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Here are some frequently asked questions.
Q: How do you get the data for Modellers Assistant?
A: I use a variety of source, all of which are available to you. I do extensive searching of the internet (manufacturers sites, forums, model shops, etc.) and compile lists from there. Additionally magazines are used to get further information and products. Then I cross reference the information where applicable to make the data more useful to you.
Q: Why do I need a USB port?
A: Modellers Assistant is protected with a USB dongle to ensure that it is not pirated. All PCs for the past couple of years have been built with USB ports as standard. Those PCs that don’t have a USB port can buy a USB card that slots into your computer. These are very cheap (about £5). Modellers Assistant will not work without the dongle present.
Q: What computers has Modellers Assistant be tested on?
A: Modellers Assistant has been tested on 3 different systems - a Sony Vaio laptop with a Centrino processor, 512 MB memory, and 40 GB disk space running Windows XP SP2. A desktop PC with a Intel P IV processor, 2.5 GB memory, 500 GB disk space, running Windows XP SP2, and a HP Pavilon Tablet PC with a AMD Turion 64 processor, 2 GB memory, 160 GB disk space running Vista Home. Modellers Assistant runs without problems on all three systems, though it is slower on the Sony due to the lesser amount of memory and slower processor.
Q: Why do you use the .NET Framework?
A: The databases used by Modellers Assistant originate from Microsoft Access. The .NET Framework provides the programmer with convenient and consistent mechanisms to access the data. Should the data out grow the Access format then there is little changes to be made to Modellers Assistant to make it talk to another database such as SQL.
Q: Why won’t Modellers Assistant work on a MAC?
A: The MAC operating system is different to Windows. The .NET Framework does not work with the MAC operating system. It may be possible to use the MAC bootcamp or a PC emulator to run the .NET Framework but this has been untested. If you do try this you need to ensure that the emulator can support the USB port for the dongle and emulates a processor that is fairly up to date, some emulators emulate a Pentium II!!
Q: I don’t have an Internet connection or a fast connection. Can I still get updates?
A: Yes you can. So as not to alienate people without Internet Access or a fast connection then you can order a quarterly update. You can write to me requesting the update and pay by cheque. The Orders page has more information on the updates.
Q: There doesn’t seem much variety of data in Modellers Assistant, why not?
A: Modellers Assistant is a program in two parts - the program itself and the data. When development work is being carried out then data additions will be slowed down. When development work is not being done then new and updated data will be done. The amount of data is endless and so some areas of the data will be concentrated on and others will appear to have very little. Eventually the amount of data in all the categories will be substantial but this will take time.
Q: How often are updates going to be issued?
A: If an update is important (such as bug fix) then it will be available as soon as it is ready. Other updates (document changes, new/updated data, etc.) will be issued as and when they are ready (currently roughly every quarter) though the intention is to issue updates on a monthly basis. CD updates will be issued quarterly.
Q: Is development of Modellers Assistant going to stop?
A: No, Modellers Assistant will continue to be developed with new features. Development has been put on hold for the present to allow the data to build up. Currently I have a list of 6 new features to add and some areas that I would like to redevelop. When these features are available then you will receive them via the automatic updates or CD updates. Of course should there be the need to issue a fix for a problem then this will be dealt with as a priority and an update issued as soon as possible. I am always open to suggestions for features to be included. If you have any comments or feature suggestion then you can e-mail me.
Q: If I order Modellers Assistant later, do I have to download lots of updates?
A: No, when you order Modellers Assistant you will receive an up to date program and data as of the month that you order it. This way you have the latest version ready to run. There may be cases where an update has been issued whilst your order is being delivered, in which case you will only have one update to receive.
Q: Can I get my Painters Assistant data into Modellers Assistant?
A: Yes, there is a migration routine that will migrate your Painters Assistant data. Just remember that should you upgrade from Painters Assistant then do NOT uninstall Painters Assistant as this may loose your data. Once the data is migrated into Modellers Assistant then you can uninstall Painters Assistant should you want to.
Q: Do you take payments by credit card?
A: The only way I can accept a credit card payment is if you are to use it via Paypal. This is because setting up a company to take credit card payments requires a merchant account for the online payments and then they transfer the money to the bank account. The bank account needs to be authorised to accept payments from a merchant bank account. Both of these require a subscription charge and setup fees (this is the commercial world) and at the moment I don’t have the spare funds to pay the setup and subscription charges. When I am able to afford it I may start to accept credit card payments but I need to ensure that I have sufficient business to warrant the monthly cost.
Q: Why haven’t you put prices in the data?
A: This would be impractical as the cost of an item varies from shop to shop, country to country. I am not associated with any model shop and do not intend Modellers Assistant to be a front for a shop. Where you shop is up to you and so if there is an item that you want then you can either shop around for the best price or use your favourite model shop.
Q: Why don’t you list the paints required for a kit?
A: There is the intention to add such a feature but it will require a lot of work in obtaining the required data. When a forum is up and running then this may be possible to do with help from the modelling community.
Q: You mention ‘Possible Alternatives’ in the documentation and program, why possible?
A: The simple answer is that there is no 100% accurate alternative. This is due to the way paint is made and matched. I have even has a case where two tins of paint of the same colour and manufacturer were different shades! To determine if the alternative is suitable I would suggest that you try a sample on a small scrap of plastic and when dry decide whether the alternative is right for you. With after sales parts there can be some ambiguity as to what kit the after sales part is designed for. I would always recommend that before purchasing after sales parts that you contact either the manufacturer or a model shop to confirm that the after sales part is designed for the kit that you have in mind.
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