PackMaster DotNet FAQs from http://www.troopmaster.com
4-15-05
TroopMaster/PackMaster DotNet Questions
- When I try to activate DotNet, I get an "Unable to connect to FTP site" message. What's wrong?
- Is it possible to limit a DotNet user to a specific functional area or to just one patrol or den?
- Can you block sensitive data fields from some users?
- Is there a way to bypass DotNet and start the program with just the local data files?
- What is "passive mode"?
- I'm getting an error ("CRC error", "Insert next disk", or "Files appear to be damaged") when downloading the web database file. What should I do?
- Is there a way to manually unlock the web database?
- Does everyone enter the same "Contact Info" on the DotNet dialog?
- Is the archive part of the web database?
- I'm concerned about security. How is the data on the FTP site protected?
- If I rent an FTP site from Troopmaster Software, can I use it for both PackMaster and TroopMaster?
- I rented an FTP site from Troopmaster Software and now I need more space. Can I upgrade to a larger site?
- I rented an FTP site from Troopmaster Software and now need to change the password. How do I do that?
- Is the data on my FTP site automatically backed up by the FTP provider?
1) When I try to activate DotNet, I get an "Unable to connect to FTP site" message. What's wrong?
There are four possible causes:
(1) Either the user ID and/or FTP password are mistyped.
(2) Something is interfering, probably a firewall or a router. Most firewalls have a way for you to specify certain programs as "exceptions" that should not be blocked.
(3) You have "Use passive mode" selected on the DotNet dialog and your FTP site requires "active" mode.
(4) The site is down.
2) Is it possible to limit a DotNet user to a specific functional area or to just one patrol or den?
With DotNet, there are only two levels of access: full access or read only. We decided that trying to limit access to certain parts of the database or to specific dens/patrols was too complex for the first version of DotNet, but we hope to provide some access limitations in the next major version.
3) Can you block sensitive data fields from some users?
The problem with trying to protect data items is that there is no general agreement on which data items need to be protected, whom to protect them from, or how to protect them. Also, it's not sufficient to hide the data on the screen or a report because someone could still see the sensitive data by examining the data files with a text editor. In the next major versions of TroopMaster and PackMaster, we are going to implement a flexible way of handling this issue. Also, the data will be encrypted when it's written to the hard drive. We have already begun work on a design to handle all of that.
Regarding SSNs, we recommend not entering those into the program at all because of Privacy Act issues. SSNs are not mandatory.
4) Is there a way to bypass DotNet and start the program with just the local data files?
Yes, if you hold the left SHIFT key down when you click the program icon, TroopMaster/PackMaster will offer to open with your local data files instead of downloading the web database. However, this option should ONLY be used when you just want to review data or print reports, or if you need to reinitialize your web database. Otherwise, if you update your local data files and exit the program, your changes will be overwritten the next time you log on and download the web database. There is no way to merge your local database with the web database.
This refers to the way DotNet interfaces with your FTP site. Most FTP sites allow you to log on in "passive" mode, so that is the DotNet default. If your site uses "active" mode, turn the "Use passive mode" checkbox off on the DotNet dialog. If you're not sure, try it with passive mode first and if you can't log on, uncheck the box and try again. NOTE: The FTP sites available from Troopmaster Software always use passive mode.
The database file on your FTP site is damaged. You should try to determine which computer has the most current data and then reinitialize from that. To reinitialize, start the program bypassing DotNet by holding the left SHIFT key down when you click the program icon. Then, go to the DotNet dialog and click the "Initialize" button. Doing this will overwrite the damaged file with the local database from that computer.
7) Is there a way to manually unlock the web database?
Yes, just go to the DotNet dialog and click the "Unlock" button. Of course, this is an emergency procedure we provide in case someone inadvertently left the database locked. You should never do this while another leader is making changes.
8) Does everyone enter the same "Contact Info" on the DotNet dialog?
No, each user should enter his or her own name, phone number, and email address. DotNet uses this information to determine who has the database in use and who is logging on.
9) Is the archive part of the web database?
No, that's not currently possible because you can have more than one archive. For example, if one archive fills up, you'll need to create a second one. If a unit has more than one archive, DotNet has no way of knowing which one is on the FTP site, so it could overwrite the wrong one when the archive file is downloaded. In the next major version, we plan to redesign the archive so that including it in DotNet will be an option.
10) I'm concerned about security. How is the data on the FTP site protected?
With DotNet, your database is stored on your private FTP site. No one can browse to your site with a web browser and no one can log into it without your unique user ID and password. While the data itself is not currently encrypted, the data is compressed into a format that is not humanly readable. The database can only be de-compressed by a copy of TroopMaster/PackMaster with DotNet activated. It cannot be de-compressed with standard programs such as Winzip or PkZip.
Security is further enhanced if you rent your FTP site directly from Troopmaster Software because we don't release the actual location of the server to anyone. The site can only be used by and for DotNet.
In the next major versions of TroopMaster and PackMaster, personal data will always be encrypted before it is stored, even when the data is stored on your local hard drive.
No, each unit requires a separate FTP site.
Yes, you can upgrade to the "Enhanced" or to the "Expanded" plan just by paying the price difference between the new plan and the one that you currently have.
The change can be accomplished by email if the message request is sent from the email address on the customer record. The request must include the current User ID and Password as well the new password that you want to use.
14) Is the data on my FTP site automatically backed up by the FTP provider?
Usually not, most FTP providers do not backup your data for you. If you purchased your FTP site from Troopmaster Software, we do not make backups of your data. You are responsible for making backups of your own data. Please use the "File/Backup Data Files..." option to accomplish this.
