This is an old page and has been left to help users get a feel for the PGGP history.

Improvements

One exciting feature added to PGGP is file sharing between Windows and Mac OS. I shipped the disks to STAZ Software (the kind folks who handle my ordering and shipping) on the 5th of May, 1998.

Upgrades

It has always been the my policy to give free upgrades within a version. In other words, if you own version 4.0 and 4.1 is complete, just ask. I can make your file available here by doing some secret stuff or e-mail it to you. Because I truly believe that students should be given exactly what they earn, I fix any "undocumented features" (bugs) when they are found and post such happenings here. I also want you to be happy. It is my pleasure to hear from you and give you an upgrade.

If you were to find that your copy of PGGP exhibits any of the "undocumented features" discussed below, please write to me. I will be pleased to give you the directions and password to download an upgrade.

Undocumented Features

Boy, I hate these. But you know what they say: "If it's software, there's a bug."

In the summer of 1997, I noticed a problem in the Mac OS version of PGGP. If a user started to insert an assignment and then canceled, the current column was deleted and the column to the right was doubled, replacing the existing column. I notified users of this problem. If you did not receive notice, perhaps you have moved, or changed e-mail addresses. Keep me posted. 

The Windows version was clipping long paragraphs created with the letter editor. This has been fixed as of December, 1997. If you write long paragraphs, contact me for an upgrade.

The early Windows Installer did not set the directory for PGGP when using the Start Menu to run PGGP. This has been corrected in the demo and "real" copies as of 1/19/98.

The Windows version sometimes became confused after running D-List. Clicking on various cells in the main grade grid did not take the user to that cell. This has been fixed as of February, 1998.

The Windows version was not merging pronouns for letters written in languages 2-4. This has be fixed as of late February, 1998.

The Windows version occasionally had two vertical scroll bars on the Main Grade Screen. Fixed as of February, 1998. 

The Windows version View Summary was very slow. It is like lightning now. 3/3/98

Sometime in January, 1998, the Windows version began to not follow the entire course of action when inserting an assignment. This was due to a background window refresh that caused the program to leave the user with a new blank column rather than the Grade Entry window. This has been repaired. 4/22/98

Windows letters were not printing correctly on some printers. This has been fixed as far as I know. The problem was PGGP not limiting the fonts available to those supported by the installed printer. This caused some fonts to format correctly and others to either be postage stamp size while other lines became too long for the paper. If you are having trouble with this, contact me. If you want a quick fix, select fonts you know are supported by your printer. I wish I could give you a list, but each printer is different. True Type fonts seem to work every time. 8/28/98

The group assignments were being dropped in the File Sharing portion of the Combo Pack. This has been repaired. 9/7/98

Fall of '98 I discovered a memory problem with Windows Easy Setup, if you support more than one language. The message is "Error Creating Window" and I am working on this. I found yet another solution (Oh yes, this one has plagued Windows PGGP since Beta...It goes away only to rear its ugly head months later.) in one of my $250 worth of Windows programming books and am testing. The solution requires me to change the way I create every dialog in PGGP, so it is taking a while. I have a couple of work-arounds but they are specific to what you are trying to do. If you have a problem with this error, please write. This upgrade is now available. (11/5/98)

February, 2000, an error was discovered in the Delete and Insert features of both Windows and Macintosh PGGP. The weight was not being moved properly. This has been fixed. If you want a repaired copy, simply send me an E-Mail and I will give you directions. Remember to tell me which computer you use. (2/4/2000)

 Do all these improvements mean that PGGP is flakey? Well, I don't think so. I think all software has bugs. The difference is that some developers admit and fix problems as soon as they are uncovered, and other developers pretend the problem is not there or tell the user to wait until the next release...which of course must be purchased. *smile*

Write to George

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