Please note that pdf versions of each of the package manuals are available for download.
Download the Community Education manual
Download the Future Indicative manual
The following help area has been expanded to include an area for each of the packages.
If you are seeking general information (i.e. the type of information which would apply to any of the packages) then go to the questions in the 'General Help Area' just below.
If you are looking for help concerning a particular package, and you cannot find the answer in the manual, then check the link to the package specific areas below.
Package specific help - Gateway
Package specific help - Future Indicative
General help Questions and Answers :
Does this software work with Vista?
What happens when I install an update?
Can I get training in my package?
Can we make up our own version of 'worsfold.csv' - we are not using MUSAC or Kamar.
I am asked for a password when I extract a download. What is the password?
Error 52 - Why do I get an error 52 when I try to run the program?
Answers
Does this software work with Vista?
Yes, we have successfully loaded and run the packages in the Vista environment. Sometimes, confusing messages occur during the installation process, always in relation to system files.
Sometimes it is reported that some files being installed already have later versions on your machine. In this case, do NOT replace your existing files.
Now Vista, bless its cotton-picking socks, hides the databases from ordinary view. Microsoft have decided that you cannot be left responsible for looking after the database so, when you run the package, it creates a special 'virtual' directory, hidden away, into which the program, its databases, and various other files are copied.
One clever person, Tracey Gayner of Rosehill College, discovered how to get a registration file into the correct place once the program was running. Here are the instructions which she very thoughtfully sent. This was used to get the registration file (wcemenu.dat) into the \ce menu.
Installing wcemenu.dat file on Vista
Vista holds a Virtual Store folder on your system. This replicates EVERYTHING in your CE folder, including the wcemenu.dat file.To install the registration file :
- Ensure that your user account is NOT checked as 'Read only' . If it is, then uncheck it. (This may prompt you to restart your computer....). Your User account is found in the control panel under User Accounts
- Using Search, click on the advanced search arrow.
- Tick the include non indexed, hidden and system files FIRST before typing what you want to search for.
- Type: App (which is short for the AppData (Application Data) folder).
- Right-click on the folder and choose properties (make sure it’s for your files and not EVERYONE elses e.g Tracey vs everyone's data)
- Uncheck hidden and read only options – click apply
- Double click on the folder to open it
- Open the folder and you will see three folders – open the LOCAL one.
- Then open program files and you will see “ce” folder
- Delete the wcemenu.dat file.
- Paste in your one from Rory.
- Go into your program files and find the “ce” folder.
- Delete the wcemenu.dat file.
- Paste in your one from Rory.
Any questions or if the instructions aren’t too clear:
Tracey – Rosehill College
09 295 0661 ext 889
Can I run this software on an Apple Mac?
You certainly can and several places currently do it. However, you must kid your Mac into believing that it is a PC machine running, e.g. Windows XP. To do this you must install an run an 'emulator' program on you Mac, such as 'Parallels'. For more information refer to e.g. http://www.parallels.com
Another way of achieving a similar result is to use Terminal Services or Citrix to achieve the same effect. (although this makes you tied to having continuous access to your work file server)
But my son, on checking my website tells me :
"It may interest you to know that you can run XP on a mac without running parallels. You can boot windows on any intel mac. The
process is called Bootcamp and is now a native part of the Mac OS 10.5 operating system nicknamed "Leopard". You can have the best of both worlds on one computer now. Here's a link for more info...http://www.apple.com/au/macosx/features/bootcamp.html
What are the system files?
System files are computer operating system files used to provide particular functionality for the Worsfold Programs. Many other computer programs use some of or all of the same files, as do the Microsoft operating systems. So it is extremely likely that your computer will already have many of the files concerned. The files provide functionality for e.g. the grid used in the software, the printer object used to display and preview printouts, the operation of the ACCESS databases used etc.
Does it run on a network?
All of the packages are relatively easy to network. It is expected that you would install the package on to your file server, then access the package from a terminal. Some of the packages refer to MUSAC databases and they prefer to do that via mapped drives. If in doubt, ask your IT person to arrange this for you.
In addition, the system files MUST be installed on each and every terminal accessing the package in question. I know that its rather clumsy (my fault entirely) but the easiest way to do this is to install the package as a whole on to each terminal (this will install both the package itself AND the system files) and to then remove the package - leaving the necessary system files behind. Community Education lives in a \ce directory, Star in a \star directory and Gateway in a \gw directory.
Can I access my database from home?
You certainly can. Your license permits you to install the package anywhere you like and as many times as you like. Hence, you may have the package running at work AND on your home computer. However, to do this you'll need to also copy the license file AND the database to the second or subsequent computer.
Then, you must copy the latest version of the database backwards and forwards between your work machine and your home machine - to ensure that you have the latest information in both places. Some use a pendisk for this purpose.
Perhaps a more sensible way to do this is to have your IT people set you up for Terminal Services at home, from where you can then run your work machine from your home one. (What you'll see on your home machine is actually your work machine's display.)
What are the license files?
A license file is a small encrypted file (only 135 bytes long) which holds your school name and other bits of information about your right to run the package.
The license file for Community Educations is named wcemeny.dat
The license file for Star is names starreg.lic
The license file for Gateway is named gwreg.lic
These files cannot be 'opened' as they contain what is, apparently, garbage - but which makes sense to the program looking for it.
What happens if I find a bug?
Heaven forbid, as a lot of effort is put in to ensure that this doesn't happen. However, like taxes and death, bugs are inevitable. They are simply the computer's way of telling you that the software writer is human after all!
Most bugs will be trapped and result in an on-screen error message, which can be printed and either posted or scanned and emailed to randcbutler@paradise.net.nz. Please remember to send a fairly full description of exactly what you were doing when it occurred, as it is generally impossible to identify and repair a bug unless it can be duplicated.
Sometimes a bug might be caused by a fault in your database. (Yes, it can happen). In this case, or if I suspect that it is caused by something peculiar to your system, I'll ask you to email me a copy of the database. See below for instructions on how to do this.
What are the database names?
Each program creates a new database for each year of operation. That way you can, very easily, jump backwards and forward between the current year and any previous year for which you used the package.
The database name for e.g. 2008 for Community education is ce2008.mdb and is found in the \ce directory.
The database name for e.g. 2008 for Star is star2008.mdb and is found in the \star directory.
The database name for e.g. 2008 for Gateway is gw2008.mdb and is found in the \gw directory.
What if I cannot find my database?
They should be easy to spot (unless you ware running Vista) in the directory listed above.
If you cannot see e.g. ce2008.mdb but you can only see ce2008 (which out the .mdb) then you should :
Click on Tools in the top menu and select 'Folder options'.
Then click on the 'View' tab and UNTICK the line which says 'Hide extensions for known file types'
Now the full name will be visible.
What if I can see a 'ldb file too? What is that?
Access (or a program which uses the Access Jet engine to operate) creates a small temporary file (an .ldb file) when a database is opened, and removes it when the database is closed. If you can see it then the program is still running, so shut it down before doing anything to do with the database.
How do we email a database to Worsfold Software Ltd?
Microsoft Outlook is very kind and will NOT allow you to email a .mdb database. (You can email it but it will be removed from your email at my end as it arrives. Consequently, you have to send me a renamed (and preferably zipped) COPY of the database in question. To do this : (and these notes refer to ce - Community Education. You can apply them also to star and to gateway.
The database will be called e.g. ce2008.mdb (or star2008.mdb or gw2008.mdb) and will be in the \ce directory (or \star or \gw).
To find where your file is located, right-click on your desktop shortcut and select 'Properties'.
The target will show you where it is.Use Windows Explorer to navigate to the \ce directory and find the database (e.g. ce2008.mdb) there.
If you can see ce2008 but not ce2008.mdb then you need to make extensions visible.
Click on 'Tools' at the top of the screen and select 'Folder options'. From this menu select 'View'
and make sure that the option to 'Hide known file extensions' is UNTICKED.Now you should be able to find ce2008.mdb
You need to make a copy of it and rename the copy to, e.g. ce2008.txt
To do this, right-click on the file and select 'Copy', then right-click in the white space
near the file and select 'Paste. this will result in a 'Copy of ce2008.mdb'.
Right-click on the copy and select 'Rename'. Edit the name to e.g. 'ce2008.txt'.Hopefully you can also zip it up. You may have to skip this step if you do not have 'Winzip'.
Right-click on the copy and select 'Winzip' to zip the file.One you have the file ready for emailing (either ce2008.txt or ce2008.zip) right-click on it
and select 'Send to' followed by 'Mail recipient'. When you arrive in your email, send it torandcbutler@paradise.net.nz
Remembering to include in the email a reminder to me as to what I am expected to do with you file.
How do I 'register' a package?
A package is registered by copying the relevant license file into the relevant directory.
The license file for Community Educations is named wcemenu.dat and lives in the \ce directory.
The license file for Star is names starreg.lic and lives in the \star directory.
The license file for Gateway is named gwreg.lic and lives in the \gw directory.
What does the annual license fee cover?
The annual license fee covers the costs of :
1. Maintaining the program, including the addition of requests and suggestions from those using the package.
2. Supporting the program via email and phone calls - as you will not be charged if I have to call you to assist you.
3. If you require a copy of the CD at any stage there will be no charge for it.
When will I receive an invoice for the annual license fee?
Invoices for each year's license fees are sent out early in April. Early payment is appreciated - when you receive the invoice. Please do not wait for a statement (one will certainly arrive if no payment is received) and please do not put it to one side under a tall pile of papers! We do encourage schools to pay via on-line banking and the necessary banking details are on the invoice.
What happens when I install an update?
You get a new copy of the program. This does NOT change your data. However, from time to time, a new version of the program WILL modify your database a little. For example, I am about to add each student's Date or Birth to the gateway package. The version which introduces this will modify one corner of the database to make room for this extra information.
Can I get training in my package?
Most people pick up the running of their package by playing with it. Some even resort to reading the manual (Manuals are provided on the CD as both Word documents and PDF files (the latter being added as from today 25/05/2008))
In addition, I am happy, within reason, to spend time with you on the phone leading you through a particular part of the package. No-one has yet rung an said, 'I'm free for the next hour. Teach me how to use the package!'.
We also attend various conferences each year (CLASS, ACE and CATE) at which we run seminars on the packages. We'll also happily spend time with you at a conference while other sessions are on, running through the package.
Finally, we do, from time to time, visit various parts of the country where we run seminar for those wishing to learn more about the packages. You will be emailed whenever such seminars are in the offing in your area.
Can we make up our own version of 'worsfold.csv' - we are not using MUSAC or Kamar?
Both Star and Gateway integrate with MUSAC to a considerable extent. Star provides for the automatic attachment of standards via option class markbooks and results are automatuically imported from the Classroom Manager database. Gateway uses the same file to access very basic student data - names, year, gender, ethnicity, date of birth.
Kamar goes a small part of the way, by providing an export (titled 'worsfold.csv') which provides both Star and Gateway with basic student data, allowing for the attachment to courses (in Star) via option class, but not providing for the import of students' results.
PCSchool has recently provided the same facility - the worsfold.csv file is created and you have to indicate that you are 'using Kamar'.
Others (e.g. Integris) do not provide such a facility and are unlikely to ever do so.
However, if you have the necessary skills you can produce your own copy of the worsfold.csv file. This is a simply, comma delimited file (that's what csv means - comma separated variables).
The columns used are (with USED attached to indicate that Star and Gateway use this data) :
A School ID - USED
B Surname - USED
C First name
D Preferred first name - USED
E Full first names - USED
F Horizontal form class
G Vertical form class (e.g. tutor group)
H House
I Year - USED
J Gender - USED
K Ethnicity 1 - USED
L Ethnicity 2
M Date of Birth - USED
M Caregiver – mail to whom
O Caregiver 1
P Caregiver 2
Q Caregiver 3
R Caregiver 4
S Subjects – by option line separated by ; - USED in Star
e.g. 12MATBT;12ENGYO;;12HISKE;(This student is taking 12MAT with BT in line 1, 12ENG with YO in line 2, nothing in line 3, etc)
You do NOT need to distinguish between the subject and teacher as the option name is taken as a whole and never split.Other information not used by these packages is used by a Parent-Teacher Meeting Arranger programme developed by Worsfold Software. This interfaces to both MUSAC and Kamar and is used to record caregiver requests for Parent-teacher interviews and to arrange them to optimise timings for both staff and caregivers across multiple levels on multiple sessions over multiple days.
I am asked for a password when I extract a download. What is the password?
You should not be asked for a password as none has been put onto the zip file. Some pweople are asked for one never-the-less. If this happens then extract the file(s) to your desktop, and no password will be required. Then copy the extracted file(s) from your desktop to your package directory. (Then delete them from your desktop of course)
Error 52 - Why do I get an error 52 when I try to run the program?
An error 52 (File not found) occurs if you simply take the download from the web and install it without having first installed the package from the CD. It indicates that several important files (particularly the emply database) are missing. Several people have done this, and I really should have the package check for this situation and inform them if and when it occurs.
How do we create the worsfold.csv export in Kamar?
The following instruction were receievd from Kamar :
Package specific questions and answers:
Q. I keep getting a message saying that 'system files need updating'. How can I stop that from happening?
A: Use Windows Explorer to find your \ce directory. Under that directory you will find a \system directory. Rename it to \systemx. i.e. Rename \ce\system to \ce\systemx.
Q. How can I find my \ce directory?
A; Right-click on your desktop shortcut to ComEd and select 'Properties'. In the middle of the properties window you will see a 'Start in' entry. This tells you where to find your \ce directory.
Q: Before I even try to log on it tells me that the database has not been rolled over to the new year, and then tells me that it cannot find the preferred year, and then it stops completely and I can't get in!!!
A; Download the latest version (as at 14th january) and the problem will be solved.
1. If you are networking FI then, each time you run either FI or FIStudent on a work station (terminal) then a check is made to see whether or not there is a newer version on the file server. If so then the program asks if you would like to copy it across from the fileserver.
If your program crashes at this point (for whatever reason....) then you can perform the task manually to get the newer version and hence stop the message appearing.
Use windows explorer from the terminal (work station) to view the \fi directory on the file server (where the database itself lives) and copy the newer version of either fi.exe or fistudent.exe across to the terminal. Then the ‘new version’ message will no longer appear.
Copyright 2008 (C) Worsfold Software Ltd