public boolean withinWeekdays() {
        boolean start;
        cal = new GregorianCalendar();
        int SUNDAY = 1;
        int SATURDAY = 7;
        
        // get the current day in the week (1 - 7)
        int day = cal.get(Calendar.DAY_OF_WEEK);
        
        // if it is either Saturday or Sunday
        if(day == SATURDAY || day == SUNDAY) {
            // don't start the system
            start = false;
        } else {
            // otherwise, flag the system to start (post other conditions)
            start = true;
        }
        
        return start;
    }