Nelson Thornes eScience

[K.C.Leblanc]

We've got Nelson Thornes e-Science here. After making enquirories about patches to make it work with a current version of Java they said they'd upgrade me to version 1.1.

 

They also told me this could just be shared from a server (without a local install), however they then said they don't include instruction for doing this. Now I've received the new discs, but every time I call their tech support team I get told I'll be called back (you can guess where this is going). Anyone been through this process and know what I have to do.

 

I've tried just installing it and sharing the folder, it runs but wouldn't find most of the resources.

[cookie_monster]

I don't think we're on the latest version but I do remember that the 'justclick.properties' file needed the correct IP and Port number in, it's possible that this info is still required it should be autogenerated but i've had issues with this before.

[jack0w]

I had to go through the same when we tried to install eScience - nasty piece of software!!

 

The only way we got a resolution was by making a complaint to one of the managers.

 

They did eventually admit there was a problem and came in remotely and resolved it for us.

[webman]

We had lots of problems with the Nelson Thrones maths software but eventually got it sorted with help from support. Try and get in touch with Stuart Williams. Email technicalsupport{@}nelsonthornes.com or call 01242 267383.

 

As far as I'm aware, there are currently no official/public-domain instructions for a share-based install because it's not approved by them, but it has worked for us when guided to do it over the phone.

[jack0w]

The 'unsupported shared' install was the only way their technical support could get to work at all!!!

 

It was Stuart Williams who resolved our problem in the end as well

[cookie_monster]

What version are you all on?

 

I got ours working using the client, I installed that and the java patch then packaged it using wininstall. It works fine now but has been a massive PITA at points.

[JJonas]

I gave up with it. Would be interested in Network share install instructions if anyone can get a copy.

[TechMonkey]

I think I had hideous problems with this software and java versions but as far as I am aware we are successfully using it via server install and the client packaged and rolled out to machines. It was a hard slog to resolve though & I don't think I got any help from the help desk.

[Mr.Ben]

Had it on my desk to do over the holidays!

 

First job, install it on the server with the server install.

 

Second job, copy all of the Dll's from the following folders on the CD D:\justclick\System32 and D:\justclick\Systemordner and place them into the install directory on the server.

 

Third job, go to the install directory and in the 'config' folder associate justclick.properties with notepad. Open it up and change the serverhost entry to your servername (i couldn't get it to work with IP addresses). Change the networkpath to where the product is installed using // instead of \

 

(e.g //SERVER_NAME//Applications//Programs//Nelson Thornes//e-Science GCSE)

 

That's everything done at the server end.

 

For workstations all you now need to do is add the following reg key to the clients:

 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

 

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Nelson Thornes\JustClick\e-Science]

"InstallLocation"="\\SERVER_NAME\\Applications\\Programs\\Nelson Thornes\\e-Science GCSE\\"

"ProductVersion"=dword:01000007

 

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Nelson Thornes\JustClick\e-Science\Upgrades]

"GCSE Science"=dword:00000001

 

And then register 'WaveControl.dll' using regsvr32.

 

Job Done.

[detjo]

Thanks Mr Ben, some useful info indeed.

 

It worked with a network install for us for a while then broke because of a flash(??) update. One of the guys got it working but it kept breaking again. Work fine today break tomorrow!

In the end we installed it locally on the required pc's.

[Mr.Ben]

No Probs,

 

I actually snapshotted registering Wavecontrol.dll and wrapped up all of the registry keys in a msi.

 

I'm not sure about the flash upgrade problem, we run 10.0.32.18 at the moment, but I have had problems with software deploying RC version of Flash (Version 9!) over the top of some entries.

 

Anything I come across that does that generally requires me to run the Flash Uninstaller followed by a re-install of flash.

[cookie_monster]

Had it on my desk to do over the holidays!

 

First job, install it on the server with the server install.

 

Second job, copy all of the Dll's from the following folders on the CD D:\justclick\System32 and D:\justclick\Systemordner and place them into the install directory on the server.

 

Third job, go to the install directory and in the 'config' folder associate justclick.properties with notepad. Open it up and change the serverhost entry to your servername (i couldn't get it to work with IP addresses). Change the networkpath to where the product is installed using // instead of \

 

(e.g //SERVER_NAME//Applications//Programs//Nelson Thornes//e-Science GCSE)

 

That's everything done at the server end.

 

For workstations all you now need to do is add the following reg key to the clients:

 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

 

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Nelson Thornes\JustClick\e-Science]

"InstallLocation"="\\SERVER_NAME\\Applications\\Programs\\Nelson Thornes\\e-Science GCSE\\"

"ProductVersion"=dword:01000007

 

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Nelson Thornes\JustClick\e-Science\Upgrades]

"GCSE Science"=dword:00000001

 

And then register 'WaveControl.dll' using regsvr32.

 

Job Done.

 

 

 

Did you register the WaveControl.dll that's on the server?

[K.C.Leblanc]

Did you register the WaveControl.dll that's on the server?

 

It does work, however you'll have to unregister it and reregister it if you move escience. I copied it to C:\windows\system and then registered it.

[cookie_monster]

It does work, however you'll have to unregister it and reregister it if you move escience. I copied it to C:\windows\system and then registered it.

 

 

Yes I've just tried without regestering it and it works, I assume some part of the program won't work until I register it. I'm going to have a go at packaging it now. Fingers crossed

 

Odd when I add that reg data to a .reg file and run it the "InstallLocation" key doesn't appear but the "ProductVersion" and "GCSE Science" keys appear?

 

Ah double slashes required

Edited November 25, 2009 by cookie_monster

[K.C.Leblanc]

Yes I've just tried without regestering it and it works,

 

I think the only resources you'll be able to open are word documents.

 

EDIT: I'm not 100% sure, I was trying to block it out.

[cookie_monster]

I think the only resources you'll be able to open are word documents.

 

EDIT: I'm not 100% sure, I was trying to block it out.

 

 

 

The install works now, I've made an .msi but testing that can wait until tomorrow

 

Thanks.

[cookie_monster]

Right so I deployed the msi and it workes I can see all of the resources but the search doesn't work if I try to search for a resource I get the error below.

 

JavaError: Unable to create directory \\server\e-science\data\longstring-00000-00000\content\index

 

With a server install do they need write access to certain directories?

 

 

EDIT: I've sorted it now, I ran a search on the server and it seemed to create the directory. Fingers crossed that it will work from now on.

 

Thanks.

Edited November 26, 2009 by cookie_monster

[Ric_]

I have had eScience running fine here for ages then a couple of days ago a teacher came to me to inform me that they have been unable to open resources for 'some time'. So basically, it just stopped working properly one day!

[bgarston]

Anyone been through this process and know what I have to do.

Yes we have at my school! You have to give up trying to make it work and try to get a refund as the software is not of merchantable quality!

 

Ben

[K.C.Leblanc]

I have had eScience running fine here for ages then a couple of days ago a teacher came to me to inform me that they have been unable to open resources for 'some time'. So basically, it just stopped working properly one day!

 

If you've got v1 and not v1.1 and you're using the server and client install it will die if you upgrade to Java 6.

 

Yes we have at my school! You have to give up trying to make it work and try to get a refund as the software is not of merchantable quality!

 

Ben

 

I couldn't go down that route, it had already be implemented before I arrived. We had a large collection of flaky local installs so it was a bit too late to go down the 'we can't make it work route'.

 

The key thing is to get v1.1 of Nelson Thornes (they'll send it to you for free) and do the unofficial server install you'll be fine (hopefully).

Edited November 26, 2009 by K.C.Leblanc

[cookie_monster]

If you've got v1 and not v1.1 and you're using the server and client install it will die if you upgrade to Java 6.

 

 

 

I couldn't go down that route, it had already be implemented before I arrived. We had a large collection of flaky local installs so it was a bit too late to go down the 'we can't make it work route'.

 

The key thing is to get v1.1 of Nelson Thornes (they'll send it to you for free) and do the unofficial server install you'll be fine (hopefully).

 

 

 

I had the Java issue when we first went from Java 1.5 to 1.6 (shows how long ago it was) and had to patch it. I've done a clean install of e-science from the same disk but with Java 1.6 update 17 installed (before installing e-science) and it works fine it's the most bizzar piece of software. As far as I know we have version 1 of e-science as it suffered the Java problem way back.

 

It seems to be working now so as I say fingers crossed.

[ndavies]

We installed Physics, Chem and Bio via a package, which failed to find any of the videos/flash stuff...doc's worked fine...finally had to manually install just one of them, to get the others to work. Definitely to do with the registration of .dlls on the machine.

[cookie_monster]

SIGH

 

Well I thought we were in bussiness but there's one more issue. All of the content is available but the lesson planner doesn't work. If I login to the home page then click the Lesson Planner link I see the subjects in the left 'Schemes' pane but when I double click one nothing appears in the 'Lesson Groups' pane. This works on the old server.

 

Any ideas guys?

 

Thanks.

[jack0w]

The lesson planner only works in V1.1. That was the reason we had to move away from the local installs and get it working properly on the server!

 

Get in touch with Nelson Thornes and they should provide this to you on a DVD.

[cookie_monster]

The lesson planner only works in V1.1. That was the reason we had to move away from the local installs and get it working properly on the server!

 

Get in touch with Nelson Thornes and they should provide this to you on a DVD.

 

 

Oh!!! but i'm using the same CD to install that I've always used and it works on the old server. Do you mean lesson planner doesn't work with V1 if you do a server install?

 

 

How can I tell if i'm running V1 or V1.1?

 

Thanks.