mr_wordshark

Hi Adam Reviewing this in the light of more experience over the past couple of years: I think the clue is "Group policy restrictions" - We have come across a couple of cases now where the MS hotfix has not installed correctly, prevented by a GPO. Your symptoms are indeed a perfect fit with the MS XP patch symptoms+GPO preventing application of hotfix. The hotfix is for the domestic CD version only - the network version normally used in schools is unaffected, so we don't get too many cases like yours thank goodness! There are also other related fixes possible, detailed at 1: XP Patch In your case, the problem could be with secdrv being set up to "on demand" rather than on "Automatic" Hope this helps a little, just sorry I can't help you sort the GPO out. Best wishes Rik (Support manager, Wordshark/Numbershark)

Hi - Ranger advise that you use the network version of the software rather than the domestic single user CD. They provided install instructions for Worshark/Numbershark on Ranger, which is at: Ranger This almost always works for the CD version as well - though on a small number of XP machines you also need the Microsoft XP patch which is detailed at: Download details: SafeDisc Windows XP Fix for Microsoft Games (They never did put this up as a normal update: NOTE that on a couple of occasions GPOs in place have prevented this fix from applying) Other related possible fixes are at: 1: XP Patch Hope this helps - please do contact Wordshark Support if it does not. Cheers Rik (Wordshark Support Manager)

Hi David I agree -the DOS version graphics (discontinued in 2001 but still around in many schools) do look very dated. The v3 and v4 graphics were all redrawn, but are deliberately kept as simple as possible for various educational reasons - particularly that certain children's special needs are better supported with simple graphics. This does mean that you don't get the whizzy graphics of Wii & latest gaming software, but does mean that the programs will usually run on the lowest spec computers that schools around the world still use. Studies - yes, a major one from Univ. Hull/Chris Singleton, now fairly well dated, and others (unpublished) from PGCE & other university students. We haven't felt a need to pay someone loads of dosh to produce a study, as some software companies do. There are a large number of non-sponsored reviews out there - i.e. totally independent of us. Tameside teachers, for example, have posted up several for both Wordshark and Numbershark. Try also Word Shark from White Space We have posted up links to some of these at: Numbershark hints Both Wordshark and Numbershark are huge programs, approaching 500Mb, and would need some re-authoring to run within a webpage. However, we have several dozen schools whose students access both from home and from school through Citrix or Terminal Services very happily, and many more who have an icon for the progam(s) on their VLE for easy loading. Some VLEs seem to be designed to lock out 3rd party software - others are much more amenable! Hope this helps. Sorry about the delayed reply, but I only pop into this forum occasionally. Anyone with the software, or having questions prior to sale, normally contacts us direct. We used to have a MSI, but several techs suggested we dropped it as the software installs so quickly without it these days.... hence reading some of the adverse postings here with particular interest! Cheers Rik (Support Manager, Wordshark/Numbershark)

Hi Laserblazer Declaration of interest - I'm the support manager for WS and NS, and a first aider, and less near retirement than I thought I was. Sorry, I haven't yet found anything which is better educationally and lower price, Am I correct in thinking you have fairly old version of the software? I'm aware of a couple of schools in Droitwich with some seriously old versions which will now be less stable than any tech would want. I'd be really interested in knowing why you find it a real pain - the more we find out what people don't like, the better we can do something about it for the future. Any chance of you phoning Support 0208 748 1170 & asking for me, or a quick email? I'm happy to come into work early (7am onwards) if it is easier to talk before school.