New SN windows client in open BETA

[Tyler Allison]

New BETA release of the SN Windows Client.

http://www.spotternetwork.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1642

-Tyler

[Jeff Russell]

Tyler the new features sound great. Can't wait to try the new program.

[Ric Burney]

Loaded and runs fine on the laptop. So far I like it. Will give it a more intensive tryout later in the week and report. Thanks for offering this upgrade.

[David Drummond]

Came up and ran fine on my laptop so far. So far I like it much better than the old one.

[Danny Neal]

I get the "Component 'weblink.ocx' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid" message.

This problem was caused by a compatibility issue between this version of Windows and this version of Microsoft Deprecated DLL Components. This program was created by Microsoft Corporation.You are using Windows Vista SP1.


UGH I hate technology!!!

[Jason McKittrick]

Nice work guys I love the new features. Installed fine and working perfectly with the Delorme Serial Emulator.

[Jason Loving]

I have to say awesome job guys! I have to say I really like having the NWS phone numbers right in front of you.

[Wesley Luginbyhl]

Opened up and worked fine with Vista 64-bit. Having the NWS numbers right there is a great addition.

[Jeff Snyder]

I get the "Component 'weblink.ocx' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid" message.

This problem was caused by a compatibility issue between this version of Windows and this version of Microsoft Deprecated DLL Components. This program was created by Microsoft Corporation.You are using Windows Vista SP1.


UGH I hate technology!!!

I (and others) got the same error at first. See this thread --> http://www.spotternetwork.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1643

[J Kinkaid]

Works great with Windows 7 64bit

[Danny Neal]

Thanks for the link Jeff. Works like a charm and looks really good.

[Jordan Bell]

I downloaded it and installed it fine but, I may be missing something because when I closed the client and reopened it did not save my position. Currently I am a stationary position only because I do not have a GPS for the field.

[Pat Darrow]

Works on my Vista machine just fine.

[gilbert sebenste]

I downloaded it and installed it fine but, I may be missing something because when I closed the client and reopened it did not save my position. Currently I am a stationary position only because I do not have a GPS for the field.

Same here. Running Vista 32 bit fully patched, It forgot my spotter ID, and location after I had typed it in, then killed the program, then restarted it.

[Danny Neal]

Same here. Running Vista 32 bit fully patched, It forgot my spotter ID, and location after I had typed it in, then killed the program, then restarted it. Same here..... still can't find my ID. Would it be in a previous email? Or do I have to request it again??

[Jeff Snyder]

Same here..... still can't find my ID. Would it be in a previous email? Or do I have to request it again??

Log into your SpotterNetwork.org account --> http://www.spotternetwork.org/mine.php . Your spotter / private ID is the first number you'll see after logging in. Or are you having problems with the application remembering your spotter ID?

[Danny Neal]

Log into your SpotterNetwork.org account --> http://www.spotternetwork.org/mine.php . Your spotter / private ID is the first number you'll see after logging in. Or are you having problems with the application remembering your spotter ID? Thanks again Jeff..... It was just the old version had my ID and I didn't write it down or copy it. I deleted that version and I noticed I needed it for this one too and had no idea how to re-retrieve it.

[Jesse Risley]

I ran the program flawlessly (using Vista) last night for a mini road trip. I did have the same problem as others when the computer froze; the SN ID information does not save when the computer is restarted. I just logged into my SN account and got the information, which wasn't a major problem. I toyed with the new icon options, but the new icons don't show up on the general map.

However, I like the new beta version and there were no problems otherwise. Great job on the program update!

[L.B. LaForce]

Not bad, works fine on my end. I like the color scheme, and the WFO contact info, that's great. I do however like the size of the old one better, the smaller more square version was more handy I though. Seems like other people had the same problem as me with the icons not working either. I selected house, but i still got the car. I also had a hard time depicting if I was active or idle, maybe a green text like last time to show your active. Have the coordinates gotten less precise too, cause it seem to cut off like 1 or 2 numbers from the old one (not a big deal though I guess...). Anyways, other than that, its great, im pretty picky, and I realizes its still in beta :D

[Kurt Hulst]

It needs to have a minimization button.



I spoke to soon. I thought hitting the X closed the program all together. it actually minimizes it instead. I have turned it off an on a few times and it has retained my ID and manual position so seems to be working.

[Jeff Russell]

Tyler,

Getting this msg in the communications log window.
10:03:30 PM Not a valid Spotter ID. Use Spotter ID not Callsign

However my report went through that I made on the hail this evening. I did use the old client earlier if that helps. I did double check to make sure I had the right ID.

Jeff

[Tyler Allison]

if it continues giving the message email me your SN ID and I'll look it up in the logs to see what might be the problem. That error is pretty specific though. Check for a space before/after the ID number and the like.

Also, custom icon selection is not fully supported yet. It works in GR but I need to expand that to SL and the google maps page.

[Andrew Revering]

Just a few notes:

- The button that says 'Inactive' when pushed sets you to 'Active'. It's a pretty huge button and displays/sets your current status. I think that should suffice compared to little green text, no?

- The minimizing issue seems confusing. I'll do some slight changes to that... when you have the window up I'll have a button on the task bar so if a window comes up over it before you minimize, you can bring it forward, but still X'ing will minimize. Closing the program can be done by File-->Exit or right click the icon in the system tray.

- The program is a completely new rebuild from the V2 software. It does not harvest your settings from that program, so you have to re-enter your spotternetwork id in the new version on installation.

- I have to troubleshoot the problem people are reporting where its not saving your settings. I have to imagine it has something to do with either permissions or the path you're installing the software to. If you're having a problem with it saving your manual coordinates and/or spotter id, then let me know 1) the path you installed the software to and 2) your operating system (and if its 64 bit). Try right clicking and Run As Administrator and try saving your options again and see if that helps under Vista.

[Kurt Hulst]

The other day April 25 I was testing the new SN Beta client. It was working fine for about an hour. In fact it was probably functioning properly the whole time after that, however, I noticed that my GPS would turn off through the Delorme Serial emulator. I have run 3 separate programs simultaneously using GPS without a hitch GR3, Spotter network V 2.2, and Delorme. This day I had to reboot my computer several times because I could not get the GPS to be recognized and several programs were causing errors such as my alltel mobile axcess would freeze and I had full signal. Since I still had version 2.2 I decided to see if that made a difference. I rebooted and started everything up and started 2.2. Since then I never had a problem with losing GPS or any other error.

There were no error codes being given just "this program is not responding."

I am running on XP home service pk3. My computer is very capable of handling the work load I put it through.

I just wanted to bring this to your attention this may or may not have been helpful. If I get a chance in the next week to chase I'll see if the Beta program functions like it did on the 25th.

[Andrew Revering]

I will likely release an update tonight which will likely help the problems you experienced, but I should note a few things.

- The new V3 client has huge databases built in to determine your nearest city, county and CWA. Although this code is very efficient and fast, it is called repeatedly as your coordinates constantly change. This can put a toll on your system. However, I did do some work in the new update that should alleviate some of this strain.

- The V3 client auto-detects the GPS and automatically connects to it. If you have some sort of problem with your GPS... you reboot or you unplug it and put it in another USB port, you will be likely assigning a new Com port to it. This will make your Emulator look for it in the wrong location and meanwhile SN will auto-detect it, lock it and prevent your Emulator from connecting to it. Meanwhile SN will have it and be using it in the background. The key here is if for any reason you ever need to reboot or shift the GPS to another USB port, shut down SN, make sure your emulator has a lock on the GPS first, then start SN and it will grab any virtual com port that the Emulator has available for it.

I expect the new version to solve the vast majority of your issues. Your exiting version will auto-alert you when it's available to download.

[Kurt Hulst]

I expect the new version to solve the vast majority of your issues. Your exiting version will auto-alert you when it's available to download.

So I clicked on the Spotter Network and the update screen came up. I clicked on download and it took me to the main SN website. I did not see anything for downloading the 3.1 version. I did see the download tab on the bottom of the menu on the right side. I clicked that thinking maybe that would be it. I extracted it and it asked if i wanted to repair SN. So that was not the correct download it was still for version 2.2. Where do I download the new 3.1?

[Andrew Revering]

The 'beta' version (SN3) is not yet on the main web site. Tyler is testing this one before he puts it on the front page. You have to go into the Forums and under the Windows Client thread you'll see a link for the latest beta versions.

Note that at the time I'm writing this (8pm central) the 3.0.1 update is still giving 3.0.0 due to a little issue here. It should be linking to 3.0.1 shortly. If you continue to get a 'new version is available' message after upgrading to 3.0.1, just wait an hour or so before trying the 3.0.1 link again. We should have that fixed shortly.

[Jesse Risley]

The 'beta' version (SN3) is not yet on the main web site. Tyler is testing this one before he puts it on the front page. You have to go into the Forums and under the Windows Client thread you'll see a link for the latest beta versions.

Note that at the time I'm writing this (8pm central) the 3.0.1 update is still giving 3.0.0 due to a little issue here. It should be linking to 3.0.1 shortly. If you continue to get a 'new version is available' message after upgrading to 3.0.1, just wait an hour or so before trying the 3.0.1 link again. We should have that fixed shortly.

The new version 3.0.1 has been downloaded and installed, and it works just swell for me.

For fellow Vista users, the suggestion for saving your Spotter ID number worked on my system. Right click the program and run it as an administrator. Type or paste in your SN ID number from your account, and click the green "Settings" button to minimize the window. Close the program and reopen it normally and it should be saved.

[David Mikulec]

Macbook running XP SP3 under Bootcamp. Loads and runs flawlessly... so far. ;)

[PaulChambers]

When I was running GR3, SN302, Internet Explorer, Verizon Access and Delorme Street Atlas 2009, Street Atlas would "hang up" and the displays at the bottom of the screen would just go blank.
I found out that I had to load ALL the other programs FIRST and THEN load Spotter Network Client 302 to get everything to run properly, but then after about an hour, at least ONE of the other programs would hang up until I restarted Sptter Network or have to reboot the computer.
Since I had the older version of SN Client, I tried it and everything worked fine the rest of the day.

[L.B. LaForce]

Currently running version 3.0.2 on Windows XP SP3. apparently its says I am 2956 miles from Wattles Park, which in reality, I live like 2 miles at most. I check the error log, and its is filled with a variation of this error message:

Error Number: 9 Subscript out of range in frmPoly.AddPoint
Variables: dLat: 43.2753562927246 dLon: -77.3801040649414
Error Number: 9 Subscript out of range in frmPoly.AddPoint
Variables: dLat: 43.2753562927246 dLon: -77.3801040649414
Error Number: 9 Subscript out of range in frmPoly.EndPolygon
Variables: dLat: 43.2756500244141 dLon: -77.3775939941406
Error Number: 9 Subscript out of range in frmPoly.EndPolygon
Variables: dLat: 43.2756500244141 dLon: -77.3775939941406

[Andrew Revering]

Version 3.0.4 will be available shortly... launching your existing SN3 client will notify you when 3.0.4 is available with a message box.

It will have the following bug fixes:
- Fixed memory leak problem that caused the program (and your computer) to become sluggish.

- Added the ability to choose between auto-detecting GPS or manually selecting Port and Baud Rate

- Fixed the occasional occurrence of miscalculating distance to nearest city being thousands of miles away.

- Set the “location check” to update every 1 minute. Initially it may not show a location, but will populate within a minute of having acquired GPS.