This Users' Manual (UM) first suggests a straightforward way to plan XMM science observations (§ 3). Then we provide general information on XRPS (§ 4). This is followed by a detailed step-by-step guide on how to submit an XMM proposal (§ 5). § 5 follows very tightly the order in which inputs into the XRPS form sheets should be made (because the order, in particular at the level of individual exposures within an observation, can be important). In § A examples are given with screen shots of filled-in proposal formsheets. § 7 is just a brief note on the implications of SOC proposal enhancement requests. § 8 outlines how to obtain information on XMM Targets of Opportunity. In § 9 we list some missing XRPS functionalities that would be nice to have, but are not available yet; § 10 contains a caveat about the expected XRPS performance close to the deadline. Finally, § 11 lists XRPS-related documents and other information.
At many points where users might need information on which entries to make (for example from the XMM Users' Handbook [UHB]), hyperlinks are provided to the location of that information. Users can then always use the ``back'' button of their viewer to return to this UM when finished reading the background information. This document is thereby embedded in the SOC web server. Using the online version of this manual, at the URL http:astro.estec.esa.nl/XMM/user/rpsman/rps_man.html, readers will have a screen setup, based on ``frames'', with the table of contents on the left-hand side and the currently viewed document page on the right. This provides exactly the same ``look-and-feel'' as in the XMM UHB.