110
vacAuction Software
110
vac
This page is always under construction. Please bear with us!!
Support Etiquite
If you have an issue that has been ongoing for some
days/weeks, but you've been too busy to get support until a few hours
before an important auction, please don't call me, OK? You wouldn't
wait until your house is smoking embers before you called the fire department.
Word to the wise!
You may no longer use a computer in the dark.
I'm not sure you ever could, but NOW you need some basic knowledge of
computer operations. There are numerous excellent references
available to you to assist you in performing the necessary functions
to keep your machine healthy and to get the most from it. Please
invest some time in getting to know your machine. You will save ten
times the time (and effort, and frustration) that you spend learning
about your computer.
Another word to the wise!
For reasons unknown to this writer, the computer industry has gone gaa-gaa over the USB port. They claim USB means Universal Serial Bus. I think it means Unstable. I hope you never go to USB Hell where devices quit in the middle of their operation, or just disappear altogether never to be seen again. The first USB devices were printers. The USB printer replaced the ever tried and true parallel port printer. The advertized reason for the movement to USB was faster throughput. Lie. I know of no printer that can print at the data rate of even the slowest computer. If it could, you wouldn't want to be in the same room with it. Maybe not the same building. I advise in the strongest possible terms that you NOT consider any network connections that involve the USB port. It could go unstable on you during an auction with disastrous results.
Some common problems and solutions
|
Can't find Database |
Problems with Work Station(s) |
Work Station won't settle bidders. |
Work Station won't post lots. |
|
The most common cause of this problem is the ODBC data connection does not exist or is not correct. Click here for detailed ODBC instructions. Work stations are setup and installed just like the Server, however the ODBC connection MUST point to the currauct.mdb database in the Server, which must be shared with full R/W privilege. Set the OTWIN folder in the Server as a shared resource with full privilege, and map a Work station drive to that folder before you make the ODBC connection.
|
The software is installed on Work Station exactly the same way as on the Server with these exceptions: 1. Map your desktop icon to OTvacWin.exe (or, if you are using the Work Station as a posting terminal only, to OTpost.exe). 2. The Work Station ODBC data connection MUST be to the currauct.mdb file at the Server, which MUST be shared with full R/W privilege.
|
The most common cause of this problem is that the software can't find a printer. You may attach a printer to the Work Station or to any network printer. Check with your network administrator. By the way, 110vac never asks you for a printer setup. You don't have time to fool around answering obvious questions! It sends the report immediately to your default printer.
|
The most common cause is an error in drive sharing/mapping. The fix is to set the server's OTWIN folder as a shared resource with full R/W privilege. Then map a drive at the Work Station to the shared OTWIN folder at the Server. Your network administrator can remedy this for you. |
Data Security
There have been several questions regarding the security of your auction data. The database is open and vulnerable when OTvac, or OTpost are running. You may quickly repair a corrupted database through the ODBC Administrator. I STRONGLY recommend that UPS's be used at all stations. By far, the most likely cause of database corruption is power failure while the database is open.
Auction Database
When you Archive the auction, you have made a copy of the full auction database in the OTWIN folder of the Server. It will be named the same name you assigned when you archived the auction. You may easily copy this archive to other media for storage or transfer to another computer. 110vac uses an Access database. Access db's do no "housekeeping". That is, they grab more and more disk space as records are added, deleted or changed. You can (and should) compact the database from time to time via the ODBC Administrator. A good time to compact the database is before you archive it.
Wireless Networks
Wireless is great! It allows you to move about freely (within the 75-100 foot range, that is), but wireless networks run about 1/10th the speed of a wired network. This will NOT cause you any problems, but you should be aware.
Label Printing
We advise against printing labels on any printers where the label sheet is rolled around the feed rollers with the labels out. The can cause a label to peel off the sheet and stick in your printer. When this happens, you'll probably need to take your printer to a service shop to have the label removed. I've had to do this several times. A word to the wise: examine your printer to determine the way it handles label sheets. If it rolls the sheet into the print engine with the labels out, print labels advisedly. A label stuck in your printer is a real mess!
Moving the software onto another computer/system
Moving your software is as easy as pie. Simply copy the entire contents of the OTWIN folder of the current machine onto some transfer media. Load these files into the OTWIN folder of the new machine. Make your ODBC connection(s) and desktop icon(s). That's it! Done.
Tips and Tricks
Learn to use the tab, shift tab and alt keys while posting and never touch the mouse. Much time is saved if you avoid the mouse! If you're using a laptop as a posting station, buy a real keyboard with a numeric pad!
Single computer users: 90% of your auction work will be done on two screens: the Bidder Reg screen and the Post Lots screen. You may start 110vac, click Post Lots, click OTvac in the task bar and open Bidder Reg. Now Bidder Reg is open and Post Lots is open. You may toggle between these two screens instantly using the Alt-Tab keys. Try it, you'll like it!
Your Feedback is welcome!
If you'd like an issue addressed, or a question answered, or have a general comment, please submit it here:
