley (Y)
- Sorghum (M)
- Sunflowers (F)
- Navy beans (V)
- Black beans (K)
- Sugar beets (U)
- Cotton (T)
Many of the pesticides and field operations used with these crops are included in WinMax's master input list.

WinMax also provides partial support for these 5 crops:
- Alfalfa (A)
- Clover (L)
- Grass-legume (H)
- Grass (S)
- Other (X)
WinMax's master input list does not include pesticides and field operations for these crops. However, you can enter any pesticides and field operations on the Other inputs panel.
How do I enter a double crop or cover crop?
- If a field has only one crop, enter it in the Current Primary Crop row on the Crops panel.
- If the field has a non-harvested cover crop, enter it in the Cover or First Crop row and the harvested crop in the Current Primary Crop row. Don't enter a yield goal for the cover crop.
- If the field has a double crop, enter the first crop in the Cover or First Crop row on the Crops panel and the second crop in the Current Primary Crop row. Be sure to enter a yield goal for both crops.
Why don't I see any herbicides or field operations when I pull down the list?

Make sure you've selected a crop for the current field record. The other fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide, field operation, and other input lists only include items from WinMax's master list that are relevant to the current record's crop.

Note that the current version of WinMax does not include herbicides, insecticides or field operations for Alfalfa, Clover (except when planted as cover), Grass-legume, Grass, and Other. However, you can enter other fertilizers, manure, and other inputs for these crops (see next question).
How do I enter pesticides or other inputs that are not in WinMax's master list?

If you have a micronutrient, herbicide, insecticide, or field operation that's not in the master list or not listed for your crop, enter it on the Other Inputs panel. Be sure to indicate its input type in the Other Input column, then enter its name in the Description column and fill in the Rate/A, Units and Cost/A columns.
Why can't I select a field's soils from a list on the Erosion panel?

WinMax currently does not include a master list of soils for each county. However, if you have MMP installed, you can enter the soil map unit symbol(s) in the soils table on the Erosion panel and click the Update Soils button. WinMax will search MMP's soils for each map unit symbol in the table. If it finds a matching soil, it will update other columns in the table with MMP soils data.
How can I avoid re-entering the same data for fields that have data in common (crops, tillage, planting, etc.)?

There are two ways you can reduce data entry time when you have two or more fields that have common data:

#1. With the Record | Duplicate command, as follows:
- Create the first field's record with the Record | Add New command and enter all data that's common to all of the fields.
- Create the other field records based on this record with the Record | Duplicate command.
- Go back and fill in the data that's unique to each field.
#2. With the File | Merge Project command, as follows:
- Create a new project, add a new field record to the project, and enter all data that's common to all of the fields. Use a field ID for this record that you won't use for any of the fields.
- Create or open the project that will contain all of the fields.
- To create a field, add the common data's record to the file with the File | Merge Project command.
- Change the newly merged record's field ID with the Record | Rename command, then fill in the rest of the data for that record.
Tip: Don't forget that you can use the Windows clipboard to copy data between records. Move to an input box and press Ctrl+C or right-click with the mouse and choose Copy from the popup menu. This copies the selected data to the clipboard. Now move to a different record and press Ctrl+V or right-click and choose Paste to paste the clipboard contents into the input box. This trick can be useful for quickly copying the same piece of data to multiple records.
What's a custom cost file and how do I use it?

A custom cost file is a file you create with WinMax's Cost File Editor. A custom cost file contains input costs and prices that you enter. These costs can be used in place of WinMax's standard costs when generating reports and exporting data. You can create as many custom cost files as you want.
How can I print a blank form for use in recording data away from the computer?

File BlankForm.snp is included with WinMax. This data collection form is a "snapshot" file that can be printed with Microsoft's free Snapshot Viewer. If you don't have the Snapshot Viewer (included with Microsoft Office 2000 and later), you can download it from the following Web address:

support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;175274

To see an example of the data collection form with data, open file SampleForm.snp.

Last updated: June 5, 2008