E-mail XLS and DBF format FAQ

E-mail XLS and DBF format FAQ available as a downloadable PDF file

*** About XLS and DBF File Formats

What computer file formats are available through Random Lengths’ XLS and DBF e-mail service?
-- The formats available are: MS Excel v5.0 spreadsheet, and DBase III database.

Are there any special requirements for receiving RL’s e-mail reports that I should be aware of before signing up with a service and/or purchasing software?
-- Yes. You will need software to extract the compressed zip file (for example, WinZip). For the XLS service, you will need software that can import MS Excel v5.0 spreadsheet files (for example, Excel). For the DBF service, you will need software that can import DBase III database files (for example, Access)

*** About Random Lengths XLS and DBF Services

What do we get when we receive the e-mail report from RL?
-- The report is sent to you as an “attachment” to an e-mail message. The software that you use to access your e-mail will determine where the attachment is stored. The attachment is an executable self-extracting compressed (ZIP) file. You must execute the attachment before you can use the file or files that it contains.

Can I receive just the spreadsheet or database files and cancel my subscription to the full Random Lengths report?
-- NO. A subscription to the complete, 12-page Random Lengths newsletter, delivered by either e-mail in PDF format or postal delivery, is a prerequisite for all Lumber, Panel, and/or Midweek e-mail and fax services. The full Random Lengths report is the only way subscribers can receive “Through A Knothole,” the first 3 pages of the weekly report.

When will the XLS or DBF file be in my e-mail mailbox?
-- Random Lengths submits e-mail publications to its Internet Service Provider as close as possible to the release times indicated above. However, many factors affect the publication process and release times may vary from one week to the next, especially for the Midweek and Lumber Reports Although most subscribers receive their e-mail reports promptly after the release time, delays in delivery of e-mails can occur that are out of our control. We cannot guarantee delivery precisely at the release time. For estimated delivery times, see the release times listed below for each publication.

How can I get a sample of the XLS or DBF files from RL?
-- You can view/download samples of XLS and DBF files from the Random Lengths Web site at http://www.rlpi.com. Go to Internet & Fax Services, then Internet E-mail Spreadsheet and Database. Links to the samples pages are available under each publication, so you can view or download the file you wish to see. OR you can request samples from Random Lengths. Voice: 888-686-9925 (in the U.S. and Canada) or 541-686-9925, Fax: 800-874-7979 or 541-686-9629, E-mail: rlonline@rlpi.com. Please note which file (Lumber, Panel, and/or Midweek), and which format type (XLS or DBF) along with your e-mail address, name, company, and phone number.

Why doesn't RL use its web site to distribute its publications?
-- Speed, capacity, reliability, and security. These factors are important to you and to us. Web sites do not adequately provide a combination of speed and capacity that will serve a large number of Random Lengths subscribers in a short period of time. By transmitting directly to subscribers’ e-mail boxes, we are eliminating the web site “middle step” in delivering information to subscribers. And we eliminate “traffic jams” that can occur at a web site.

Can I resend the Random Lengths Internet e-mail reports to other locations in my company?
-- NO. All Random Lengths reports are covered by U.S. copyright laws and international copyright agreements. You cannot resend the reports, or any portions of them, by e-mail, fax, computer transmission, or any other means without permission from Random Lengths Publications, Inc.

*** About Random Lengths XLS and DBF Service site license fees and delivery schedule

What are the annual subscription and site license fees?
-- Lumber Report: $395 for a single user; $460 for 2-25 users, and $495 for 26 or more users.
-- Panel Report: $285 for a single user; $300 for 2-25 users; and $350 for 26 or more users.
-- Midweek Report: $260 for a single user; $300 for 2-25 users; and $350 for 26 or more users.
-- A Copyright Compliance Form and Subscriber license (PDF format), which is provided before service begins, has detailed information about the site license agreement. This is available on the Random Lengths Web site at http://www.rlpi.com. Go to Internet & Fax Services, then Internet E-mail Spreadsheet and Database. A link to the Copyright Compliance Form appears at the top of the page.

When does Random Lengths send the Market Report XLS and DBF files to e-mail subscribers?
-- The Midweek Report is released by 6:00 pm Pacific Time every Tuesday, to be available at the beginning of the work day on Wednesday. Delivery usually occurs within one hour of the listed release time.
-- The Lumber Report is released by 6:00 pm Pacific Time every Thursday, to be available at the beginning of the work day on Friday. Delivery usually occurs within one hour of the listed release time.
-- The Panel Report is released by 11:30 am Pacific Time every Friday, to be available by 12:00 noon Pacific Time on Friday. Delivery usually occurs within one half-hour of the listed release time.

What information is included in the Market Report XLS and DBF files?
-- The Midweek Report includes the Random Lengths Midweek Price Guide, and the Market Commentary bundled as a separate text file.
-- The Lumber Report includes the full Random Lengths Lumber Price Guide (pages 5 - 8 of the complete, 12-page edition), and the Market Commentaries (pages 4, 9 & 10 of the complete 12-page edition) bundled as a separate text file.
-- The Panel Report includes the full Random Lengths Panel Price Guide (page 12 of the complete, 12-page edition), and the Market Commentaries (page 11 of the complete, 12-page edition) bundled as a separate text file.

Why would I want to subscribe to the XLS and/or DBF formats instead of fax or pdf versions of the Market Reports?
-- The e-mail XLS and DBF versions can be directly imported by the subscriber into his/her own software for analytic and /or data history purposes. The pdf and fax versions are designed to be viewed and printed only.

Why would I want to subscribe to the XLS format?
-- The XLS (spreadsheet) format of the RL reports resembles the printed format and makes it very easy for subscribers to interface to their own spreadsheets for analytic purposes without the effort and potential for error implicit in manual data entry. The XLS format also allows subscribers to readily tailor RL price guide info to their own specific needs. All spreadsheet price cells are labeled to allow subscribers to easily adapt theirs when RL alters the price guides.

Why would I want to subscribe to the DBF format?
-- The DBF (database) format of the RL reports makes it very easy for subscribers to interface to their own database systems without the effort and potential for error implicit in manual data entry.

*** About Random Lengths XLS and DBF prices and tags

Are the prices in the spreadsheet formats “location dependent”?
-- No. Every price cell has a tag. Using tag references in your own spreadsheets will make them impervious to the changes that occur in the Random Lengths reports periodically. Example: Coast Hem-Fir Std&Btr 2x4 has a label of “LAAA”. A subscriber designed spreadsheet that references tag “LAAA” rather the actual cell location of the Coast Hem-Fir Std&Btr 2x4 price will not be impacted by changes that result in this price being moved to a different cell in the spreadsheet.

How do I know what tag refers to a given price?
-- For spreadsheet subscribers, Random Lengths has available for download a Random Lengths Price Label Key, available in Microsoft Excel format (RL_Tags.xls) or Adobe PDF format (RL_Tags.pdf) (also known as the tag sheets), that contains label names in place of prices. For database subscribers, there is also a a Lumber Database Description File (Lbr_desc.dbf) and Panel Database Description File ( Pnl_desc.dbf). These cross-reference tables contain complete text and key-word descriptions for all price guide labels. The Midweek prices are included in the Lumber and Panel Database Description Files. Random Lengths will also e-mail or fax you any of these files, if you would prefer.

How often do the Random Lengths Price Guide formats change?
-- They could change at anytime. However, normally Random Lengths changes the formats twice each year. You will be notified approximately one month prior to these changes and provided with the needed information on new or discontinued prices and tags.

If there is a price error in the e-mail report file, how will I be notified of the correct price?
-- Random Lengths will e-mail any corrections to you, so that you can make them in your files.

*** About e-mail and the Internet:

What do I do if I don’t receive my e-mail of the Random Lengths XLS or DBF file?
-- Please check with your Internet support person.
-- Check with your Internet provider and see if their e-mail host is down.
-- Check to see if you have a firewall
-- Check to see if Random Lengths is on your whitelist and in your address book
-- Contact Random Lengths and let us know you are having problems. We can resend the report directly to you, provide suggestions, and help you test solutions with your technical support staff.

What if my system uses a firewall?
-- Check with your Internet support person and make them aware of your e-mail needs.

What e-mail software does Random Lengths use?
-- Random Lengths uses Outlook Express to send and receive emails.

I don’t have much experience with using the Internet and installing software. Can Random Lengths help me with this?
--- No. Random Lengths does not provide technical support.

Where can I go for additional help in setting up my computer?
-- There are many sources for help:
1) Your in-house technical support staff.
2) Your Internet Service Provider. (Note that ISP technical support ranges from excellent to nonexistent, so make technical support one of your criteria when selecting a provider).
3) An independent consultant. Many consultants specifically advertise Internet support services. Your ISP might recommend a consultant if they don’t offer in-house technical support.
4) Your local book store may have books details how to set up an Internet connection on the specific operating system (for example: Windows XP) that you’re using.