Version 15.70 - August 2015 - Maintenance Update

Enhancements
NEW AXWareStaging  Android App. for AXWareTS for v15.70+	This version introduces our first of many AXWare DM (Distributed Management) components that allow you to more easily manage and control your events. These are all based on Android devices as explicit timing hardware components. AXWareStaging: is a staging app that allows you to easily and quickly stage vehicles on the T&S computer.  Very much akin to a bar code scanner but with simplicity in mind, the app loads the registration list from the T&S computer and stages entries with 1 button click. The app displays the Registration List in Class or Car Number order and allows you to easily scroll, view and stage entries, all while supporting your class structure. Clear and concise. This is the first of several AXWare DM Android based applications that will provide additional timing and scoring functionality.  We selected Android due to it's cost effectiveness and inexpensive hardware needs.    Prerequisites: Networking Module for AXWareTS and a high performance WIFI Router (with optional AP for extending the range).
* NEW * Print Options Reports	The Differential Column may be optionally removed from Reports. Default: differential is ON. You now have the ability to place the Total time column (including the differential column) to print before the Run Columns. The default has the Total time column at the end of the row, following the Run columns.
Updated GUI Framework	GUI framework was updated to revision 24.2
Networking	Eliminated extraneous updates for staged entries when times were not yet recorded for those entries.  This occurs when penalties are updated for staged entries and the system automatically updates differentials and positions for any following staged entries in the same class (in support of real time statistics).  Improved Buffering - due to potential high data exchange rates (on very fast computers) it was necessary to increase the internal buffers to manage larger amounts of data. Staging Control - Audit client can now update penalties for cars on course. Prior to this revision, editing was not permitted for running timers (cars on course). Manual Time Entry Mode:  Although it is recommended to NOT have Manual Entry Mode ON during events, the Time field is now locked for cars on course (active timers) so that you cannot accidentally enter data.
Staging - Auto-insert	Improved performance for the auto-insert process which is only used if the 'non-registered' entry is to be registered as it is entered in the staging grid.  Note: this function should only be executed if you know for certain that entry needs to be Registered. This Quick/short hand function is used to reduce event slow downs.  Once Registered, data will be consolidated normally.  Use the Registration Edit functions to update the driver's name and other data as necessary.
Event Loading	Enhanced start up process to inform you of any problems with the Class Definitions or other files during the Load process. You may see warnings when the Class definition file does not contain any classes (class file was not found). In such a case the system will attempt to define classes based on the classes found in the Registration list and as a result Pax or Bump entries will not be managed as intended. This affects differentials and any statistics recorded for any existing runs. The issues should be fixed prior to continuing any data edits.
Results Upload to ORM	On very fast machines the uploads did not provide enough time for Windows to manage it's connection pools and thus would only permit uploading 1 or 2 results at a time.  Current changes should permit all uploads to occur in one swoop.  The Upload Dialog has been modified to provide better status information during the upload.
Final Results	Due to popular demand the headings for any reports that display the run times now display  as "Run #".  For reports that span the times across multiple rows, the report will contain "Run #..".
Event and Membership Settings	Several settings were saved in the registry but not necessarily in the Event or Membership File.  This has been remedied and should reduce the need to reset some settings when files are moved between machines.
Live Timing Options	Live Timing will remain ON until you turn it OFF explicitly, close the event or exit the software. Prior versions used to turn Live Timing OFF when Timing was deactivated, requiring it to be turned ON again. Added the ability to change the 'home page' for File Based Live Results.  The folder location where to place the results now has the ability to set a different home page or default page name.  Upload via FTP and ORM were not affected. Prior to this revision, the Structured File Based results were placed into a 'event # + date' folder within the Local or Shared Folder name. Now you can set the folder name and the home page name providing better control.  Class based pages remain the same but provide the appropriate back link to the specified home page.  To simply Live Timing, set the page name to "index.htm" you no longer have to edit or change you WEB configuration. If the Live Timing (file) was ON and no other options were set, and only a folder was specified in the Physical destination folder, errors writing to that location would occur since no file name was specified.  In this case, the file is set to "results_live.htm" as a default. Time Stamps on the Home Page for Structured Live Results no longer contain the 'seconds' portion, only HH:MM. As a result, it is much easier to view which classes have changed since we are mostly viewing the changes in the Minutes to see which classes have been pushed more recently.

Bug Fixes
Staging - Delete Row	The Delete Row function removes a row completely from the Staging Grid however it posed problems when deleting a row with Actively Timer running (for timers with individual starts and finishs).  It would in force the next time 1 row above the deleted row. Now the system will NOT allow you to delete rows on which active timing is running.  In fact, the Delete Row should almost never be used since it alters the timing sequence and log.  Hint: use the Move UP and Move DOWN buttons in the staging grid to fix stage sequence entry errors. Reframe from Delete Row and Insert Row (those are for extraneous circumstances) only and generally only necessary when using Manual Entry modes.
Networking & Staging - Move Up	When in Networking the last row of the staging grid was update correctly on the machine being edited, but was not correctly updated on any networked machines.  This left a stale (duplicate) entry in the last row of the staging grid on the other machines. Entering a new entry on the Server (or Audit Client) on that row would updated the entries appropriately.
Staging - Delete Row	Deleting the last blank row is no longer permitted. The Staging Grid should always contain 1 blank row as the data entry row.
Logging Manager	Fixed an overrun condition in the Log manager that could potentially overwrite some logging data.  Fast processors could see this condition in rare cases...albeit, it is a behind the scenes condition.

Version 15.60 - July 2015 - Maintenance Update

Enhancements
Check For Updates	Using Check For Updates will now allow you to re-install Base Versions of the product whenever necessary. This will make future Base Installations easier and not requiring using the Control Panel.
Insert New Entry & Networking Updates during	Due to the increased performance of the Networking, some modifications were necessary to the Insert/Edit entry dialog. In prior versions when networking was active, networking updates were delayed by design resulting in potential class & number conflicts. Now network updates are managed quickly, and entries are validated prior to saving (registering/modifying the entry). In addition in order to provide a 'faster' and more robust class & number reservation, when the "Avail #" button is pressed is or your focus changes off of the car number, that entry is immediately reserved.  This allows the networking management to properly exchange this information, retaining entry lists, bar codes in real time.

Bug Fixes
Time Slip Printing	If delayed printing was being used, there were conditions that could force the Time Slip print process to sleep for a very long time making it appear as if it was not working (it was but just would not wake up for a many hours).
Membership Card Printing	When printing on sheet fed cards (Avery 8873 style) prior versions ignored the page break.  It appeared that the only the 1st page was printed while in fact it printed into non-paper space (which was ignored).  From this version onwards, correct paging control is in place (10 cards per page).
Memberships and Bar Code Support	Bar code scanning was inadvertently left off even though the scanner was active. The data was recorded but ignored. Multi-Selection is now available when scanning allow you to scan multiple entries.  In this mode the scanned entries will be selected (similar to Ctrl-Selection) allow you to process more than 1 entry. Bar Code/Print Multi-Selected entries is now working for devoted label printers.
Car Numbers	If using post-fixed letters for car numbers, staging entries could at times not find the vehicle due to a casing mismatch.  This only occurred if "Use Upper Case for Classes" was NOT selected.  Car Numbers with letters are now always upper case. Ex: 23A, 46B etc.
Network Name on Clients	In fresh installations, the Timing Server Name would not stick when configured due to a minor MFC issue. The work around was to pull up the Connect To Timing Server, enter the name, Press Connect, then press Exit, then exit AXWareTS to force the Server name to be set. Also cleared up an error message that provided incorrect information if the Timing Server IP was not configured (remnants of prior versions).

Version 15.50 - May 2015 - Critical & Maintenance Update

Enhancements
Networking	Improved connection loss detection to alert the Server or Networking Client of the dropped connection.  Dropped connections occur mostly on wireless networks at random times, while wired version are much more robust.  Improved the data exchanges when the network is unstable and Networking Clients may disconnect at random times. Data is still queued on all Networking Clients and once reconnected, data will be exchanged automatically. Added auto-reconnect to Network clients when disconnect.  You have the option of trying to reconnect 1 time or repeatedly... Purged Networking queues during startup to remove cached messages. This eliminates stagnant data. Re-Accepting Staging and Re-Numbering data are now NOT available when Networking is active. Prior versions would allow the T&S Server to run these processes but since they affect a very large amount of data, data exchanges would take a long time. Thus if these operations are necessary....turn off Networking, execute the function and re-connect your Networking clients. This should be a very rare occurrence.
Loading Events and Heat Assignments	Particularly for Heats by Class (default) - classes not assigned to a heat are summarized following the loading of the event, in the Registration Log.
Insert New Registration	Prior to this version, if a different class was selected when the New Registration Dialog popped up, the first entry in that class was auto-filled in.  This required either clearing entry or setting the auto-clear ON. This is no longer required.  If the car number if blank...any class can be selected without auto-filling the dialog.
Time Splits	Added Event Date which was missing although could be substituted with "Today's Date" during the event.

Bug Fixes
Changing Number of Runs during event.	If you increased the number of runs for the event after posting extra runs, the system will ask to consolidate. However, the prior runs will be ignored and new runs will be auto-consolidated, per normal runs. Staging Grid: runs that are affected by increasing the number of runs are now refreshed (colored properly) for valid runs.  This was ignore in prior versions.
Network Client & Displays	Display control was inadvertently left de-activated on Networking Clients. All but the Registration Clients can configure and use Displays to help distribute resources and offer flexibility in your setup.
Re-Accepting Staging Data	When re-accepting staging data, slower machines or large numbers of runs can result in a 'busy' state and the re-accept will prematurely abort itself.  This was a result of a too short of a timeout interval.
Log Manager	The logging processes have inherently been tasked with more work and as a result a potential crash condition was found.  This condition was eliminated and should provide for a more robust system.

Version 15.40 - April 2015  - "Critical"

Enhancements
GUI Frame work update	Update the latest GUI framework
Timing Processing	Enhanced timing data management to improve processing speed. Data itself is not affected.
Time Slips	Added padding to allow offsetting the labels or columns. These show up as 'Spaces :x' in the template column selections. Added Event Name, Event Date and Club Name as optional columns for Time Slips.
TCPIP Server Address	Since DHCP can assign a different address to your machine, the IP Address is always reset when the software is started. You may still override the address using the Networking/Server IP address option or by pressing the Server IP button on the Registration window. This is only important to the Timing Server since it must contain the existing IP for clients to connect to it.  The IP Address that is shown in the Server IP button must be used on all Networking Clients.
Print Templates (empty files)	Not a normal or common issue, however if a template file is empty (no column selections)  the report will either contain no data or minimal depending on the type of report being generated.  This version will default to the built in templates if this condition occurs.

Bug Fixes
GUI Sound Control	We found a major application error in the GUI Framework that has been there for a considerable amount of time (many versions). The sound process manager could randomly cause the application to crash but the cause is unknown nor do we have a viable fix.  Thus the GUI sound manager is permanently turned OFF (disabled).  This does not in any way affect normal application sounds.  Note: we did not explicitly use the GUI sound manager. It was an inherited function of the framework supporting menus.
Networking - Audit Client	During Networking updates, if a Delete Row or the UP button is pressed on the Timing Server, the audit client ignored the blank data (the deleted row).  This is no longer the case.  Improved Data exchanges to reduce redundant bounced messages.
***Critical *** Crash Condition Logging and Process Control	A potential random crash may occur on certain installations due to the Logging Manager. The speed of your computer (due to disc access and speed of peripherals) and additional processes being active (Networking, logging options etc)  may play a small role in this condition.  Faster processes have a better chance of never seeing this condition at all while the slower machines may exhibit random Access Violations.
Clarification ACCESS VIOLATION DIALOG	NOTE: the Access Violations dialog is a error dialog that a replacement for the general Windows General Failure dialogue but has no additional function. It's strictly a indicator of a program crash.  The fact that it is displayed indicates a software problem that can be anything from a software defect to a driver crash, settings issue, disc issues, memory issues, most anything.  It's strictly there to indicate the problem.  If you see this dialog, please contact AXWare Systems.
Print Templates	The Registration Grid and Staging grid had a different headings for the vehicle model. This inadvertently caused the car model to disappear on the Final Results, Final Heat Results and other similar results.  This has been corrected and the 2 grids have identical column headings, and thus the default templates will now show the Car Model as one of the default columns.
Display Output	An overrun condition was detected on an internal communications buffer for the Display output. Although this condition is rare, it was evident when using the Verbose and Wireless options.  This condition occurred when data was buffered but the system was processing other items before sending it out. The overrun condition could result in a program crash.
Time Slip Printing	If the print settings, including Fonts has been changed when time slip printing was active, the program may crash due to special column handling.

Version 15.30 - Mar 2015 - *** CRITICAL Network Update ***

Enhancements
Announcer Window	minor additions to add more real time information for cars-on-course (for independent start & finish timers only). Staging Control was enhanced to allow runs that exceed the number configured for the event to be viewed as well. Prior versions ignored these runs but now all runs are viewable and displayed.
ORM Uploads	Additional error management added for HTTPS connections that failed or time out. Prior versions would appear to sit there and do nothing if a Time Out error occurred, appearing like the uploads are hung.  reduced the number of connection attempts to the site in order to provide quicker feedback.  For overly slow or unavailable networking connections. NOTE: Helpful hint - some Windows environments will limit the number of HTTP connections from your PC/laptop.  For additional information visit the thread ORM Uploads - Windows HTTP connections.
Live Timing - Live By Class Template	We exposed the Live By Class Template which is responsible for the content of Class based report pages when using Live Timing Structured configuration.
Networking	Improved synchronization management for Networking clients especially when clients are turned on and off on the numerous times, either on the same machine or different machines.
Edit Insert or Copy Insert	Improved handling of entries when Unique Car Numbers is active. In particular when Unique Car Numbers is ON doing a Copy and Insert will no longer auto-clear the entry when a new car is selected. It is left up to you to Clear the Entry if desired. The 'Copy' function allows you to Co-driver and multi driver entries.

Bug Fixes
Points & Membership Files	Fixed a problem for missing membership files and running Points Update. The Points Update does a better job in verifying if the specified membership file exists...if not, it pops up an error.
Networking	A minor buffering error may cause extraneous amount of data exchanges resulting in a unstable Network exchange. This affect the Audit and Announcer Clients.  Registration clients were not affected. (for timers with individual start and finish triggers) - Active time indicators were not updated on the Announcer and Audit client when multiple times were running and a time completed (only the completed timer was or when a new start occurred).
Edit Insert or Copy Insert	If unique car numbers is active, it is possible for a duplicate entry to be created.

Version 15.20 - Feb 2015

Enhancements

Announcer Window

Minor change to the Announcer Window that lists staged cars in top down order. What that means is that newly staged cars will pop into the list from top.  Which is in tune with the way times are listed for finishing cars.  This makes the Announcer Window a bit easier to manage since the activity is more or less in one area of the screen. Added  '# cars on Deck' and '# cars in history' to the announcer window to reduce having to go to the Setup/Options/Timing Settings to for quicker selections.

Bug Fixes
Pax Super Class	Pax Super Classes were accidentally ignored in the last few versions (since 14.60). Non-paxed super classes were unaffected.
Time Slips	Printing Time slips on Networking Clients printed 2 labels per entry. The first was printed when the time started for a vehicle (for timers with individual start & finish management).

Version 15.10 - Jan 2015

Enhancements
COM Port Management	We have taken strides in providing more robust COM interface management to eliminate potential crashes relating to USB and COM port instabilities.  In part the fatal crashes that may occur in Windows (due to driver crashes) is now being captured. As a result the software has improved control over fatal errors and can controllably exit and save the data as needed, when possible.  NOTE: it is very important to understand Windows configurations and how USB drivers impact it.  It is not possible to recover from all fatal driver errors however and the use of quality USB devices and drivers is highly recommended for overall performance. Please use USB RS232 devices designed your particular Windows OS version. Windows 7 and 8.x now require updated and certified devices.  Older devices that work on XP or earlier OS's, may or may not function as expected and are grounds for crashes.  Please visit our forum for USB information. BSOD (Blue screens):  If you experience BSOD, those are attributed to low level driver or core component crashes within the Windows OS (not AXWareTS). BSOD must be fixed before you can declare your configuration stable or continued crashes will occur at random times.
Error Management	Due to the various configurations for Windows machines and the different OS configurations and versions, we are introducing improved critical and fatal error management (Windows crashes and exceptions).  Due to the nature of some of these errors, the software will attempt to save data whenever possible, but there are conditions where the software is unable do so however.  A major source of instability issues has been in the qualify of USB COM drivers that some of our users are using.  As a result we are trying to control fatal conditions and doing our best to recover quickly and easily from such problems.
Opening/Closing COM Ports	In prior versions, opening and closing COM ports (Timer, Display and even Scanner ports), could result in a crash when done in quick succession.  We have enhanced the COM handler so this no longer occurs.
Time Slips	Minor enhancements to force use of entire label for time slip printing.  Prior to this, the time slip was offset 1 letter to the right and 1 row down.

Bug Fixes

Prior: Release Notes: version 14.x