Phonics Alive - literacy software - frequently asked questions

FAQ: [INDEX] - [2] - [3] - [4] - [5] - [6] - [7] - [8] - [9]

Networking

Why are there so many installation options?

The number of options allow for the most efficient use of resources, and allows site administrators to select the best options for their particular site.
For example, if you have a very slow network with very slow machines, you may prefer to use a full client install in conjunction with a full server install, so that the amount of network traffic is reduced.
On the other hand, if you have a 100Mb switched network and a massive server with rather fast clients, you may choose a minimum client install instead. We cannot determine (at this time) what the configuration of different networks are, so we leave the choices up to the site administrator. Please consult the program specific Network Installation instructions which are available at the root level of the program CD.

Uninstalling on a client machine

There is one "gotcha" with regards to version numbers less than 2.0 of The Speller, Grammar and Typing, and uninstalling a client which has previously used network results. When you select the uninstall option, unfortunately it will also remove the network results file if it is available.

This is a previously unforseen result of our attempts to completely tidy up after finishing with the program. In our efforts to not leave bits of files lying around when you no longer need a program it is a little too eager, and will delete the networked results as well.

Versions 2+ now have a message box that ask whether or not to delete the results file when uninstalling.

Testing a network installation without a Licence Code

Follow the instructions contained in the "Network Installation" file on the CD.

When you are asked "Please enter your licence code" click the 'Cancel' button, and then when the next question appears "You have chosen not to enter a licence code" click the 'No' button. This will default the system to a single user. Then continue with the installation as documented in the Network Installation instructions.
Note that if you purchase a licence code at a later date, you will need to run the server installation again, and then enter that licence code when asked.

You do not need to run the installer again on the client/s. Note that any saved results will be lost when you run the server installation, so this procedure is only suitable for short term testing.

Program Specific Issues

Macintosh - Typing v1.0, v1.1 Aus - Mac server installation with shared folder and Mac clients

There is an issue with the installation procedure required under certain circumstances with PA6 - Typing.
If you choose to share the "Typing" folder on your Mac server, instead of sharing an entire drive or the level of folder below it, when it comes to doing the client installations, because the CD is named the same thing as the folder, the program gets a little confused about where certain files really are.
If your network configuration is such that you prefer to share a folder instead of a "Shared Applications" drive or folder, then the work around for this is as follows:

Install the server as per the Installation Instructions
Insert the CD into the client, but do NOT mount the server folder
Install the program in "Single User" mode.
Remove the CD.
Mount the server folder.
Run the program on the client, and then go to the "Name list" page. When asked, select the location of the shared results file that you previously installed on the server.
Quit the program.

Note that from v2.1 of Typing onwards, this will not be an issue.