Workspace problems...

[n0nuf]

Hello. We have several issues that we need to resolve.

First of all, we are a group of 6 MBA students that are tyring Workspace to see if it will work for our needs. We are all running MS Windows XP SP2.

Two of us downloaded Workspace 1.1 and installed it. We created a workspace and one invited the other. This worked. One of us then added files to the workspace and after a LONG wait, the other user's workspace started to update. Is there a way to expedite the update process? We tried the different program options and decided that we would invite the other students to try the software.

The other students downloaded the 1.2 version of the software. They were invited but v1.1 does not show that they can accept the invite (they stay light grey), and the other students say they have not received an invite. So, I downloaded the 1.2 update and tried to install it. Installing 1.2 OVER 1.1 does not work. The entire program crashed and kept locking up the computer. So, I had to uninstall before reinstalling.

v1.1 != v1.2

We noticed the problems of not connecting and being disconnected from the server with version 1.2. These problems do not exist for us with v1.1.

I fixed my system and reinstalled v1.1. I also gave the third student a copy of 1.1 that I have on my system. The third student installed 1.1. I then invited the third student. The software says that the third student is invited and their copy says they are invited. Now, the third student (the 3rd person) status stays yellow, showing on-line, but not in the current workspace. For some reason they are not getting the workspace that the first two of us created and populated with files. I assume it takes a LONG time for a populated workspace to update on the invitee's system?

I created another EMPTY workspace and invited the other 2 students to this workspace. Now, all 3 students are online and GREEN in the empty workspace. Question here is: Can you NOT invite other people to a pre-existing workspace with many files already in place?

1. Do you have to invite all parties BEFORE adding content?
2. Why don't people invited AFTER content is added get the invited workspace?


Scott

[n0nuf]

v1.1 and v1.2 are not compatible.

v1.2 has problems. It is the reason for the disconnects and long waiting to connect messages.

To resolve these problems, uninstall v1.2 and reinstall v1.1. Least it is working for my group now.

Scott

[jannmirch]

I've been using v1.1 for a while now. We had some difficulty getting my partners setup but finally succeeded.

I've since upgraded to v1.2 and now cannot access our workplace. I'm trying to redownload v.1.1 but can't find anyplace to access it.

suggestions?

[jigalypuff]

this is the 1.1
http://www.4shared.com/file/29077999/e7f1c10/Workplace1.html

[Franco Dal Molin]

Hi Scott, others

Let me answer your questions and address open issues:

> One of us then added files to the workspace and after a LONG wait, the other user's workspace started to update. Is there a way to expedite the update process?

Version 1.1 has a number of problems and replication can take a long time. Version 1.2 is for sure better in all aspects (note: the many Connecting... problems just after releasing it Nov 9-12 were an infrastructure problem that has been solved). The main sync speed limitation is typically your upstream bandwidth with DSL/cable connections. If both peers are in the same LAN segment (subnet), it is much faster. You can also set the values for upload/download bandwidth limitations much higher (in the Tools/Preferences menu). We measured up to 4500kBits/s within LANs.

> The other students downloaded the 1.2 version of the software. They were invited but v1.1 does not show that they can accept the invite (they stay light grey), and the other students say they have not received an invite.

The two versions are NOT compatible, that's correct, we wrote that in the Release Notes and also in our update email to existing users. Sorry if it was not evident enough. We know that this is not ideal and will address this from the next release. We already introduced the (technical) capability of Workplace 1.2 letting other Workplaces know its own version number and then "agree" what version of the P2P protocol to use together. Of course V1.1 doesn't have any of this yet and is therefore simply not able to talk to any newer version. But V1.2 is ready for this. Future releases (e.g. R1.3) will basically greet R1.2 releases and agree to use their common denominator.

> So, I downloaded the 1.2 update and tried to install it. Installing 1.2 OVER 1.1 does not work. The entire program crashed and kept locking up the computer. So, I had to uninstall before reinstalling.

Update should actually work, but yes, he had issues here as well. So far, we have heard from about 3% of the users having update problems. We just launched a focused initiative in support to investigate this properly and solve. If you still have update problems, please let us know. We need to know what exactly goes wrong.

> We noticed the problems of not connecting and being disconnected from the server with version 1.2. These problems do not exist for us with v1.1.

Connecting problems are solved. 1.1 infrastructure is separate from 1.2, so problems are not Workplace related, but were issues with our super peer P2P network. Again, should all be fine now.

> I assume it takes a LONG time for a populated workspace to update on the invitee's system?

The larger an workspace, the longer it takes to transmit to NEW invitees. Existing members receive all changes gradually, as they happen, but new invitees receive the whole workspace including all its content in the beginning. Note: Will be improved with next 1-2 releases, introducing "Fetch From Any" and "Fetch from Many in parallel" sync features that will further boost replication. We are not quite there yet.

> I created another EMPTY workspace and invited the other 2 students to this workspace. Now, all 3 students are online and GREEN in the empty workspace. Question here is: Can you NOT invite other people to a pre-existing workspace with many files already in place?

Yes, you can. See above. Takes just longer.

> 1. Do you have to invite all parties BEFORE adding content?
> 2. Why don't people invited AFTER content is added get the invited workspace?

Same issues: 1. No. 2. They will get it, just takes longer.

Hope this help clarify the situation. I would love to see you guys move to 1.2, it is really better in all aspects. We'll be happy to assist solving install/update issues.

[n0nuf]

Hello, and thank you for the feedback. When 1.2 is ready, and infrastructure is healthy enough for the load, please let us know. Right now we just can't afford to be down/off-line. We have assignments that are each day and have to be on-line.

Thanks again!

Scott