Hi Richard!
I just downloaded and installed the last beta, 30/11/05. I try to make a new reading using the reading wizard, but when I opened it, the last reading I made this morning appear. Then I click the next button and the program ask for saving the reading. I tried a few times and it continues doing the same thing. It does not recognized the selected cards for the new reading. I even deleted the text from the window, but it keeps showing this morning reading, after I closed and reopened it.
This time I`m sure I installed the downloaded beta...I`m deleting them after installing.
Just to let you know.
Last beta and reading wizard
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Re: Last beta and reading wizard
Hi Aurora,
There is only one thing that I can think of that would cause the reading to still be open in the designer, even after you had closed the program and run the upgrade. There is a check box on the Options form (General Options/Program tab) which says something like When closing, minimize to system tray instead. If you have this checked, although you think you are closing the program, really you are just hiding it. This option is there so you don't have to wait for the program to load up each time if you are using it more than once in a Windows session.
In this case when you thought you opened the new beta, in fact it was the old version of the program that was still running in the background. You can check when the program is still running because the Orphalese star symbol appears down by the system clock.
As far as creating readings goes, there are three steps:
On the first screen you have the two buttons Create and Edit, so you just choose Create...
On the second screen you have a template you can use for creating the reading. You don't have to change anything here, the defaults will work fine. When you press Next the reading is created, based on the cards that are out. This is when the Save As box appears, so you can decide what name you want to give the new reading and where you want to create it. This is when the box is meant to appear.
After you choose a name for the new reading, you go to the third screen where you can edit the notes and the card positions. Don't be surprised that there are already some notes in there. These are the notes for the spread and for the deck in question. They are imported into the reading when it is created according to the preferences in stage two. Maybe you saw these notes and thought it was the same reading as before, because the boxes were not empty?
I hope this sheds some light on the process. I know it is slightly different to what people are used to with readings, but using the template can save a lot of time if you like to include the card notes and spread notes. If you don't want to include them you can just uncheck the include boxes on the template.
Cheers
Richard
There is only one thing that I can think of that would cause the reading to still be open in the designer, even after you had closed the program and run the upgrade. There is a check box on the Options form (General Options/Program tab) which says something like When closing, minimize to system tray instead. If you have this checked, although you think you are closing the program, really you are just hiding it. This option is there so you don't have to wait for the program to load up each time if you are using it more than once in a Windows session.
In this case when you thought you opened the new beta, in fact it was the old version of the program that was still running in the background. You can check when the program is still running because the Orphalese star symbol appears down by the system clock.
As far as creating readings goes, there are three steps:
On the first screen you have the two buttons Create and Edit, so you just choose Create...
On the second screen you have a template you can use for creating the reading. You don't have to change anything here, the defaults will work fine. When you press Next the reading is created, based on the cards that are out. This is when the Save As box appears, so you can decide what name you want to give the new reading and where you want to create it. This is when the box is meant to appear.
After you choose a name for the new reading, you go to the third screen where you can edit the notes and the card positions. Don't be surprised that there are already some notes in there. These are the notes for the spread and for the deck in question. They are imported into the reading when it is created according to the preferences in stage two. Maybe you saw these notes and thought it was the same reading as before, because the boxes were not empty?
I hope this sheds some light on the process. I know it is slightly different to what people are used to with readings, but using the template can save a lot of time if you like to include the card notes and spread notes. If you don't want to include them you can just uncheck the include boxes on the template.
Cheers
Richard
Re: Re: Last beta and reading wizard
Dear Richard:
The general options tab, when closing minimize in system tray is the only one I have un-checked, so the program do not work in the background when I closed it. I looked for it when you mentioned it and make sure it was unchecked.
I also choose create when trying to make a new reading, but the old reading still shows. The tabs with arrows at the right corner, are not working, nothig happens when you click them.
When I opened the reading wizard, I choose create, the old reading appear. When I click next, the program ask for saving the reading....and at the same time I can see the reading I`m asked to save is already in the readings folder.
The old reading that opens was made with the last beta before the 11/30/05 beta. I used the template and it was working nice.
The other instance edit is working fine. I can edit the old readings and change them.
Have a nice day!
Aurora
The general options tab, when closing minimize in system tray is the only one I have un-checked, so the program do not work in the background when I closed it. I looked for it when you mentioned it and make sure it was unchecked.
I also choose create when trying to make a new reading, but the old reading still shows. The tabs with arrows at the right corner, are not working, nothig happens when you click them.
When I opened the reading wizard, I choose create, the old reading appear. When I click next, the program ask for saving the reading....and at the same time I can see the reading I`m asked to save is already in the readings folder.
The old reading that opens was made with the last beta before the 11/30/05 beta. I used the template and it was working nice.
The other instance edit is working fine. I can edit the old readings and change them.
Have a nice day!
Aurora
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Re: Re: Re: Last beta and reading wizard
Hi Aurora,
I am having a bit of trouble working out what is happening here, if there is a bug, or if the problem is simply that the design of the reading form is a bit confusing.
Suppose you create a reading called Thursday Reading. Then you edit it, then you close the form. You open the form again to create a new reading, and when you get to the Next button you see a Save As dialog... In that box you will see Thursday Reading because that reading exists. If you select it, you will replace the reading you did earlier (the program will prompt you before you do this). If you type a different name in though, say Thursday Afternoon Reading, you will create a new reading with that name.
The buttons on the side are for moving the template sections up and down, but they are only enabled when you select a template section. For each card in the reading you can import the LWB notes, the Personal notes, and if you made the reading using a spread you can import the spread notes. Using the arrows you can decide which order the notes will be imported for each card, when the reading is first created.
Thanks for the feedback, and I am sorry if I am being a bit slow to catch on. Maybe you can send a screen capture showing where the problem is?
Cheers
Richard
I am having a bit of trouble working out what is happening here, if there is a bug, or if the problem is simply that the design of the reading form is a bit confusing.
Suppose you create a reading called Thursday Reading. Then you edit it, then you close the form. You open the form again to create a new reading, and when you get to the Next button you see a Save As dialog... In that box you will see Thursday Reading because that reading exists. If you select it, you will replace the reading you did earlier (the program will prompt you before you do this). If you type a different name in though, say Thursday Afternoon Reading, you will create a new reading with that name.
The buttons on the side are for moving the template sections up and down, but they are only enabled when you select a template section. For each card in the reading you can import the LWB notes, the Personal notes, and if you made the reading using a spread you can import the spread notes. Using the arrows you can decide which order the notes will be imported for each card, when the reading is first created.
Thanks for the feedback, and I am sorry if I am being a bit slow to catch on. Maybe you can send a screen capture showing where the problem is?
Cheers
Richard
Re: Re: Re: Re: Last beta and reading wizard
Hi Richard:
I think the design is perfect! I will try to explain myself better in English!!!!!
- Opened the program
- Choose 3 cards for my reading
- Open the reading wizard and the old reading appears.
- Click next and asked for saving it again, the old reading.
- Saved it again
- After saving it the new reading cards appear and I can do the new reading and save it.
- I closed the wizard.
Without closing the program...
- I selected 3 new cards from other deck for another reading
- Open the reading wizard
- When opened, the same old reading shows on the window
- I again saved it with a third name
- After saving it I, the new 3 cards for the new reading appear on the window.
- And the same thing goes on and on.
I have to keep saving this reading in order to make the new reading.
- I decided to delete the reading from the readings folders with the program closed.
- When I opened the program again and tried to use the reading wizard, the same reading text appear even after deleting it. Stange?
- I closed the program again
- Opened the program folder and remove all the readings from the readings folder and put them in another folder named aurora in My Documents.
- Opened the program again...but same thing repeats again and again...
- With the readings folder empty the same continues to happen when I tried to use the reading wizard.
That is what is happening. Will like to know if someone else installed the last beta and is having this same problem to create readings.
Let me know if you need more information.
Thanks,
Aurora
I think the design is perfect! I will try to explain myself better in English!!!!!
- Opened the program
- Choose 3 cards for my reading
- Open the reading wizard and the old reading appears.
- Click next and asked for saving it again, the old reading.
- Saved it again
- After saving it the new reading cards appear and I can do the new reading and save it.
- I closed the wizard.
Without closing the program...
- I selected 3 new cards from other deck for another reading
- Open the reading wizard
- When opened, the same old reading shows on the window
- I again saved it with a third name
- After saving it I, the new 3 cards for the new reading appear on the window.
- And the same thing goes on and on.
I have to keep saving this reading in order to make the new reading.
- I decided to delete the reading from the readings folders with the program closed.
- When I opened the program again and tried to use the reading wizard, the same reading text appear even after deleting it. Stange?
- I closed the program again
- Opened the program folder and remove all the readings from the readings folder and put them in another folder named aurora in My Documents.
- Opened the program again...but same thing repeats again and again...
- With the readings folder empty the same continues to happen when I tried to use the reading wizard.
That is what is happening. Will like to know if someone else installed the last beta and is having this same problem to create readings.
Let me know if you need more information.
Thanks,
Aurora
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Re: Last beta and reading wizard
Hi Aurora,
OK, thanks for the feedback again, I think the situation is a bit clearer to me now.
I think the problem is that is was a bit confusing what the template is for, so I have just uploaded another version of the beta where there are THREE buttons on the front screen. One to create a reading, one to edit a reading, and one (which will probably not be used very often) to edit the template.
If you click on Create now it creates the reading straight away and takes you into the editing panel, missing out the template stage.
Basically, the template is a feature that some (but not all) users might want to use to save themselves time when creating a reading. For example, if in the header section of the template you write Twas Brillig and the Slithey Toves did Gyre and Gimble in the Wabe then this will appear in the header section of EVERY READING YOU CREATE from then on. It is a kind of blueprint for creating readings, to save time by not having to type the same thing each time. When you have created the reading, then you can edit it to make it personal for the reading in question.
I think maybe this was the problem, that every time you started the Reading Wizard you saw the same text in the template, so you thought it must be the same reading? Maybe you can try the new download and see if it makes any more sense. Please let me know. I really do appreciate the feedback - all the time I am making changes and sometimes they are clear to me but not to anybody else!
Cheers
Richard
OK, thanks for the feedback again, I think the situation is a bit clearer to me now.
I think the problem is that is was a bit confusing what the template is for, so I have just uploaded another version of the beta where there are THREE buttons on the front screen. One to create a reading, one to edit a reading, and one (which will probably not be used very often) to edit the template.
If you click on Create now it creates the reading straight away and takes you into the editing panel, missing out the template stage.
Basically, the template is a feature that some (but not all) users might want to use to save themselves time when creating a reading. For example, if in the header section of the template you write Twas Brillig and the Slithey Toves did Gyre and Gimble in the Wabe then this will appear in the header section of EVERY READING YOU CREATE from then on. It is a kind of blueprint for creating readings, to save time by not having to type the same thing each time. When you have created the reading, then you can edit it to make it personal for the reading in question.
I think maybe this was the problem, that every time you started the Reading Wizard you saw the same text in the template, so you thought it must be the same reading? Maybe you can try the new download and see if it makes any more sense. Please let me know. I really do appreciate the feedback - all the time I am making changes and sometimes they are clear to me but not to anybody else!
Cheers
Richard
Re: Re: Last beta and reading wizard
Richard:
Everything is working nice now, and I understand it better now. I missed many emails where the use of the wizard was explained. So now on I will not download a Beta if I do not read the emails. It will be better to download the finished version with the help file.
Thanks for your extra effort,
Aurora
Everything is working nice now, and I understand it better now. I missed many emails where the use of the wizard was explained. So now on I will not download a Beta if I do not read the emails. It will be better to download the finished version with the help file.
Thanks for your extra effort,
Aurora
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Programmer
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Re: Re: Re: Last beta and reading wizard
Hi Aurora,
I really do appreciate your feedback. Sometimes you concentrate so much on something you can't see the wood for the trees. Now I see that it was a bit silly of me to put the Template stuff there because 99 of the time the user won't want to change it, and it can only lead to confusion. I think having it as a third option on the front screen works much better.
I have also come to a similar conclusion about the beta testing. I always tend to post a big notice about beta releases and try to get everyone to try them. I think this can be useful when it is a beta which involves lots of small changes that might affect everyone. With hindsight, because this was a very specific area of the program, it might have been better to just work with one or two testers in the first place, then maybe move it out to a larger group to get first impression feedback like yours. We live and learn :)
Cheers!
Richard
I really do appreciate your feedback. Sometimes you concentrate so much on something you can't see the wood for the trees. Now I see that it was a bit silly of me to put the Template stuff there because 99 of the time the user won't want to change it, and it can only lead to confusion. I think having it as a third option on the front screen works much better.
I have also come to a similar conclusion about the beta testing. I always tend to post a big notice about beta releases and try to get everyone to try them. I think this can be useful when it is a beta which involves lots of small changes that might affect everyone. With hindsight, because this was a very specific area of the program, it might have been better to just work with one or two testers in the first place, then maybe move it out to a larger group to get first impression feedback like yours. We live and learn :)
Cheers!
Richard
Re: Re: Re: Re: Last beta and reading wizard
On the other hand, BETA is an unfinished piece of software under development. People are using it of their own free will and should be aware that it can possibly include bugs and errors since new things are being tried out.
Not meaning to be a wisecrack but I think it is a nice thing that they are available for download.
Thomas
Not meaning to be a wisecrack but I think it is a nice thing that they are available for download.
Thomas
Re: Re: Last beta and reading wizard
Hi Richard!
I know what you said: if you understand it, you think others understand the same as you. You are computer skilled, and some members also are computer skilled.
I like that idea of having only some beta testers and not invite everyone to download. Since some of us have other mother languages and are not computer skilled. It is a big temptation to download and installed it if you are invited, but at the same time the program will not behave normal because of the bugs....and you cannot use the program if it unstable. Other thing, is that the beta testers write a lot of emails, and if you missed some of them, you do not know how the new features work, as the new beta features do not come with a help file. And some of us do not have the time to read so many emails and can missed the important details. When English is not your mother language you have to make a great effort to write and understand it, that is another point. Many of us speak other languages.
Your idea of inviting everyone to download the betas only when small changes are made, is good.
Another suggestion I was looking forward to make is that the deck exchange page needs some changes. Many of us are interested only in tarot decks... I think the cartomancy decks needs another page. I have the deck exchange page mark for showing 100 decks and It only shows only 5 or 6 tarot decks, so I have to mark it to show at least 300 decks in order to see more tarot decks. I like cartomancy decks, but I had downloaded only about 10 of them. Thats my opinion, as I prefer tarot and other oracle decks. As there are so many cartomancy, tarot and other oracles, some categorization is needed to make the searching more comfortable and the deck exchange page more neat and ordered.
Richard, I really think your formula of beta testing had worked fine until now and the program has many improvements because of this. But your idea of selecting some beta testers, is better for some of us.
Thanks for all the extra work, and pleasing all of us...
Aurora
I know what you said: if you understand it, you think others understand the same as you. You are computer skilled, and some members also are computer skilled.
I like that idea of having only some beta testers and not invite everyone to download. Since some of us have other mother languages and are not computer skilled. It is a big temptation to download and installed it if you are invited, but at the same time the program will not behave normal because of the bugs....and you cannot use the program if it unstable. Other thing, is that the beta testers write a lot of emails, and if you missed some of them, you do not know how the new features work, as the new beta features do not come with a help file. And some of us do not have the time to read so many emails and can missed the important details. When English is not your mother language you have to make a great effort to write and understand it, that is another point. Many of us speak other languages.
Your idea of inviting everyone to download the betas only when small changes are made, is good.
Another suggestion I was looking forward to make is that the deck exchange page needs some changes. Many of us are interested only in tarot decks... I think the cartomancy decks needs another page. I have the deck exchange page mark for showing 100 decks and It only shows only 5 or 6 tarot decks, so I have to mark it to show at least 300 decks in order to see more tarot decks. I like cartomancy decks, but I had downloaded only about 10 of them. Thats my opinion, as I prefer tarot and other oracle decks. As there are so many cartomancy, tarot and other oracles, some categorization is needed to make the searching more comfortable and the deck exchange page more neat and ordered.
Richard, I really think your formula of beta testing had worked fine until now and the program has many improvements because of this. But your idea of selecting some beta testers, is better for some of us.
Thanks for all the extra work, and pleasing all of us...
Aurora