I am not insisting on daily updated, there have just been things go wrong this last week and wanted assurance (shingles blowing off during a windstorm and we are expecting 3 days of rain, inspection issues, I ordered the kitchen cabinets and needed details on where they should be put in the house when they arrive) I am not calling him every day saying "SO Mike, what's happening today?" I have honest, legitimate topics. I should note that the first two months of the build we had about ZERO contact with the construction manager, so that is where our concern came into play. So basically a once a week update is all I want and we don't get it unless I make a point to contact him and even then he seems bothered or put out by it. I understand he knows what is happening, however, we are brand new to the process and would just like to be somewhat up to day, after all this is the biggest investment we have ever made. But yeah, I was feeling like a pest this week, and just wanted to confirm it. :) I should also note, we are currently about a month behind schedule (to be expected in winter, I know) but a couple weeks of that is just because contractors haven't been showing up when scheduled to, so that is another small concern) Thanks! This post was edited by kaljr82 on Fri, Jan 25, 13 at 10:45

Usually just boot off the CD and choose the custom install, into the raw space. The win7 install will automatically make the proper system partitions and do the formatting and install. You really don't need to do anything other than click through a few screens to get it installing. Once installed you might want to disconnect from the internet so it doesn't start a ton of updates and go into Disk Management and use it to shrink the C drive partition and make another partition or two. It will have a lot of updating to do and you will probably want to look into device manager & track down a driver or two from the laptop manufacture support pages.

Blast from the past! Thanks so much for bringing this top of mind @Gean Waiter! I can definitely provide an update. I was working as a researcher for a client who was in fact a residential home builder (mid-size semi-custom, not a large tract developer). They felt there was a gap in the market for this type of software and had been working with a developer to build out a prototype. At the time I was doing a lot of market research on what was out there as far as competitors, what types of features end users wanted/needed, and if there was in fact a market for it - would builders and homeowners actually use this and find it beneficial? In the end, the project didn't go anywhere, but it was super interesting to see the pain points and realize how far behind the construction industry is from a technology standpoint.

The biggest benefits of project management software--at least from this builder's perspective-- is managing information flow to/from the client and helping to organize the selection process. If you're an owner/GC you don't need that. You can simply talk to yourself, which, of course you will be doing on a regular basis by the time the project is complete. An old-fashioned calendar and pencil (with a large eraser) will provide more useful insights for a first-time owner/GC than the best software you can buy. You can also make generous use of sticky notes-- which come in different colors and sizes (the really small ones are for applying to other, larger sticky notes.) Let the adventure begin!