Hoster 5.06.03 Frustrations ...

[kod]

You can still have 2 singers lists open.
One from the Search + Singers and one from the Tools/Edit Singers database.
I requested the bit to have it changed from singers list always on top, the reason was that I could have them showing more columns and just flick from one to the other hiding one under the other saving on screen space.
The idea of combining the search+singers button was MTU. Partly because a lot of new users never used to know that you had to press the manila envelope to access the singers dialog.

Roy,

It is easier to close the Search/Singers window and reopen it than to do what you are suggesting by your pictures. It appears that you minimize your Hoster screen and put those screens outside of that. I use full screen all the time.

So what you are saying about the change in the function is if you're a new user, we make everyone else (older users) change the way they operate in order to accommodate your lack of experience!

And... I've never used the manila envelope to access the Singers Datbase...

From my point of view, there is absolutely no possible reason for making this change. Instead of making things more simple, it made them more cumbersome...

[Roy Dennis]

Originally Posted by kod

Roy,
It is easier to close the Search/Singers window and reopen it than to do what you are suggesting by your pictures. ...

I agree entirely, it is easier, I was just replying to your statement.

Originally Posted by kod

When I run my show, I keep the Singers Database open all during the show and minimize the Search Database and only open it as needed. Now that's impossible!

Originally Posted by kod

It appears that you minimize your Hoster screen and put those screens outside of that. I use full screen all the time.

Yes I normally keep my Hoster Screen as narrow as possible just displaying the main details, if I need to see it full screen it's a simple click in the top right hand corner. But I fail to see what your point is, you can place the search and singers windows anywhere you want[/quote]

Originally Posted by kod

So what you are saying about the change in the function is if you're a new user, we make everyone else (older users) change the way they operate in order to accommodate your lack of experience!

And... I've never used the manila envelope to access the Singers Datbase.

I rest my case.

Originally Posted by kod

From my point of view, there is absolutely no possible reason for making this change. Instead of making things more simple, it made them more cumbersome...

You can't please everyone all the time.

[Lonman]

I used the manilla envelope every singer. For me this is a great change, as I always kept both databases open at all times.
A workaround if you do not want the search songs database open, just open the edit singer database instead and leave it open like you would the singer database.

[kod]

A workaround if you do not want the search songs database open, just open the edit singer database instead and leave it open like you would the singer database.

Lonman,

I found this out and mentioned it earlier, but when you open the Search+Singers window again, it places the new Singers window over the one you have open!

I still see no justification for combining these two functions and they should be returned to the way they were...

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by kod

Lonman,

I found this out and mentioned it earlier, but when you open the Search+Singers window again, it places the new Singers window over the one you have open!

I still see no justification for combining these two functions and they should be returned to the way they were...

But if you are just using the search to find a song, you will need to attach that song to a singer, then close it back out leaving the singer DB remaining.
Again I personally like it because I do always keep both open.
However I always like user options and if it could be made to to work as it currently is, and be able to set it up in tools to not display singers database when search is open, i'd be supportive of that.

[Roy Dennis]

Originally Posted by Lonman

Again I personally like it because I do always keep both open.
However I always like user options and if it could be made to to work as it currently is, and be able to set it up in tools to not display singers database when search is open, i'd be supportive of that.

Same here.

[Roy Dennis]

Kod, this work around might suit you if you don't use the singers window with search.
Open search + singers, you can resize the singers window to about 1" square, if that still too much for you drag it to the bottom of the screen so that it is almost off, just leave enough showing so that you could drag it back if necessary.
Now if you close the search dialog, next time you open it will be the same with the singers list hidden, even after re-starting Hoster.
I attach another screen shot to demo it.

[admin]

Originally Posted by kod

...when you open the Search+Singers window again, it places the new Singers window over the one you have open!

I still see no justification for combining these two functions and they should be returned to the way they were...

All our dialogs/screens have location and size persistence, so you can move them and they will restore to where they were when you closed Hoster.

I don't see MTU restoring it the way it was. I think you are struggling with learning something new. I also think when you do learn it, you will find it more efficient; all our Beta Testers did.

We will address the problem with minimizing the Song & Singers Dialogs and only the Singer one restoring. That shouldn't happen.

[tkelley3]

I tried the suggestion of opening the singer’s database with the edit tools option and it does work so you can have two databases open at once. This was an OK workaround but I have major problems with the search dialog box and how it is currently working.chemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Admin…part of what you say is true. However, when you search you still need to click on a singer “before” you add the song so you are still clicking on something. (Same two clicks you had before only different things to click on.) Now if you forget to “change the singer” you get the singer that was last listed. Now you have to change the singer listed on the show because it automatically goes in. This is a real pain in the (you know). When you search you are searching…like for a song…as in “do you have?” When you want the singer’s database you click on it and bring it up or you used to be able to SEPARATE these functions and now you cannot. I believe the search dialog box should clear the singers name and just allow you to search for a song. Once you have it you should be able to click on a drop down of the singers database and add the song and singer to the show. Then CLEAR the search boxes and that includes setting the singer back to null. You are ready to search again. The singer’s database is wonderful and it would be wonderful to have it come up when YOU want it or when you want to leave it open to add songs from it. Clearly these are two different actions that sometimes are the same action. Please do not be so stubborn that you do not at least “look at these functions again”.

[kod]

I don't see MTU restoring it the way it was. I think you are struggling with learning something new. I also think when you do learn it, you will find it more efficient; all our Beta Testers did.

Admin,

I have purposely waited until I tried this "new" version of Hoster to respond. I have tried it for three shows and have one more this week and below is my response.

Contrary to your belief, I am not struggling to learn something new, I am struggling with something that is causing me to be less efficient (not more). I have a lot of return singers (~90%) and I save their song slips and give them back when they arrive at my show. They hand me 5-10 slips at a time and I'm OK with that because this lets me set up more than one rotation at a time.

The Singers know they will never get to sing them all, but it make it easy for me to change their next song, if they wish, when they come up on stage. It's a simple click-n-drag!

It's only when they want to sing something new or new singers come in that I need the Search Database window open. I operate with the Singers Database open throughout my show. I open and close the Search Database as needed.

As I stated above, I have now used it for three shows and have one more this week and my decision is, I am backing down to the prior version (as soon as I figure out how) so I won't have to put up with this frustration!

I have told my singers I will no longer be able to offer tempo change. Although, like a lot of others, I have been waiting for the Tempo change function and hate to lose it. However, I hate this "Search+Singers" button change in this version and I will not continue using it, therefore eliminating Tempo change function. Most of my Singers understand and support my decision...

No one, but no one, has offered a valid reason why this change was necessary. I have not seen the first request anywhere for this change!

"IMHO, if it ain't broke, it don't need fixin'!"

Since you refuse to reconsider the change of returning this to its original function, there will be no upgrades in my future as long as this decision stands.

Thank you for your time...