CAB Local Information System

Fix for use with High Contrast colour schemes

Andy Henderson — Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:58 am

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:58 am

Version 2.4 is compatible with high contrast colour schemes so we have withdrawn the temporary fix for this problem.

Fix for use with High Contrast colour schemes

Andy Henderson — Mon May 12, 2008 8:29 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:29 pm

Windows includes a High Contrast colour scheme designed to help people with sight difficulties. Leeds CAB pointed out that the enquiry screen shows black text on a black background in this mode.

We have therefore prepared a fix to address the problem. We'll include this fix in the next version of the Local Information system.

The updated program is contained in this zip file.

To use this fix, first make sure you are using version 2.3a. The version number is displayed at the bottom left of the enquiry screen. You can get an update from here if you need it.

To roll this fix out to your network:

Extract CABLocalInformation.exe from the zip file and copy it to the systemObjects sub folder to the folder containing your database.
Use 'Worksheet I - Update configuration details' from the Installation Guide to increment the version number.

The update will distribute itself to all your PCs automatically.

Problem updating configuration details

Andy Henderson — Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:56 am

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:56 am

Version 2.4 fixes the configuration problem. We have therefore withdrawn version 2.3a.

Problem updating configuration details

Andy Henderson — Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:34 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:34 pm

There is a bug that has been present since version 2.0 that affects bureaux that:

Use a drive letter to connect to their central PC
Do not use a folder to contain the database

For example, one bureau that saw the problem uses Z:\LocalInformation.mdb as their database address.

The system will install and run even though the bug occurs when the system is installed. However, you will be unable to update configuration details using program CABLIUpdater.exe. You will see a message complaining that a folder doesn't exist - even though it does.

In practice, very few bureaux will encounter this problem. There is no need to take any action unless you do.

To correct the problem, download the updated version from http://www.SeeITA.com/CAB/Version23.zip and use worksheet H from the Installation Guide contained in the systemDocumentation folder to update your system.

Run the Local Information System to trigger an automatic update, you will find you can now run CABLIUpdater.exe without problem. The corrected program is version 2.3b

Our apologies for the inconvenience this bug has caused.

Problem checking web links

Andy Henderson — Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:54 am

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:54 am

Version 2.4 fixes the problem with link checking. We have therefore withdrawn version 2.3a.

Problem checking web links

Andy Henderson — Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:38 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:38 pm

We've encountered a bug when checking web links in the maintenance program.

The program crashes if it finds a web link that is badly-formed. For example, it fails if you put a telephone number in the web address by mistake.

The program correctly handles well-formed addresses that point to non-existent sites or pages, so the chances are you will not encounter the problem.

If you encounter the problem, download the latest version from http://www.SeeITA.com/CAB/Version23.zip and use worksheet H from the Installation Guide contained in the systemDocumentation folder to update your system.

Run the Local Information System maintenance program to trigger an automatic update, you will find you can now check your web links without problem. The corrected maintenance program is version 2.3a

Our apologies for the inconvenience this bug has caused.

Patch to support links internal to the database

Andy Henderson — Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:51 am

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:51 am

Version 2.4 is now available. It provides full support for this facility including validation, link checking and updated help text. We have therefore withdrawn the patched version.

Patch to support links internal to the database

Andy Henderson — Sun Jul 06, 2008 6:04 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 6:04 pm

Following a suggestion from Leatherhead CAB we have developed a capability to link between items in the database.

This feature will be included in the next release (version 2.4) of the Local Information System.

So you can preview the new feature, we have provided an updated program in this zip file. This update includes the 'High contrast colour scheme' fix described in this forum.

To use this version, first make sure you are using version 2.3a. The version number is displayed at the bottom left of the enquiry screen. You can get an update from here if you need it.

To roll this fix out to your network:

Extract CABLocalInformation.exe from the zip file and copy it to the systemObjects sub folder to the folder containing your database.
Use 'Worksheet I - Update configuration details' from the Installation Guide to increment the version number.

The update will distribute itself to all your PCs automatically.

To add a link from one item to another:

Make a note of the id of the item you want to link to (it is shown by the Local Information program as 'Database reference' and by the Maintenance program as 'Id')
Run the maintenance program
Navigate to the item you want to link from
Add a web link in the usual way; the address should look like this: CABLIn where 'n' is the id. So, to link to document 1672 use address CABLI1672
Save your change.

When you click your new link in the Local Information program, you will be taken straight to the new document. It will be opened out for you ready to read.

Alternatively, use a link like this:
CABLI?search terms
to link to a search for the words you specify. So to link to a search for "GP surger", use:
CABLI?GP surger

You can also create links in external pages. These will work only if the link is clicked from within the Local Information program. The above links would look like this in the external web site:

Code:

<a href="http://CABLI1672">Link to item 1672</a>
<a href="http://CABLI?GP surger">Link to a search</a>

You can see how the new facility is used in the log. Look for entries "JI" for jump to an item and "JS" for jump to a search.

Some limitations, for now:

You cannot test a link by double clicking it in the maintenance program
The maintenence program will list the new links as invalid when you run the 'Check links' facility
You cannot include the new links in the body of an item, only in the links area
The documentation and help text does not reflect this change.

Please let me know if you encounter any problems with this new feature. I plan to roll it out with version 2.4 shortly.

Version 2.4 released

Andy Henderson — Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:47 am

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:47 am

Version 2.4 incorporates the following changes.

Linking between database entries

You can now link database entries together so, for example, an entry on divorce might link to an entry on solicitors. Entries can also link to searches so, for example, an entry on tenancy can link to all other entries matching a search on 'rent'. The maintenance program help text provides more information about using this new facility.

If you installed the initial version of this facility from this forum, upgrading to version 2.4 will give you:

Better validation of internal links in the maintenance program
Double-clicking an internal link in the maintenance program displays useful diagnostic information
Automatic validation of internal links in the link checking utility
Updated help text

Incorporation of links into the main body of an item

We have updated our validation checks to allow you to do this. You can add links to external pages. You can also use the new internal linking feature.

Support for high contrast colour schemes

Microsoft provides high contrast colour schemes for use by people with impaired vision. Unfortunately, switching to these schemes rendered some text in the system unreadable. For example, in one scheme, button text appeared as black on black. We have ensured that the system's colour scheme is compatible with the Microsoft schemes.

Bug fixes

We have fixed two bugs:

One caused web link checking to crash if the URL was malformed. it failed, for example, if you put a telephone number in the web address by mistake.
The other caused incorrect installation if the central database was installed to a drive letter without an intervening subfolder.

Click here to get more information about the system and find out how you can get hold of a copy of the software.

Windows error messages during installation

South Hams CAB — Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:43 pm

Author: South Hams CAB
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:43 pm

I'm in the bureau again today trying out your idea. I can see that \\SUPERVISOR\LocalInfo\ exists on our pseudo-server and can be addressed on my terminal and \\SUPERVISOR\LocalInfo\ is exactly what I've typed into the "Location for the Database" as per page 11 of the installation instructions. (Incidentally doesn't page 11 ask me to type in \\SUPERVISOR\LocalInfo\LocalInformation.mdb ?).

In any event I'm still getting an error screen, which I can quote accurately for you now (as I'm sitting in front of it) and it says "Problem was: The Target Directory already exists".
Am I going mad do you think. I've deleted everything I can find on the pseudo-server with "LocalInformation.mdb" in it.

Just a thought but the pseudo-server did have the application on it as a stand-alone but I have since used add/remove programs to clear it out. Could that be a factor?

Windows error messages during installation

Andy Henderson — Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:47 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:47 pm

You say �I have a network place called \\SUPERVISOR\LocalInfo\LocalInformation.mdb and the new text doc appears nicely alongside the .mdb folder�. I think that�s the problem. LocalInformation.mdb is the default name of the database not a folder. Delete the LocalInformation.mdb folder and retry the install. When prompted by the Installation program enter \\SUPERVISOR\LocalInfo into the �Location for the database� box. The install program will create a blank database for you.

I hope that helps,

Windows error messages during installation

South Hams CAB — Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:18 pm

Author: South Hams CAB
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:18 pm

I am really flummoxed trying to install the Local Info System on our peer-to-peer network in the bureau.

Just so I'm clear, am I right in assuming that although the database itself will be held on our (pseudo-)server each slave will hold a version of the actual application software; I'm not at all sure about that point.

I'm working through instructions 2.1 - installing for the first time.
I've done Worksheet A (I think correctly) as I can create a new text document in the target directory on the server whilst seated at a slave terminal.
I have a network place called \\SUPERVISOR\LocalInfo\LocalInformation.mdb and the new text doc appears nicely alongside the .mdb folder.
I have the little "forearm" logos appearing which Windows uses to show that a file is set up for sharing.

But when I move to Worksheet B and try to install the software onto the server from my little slave I get error messages saying " unable to do this -reason Target already exists" or similar.

(I admit that if I had the first idea of how these networks run I probably wouldn't be in schtuck but can anyone help me at all)?

failure to find the Z: drive

Andy Henderson — Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:00 pm

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:00 pm

It sounds like the PC can't find your database on the Z drive. It would be unusual to have programs on a Z drive.

It also sounds like your database is stored on a different PC that you connect to via the Z drive.

If I got that right, you probably just need to reconnect the Z drive. When you do that the Local Information system shoukd go back to working as before.

If you want to post some more diagnostics - a screenshot of the error message, for example - I might be able to provide more help.

To answer your question, if you decide to reinstall, you should always make sure you have a recent backup of the LI database. When you reinstall, you will see options that keep your existing database. See the Installation Guide for more details.

failure to find the Z: drive

Adam Lyle — Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:39 am

Author: Adam Lyle
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:39 am

Hello the Citizens Advice Local Information Database has been recently added to our system in Darlington and we have been steadily putting in all our data and saving it. However we have recently moved the computer and so had to disconnect it upon reconnection the programme is not able to find its programme files. it is therefore urging to re install the programme, if i do will this wipe the data already inputted onto the Database??

Cannot add entries to log

Andy Henderson — Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:57 am

Author: Andy Henderson
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:57 am

Peterborough CAB wrote:

Anything further on this please?

I've been giving the problem a lot of thought, but I can't see what's going wrong:

The fact that some PCs are working OK and some aren't rules out a bunch of possibilities, notably:

Server set up
PC set up
Program error

However, the fact that you can open, modify and close stats spreadsheets from PCs where the Local Information System can't - is inexplicable.

Can you make sure you can still open, modify and close stats spreadsheets from the problem PCs (and without changing login id). Do you see any dialog boxes on the way?

If that still works, there must be some difference between the problem PCs and the ones that work OK. Can you see any pattern? For example:

Login id
Operating system
Patch level
Firewall
Firewall set up
Software installed
Anything else?

There has to be something different that's causing the problem.