Hoster 3.303 Questions
 

Bryan or Admin,
I have a couple of questions on the new upgrade. I downloaded and installed it last night on one of my systems, with no problems I might add. However a couple of things are concerning me.

According to the upgrade notes, the internet connection is no longer needed for minor upgrades and no registration information was asked for during install. However I did notice during the install did bring up the network connection window to MTU, ran about halfway and then closed. Is this residual code? I only ask because I want to install it on my show machine this weekend. It will not have the network connection and I want to be sure this won't cause a problem.

Second question is concerning the manual. When I open the 3.303 manual my IE trys to block the Active X scripts and I have to tell it to allow them everytime. This didn't happen in past versions. Obviously you guys changed one of the scripts or are maybe using one that is considered by Microsoft as not safe or signed. Any way to fix this so we don't have to "allow" everytime? I checked through all the IE documentation I have and tried all their solutions but to no avail.

One typo(?) I did notice was the top heading says Changes in version 3.302 instead of 3.303. :g

Otherwise I am happy to report no problems with the upgrade...so far. Will really test it this weekend.

Notice it says Allows upgrading without internet connection when the first two digits of the version number are the same as what is installed Maybe this is why it connected to the internet.



New Products and Upgrades When?

Hoster® 3.303

Changes include playing MP3 files with 8Kb to 320Kb compression with more information in the headers, and when closing the Search window focus now goes to the selected BookID or Brand field. Allows upgrading without internet connection when the first two digits of the version number are the same as what is installed. Fixes a major bug reported by user so everyone should upgrade.

Notice upgrade was from 3.301 to 3.303 so would not require network connection. I am fully aware of what is written in the News section and that was why I addressed my questions to MTU and not other users. If there is a problem in the code then MTU needs to address it.

The Install will still try to connect, if there is an Internet connection present. It does not HAVE to, but it will if it is there.

Thanks Bryan. I thought that might be the case, but wanted to be sure before trying it this weekend on the show machine.

Are these really "upgrades?" or something else?

1. Changes include playing MP3 files with 8Kb to 320Kb compression with more information in the headers,

While this might certainly be considered an upgrade for others, it's not for me. I use a different program to play mp3's in the background. I solved this problem cheaply years ago and have no need for my hosting software to double as a DJ machine.


2. and when closing the Search window focus now goes to the selected BookID or Brand field.

I don't ever close the search window during a show. It remains open all night long and I find it invaluable when a singer has a question or I might want to change the version they've selected to a better one. Others might only open the search box when a singer has submitted a song slip with an incorrect BookID.

3. Allows upgrading without internet connection. . .

This is not new, the software has always been able to be installed or upgraded without an internet connection on your hosting computer. I realize that there are users that feel they always must have the "latest upgrade" and they'll upgrade with the first 15 minutes of an upgrade being available, but my logic is simple: If it ain't broke, there's nothing to fix. The (older) version that I have works just great: you type (or paste) in a bookID and a song comes up, type in the singer name, click "Add Track" and then click "Play".... works like a charm.

4. Fixes a major bug reported by user so everyone should upgrade.

This is the only item that I really take exception to as a customer. If there is a BUG, then that bug was not placed there by me (the customer), it was (inadvertantly) overlooked by the software engineers at MTU. And I don't feel I should have to pay for their error.

When the car companies find a "bug" in a model of car/truck they don't tell their customers to "pay to fix our mistake"... they recall their product and fix it or they pay the local repair shop to fix it. The customer doesn't pay for their errors. This happens in the software world as a matter of course too.

To tell your customers (a) there is a "major bug" without even a temporary work-around or description is simply instilling fear of a crash in the middle of a club gig or private party without justification. and (b) telling them they should upgrade because of this "mystery bug" is just not right. Simply because if it is a "bug" that will affect the normal operation of the program, then the company has a responsibility to their customers to fix their defective product, and if there is no bug then this is something else.

Now you got me confused. Is 3.303 FREE to owners of 3.301?

Also, where exactly is it available for upgrade, I saw on the webpage it was 15 dollars for previous verion upgrades?

Did I answer both my own questions?

You know you are not the ONLY user of this software! This was a requested change supported by multiple users that MTU felt was a viable change.

Again you are not the only user and many of us do close it when not using it so it is nice to have it go back to the correct block instead of the unchangeable song title field.

This is new because before you either had to have an internet connect, or a floppy disk or USB memory to take to an internet connected system to register then take back to the first system to complete registration. Now if the upgrade is a minor change (first two digits the same) then no registration of any kind is necessary.

Since this isn't a version change then it is a FREE upgrade, so what are you bellyachen about???

For someone who likes this program so much that you continue to use it for years you sure have a negative attitude about it. Maybe you should pull that burr out from under your saddle and chill out.:m :m

I'll get off my soapbox now.:)

Bryant it is free for owners of 3.301. Go to your store account and view your last purchase which should be version 3.301 and check the download link. It should say version 3.303. If it doesn't yet wait a day or so as Admin said they were working on getting the change in the database.

See I still got your back :g

As DDouglas said, just go to your Store Account as stated in the FAQ, to get your Upgrade to 3.303: http://www.mtu.com/support/faq/faq-website.htm

On the contrary, I do not have a negative attitude about it, nor do I have a "burr under my saddle." However, I am also a software developer and if I'm selling a product and find a bug, then like the rest of the world, I will explain the bug and fix it free. It is not explained if the bug would possibly affect the version that I have or only the newer versions -- a little explaination of which versions are affected would be helpful to say the least.

Your upgrade to fix this bug would be free, mine would not.

My points; (1), (2) and (3) were simply observations from MY standpoint, not complaints nor do I critize anyone who wants to upgrade... that choice is theirs and theirs alone. I run the software my way and you run it your way, that is your right as a customer of MTU and mine as well.

nice post :) :) i agree with you :g

its only a free upgrade if you have 3xxx but if you are using an older verision
then you must pay
my only point here is if its a bug you should not have to pay for the bug fix
i dont want a newer verison but i do want the bug in my program fixed

so maybe there has to be a bug fix for the older ver of hoster
and not an upgrade ???

What version are you running?

I have now updated the web site. You can see the Version 3.303 changes, and see the price to upgrade if it is not free.

If you have purchased 3.3xx, it is a free upgrade by clicking your download link in your Store Account.

Gotcha, thanx, have 3.301 and thought I tried the download load link in my account, but perhaps not.

it works bryant. that is the download link.

Great, I think the other day it had still said 3.301 so I went to the website and it was charging 15 dollars for a 3.303.


But I see I am all set now on my account page, thanx, Beav.

Bryant

your welcome :)

Bryan, what about my 2nd question about IE?