Sunday, November 30, 2003
New Build Posted.
New updates posted including a number of new features including a functioning import/export and batch and summary calculation settings.
We're still finalizing the user interface on the import/export and may still change it some but the new post makes a lot of things work considerably better.
While you may be able to use the refresh post (http://www.foxfirereporting.com/livedesign/ff80.zip) I advise grabbing the full install - http://www.foxfirereporting.com/livedesign/ff80setup.exe
More details will be posted a bit later as I walk through these features but:
a) you can drag/drop requests onto the Export folder, then click Export to export them.
b) you can select the Import option and import in existing exported entries.
c) drag and drop items into the Batch folder (you may need to drag lower onto the tree than the New Batch folder - try right below the Previous batches) - if you click on Run Batch, then you can run them right away.
d) Summary calculations may be added and changed (but there may be some bugs there).
e) The Output screen is now ready for Report usage. We're still finishing off items like Style and support for the other report types.
f) The Filter screen is much more solid but is still missing things like Ask At Runtime control support in the designer itself.
g) You can use the built-in Styles for features like Show Comments on Header or Footer.
h) the Cross-tab is working fairly well but will be updated further this week.
i) the new Output dialog is getting there so you can view the SQL and edit the layout while previewing the report.
j) the filter screen now has a Replicate button which copies the currently selected filter and a ( ) button which wraps the selected item with open and closing parentheses. (we're still finalizing this)
Some Bad things to be aware of:
1) When coming back to the Request Manager, it sometimes highlights multiple requests instead of the current one.
2) When creating a new cross-tab, it doesn't show the full cross-tab yet. Modify it in the Data Item tab and then close and re-open the request.
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New Fixes for Summary Calculations
A new post will be made shortly with fixes for summary calculations. Amid all the new features, the ability to manage summary calcs was lost.
Summary Calculations are easily maintained from the Sorts collection.
Example (using the Object Model)
loReq = loFF.Requests.Items("INVENTRY")
IF loReq.Sorts.Items(1).Grouped
loReq.Sorts.Items(1).Calculations.AddItem("Min","Cars Mileage")
ENDIF
? loReq.Update( )
Also, check out our new Object Model blog http://www.foxfirereporting.com/ffom.htm!
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Sunday, November 23, 2003
New Post Full Install
Just posted a new full install for the new version.
If you want the real latest and greatest, remove your existing version of FF 8 and install the new one.
New styles available
Distribution utility should work fairly well
New Cross-Tab Editor (still has bug with changing summary from anything other than Count)
New Joins screen.
Enjoy.
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New Post: Cross-Tabs and More
Check out the new user interface for Cross-tabs, import/export and more.
One Note: the Import/Export facility is still being built and is NOT functional but is there for visual purposes.
The Cross-tab functionality has a problem when you are doing non-count requests but should let you see what this will now look like.
Let us know how you like it by emailing support@micromegasystems.com!
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Sunday, November 16, 2003
New Post: Cosmetic Changes and Non-modal Editors
Some cosmetic changes on this latest post but also a new twist in the preview editor.
Double-click on an item and you get the Appearance (Format) editor. This dialog is now non-modal!
Click on any other data item in the report and you can make those changes directly.
This also works with the Edit Data Item option.
There are some problems in the Output area right now so don't try switching to a new format (other than report).
Also, you may seem some changes in the Request Manager Tree. There are now Exported, Imported and Batch folders in the root. These will be part of the new Import/Export/Batch functionality that will be better integrated with the Request Manager in an updated post.
Enjoy!
Note: If you are downloading for the first time, download the Install and THEN the Refresh. If you already have a recent version of Foxfire! 8.0, you can download just the Refresh!
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Monday, November 10, 2003
What We Need Is the Ability to Create a Box
After working more and more with Crystal and seeing some of the other outputs, we really need the ability to create a BOX around totals.
Yes, I know we can do lines and I did take out the ability to do boxes in a previous version, but we will be putting this back in.
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Timeline for Foxfire! 8.0
We originally promised Foxfire! 8.0 in late Summer, early fall 2003. However, since then we have made significant strides to make the tool even more usable than what we originally had hoped for.
Some last minute user interface changes along with some new functionality, will cause the new version of Foxfire! 8.0 to slip likely until the end of this year.
However, we are still committed to offering Foxfire! 8.0 to all customers who have purchased Foxfire! since May of this year.
I apologize for the delay but believe me, it's going to be worth it!
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Wednesday, November 05, 2003
New Refresh Post: New UI for Joins (Include) and Output
The latest refresh post (http://www.foxfirereporting.com/livedesign/ff80.zip) demonstrate two new user interface elements:
1. The Include dialog (formerly the Joins dialog) , now found on the Filter page uses Venn-style diagrams to illustrate the difference between Inner, Left , Right and Full joins.
2. The Output dialog has been substantially redesigned and is still under construction. However, you can get an idea as to our thinking and tell us which one looks better.
The Appearance version uses a grid, which makes the columns more defined (two columns instead of one), but allows us to use a combo box in it directly, making it easier to show multiple options.
The Content version uses a list box, which looks truer to the original diagrams but with the confusing creation of combo boxes (not added yet).
Anyways take a look and let me know.
Thanks
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