[Odb-help] NEW RELEASE: version 0.9.5a of ODB

[odb-help at lists.democracygroups.org]

Good Afternoon!

Thanks to a slew of user requests, a few bug reports, and
some grants (from Haymarket Peoples Fund and Community
Tech Foundation of California), we have been able to make
substantial improvements to ODB over the summer.  A week
ago (on 9/29) we released a new version: 0.9.5a.  At this
time we encourage you to spread the word, and to upgrade.

To recap, ODB is a database software program designed for
small nonprofits and grassroots groups.  It requires minimal
training and runs on almost any Windows computer, from Win95
to WinXP.  The program is free and some paid services are
available for those who need them.

Thanks to the following people who helped this time around:
  - Liat Wexler, OC staff member, rewrote and expanded much
    of the user manual and added over a dozen "screen shots"
  - Dave Jette proofread the manual.  Thanks Dave!
  - Interns Anna Badaracco and Evelyn Cruz created a much
    better Spanish version.  A Spanish language installer is now
    available on request and we are looking for reviewers for the
    new Spanish language user manual.

To upgrade, all you have to do is choose "Check for New
Version" from the "?" menu and follow the instructions...

You may also go to the main download page to obtain the software:
http://organizersdb.org

Please do not uninstall; instead, you should install
ODB on top of your previous installation.

Most of you will notice no difference when using this new
release.  The only difference that might be confusing is that
the print screen will now remain visible after you click on the
print button.  Previously, clicking on the print button would
cause the print window to close.  This change was made
because users sometimes want to select a few different
kinds of printouts that have a similar printout title, and
it is now easier to make small changes in the title
instead of having to retype the changes.

-rich cowan
 for the ODB team



SUMMARY OF 0.9.5a CHANGES (excerpted from the Release
 Notes on the www.organizersdb.org web site):


new features

- ODB will print a "tip sheet" when you first set it up that
  can inform someone in your IT department about how to
  maintain the software.
- Initial installation provides you with 10 different "generic"
  templates.  Other templates are initially hidden; a
  README file explains how to make the others visible.
- Existing users may move codes around and even merge two
  codes into one.  This is a very powerful feature if your
  codes are disorganized and you need to clean house or
  "archive" seldom used tracking codes.
- Expanded printing screen, so that you can add a custom
  header to your printouts, or have your printout indicate
  "breaks" when the zip code, or ward, or state, or giving
  capacity (askamount), or voter registration status changes.
- ODB will automatically support larger numbers of characters
  in the fields for district, party, etc.
- SRC feature is fully supported now, and included in templates
- ODB recognizes folder defaults on Win2K and WinXP now.
- Ability to link ODB file with external voter file

important bug fixes

- thank you printing problems resolved
- CSV import and export problems resolved, import speed improved
- ability to save and load sort order in queries
- importing the "date of birth" field wasn't working

plus 20 minor bug fixes, and 7 "usability enhancements"