Frequently Asked Questions
Categories
Below are answers to a list of some of the most frequently asked questions. For a better (searchable) listing, and answers to other questions, please visit the FanDraft Forums.
Popular Topics:
Corrupt Download | Updating/Lost Prior Yrs | Players Not Displaying in Correct Order | Transfer League to Another Computer | Ticker issues
Product Information
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1. What is FanDraft?
FanDraft is the first ever "Fantasy Football Digital Draft Board" software.
It allows you to replace those lame, outdated "paper" draft boards, and take your draft to the next level.
Along with greatly enhancing the live fantasy draft experience, FanDraft also helps keep your draft organized and flowing smoothly.
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2. Who should buy FanDraft?
If you run a live draft with your league, FanDraft is perfect for you. It is best run by exporting the display from a PC to a television or digital projector for the entire league to enjoy.
Even without the large display experience, FanDraft is a perfect fit for keeping your draft organized and running smoothly with its live clock, reporting capabilities, and other amazing features.
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3. Is FanDraft compatible with Microsoft Windows 7?
Yes, FanDraft is compatible with nearly every version of Windows since Windows 98. If you would like to see for yourself, we encourage all users to download the free demo to see for themselves how well it works.
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At this time, the short answer is no. But there are indeed workarounds. If someone in your league has the PC, that is best option.
Otherwise, our suggestion would be to use Bootcamp: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3777
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Actually the Discounted Update of FanDraft is self contained, so you do NOT need last year's version installed for it to work.
It is the full version of FanDraft, but available at a discounted UPDATE rate prior prior year registered users. However, to access the discounted version, you must login below though: https://www.fansoftmedia.com/store/member.php
Pricing
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1. What is the price of FanDraft?
FanDraft is $34.95 for the download version. If you would like to have FanDraft on CD-ROM, it is an additional $9.95 (however this isn't necessary).
Registered users of the prior year of FanDraft are allowed to order the update for almost 50% off ($17.50)
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2. Do I need to purchase FanDraft every year?
No. Once you purchase it, you can use it as many times as you would like, for as many years as you would like. Even if you decide you don't want to purchase future upgrades, you can manually enter in future NFL rookies. FanDraft has come out with annual upgrade every year, with new tools/features, and an updated NFL Player Database. Registered users can purchase the update for almost 50% off the regular price ($17.50) .
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3. Do I need to purchase FanDraft for each league/draft I run?
No. Once you purchase it, you can create an unlimited amount of draft/league files. To create a new draft, just select "File > New". When you want to come back to an old draft file, just select "File > Open". .
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4. Can I try FanDraft before I buy it?
YES! We encourage all prospective users to download the FREE demo from our website. This demo allows you to view all of the features of FanDraft, and see how it all works, before buying.
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5. Is it necessary to buy the CD?
No, you needn't. Buying CD is just a option offered and sold. Regardless, you always get download access after payment.
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6. How do I order the discounted upgrade?
If you are a FanDraft owner from the prior years version, you are eligible to get the new update for almost 50% off ($17.50). To do so, login to your FanSoft Account and you will be able to order from there.
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7. I bought last years version and plan to get this year's update. However, my PC had to be replaced.
Is there any way to get last year's version and upgrade it, or can I get the upgrade discount on this year's version?
Actually the discounted update of FanDraft is self contained, so you do NOT need last year's version installed for it to work.
The discounted update is the same software package, just available at a discounted rate to prior year registered users. To access the discounted version though, you must login below: https://www.fansoftmedia.com/store/member.php
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There are two options for this. FanDraft recent released a remote add-on called "FanDraft WEB". This allows users to remotely view the draft as it's taking place. To learn more about this service, click here. An alternative is to use a "screen sharing/web conferencing services" (most FREE) this can be done very easily. Click here for more information!
br /> Most leagues currently tend to use free Instant Messaging (IM) programs (i.e. AOL IM,MSN IM, or Google Talk) to run conversations in the background while the draft is occurring, for those who aren't in attendance.
In the last couple of years a wide variety of VPN (Virtual Private Network) and VNC(Virtual Network Computer) software has become available, which allows others to login to your PC, and view your screen live. Such software would make it possible for those not in attendance to see the FanDraft screen just like everyone else. One of the best (and FREE) options out there is:
Mikogo: http://www.mikogo.com
Some other options include:
Note: The above are all 3rd party products. We do not support this software, and you should contact the vendor directly with any questions before purchase. The list is also not endorsed by FanDraft, but rather a random sampling of some of the many products available.
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2. When I attempt the auto-download for player updates, I am getting an internet connection error, what should I do?
This is usually caused by a Firewall. Set your Firewall to allow the program through. Also, you can just visit the downloads section of the FanDraft.com website to download the latest updates manually.
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3. FanDraft WEB is not Verifying and/or Results aren't being uploaded to FD WEB?
99% of the time this is caused by a Firewall. Set your Firewall to allow the program through, or turn it off during your draft. If you do not have a Firewall, look to see if your Virus Protection software, or some other background process could be the issue.
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To create a more easy and pleasant experience, FanDraft allows all users two complimentary licenses per purchase. This gives you the right to put the software on two computers (we do this because so many users use two different computers, one for setup and one at the draft).
To do this:
a) First you must copy the install file to your second computer. To get the install file onto this computer, either login and re-download on that computer, or copy the file onto a USB Drive or CD-ROM, and then transfer it onto the other computer.
Note: Do NOT install the software ONTO the CD-ROM or USB Drive, just use it as a transfer device.
b) Once the install file is copied onto the 2nd computer, double-click the install file and run through the installation process.
c) On your 1st Computer (the computer you originally setup your league with) copy your league file (the "XXX.fan" file located in the FanDraft /leagues folder), and the contents of the /audio folder (also found in the FanDraft folder) onto a USB Drive or CD-ROM.
d) Copy these files (the league file, and /audio folder) into the exact same location on your 2nd computer. This means you will put the XXX.fan file into the FanDraft /leagues folder, and copy the contents of the /audio folder into the /audio folder of the 2nd computer.
e) Upon initial launch of FanDraft on the 2nd computer, you will be displayed an option to load a past league. Select this, and open up the recently copied over XXX.fan file.
Important: You CANNOT INSTALL FanDraft directly onto a CD-R or Keydrive, and run it from there.
Only use these as transfer devices of the original install file.
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2. How do I export the display to a TV or Digital Projector?
This process is very simple now a-days. For most people, it's a plug-and-play sort of thing.
For more information though, please check out this detailed resource: http://www.fandraft.com/howitworks.html
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3. What are tips to improve the resolution and display size?
The larger your screen resolution, the better the visual experience is going to be. If your default resolution is somewhat low, you may want to consider bumping it up.
To change your screen resolution, just enter the Windows > Control Panel > Display. Additional detailed instructions can be found here.
During the draft, you can also manually resize fonts (in the Preferences area) and use the "Auto-Calibrate" tool, to automatically optimize font and table sizes. Just look for the Calibrate/Tools/Preferences icons right on the Draft Board screen.
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This is caused by the download being cut off mid-session of download(usually with Internet Explorer), leaving you with only part of the file.
There are a couple ways to try to resolve this quickly:
a) Re-download using a different internet browser (i.e. Firefox)
b) If a) doesn't work, clear you temporary internet files by selecting "Tools > Internet Options > Delete Temporary Internet Files" in your internet browser window.
c) If neither of the above work, try downloading from a different location with a stronger internet signal.For all of the details on this, please see this link.
League Customization
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Yes. All of the defensive players are broken out by individual positions.
To add individual defensive positions, go to SETUP > LEAGUE SETUP, select a IDP from the "Position List", then check the "Use Position" checkbox.
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2. Can FanDraft handle Serpentine drafts and traded draft picks?
Yes. In the Setup > Draft Order area you can set each individual pick.
To expedite the process, use the "Copy to Next Round" or "Reverse to next Round" buttons.
In the case of a serpentine draft you would want to do a "Reverse to next Round" till all of your rounds are set. The registered version allows for up to 50 rounds of draft.
Every and every individual pick can be set to your exact customization.
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3. Does FanDraft allow for Keeper Leagues?
Yes. You can set players on keeper teams in the Players Setup area.
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4. Does FanDraft support Combination Drafts(Part-Auction/Part-Regular) ?
Yes. To do so you will want to go through the following process:
a) Set your league as "Regular" draft, then setup your entire "Draft Order"
b) If you league starts as auction, change it the "Draft Type" to "Auction" prior to starting your draft
c) After your draft has reached the conclusion of your one draft type, go to "Setup > League Setup" and change your Draft Type.
d) Select "Draft > CONTINUE DRAFT", and your draft will return you right where you left off.
If your return to your draft and it is concluding in a "Regular"(non-auction) type draft, and you notice your draft order being incorrect, just go to DRAFT ORDER SETUP and make sure to set the proper order for the round that is being displayed in the draft. For example, if you start with an Auction Draft, and in the 7th round you switch to a "Regular" draft, your selection order begins in the 7th round (and that is where you make your edits in the Draft Order Setup).
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5. Our league doesn't use Position Min/Max, what should I do?
That is completely fine. FanDraft only uses these to help create the "Positions Breakdown Display" and to help prevent teams from selecting too many of one position (if your league uses these rules). To prevent from being alerted of "position overdraft", just set the MAX for all of your positions to a high number (such as 25).
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6. How does the Team "Auto-Pick" work?
The "Auto-Pick" is a useful feature for teams that cannot attend the draft. When this option is selected (via the TEAM SETUP area) for a specific team, during the draft a button for "Auto-Pick" will appear when this team is on deck. Click on that button, and the player queue will automatically be populated with a suggested player. Suggestions are made by an internal algorithm that deturmines the best available player (based on Rank), and a team's positional needs. The "rankings" are based on Average Draft Position (ADP) data that is provided by MyFantasyLeague.com
During the Draft
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1. How do I change Preferences (such as fonts) during the draft?
Select "Draft > Draft Preferences" and a window will open up where all of these preferences can be changed/set.
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2. How do I handle “in-draft” trades?
This is very simple.
FanDraft offers in in-draft tool called "Team on the Fly". The TOF allows you to change the team picking "on the fly".
To do this, just click on the tools icon
and then click the "Team on the Fly" button.
For more complex trades, you can always exit the draft, go into the "Draft Order Setup" area, then continue right where you left off by selecting "Draft > Continue Draft"
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3. What happens if I can’t find a player I want to select?
You can add a player on the fly (POF). Just select Tools > Player on the Fly. Then just type in the name, and he's ready to be drafted.
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The display is actually working, but it's misaligned due to some improper setup information.
Just go into the "Draft Order Setup" area. Then make sure that the correct "Serpentine/Non-Serpentine" radio button is selected.
Also make sure that the "Official Draft Order" is setup.
The way things work is the "Picks" board uses those two areas to decide how to display the information.
The "Individual Picks", on the other hand, controls the actual selections (who is picking and on deck) during the draft.
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6. HELP! I accidentally shut down FanDraft in the middle of the draft!
That is perfectly fine. All you have to do is select "Draft > Continue Draft", and you'll continue right where you left off.
Be careful though! If you select "Start a new draft" instead, it will do just that (Start a NEW draft), and will erase all of your draft info!
So make sure to select "Continue Draft"
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7. HELP! I accidentally selected “START A NEW DRAFT” instead of “CONTINUE…”
You should be fine. FanDraft makes backups files during the end of every round.
Follow these steps carefully, and you will be fine.
1) Exit the "Draft Board" area. Do NOT make any selections.
2) Select "File > Restore Draft backup"
3) The Open File Dialogue should be showing the /backups folder, if it isn't locate it (in the FanDraft folder)
4) Select the proper backup file (the numbers represent the date), then select Draft Continue.
5) If all is well, you may want to make a backup by clicking "Save As"
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8. I accidentally selected the wrong player, how do I undo this?
No problem at all. There are a few ways to correct mistake
In the Draft Tools area you can go BACK/FORWARD picks, and fix your mistake.
The other option is to use the Edit Selections area (Draft > Edit Selections) for more refined pick editing.
In-Draft Features
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1, How do I change the “clock” in the middle of the draft?
First note that when the draft clock hits zero, it doesn't automatically skip to the next pick.
If you would like to reset the timer at any time, click the "Reset" button located directly to the right of the timer.
There is also a pause button on the Draft Clock controls, which will pause at any time. Re-clicking the pause button will cause the clock to resume.
Clicking the "Edit Clock" button allows you to edit the clock during the middle of a draft.
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2. How do I speed up/slow down the ticker?
On the left hand of the ticker you will see a square, gray, speed controller. Click and drag this left or right to control the speed.
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You can try one of two things...
1) Start a new draft/league, and see if it works.
2) Open up the c:\ProgramData folder (this is usually a hidden folder, so you may have to make hidden folders visible in Windows, then locate and delete the " fandraft_template.xml" file in that folder.
The corruption can be caused by shutting down FanDraft in the middle of a draft...
Another issue that can cause problems with the "TICKER" is if you do not install FanDraft in the default drive. If you have a secondary or external hard drive that you wish to run FanDraft off of, the Ticker will not work.
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4. How do I slow down the “Player Board” display?
Click on the Preferences icon, and you will see the option to adjust the display time.
Misc.
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Downloads are available immediately.
CD-ROMs are mailed via USPS, and usually take 3-5 business days. If you order a CD, you still receive immediate download access though.
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2. I lost my password to download FanDraft, what should I do?
Click on this link: http://www.fansoftmedia.com/store/member.php
Then fill in the information under the "Lost Password" area.
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3. How do I install a FanDraft “software update”?
Full instructions for "updates" can be found here:
http://www.fansoftmedia.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3
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4. Why am I not getting a response back from the email support?
We try to respond immediate to all questions, and most responses are within 24hrs at the latest. If you aren't hearing back by then, likely our email is being eaten up by your SPAM Guard.
1) Check your "Junk Box" and see if the emails are automatically going in there.
2) Add support@fandraft.com and support@fansoftmedia.com to your email "Safe List"