The Ideas Genie Community Forum
Ideas Genie Pro => Whats new? => Topic started by: ideasguy on September 16, 2008, 11:27:27 AM
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Many thanks to Laurie and Malcolm for testing the latest updates on Tuesday 16th Sept
The updates are now released and published on the normal IG Pro Product Support web site.
For purposes of a "guided tour" of the new things in the updated programs, direct links to a few of the key updates are listed below.
My second posting to this forum topic has additional instructions, and a set of simple "Challenges" for you to tackle. In the process, you will be introduced to the new features included in the program updates.
Instructions (Part 1):
Close IG pro
Download ALL of the updates below
Heres the links:
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BEGIN downloads
www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/GA004-dl.exe
When installed and executed, should indicate Version 49 or later
www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/GA005-dl.exe
When installed and executed, should indicate Version 32 or later
www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/GA030-dl.exe
When installed and executed, should indicate Version 23 or later
www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/GA032-dl.exe
When installed and executed, should indicate Version 31 or later
www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/GA901-07-dl.exe
When installed and executed, should indicate Version 11
www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/IGPro-Fileset-ENDE.exe
www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/webfiles-dl.exe
END of downloads required for the Challenges in the next posting. There are more updates on the Product Support web site
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Instructions (Part 2):
Start IG Pro
Start About Ideas Genie - GA200
Note the name of the Core data path (Item 6)
(better still, click the Print button and have the page handy for below)
Quit GA200
Under the System tab, start the program Special-GA901
In title bar, Should indicate: GA901S07 Database alterations - Version 11
Click Help button and read.
If File path indicates .\ (dot backslash) then all is OK
If not, it may show the Core Path name as shown in GA200, Item 6 (above)
If either of these, then it is OK to continue
Click Go button
Instructions (Part 3):
Note: This step is only necessary if you have created one or more WPG projects using GA032
Close IG Pro
A new version of the stylesheet plantlist.css was included in the download, and has been installed in this folder:
c:\igdata_sets\web
You need to get into that folder, and COPY (DONT MOVE) the file plantlist.css to each of your Web Project folders.
Whats new?
Read the next posting in this topic (if you are receiving a broadcast message, please visit the forum)
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Things to do to test the new program releases, and see Whats New
Challenge No 1
Program GA032
You can now edit the style sheet plantlist.css, and select colours to suit your WPG project
Start GA032
Select (or create) a review with at least one plant
Click Web button
In screen GA032S04, click Colours (Step 7)
Screen GA032S10 appears
Click the Help button at top of screen
Select colours for your stylesheet.
Click Save Changes
Back in screen GA032S04, click Generate and then View your web site
Repeat and play with the colours!
Challenge No 2
GA032
Not obvious to the casual user, but Ive made a major revamp to the magic code that runs when you click the Generate button
Before
Web pages were allocated sequential numbers, used as URL's in your WPG web sites. e.g.
mybestplants0001.htm
mybestplants0002.htm
mybestplants0003.htm
etc
NEW:
The new page is allocated the next highest number. The sequential order of your Plant List now looks like this:
mybestplants0001.htm
mybestplants0002.htm
mybestplants0004.htm (the NEW item)
mybestplants0003.htm
In the list, the photos are numbered 1 to 4 (no change).
To test this:
Add a new plant to your WPG project
Generate
View
HOVER over each link in the Plants list
Observe the URL which is shown in the status bar at the bottom of your web browser.
More info about this change:
If you added a plant, or a photo, which appeared mid way in the list, then the NEW addition would be allocated one of the URL's above, and items further down the list would be allocated a different or new URL
This is undesirable for a number of reasons:
a) Google will index your pages. If you publish a change, google will not know immediately, and visitors who find your page in Search Results will be mis-directed (until Google re-indexes your site).
b) If you have hundreds of pages in your project, then this new change will mean you dont have to upload all the pages if you add a new plant or photo to your WPG project.
c) A link to a certain web page in WPG projects wlll now be consistent.
This is better for the IG community.
Now you can place links to WPG pages created by other members in your own FG, IG, Bonsai Genie or IG Pro database. These links will now be stable.
Challenge No 3
Program GA030 and GA005
Now you can insert an auto-generated list of plants into the Photo Description field for photos linked to Garden Areas.
You can do this in GA030 or GA005
Start GA030
Link a photo to a garden area as normal.
Now edit the photo as follows.
In GA030S01, navigate to display the linked photo.
The Link details are shown in a window Under the list of files in that folder (the list at right of screen).
In the Link details list, click (to select) on the line beginning with GDN:
(indicating that its a Garden Area link)
Click the Edit button (only appears when Photo has links)
Screen GA005S04 appears
(note that this is one of the screens "borrowed" from program GA005, so the instructions will be the same for GA005 from this point)
Lassoo one or more plants in your Garden Photo
(If you dont know how to do that, drag the Help (?) icon over the image and release. Help will be shown).
Now click Photo title and Notes (near the top of screen)
Youve seen the Auto Compose, Undo and Photographer buttons before.
Added to that bank is a new one - Plants with co-ordinates.
Also a new Help button is adjacent.
Click Help - read and all will be revealed.
Heres the relevant extract from the help
The Plants with Co-Ordinates button
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Once you have lassooed one or more plants, you can use this button to generate a list of those plants and add it to the Photo description.
This is useful when the photo description is viewed in other programs, particularly the Web Page Generator (in GA032)
Having the list of plants in the photo description is valuable web page information.
The help will explain that that you must lassoo plants in the photo before they can be added to Photo Notes.
The Challenge:
Click the Plants with co-ordinates button.
Ummm... thats it!
You should see an auto-generated list of your lassooed plants in the Photo Description field.
Challenge No 4
Start GA032
Select (or create) a review with at least one plant
Click Web button
In screen GA032S04, click Web Pages (Step 5)
Screen GA032S08 appears
As before, create a thumbnail for one of your plants.
Once you have one thumbnail created for a plant, a More button becomes visible
Click More
Option buttons are revealed.
NEW: There are now 3 option buttons (there were 2 buttons before).
1) Another Plant Photo (no change)
There is no change to the functionality
2) Other photo (Renamed - was Garden Photo before)
There is no change to the functionality
3) Garden Photo NEW :)
The Help text has been re-written.
Pass the mouse over each of the 3 controls and read up.
Click Garden Photo
Screen GA032S12 appears
Click Make a new thumbnail
Screen GA032S15 appears
Use the pop-ups to Select a Gardener and Garden Area
For purposes of this challenge, select the Gardener and Garden Area used in Challenge No 3 above.
Click Continue button
(If no photos are linked to that Garden Area, a message will appear, and you will be prevented from continuing to next screen)
Screen GA100S66 appears
Photos linked to the Garden Area appear as thumbnails.
Click on a thumbnail image to select a photo
Click the Use this button
The WPG will create a thumbnail in the Web Project folder
Screen GA032S08 re-appears
Note that the notes you created in GA030 (in Challenge No 3) appear in the Notes about this photo field.
If challenge No 3 was completed, the notes will include your list of lassooed plants.
End of challenge No 4
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b) If you have hundreds of pages in your project, then this new change will mean you dont have to upload all the pages if you add a new plant or photo to your WPG project.
b
Nice one George, will help me alot.
a} Google will index your pages. If you publish a change, google will not know immediately, and visitors who find your page in Search Results will be mis-directed (until Google re-indexes your site).
e]
Yes, hadn't thought of that.
I haven't time till tonight to take the downloads and try it out George, just turned the computer on to order some spare parts for work.
Malcolm
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Yes, I thought you'd like that b) item, Malcolm.
You had mentioned that you were uploading individual pages, and that would have led to a number of problems to the overall web site.
The above will fix that.
However, please upload your entire web site afresh.
Thereafter, (if you choose) you can upload changed pages.
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Instructions (Part 2):
Start IG Pro
Under the System tab, start the program Special-GA901
In title bar, Should indicate: GA901S07 Database alterations - Version 11
Click Help button
If File path indicates .\ (dot backslash) then all is OK
Click Go button
Taken the updates.
File path indicates
C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\MALCOLM\LOCAL SETTINGS\APPLICATION DATA\IDEASFORGARDENS\IDEAS GENIIE PRO 5\
Cant see .\ anywhere
I have not clicked the go button
Malcolm
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RE:
C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\MALCOLM\LOCAL SETTINGS\APPLICATION DATA\IDEASFORGARDENS\IDEAS GENIE PRO 5\
If it shows that, it is also correct for your computer, malcolm (it has your user name in the path)
Click the Go button !
Update to instructions to follow:
Start About Ideas Genie - GA200
Note the name of the Core data path (Item 6)
If .\ doesnt appear in GA901 then that Core path should appear (in the File Path field)
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All program updates installed correctly, and version numbers for each module were as stated.
I have tested the required steps and everything performed without any problems.
The new feature of web pages being allocated the next highest number seems to be a big bonus. Malcolm also seems particularly suited by this one. We'll await his test results later on.
All in all, everything performed brilliantly (as usual) as far as my testing went.
Let's hope more members will be able to do some testing for you and compare their results.
Laurie.
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Ok clicked go
And it confirmed 2 changes made
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That is correct
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Thanks George
I will add another page to our plant guide, and re publish the whole lot later.
Thanks very much
Malcolm
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File path indicates
C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\MALCOLM\LOCAL SETTINGS\APPLICATION DATA\IDEASFORGARDENS\IDEAS GENIIE PRO 5\
Cant see .\ anywhere
Malcolm
Just to confirm George - I got .\ (dot backslash) in screen GA901S07 in the box "System File Path (Local Drive).
Laurie.
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Just seen your edit
Update to instructions to follow:
Start About Ideas Genie - GA200
Note the name of the Core data path (Item 6)
If .\ doesnt appear in GA901 then that Core path should appear (in the File Path field)
Item 6 is the same C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\MALCOLM\LOCAL SETTINGS\APPLICATION DATA\IDEASFORGARDENS\IDEAS GENIIE PRO 5\
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Ive now added Challenge No 3 (see 2nd posting in this topic)
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Our webpages now reloaded.
Now challenge 3 ;D
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Ive had a look at your web site and its looking good Malcolm.
(That list is growwwwwing!)
Ive now added Challenge No 4.
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Ive now added Challenge No 4.
Stop it, I've got a headache already ::)
Malcolm
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Since development began, Ive had a few headaches!
Seriously, Ive enjoyed it all. Its great when I run something new and see it working.
For those stuck at Challenge 3, this Lesson my be helpful (as that old well known TV cook used to say, heres one I made earlier)
http://www.ideasgenie.com/lessons/lesson3/lesson3.htm
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Have downloaded all of the current updates for Ideas Genie Pro on Product Support Page and verified I have correct version. I gather that most of the challenges you have extended to Forum members are for those further down the course of events than I am, or those that are doing WPG. Instructions Part 2 re: GA901S07 re: File Path indicates .\. Anything else I should double check before preceding again with my own data entries?
Have downloaded Mdb and seems to be working OK. All those Rhodies!!
On the Product Support Page (I think) you forgot to remove the old GA006 (15) & GA015 (21). Might be confusing.
- Toby
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You are doing real good Toby!
RE:
On the Product Support Page (I think) you forgot to remove the old GA006 (15) & GA015 (21). Might be confusing.
:-[ :-[ :-[
Well spotted, Toby. Ive fixed that.
RE:
Instructions Part 2 re: GA901S07
Ive updated that instruction in the first message in this topic Toby.
Let me know when you get that done.
If its says "2 changes made" then you are up to date. If not, let me know.
Challenge No 3 is for all users. Have a go at it.
Ready for REAL fun? Now you have all that stuff downloaded, start a WPG -
Go ahead and give it a try. Its not too difficult. Anybody who could create labels with GA048 will find its a doddle ;)
Heres the steps to get going with a WPG, and you can do this right now. Just work through the simple steps.
Start the the Review program GA032
Note there are 3 long buttons, or tabs. Plants, Add Selected Plants to Reviews and Reviews
Click Reviews
You'll see 3 check boxes, Gardener, Supplier and Other each with its own ww button.
Check Gardener
Click the ww button beside Gardener.
Screen GA100S37 appears
In the pop-up, top of screen, select your own Gardener Profile
Then click the Add New Review button, bottom of the screen
Screen GA100S38 appears
In Title for this review, enter My plants list (or whatever you like - you can edit it later)
Then click Done to return to the initial screen GA032S01
Use the Reviewer and Review Name pop-ups to select your new Review.
Now click Plants tab and select a plant (you must add plants in the normal way to the database first of course)
Then click Add selected plants to review tab and click Add to this review.
Click Reviews tab, and you'll see the plant listed
Repeat to build up a list of plants in the Review.
When you click Reviews, you'll see a text region.
Thats where you type up your Review of that plant (you don't need to that right away).
A review is the Reviewers appraisal of the plant, or anything you wish to say about the plant.
Ultimately, the data in that text box will appear in the upper left region of the web page as Info
Once you've done that, click Reviews, and then click the magic "Web" button at the bottom of the screen.
Screen GA032S04 appears
Immediately, you will be prompted to enter text in the Web page Profile field
Enter toby (lower case is best)
Click the Save Changes button
Next, click the Colours button (Step 7)
You don't HAVE to do anything in this screen. Simply click Save Changes at the bottom of the screen, and all the default colours will be applied.
Now, take a big deep breath!
Click Generate (Step 8)
Click View (Step 9)
Voila!! You have graduated to the WPG superclass here! (Laurie awards the Gold stars)
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Toby....... just an extra bit of reassurance is in order here. ;)
On first reading these instructions it may sound intimidating, but if you carefully follow through the steps that George has outlined here (excellent as usual I may add), then you won't go wrong.
You'll be very surprised at the result you can achieve, in a fairly short space of time if I'm not mistaken. :D
And the added bonus?????? Well, as George said, you could earn yourself a Gold Star. Pretty cool huh? 8)
We look forward to seeing your masterpiece Toby.
Laurie.
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Don't you guys ever quit! Now I know why everybody is getting those headaches! A WPG indeed! What would I want one of those things for? It will just get me into more trouble, you just wait and see. Gold Stars, -- Bah, Humbug!!
- Toby
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I got the message: "Program has finished, 2 changes made." Is that what we want?
- Toby
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Don't you guys ever quit! Now I know why everybody is getting those headaches! A WPG indeed! What would I want one of those things for? It will just get me into more trouble, you just wait and see. Gold Stars, -- Bah, Humbug!!
- Toby
We're like Pitbulls Toby - once we get our teeth into something we never let go. ;D We're just so tenacious.
Laurie.
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Laurie: I did my REAL FUN, and got something that looks like a home page of a Web Site. It has a sample Begonia Plant List on it! I would like my Gold Stars encrusted with diamonds, please. Send the bill to George, he will pay the bill for them! Please Rush.
- Toby
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Ah, not so quick there my friend. I need to see the finished article first. Not that I don't trust you, but... (seeing is believing as they say.)
Give me the link for your work and I'll put my thought processes into action and see if you deserve your Gold Star. ;)
These don't come cheap, you know.
Laurie.
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Laurie: I assume this is what you request: file://C:\igdata_sets\web\toby\index.htm. Remember, those GENUINE GOLD STARS are DIAMOND encrusted. Headaches, Headaches, Headaches. - Toby
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Thats very good work Toby!
Yoiuve created the web pages on your own computer.
The next stage is to copy this onto our server on the internet.
Its very easy. You use a special program to do that, called an FTP program.
Heres a free one, and one of the very best.
http://filezilla-project.org/
Click on Download Filezilla Client
In the next page look for this:
Windows
FileZilla_3.1.2_win32-setup.exe (recommended)
Thats the one to click.
If the download doesnt start (didnt just now when I tried it) then concentrate on the region at the top of the screen (its orange)
Click on Direct Link
That should start the download.
You'll get options like Run, Save and Cancel
Click Run
Let us know when youve got that done.
Meanwhile, I'm going to send you an email with login details.
You are nearly there!
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Laurie: I assume this is what you request: file://C:\igdata_sets\web\toby\index.htm.
Almost Toby. Those are the web site files on your own PC. What we need to see now is those files uploaded onto a server, so they can be viewed by anyone else with a browser, just as you would if you were looking at any other web site on the Internet.
If you don't have access to your own server, then we could ask George to come in here and see if he can allocate you some space on the ideasforgardens.net server, where most of our other members web sites are showcased, that have been created with George's programs.
Once we can see you 'live' as it were, then I think the Gold Star could be getting a lot closer for you. :D
Over to you George.
Laurie.
P.S. Looks like George got in first Toby and answered your question. Ho hum.
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Well folk, take a peep at this:
http://www.ideasforgardens.net/bossgard/toby/
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Toby, you are a star performer. ;D
I've seen your first attempt at doing your own web site, and I know from speaking to George that you have done all the steps yourself that were necessary to get it online. 8)
I also know that this is the first stage for your web pages, and more refinements, photos, etc., are to follow. I'm so pleased for you Toby, because I know this was so 'alien' for you, and very daunting, but you have persevered and excelled yourself.
For now though, you have taken the first major step and this is a fantastic achievement.
I hope now that other members, who haven't yet got a web site, will take inspiration from your efforts and do their own web sites to feature here.
There remains one more thing for me to do here....... and you guessed it, you are being awarded the prestigious Gold Star.
(http://www.pixiemouse.com/igforum/star1_lgtbg.jpg) Gold Star awarded to Toby for his excellent achievement in his first WPG Project, by Kathy & Laurie (Forum Moderators).
Laurie.
P.S. Toby, if you look closely (with an electron microscope), you will see that the star is diamond encrusted as you requested. :D
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And very well deserved, I have to say.
No pressure, Toby (you need to take a rest after that exercise) I'm looking forward to seeing a few piccies.
The whole world will soon know that you are a Begonia enthusiast. What an interesting list you have published!
Even in wet Ireland, my Begonias have performed with excellence, both the Tuberous and rhizomatous varieties.
On the subject, I got 12 double begonias (tubers) free with one of my orders this year.
They don't have cultivar names, like yours Toby, but I'm very pleased with them. They make great "dot" plant around the garden, to brighten up a drab area where other plants have finished flowering for the season.
The other REALLY great thing about them - they just flower continually and prolifically for months on end.
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Ok, cut the balarney (splg?). Laurie, that was a trial balloon on the website, George said I could edit it later. George, I just went through my recently made updates, why am I getting on GA007 version 24 instead of 25 that you have printed on the update sheet?
Seriously, thanks for the kudos, you're giving me inspiration. I might turn out to be your Tuberous Begonia specialist, unless somebody else wants the job? Line forms to the right! Anybody else grow them? George told me he does.
- Toby
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RE:
why am I getting on GA007 version 24 instead of 25 that you have printed on the update sheet?
Thank you, and well spotted there, Mr Gold Star Tuberous Begonia specialist.
What you have is actually Version 25. It was a bit late at night (or early in the morning, depending on how you look at it) when I did all those uploads. I omitted to change the line of code in the program from 24 to 25.
Ive now fixed that and uploaded the file again.
Do you have photos of your Begonias Toby? I recall you were very excited recently when you linked a photo to a plant in IG.
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It is now #25 and reads that way on the screen. Thank you!
George, please see new posting under Photography topic.
- Toby
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I can confirm challenge 3 and 4 work fine for me.
Having 3 computers and screens I download all these updates to the programmes onto no 2 computer and try them out. I keep the "working" programe of IGpro on no 1 computer, so I havent uploaded the WPG with the results of the challenge to show it working.
I shall be taking some new pictures of areas of the garden, and then applying the lassoing, and will add that to our public WPG soon.
I was thinking George :o could the forthcoming "Zoom" feature be made to work in GA05S04. It can be difficult to actually see which plant you are lassoing, unless you have made notes at the time of taking the picture.
Malcolm
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I think I can accomodate that request ;)
When you click on the photo (at present) it should show full screen. Helps in some way
Or - click the Zoom button.
Good to see youve completed the challenges. I was afraid they were too... er.. challenging :)
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To install over a number of computers, use the Save option, Malcolm.
Then find the downloaded file (e.g. GA032-dl.exe NOT GA032.exe) and copy to Flash.
In fact, you could save the downloaded file directly onto Flash.
Insert Flash in 2nd,3rd etc computer
Double click on the file (on Flash - no need to save to disc).
Installer will perform as normal.
That procedure will also work for the file set downloads.