Using the USCF Database and Supplement Files

Many of our first-time users have questions about how to work with the USCF ratings database. We hope the following primer will be of assistance.

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Already Have a Database? Just Downloaded the USCF Golden Database?

If you know you already have a copy of the USCF ratings database installed on your computer, or have just downloaded a copy of the USCF's "Golden Database", you need to configure your WinTD Preference Set so that the program knows where to find the data. Here's how you do that in Version 4.11 or later (see older versions for the process for versions 4.1 or older):

If you have downloaded a copy of the "Golden Database", you first need to decide where (i.e. in which directory) you want to store and maintain your database. If necessary, create a directory using Windows Explorer or similar. For example, you might want to create and use a directory called C:\USCF for this. Then, unzip the contents of the zip file into this directory.

Next, you need to tell WinTD where to look for this database:

1. Start WinTD.
2. Select the "File-Manage Preference Sets..." operation.
3. Click on "General Preferences".
4. Click on the "Files/Directories" tab.
5. Set the "USCF Data Directory" field to point to the directory containing the database. You can use the "Browse" button to navigate to the directory.
6. Click on "OK".
7. Click on "Save to File..." and either save over your existing preference file (if you want to update its settings) or save the preferences to a new file.
8. Assuming you want this setting to be in effect each time you start the program, click on "Make this Default Set".

As long as you save the change to your default preference set, you only need to do this once--WinTD will "remember" the directory setting. As soon as you have set the directory, you will be able to use the USCF database to add new players to your tournament or Master Player files. You can also update ratings of players already stored in a Master file by using the "Master-Update from USCF Supplement" operation. See the WinTD Help for details on these operations.

Note: This process is a bit more involved than in earlier versions, but allows you to associate the USCF Directory setting with a Preference Set, which makes it easier to use different versions of the database with different tournaments if necessary.

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Have a "Supplement" File?

If you already have a working USCF database, WinTD can update that database file using the newer information provided on one of the monthly USCF supplement files. If you do not already have a copy of the database, WinTD can create one from the supplement information. Instructions for both scenarios are provided below:

If you do not already have a copy of the database, and therefore need WinTD to create the database from the "Supplement" information:

1. Unzip the contents of the supplement file into a temporary directory.
2. Decide where (i.e. in which directory) you want to maintain the database. If necessary, create a directory using Windows Explorer or similar. For example, you might want to create and use a directory called C:\USCF for this.
3. Use the instructions above to set your Preferences to point to the directory where you want to maintain the USCF Database.
4. Do File-Update USCF Database, and point WinTD to the temporary directory into which you have unzipped the supplement files in step (1).

WinTD will use the information in the supplement files to create a new USCF player database in the directory specified in step (2).

If you do already have a copy of the database and have been using it with WinTD (i.e. your Preference file is already set to point to the right directory), you just need to have WinTD update that database using the "Supplement" information:

1. Unzip the contents of the supplement file into a temporary directory.
2. Do File-Update USCF Database, and point WinTD to the temporary directory into which you have unzipped the supplement files in step (1).

WinTD will use the information in the supplement files to update your existing database.

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This file was last modified on 06/28/10