Networking Bug? <<FIXED 11/11/05>>

[Perry]

Can anyone verify this:

I am having a problem with networking and I don't know if it is me or not. I am running one copy on desktop and the second on my laptop. I set the laptop to use the TimeNet folder on the desktop. That means the desktop is running as local and I switch to network on the laptop.

The problem is that I only see the new customers I add from the laptop on the laptop and vice versa. However, when I look at the TimeNet folder on the desktop, it has the customer folders for both the desktop and the laptop. I checked permissions and I could not see anything wrong there.

I think I know what's up, I'll look into a fix right now. What's happening is in networked mode, when you create a client, it adds the client folder in the networked folder, but it may or may not be storing this client's preferences on the networked server. It may be storing this information in the LOCAL preferences. However I was pretty sure I'd tested for this. Anyone else experiencing this bug?

[Erika]

Perry I just checked this and I'm not sure because when I add clients or delete them on my iBook they show up just fine on my iMac. looks like you'll have to dig a little deeper on this. :S

I hope the fix is something simple... sorry to bring the bad news! 

[jdosmer]

Hi, I am experiencing the same problem. Is it perhaps an issue with the version of OS X. I am running 10.4.3 on both systems.

Looking forward to the fix.

Thanks,
Jesse

[Wally]

Perry, I too am experiencing that same problem along with the freezing up problem weve been working on. I just sent you my data folder. Is anybody having a problem with TimeNet freezing up? Two things were happening, I was installing the latest 2-3 versions and trying the networking mode at the same time. Since then, me (main comp in network mode) and my other stations are freezing up within 2-3 clicks (adding clients, new jobs, manager,etc.) or its freezing after about 15 seconds of starting the timer. I appreciate an input, thanks.

[Erika]

Wally this sounds like file corruption. Maybe your preferences? I bet it has to do with TimeNet's auto save feature if it freezes after 15-30 seconds. Perry what do you think? Am I totally off on this one?

[Wally]

Thanks Erica~

Thats pretty much the conclusion Perry came up with too--corrupted Preferences He's working on the fix for me now. Can the Auto Save be turned off? If so, where? I can't seem to stay "unfrozen" long enough right now to sift through the menus.

[Wally]

Just checkin' out the glow text feature

[Wally]

shadow

Okay, I'm done foolin' around...

Wally

[Perry]

Wally,

The auto-save is always on. I think Erika's on to something, sounds like that could be what triggers the "timed death" of sorts. I think I can get this sorted out for you. I sent your ticket information. Login at http://tickets.applesource.biz/

More soon!

[Perry]

Jesse,

Can you confirm that clients you add on one computer DO show up on the other after you close and reopen that copy? If this is the case, then I've got the problem figured out and will have a release soon.

Thanks for your help!

[Perry]

Wally and Jesse,

The networking bug is fixed. Details:

A broadcast was being sent incorrectly and didn't notify the connected copies of TimeNet that a new client was created, or that the preferences were changed. The new version, 3.2.7 fixes this.

Wally,
In addition to this bug fix, 3.2.7 fixes what I'm 99.9% sure of caused your file corruption. I've restored everything. No data loss. No freezing. I'll send you the updated Data via the Ticket, and there are VERY SPECIFIC instructions for how to get the new version (3.2.7) and reinstate your preferences. I'll send you details. Failure to follow these instructions means your data could just become corrupted again!

I'll keep a backup of your data on my computer here until I get verification that the freeze bug is fixed and all of your data is intact. Then I will promptly remove it!

Thanks for all of the help with this one guys, big bug fix! Expect the 3.2.7 official release within the hour. Just polishing up a bit.

[Erika]

Oh! Well now that you mention it, I AM having the same little bug. If I close the copy though it works fine. Just isn't refreshing when both copies are open. Sounds like you got it figured out. *WOW* that was fast! I'm looking forward to 3.2.7.

TimeNet continues to impress and amaze. This kind of support is really fantastic. Good job Perry!! 

[Wally]

Excellent Perry! I look forward to the revision and I'll let you know when all is well. I love this chat board thing, we (well, Perry actually) really got a lot accomplished today.

Have a great weekend all, rock on!
Wally

[Perry]

Yes I was definitely a busy bee today. Oh that reminds me. We're having a contest... oh but yeah that's off the subject.

Wally, I'm glad you're digging the board. I'm really happy with the turnout in just a couple of days. Let's keep this thing growing!

OKAY. Sorry this took a little longer than expected guys, it was harder than I thought, but it's a BIG FIX and I'm really happy with it. It's on the servers now so get it while it's hot. Details:

Strictly maintenance, folks. Pick up TimeNet 3.2.7 right away, it fixes a few big bugs!

Bug Fixes
--
- Creating new Clients in networked mode now refreshes every connected copy of TimeNet
- Changing preferences and charge rates now refreshes in every open Project window on every connected copy of TimeNet
- Can no longer create a client called Unnamed Client. This caused all kinds of havoc
- Can no longer create a client with the same name as another client. This caused all kinds of havoc
- To-Do lists now save on the fly instead of on sliding the drawer back in, so everyone on the network can see the changes instantly
- Fixed some file write code that may or may not be capable of causing file corruption

[Erika]

Works like a CHARM! WOW good work Perry!! I love TimeNet, it just keeps getting better and better.

 

[Simmonet]

I bought it just in the Nick of time! 

Thanks Perry for your flexibility in getting me the serial numbers quickly, appreciated

Grant

[Perry]

Grant,

You are most welcome. Enjoy the software and have an excellent weekend.

[jdosmer]

Hi Perry,
Thanks for the update. Everything seems to work great now with the networking feature. Thanks for the hard and consistent work and attention to detail.

Ciao,
Jesse

[jdosmer]

Hi Perry,
I found another bug. If I try to create an invoice on the networked computer (my laptop) I get an error message:

"An exception of class NilObjectException was not handled. The application must shut down."

If I create an invoice on the desktop computer, everything works fine.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jesse

[Wally]

Good morning all,

Guess who's back??? Yep, it's me, Problem Boy! Perry, I loaded the new software this past weekend (deleting the old data files as directed) as well as loading it on all the other stations. I made test jobs, started timers, click all over, no freeze-ups! This morning after we all get in to start working we lose our client list in the main window. Everything is still in the TimeNet Data folder on my (main) computer. I can add new ones and they stay. Here's odd thing, if I add the name of an exsisting client all their current jobs appear and are fully functionable. But until I do that, I don't have a client list. It was here this morning for awhile, but once we all started using it, it has disappeared.

Not the way you wanted to start Monday  off, huh?.....

Wally

[Wally]

Jesse,

I was getting that same error on my shared computers. Just turning on File Sharing on the main comp wasn't good enough. I had to go in and change the permissions on each individual folder involved (User\main\Library\Prefs\TimeNet Data\timesheets) to Read & Write under the 'Others' menu. When you Ctrl + I o the folders, under the "Ownership & Permissions' section, there should be a Details section with Owner/Access, Group/Access and Others. For the 'timesheets' folder I also clicked on "Apply to enclosed items".

Wally

[Perry]

Thanks guys, I'll take a look into both of these issues.

As for disappearing clients, I'll have to wrack my brain on what in the world could cause that. The thing is, when you delete a client, TimeNet does NOT delete the timesheets folder, so you can reinstate that client by adding it again. It sounds like maybe someone on your network deleted a bunch of clients, or activated a bug by deleting one that ended up deleting them all.

Sorry for the trouble guys, I'll get this all sorted out. Thanks!

[jdosmer]

Thanks for the tip Wally,
I would rather not use this workaround as I it poses a security issue. The computer in question is on a network with over 15 other computers. Perry, is there any other way around changing permissions on folders to be able to print invoices from a networked system?

Thanks,
Jesse

[Perry]

Jesse,

The only way to access that data is to set the file permissions. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon how you look at it), there's no way for TimeNet, or any other app, to get around the limitations imposed by those permissions settings.

[Wally]

Anytime Jesse.....everything is working fine Perry, excellent job!

Wally

Hapy Thanxgivin' to all!!!!