ExamWritePad

[ass17]

First of all, just want to say thanks for Exam Writepad! It's a fantastic piece of software. [emoji4]

 

Just wanted to report an issue I'm having with it (not a major one).

 

So, if I create a document with single line spacing and then go to print where double line spacing is applied as default, the software doesn't account for the new page count so anything that spills over to the next page isn't printed. We have workarounds, such as applying double line spacing to the document before printing, but I thought I'd mention it.

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the lovely words!

 

This is had been resolved in v3.0.6.0

 

It’s due out this week. [emoji1303]

Edited October 30, 2019 by ass17

[ass17]

Download: https://sheldnet.co.uk/examwritepad/?page_id=46

 

Whats New/Fixed?

• FIXED: Zoom, In and Out, threw a fatal exception when reaching limits on the Previous History window.
  
• FIXED: Zoom, In and Out, threw a fatal exception when reaching limits on the Main Application window.
  
• FIXED: If using the option to print double lined, and you use write you doc in single lined spacing, it would stay doubled lined after printing if you use the same font for screen and print.
  
• FIXED: When printing the text labels didn’t always show, when printing in progress and when completed. The doc window is now hidden to speed up the printing process and returns once the printing process has completed.
  
• FIXED: When printing, and double line spacing at print is turned on, if a document has to spread itself over multiple pages, some pages would be missed. For example if you have written 5 pages, and you print, it should print 10 pages, but it will only print the number of pages stated (5 in this example) before double line spacing is applied but the page numbering to print (10) is correct.
  

PREREQUISTITES

.NET Framework 4.8 – //dotnet.microsoft.com/download/thank-you/net48-offline

Visual C++ 2013 Runtime (x64) 12.0.40.664 – //aka.ms/highdpimfc2013x64enu

Minimum Spec: Any 64bitCore 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, Windows 7 (64bit) or later

Recommended Spec: Intel Core i5 or equivalent, 4GB RAM, Windows 10 (64bit)

[cmilton]

Thank you! I'll get it downloaded as soon as I can. Much appreciated!

[robyholmes]

@ass17 Is there anyway to skip the splash screen at start up? IE to go straight in to a new exam?

[ass17]

@ass17 Is there anyway to skip the splash screen at start up? IE to go straight in to a new exam?

 

Sorry no as it forms a fundamental part of the software and it’s opening main functions.

 

But, I’m willing to take a look to see if I can implement a config option to skip it. Might take me a few weeks given the rolling update plan in place (new update at the end of every month).

 

Watch this space!!

[robyholmes]

Sorry no as it forms a fundamental part of the software and it’s opening main functions.

 

But, I’m willing to take a look to see if I can implement a config option to skip it. Might take me a few weeks given the rolling update plan in place (new update at the end of every month).

 

Watch this space!!

Thank you. Been able to skip it would be good as we have accounts which login and auto load the software. So at the moment this is an extra step to that setup.

 

Thanks

[ass17]

Thank you. Been able to skip it would be good as we have accounts which login and auto load the software. So at the moment this is an extra step to that setup.

 

Thanks

 

I have now added in the option to disable the Splash screen, will need testing if you would like to? PM me your email and I can send over a link.

[RobFuller]

Is there a way of launching the application with different configs specified say as a parameter in the shortcut.

What Im trying to achieve is, some users are entitled to have spell checker some are not, however everyone runs the application from the same share and thus share the same config. Other than making a second copy of the directory with a different config for each wondered if there was a way of specifying the config file on lunch or disabling spelling for groups of users.

 

Thanks for all the hard work you put into this!

[mavhc]

I'd set it to specify a config file on startup, examwritepad.exe -config x:\exam\spellcheckon.config and then you can make multiple shortcuts, and apply OS file security to force people to use the correct config file if you need to.

[RobFuller]

I'd set it to specify a config file on startup, examwritepad.exe -config x:\exam\spellcheckon.config and then you can make multiple shortcuts, and apply OS file security to force people to use the correct config file if you need to.

 

Perfect!

[Socceroos]

Hi everyone,

 

For some subjects we've had to set up an exam whereby the pupils complete 2 papers during their allocated time, and they can spend as much time on each paper as they see fit. The problem we have is our Writepad configuration is set to full screen with a password on exit (for security reasons and to stop any possible cheating) so pupils are unable to start a new exam or create another header sheet for the 2nd paper. I just wondered if anyone else has the same issue and whether anything can be done in Exam Writepad to resolve?

 

Thanks

Edited November 6, 2019 by Socceroos

[Rob_D]

I'd set it to specify a config file on startup, examwritepad.exe -config x:\exam\spellcheckon.config and then you can make multiple shortcuts, and apply OS file security to force people to use the correct config file if you need to.

 

Just to be clear, is this a thing you can do now or a suggestion?

[RobFuller]

@mavhc I get the following error when creating my shortcuts and applying the -config setting. Any ideas?

 

[mavhc]

It's just a suggestion of how it might be coded

[jthompson]

Is there a way of launching the application with different configs specified say as a parameter in the shortcut.

What Im trying to achieve is, some users are entitled to have spell checker some are not, however everyone runs the application from the same share and thus share the same config. Other than making a second copy of the directory with a different config for each wondered if there was a way of specifying the config file on lunch or disabling spelling for groups of users.

 

Thanks for all the hard work you put into this!

 

I think that's probably your best bet: deploy multiple copies with respective config files and fall back on file security to govern which groups can use the spell-check version.

 

Another idea might be to deploy just one copy, with spell-check enabled in the config, but apply file security on the spell-check dictionary file. No idea how that would manifest itself in use, though. Not tried it but that's similar to how we nixed spell-check in Notepad++ for certain users, by modifying privileges on the relevant dll.

[RobFuller]

I can restrict the .dict file but it doesn't stop the right click context menu, restricting the Keyoti.RapidSpell.NET4.TXSupportv27.dll which I assume is that menu break the whole program.

 

Does it always look to load ExamWritePad.exe.config, how would I restrict multiply .config files if I can only use one name??

 

Thanks for all your suggestions!

[Garacesh]

Does it always look to load ExamWritePad.exe.config, how would I restrict multiply .config files if I can only use one name??

 

EWP is essentially portable. Immediate solution is to just duplicate the directory and have one config set to use Spellcheck and one not to.

Then use NTFS permissions to allow and/or deny access to the spellcheck one?

[ass17]

Looks like I’ve got a lot to chew through this afternoon [emoji1303][emoji1]

[ass17]

EWP is essentially portable. Immediate solution is to just duplicate the directory and have one config set to use Spellcheck and one not to.

Then use NTFS permissions to allow and/or deny access to the spellcheck one?

 

Correct, the spellcheck is really the only option that needs to be potentially set differently for each user. So yes, the easy answer is to have two instances of EWP, one with spell ON and another OFF.

 

The config file is compiled as a application config, not user config. If I used a user config then the application config would work, it’s one or the other. The problem is the user config has to reside in the users profile folder and therefore becomes unmanageable and may pose a security risk given they could change the options.

 

The command line parameters are really only to be used for batch printing by an exams officer.

[ass17]

Would it be helpful if I stuck in a series of config options that would query AD group membership and disable/enable features of EWP accordingly?

 

For example:

 

Option name: “OverrideOptions”

Option value: {each config option you wish to reverse goes here separated by semi colon}

 

Option Name: “OverrideOptions_ADGroup”

Option Value: {Domain\Group}

 

So for each option you wish to reverse the effect you are applying it to an AD Group.

 

This way you don’t need two instances of EWP.

[robyholmes]

Would it be helpful if I stuck in a series of config options that would query AD group membership and disable/enable features of EWP accordingly?

 

For example:

 

Option name: “OverrideOptions”

Option value: {each config option you wish to reverse goes here separated by semi colon}

 

Option Name: “OverrideOptions_ADGroup”

Option Value: {Domain\Group}

 

So for each option you wish to reverse the effect you are applying it to an AD Group.

 

This way you don’t need two instances of EWP.

I would say it would be better to allow you to specify the config using a run switch. A default as it us now but something like this:

 

Examwritepad.exe -config ExamStaff.cfg

 

To me it would archive what people want but keep it simple.

[ass17]

I would say it would be better to allow you to specify the config using a run switch. A default as it us now but something like this:

 

Examwritepad.exe -config ExamStaff.cfg

 

To me it would archive what people want but keep it simple.

 

If I did that then I would have to create a new config file that is readable and it seems counter productive as we already have a config file.

 

It’s easier from a management point of viewer to add/remove users from an AD group then it is to setup and special config.

 

I’m all ears for other thoughts [emoji1][emoji1303]

[robyholmes]

If I did that then I would have to create a new config file that is readable and it seems counter productive as we already have a config file.

 

It’s easier from a management point of viewer to add/remove users from an AD group then it is to setup and special config.

 

I’m all ears for other thoughts [emoji1][emoji1303]

I'm not sure I understand you about a readable config file.

 

I'm happy with which ever is easier for you. I thought supplying the config file name by a switch would be easier than querying AD.

[ass17]

I'm not sure I understand you about a readable config file.

 

I'm happy with which ever is easier for you. I thought supplying the config file name by a switch would be easier than querying AD.

 

Readable file means I would have to write a function to read against how the content of the file is structured and obtain values. Querying AD is easier to do.

 

It would be my preference to query AD and keep all the options in the main config file.

 

If there were more options to add to Spell check that were required then I would look at a separate user based config, this would need to be managed more so... it’s a tough one to call but I’m happy to think about all options that people can think off and myself.

 

After all, I wish to provide you with the best possible software to fit everyone’s needs. I’ve even in talks with some American schools and luckily for them the only changes needed would be to the candidate details form, cover sheets and paper size. #GlobalDomination [emoji1][emoji1303]

[Boredguy]

See we just have a couple of folders for the application. All our laptops are standalones with no network connectivity (even removed the wifi card) so we only enable spell checking on the specific laptop the entitled student will use.

We have 2 networked copy. 1 with the same general settings, but with different default file paths to the laptop, and one that's just for staff to use that doesn't have full screen/candidate details enforced.

 

Seems much simpler to just have 2 folders with 1 having a spelling enabled config, and another that doesn't and just launch the one you need for the student, like the old KISS principle.