Downloading and Installing ScoutSoft:
1. On the www.scoutsoft.net home webpage click on Downloads & Registration and then click on either Registered Users-Download or Download ScoutSoft on a Trial Basis. If you click on Trial Basis complete the form and proceed to the PC Platform selection webpage.
2. PC Platforms - Click on your type of computer system.
3. First Time Users - Select to either download the full operating system for first time users or if an existing user click on subsequent downloads. If you have online internet access ScoutSoft will automatically check for software updates when you sign onto ScoutSoft.
4. Installing ScoutSoft - When installing ScoutSoft it is recommended that you use the default install prompts. Only change from the defaults if you are an experienced computer user. You can install ScoutSoft from your computer's download window or you can save the download file to your computer and then execute the file from the directory you saved the file to.
Setting Up ScoutSoft:
1. Click on the ScoutSoft icon on your computer's desktop and enter in your sponsoring organization's name. (Do not enter your name or the name of a BSA unit.) Sponsor names should be like Herriman 4th Ward or Moore Elementary PTA or Century Methodist Church.
2. Sponsor Acronym or Reference - Enter in an acronym or reference which will become the ScoutSoft data file tag and the sponsor reference for all members you set up in that sponsor. For example the Herriman 4th Ward could be 4th or Herr04. Moore Elementary PTA could be MoorPTA. Use the common references used within your sponsoring organizations. If setting up multiple sponsors in a Stake or District each sponsor must have a unique sponsor reference that distinguishes their members from the other sponsors.
3. Serial Number - If you have registered ScoutSoft then you can enter in the serial number if asked for one.
4. Registration Number - If you have registered ScoutSoft then you can register the software at anytime using the registration data file received from ScoutSoft. Otherwise, you can use ScoutSoft for 30 days which will allow you to run ScoutSoft on your computer, install your Sponsor data and enter in awards and print out reports.
5. ScoutSoft Sample Database - It is recommended that you proceed with importing or manually entering your Sponsoring Organization's membership. However, you can download and install a Sample database from the download page. Save the file to your computer and then in ScoutSoft click on Maintenance/Load data into ScoutSoft/Sponsor Update and browse for the SampleSponsorUpdate.zip file and import it into ScoutSoft.
6. BSA Units - Set up your BSA units council unit numbers in Settings/Sponsor Settings/Edit Units and enter in the BSA Council's unit number for each BSA unit sponsored by your organization. You can delete any BSA units you do not sponsor such as Sea Scout Ship.
7. Entering members - See the tutorials on importing members from your sponsoring organization or you can add members manually by clicking the Roster menu and selecting Add Person to Roster.