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1/02/2012 7:00:16 PM
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topic:
Strange behaviour adding parts
WhistlingFish
Posts 75
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Thanks Hans. I'm making good progress and I think you'll see remarkable improvements in performance when the application database is shared across a network.
I'll add your latest observation to the "to do" list".
Although I'm up to my ears in other work at the moment, rest assured that I sincerely appreciate your feedback and patience and will release an updated version as soon as I'm able.
Cheers
Pete
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1/02/2012 6:51:09 PM
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topic:
Strange behaviour adding parts
hansgeerdink
Posts 9
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Hi Pete,
I forgot to mention:
Do you see the headings of the tabs in the repair specification section?
I cannot see them, this could be due to the fact that I am color blind...
You may want to change the color to a more contrasting one.
Cheers!
Hans
edited by hansgeerdink on 1/02/2012
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30/01/2012 11:56:43 PM
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topic:
Strange behaviour adding parts
WhistlingFish
Posts 75
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Hi Hans
I'm working from home tomorrow and will check it out then.
Cheers
Pete
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30/01/2012 12:34:01 AM
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topic:
Strange behaviour adding parts
hansgeerdink
Posts 9
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Hi Pete,
When adding parts to a repair, somehow your program uses halfrounding on the values. See attached screen dump.
Here I have say D'addario EXL 110 strings recorded as 6.35 in the parts section, when adding it to a repair it will first show the correct value until the screen is refreshed or recalculated...
Then it shows a value of 6. I cannot find a way to work around this!? The database seems correct, looking at it via MS Access or Open Office...
I also noticed a temporary file which is created when the progran starts Luthiersworkbench.ldb (local database???perhaps???) Might ther be a tracking issue inside this??? Again just guessing hope not to send you in the wrong direction....
Anyway, I am still not able to fill the databese without errors sneeking in...
Cheers! Hans
Somehow aataching a file does not seem to work :-(
So, here you go!..
edited by hansgeerdink on 30/01/2012
edited by hansgeerdink on 30/01/2012
edited by hansgeerdink on 30/01/2012
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29/01/2012 11:01:31 PM
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topic:
No decimal values in prices?
WhistlingFish
Posts 75
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Thanks Hans. It's on the "to do" list.
Cheers
Pete
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29/01/2012 10:52:45 PM
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topic:
No decimal values in prices?
hansgeerdink
Posts 9
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Hi Pete,
Installed your application on a Windows XP machine running the Enghlish language. This helps in being able to enter decimals! So, I believe this is definitly a multilingual issue..
This is a work around which I am not too happy about, since I must use the PC connected to my CNC machine to enter data... versus sitting at the kichen table enjoying a cup of coffee whilst entering parts and stuff...
Yeah I can remotely use that PC, but having to run 2 PC's is a bit overdone I think ;-)
Cheers!
Hans
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28/01/2012 10:23:15 PM
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topic:
Adding stuff
hansgeerdink
Posts 9
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Hi Pete,
Reading this forum, I found that your database is "just an MS Access" database...
Adding stuff from my spreadsheet shouldn't that big of a deal :-)
Cheers!
Hans
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28/01/2012 10:45:39 AM
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topic:
No decimal values in prices?
WhistlingFish
Posts 75
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Hi Hans
Well, that's a new one! It did not occur to me that some of you use a separator other than a decimal point.
I'll look into it over the next couple of days.
Cheers
Pete
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28/01/2012 10:43:48 AM
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topic:
Some more...
WhistlingFish
Posts 75
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Hi Hans
I will look into the issues you mention over the coming weekend and report back.
Cheers
Pete
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28/01/2012 10:41:14 AM
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topic:
Adding stuff
WhistlingFish
Posts 75
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Hi Hans
Adding multiple items is certainly an option, although this is generally a one-off exercise when initially setting up the system. I'll consider changes to make this process quicker and easier. Thanks for the suggestion.
The option to import customer details, repair services and inventory details is available for existing users of Quickbooks who wish to make the switch to Luthiers Workbench. In that case, Quickbooks can generate a CSV file in a predefined format which can then be quickly imported into Luthiers Workbench, avoiding the need to individually enter items. The feature was introduced at the request of a particular customer but, of course, is of no assistance for those of you without Quickbooks.
Cheers
Pete
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28/01/2012 8:28:55 AM
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topic:
Some more...
hansgeerdink
Posts 9
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Hi Pete,
Here are some more issues for you:
- When in editing a repair pressing the SAVE button will close the editing window.
- Sometimes people pay in parts, would be nice to be a ble to enter a certain amount in on the receipt. Now one can only receive the full amount of an order.
- Entering numbers is a bit akward, when entering a incorrect number one needs to fiddle ;-) around to correct the entry. (risking messing up de invoice) I understand the numbers must align to the right, but I still prefer writing from left to right...
- Looks like getting all data for a repair from the database takes a long time even with the data file on a local drive! (Is the program validating/verifying the data before getting it into the ui? or a connector issue?... just guessin' here!...)
These are issues which one can work around fairly easy, (or just waiting until stuff is loaded, which is bopring!) however would be nice if you could have a look into it!
Cheers! Hans
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28/01/2012 5:09:46 AM
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topic:
No decimal values in prices?
hansgeerdink
Posts 9
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Hi Pete,
Sorry for perhaps starting to bug you!
Somehow I cannot enter decimal values in the price entry field when maintaining parts.
Now since this is a Windows application, perhaps this is an issue regarding the internationalsation of the windows session? We, here in the Netherlands, use an ',' as a decimal seperator and the '.' as the thousands seperator.
BTW entering either wil result in a value without any decimals...
Perhaps I have overlooked a setting?
Cheers! Hans
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28/01/2012 4:56:58 AM
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topic:
Adding stuff
hansgeerdink
Posts 9
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Hi Pete,
When adding client, parts etc. you can only add 1 item/person at a time.
Why not opt to keep adding, say parts, until the user submits and then return to the previous screen.
I also do not understand the CSV file import, I do not use Quickbooks, so how could I import existing data, vis CSV into the bench? (I happen to use OpenOffice, you knw spreadsheets and docs...)
Cheers!
Hans
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27/01/2012 11:46:20 PM
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topic:
Storing the datafile
WhistlingFish
Posts 75
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Hi Hans
I'm certainly not a Java guru, but as the syntax is so similar to the C# code the application was written in; a significant portion of the conversion task involves nothing more challenging than a simple cut and paste. The syntax-related learning curve therefore isn't the issue; it's finding the necessary time to port the code and deal with the intricacies of Java's Swing platform. Now there's a learning curve - for this old dog anyway!
With some of the Java conversion completed, my long-term plan is still to release a cross-platform version, but as my working days are currently taken up with a short-term contract position, I've essentially shelved the remaining work - at least publicly - rather than give people false hope that it'll be available any time soon.
Oh, and I'd like to devote at least some of my spare time to building guitars!
Cheers
Pete
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27/01/2012 11:23:18 PM
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topic:
Storing the datafile
hansgeerdink
Posts 9
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Can't wait!...
Regarding the X-platform discussion, it is your database which is the crux of the biscuit! I believe you can auto generate web pages based on a database model.
Perhaps you should have a look at IBM's Websphere (there is a component which can create database mining pages on the fly, etc) or Adobe's frameworks?
Java is a nice language, however it's learning curve is quite steep I believe.
Have you had a look at Python yet? there is a very smart database/web framework called Django, it is a different approach, but very easy to maintain!
And that is a good name for a framework don't you think?! Django generate pages based on views and models (MVC principals).
Personally I don't care too much about security for an application like yours, it should work, work fast and easy. As its name implies, I would like to use it right from my bench! (Got me a CNC last year so PC is already there ...;-) Not many people are likely to really care about the data inside... accept me and my accountant of course ;-)
Keep up the good work!
Cheers! Hans
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27/01/2012 10:48:45 PM
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topic:
Storing the datafile
WhistlingFish
Posts 75
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Hi Hans
I'm glad you like the application although, as you've noted, performance across a network is very slow.
As luck would have it, I have been faced with similar network performance issues with another much more complex application recently and have managed to devise a number of improvements that speed things up considerably. I'll spend some time implementing the same improvements in Luthier's Workbench over the week ahead and will release a new version after they are in place and have been thoroughly tested.
A web-based approach is certainly inviting, as is a cross-platform Java implementation, but without adequate time to essentially rewrite the application, neither solution is likely to happen any time soon.
The application will prompt you to download the new version when it's released. Alternatively, please check back here for progress.
Cheers
Pete
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27/01/2012 10:36:39 PM
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topic:
Spec section
WhistlingFish
Posts 75
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Hi Tom
Thanks for the positive feedback and the suggestions for improvement which I'll look into as time permits. They're certainly worthy of consideration and do not sound difficult to implement.
Where exporting of the database to a spreadsheet goes, that could be a little difficult given that data is stored across a large number of individual database tables. Note that as the data file is simply a Microsoft Access database with a modified file extension to circumvent some of the restrictions imposed by Windows, it would not be a difficult task to retrieve its contents, even if the application itself stopped functioning for whatever reason. In any event, I anticipate that I'll provide support this product for as long as there are people putting it to good use.
Cheers
Pete
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27/01/2012 7:34:13 PM
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topic:
Storing the datafile
hansgeerdink
Posts 9
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Hi, I chose to store the data file in a location on a mapped networkdrive. This give me the ability to work from my laptop and my stationary PC.
However, it seems that retrieving the data is realy slow! There is only 1 client and 1 repair in the database. If I want to edit the repair or the client data, will take more than 30 seconds to load the popup window!!!
There is nothing wrong whith my network, since I use this mapped drive for all my business data without any problem.
Might this be due to the use of Microsoft Components in your software? (I used to program databases...)
Why not make your (very nice) database web based and run it locally in a apache (or the like) small webserver?
advantages:
- fairly fast, from wherever in your local network.
- easy to program/maintain.
- X platform, so your "problem" regarding coding for MAC, Linux, BSD, which-ever platform is done (realy code once!)
- proven technilogy, see lots of help systems in high end CAD software packages for instance.
- Lots of choices regarding database engine, webserver, security, appearance (using Skins via CSS), etc.
Hope this helps and you can give me advice on the mapped networkdrive perfomance!
Cheers! Hans
edited by hansgeerdink on 27/01/2012
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26/01/2012 1:31:55 AM
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topic:
Spec section
Thomas Guitars
Posts 1
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I have been demoing your software and find it to be very useful. Keep up the good work!
It would be nice to have the option in Specifications to add things such as: Tuning machines, bridge pins, nut/saddle materials, fretwire, binding etc.
Although they can be added in the components section they do not show up on the Build Spec report.
Perhaps a modifiable drop down such as the materials list. That way under say... Tuners, you could create a list of styles and manufacturers.
It would also be nice to have access to that information within the "models" section so you could spec all the components for a specific model and when a model is chosen in the "Basic Specifications" dialog it would populate all that information.
One more question for now... Is it possible to offer an option to export the entire database to an excel spread sheet? That way in the event you no longer offer this software or support future operating systems and hardware configurations it can available in another format.
Again I think this is a wonderful piece of software and I look forward to using it as build my business.
Tom
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4/08/2011 9:40:54 PM
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topic:
Trouble again
WhistlingFish
Posts 75
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The issues raised are being addressed. I'm corresponding via email with Wenardi as I work towards a resolution.
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