Auto Save

[Buz Steele]

DeLorme,

I have a suggestion for all DeLorme Mapping Products.

Auto Save with a time that is user adjustable.

Thanks,

Buz

[Nedra]

Not sure what you're suggesting here. Do you mean the time stamp on the program file? or what???

[Buz Steele]

Nedra,

I would like the program to have the ability to auto save my changes while I am entering data, drawing, or what ever I am doing. Much the same as Excel® and Word® do. And I would like the ability to designate how often this happens. For example, every 5 minuets or every 10 minutes or whaterer, I have, in the past, drawn for hours and tried to print or do something else and have the program crash or experience a runtime error or something of that nature and everything would be gone. Then I would have to re-do everything I had done. I am getting better now. I have just about worn out my "Control + S" keys. Hope this makes a little more sense.

Buz

[davidbeach]

I'd certainly like to see an auto save feature that would save gps logs. That way when the program locks up or crashes you don't lose the entire gps log that is being created.

[Nedra]

Buz,

I think they refer to that as auto-backup rather than autosave, but now that I understand your concern, I second your suggestion It's a GREAT

For a long time I've been frustrated that the program will lose changes you've made if it locks up. I've stated this problem, but don't recall anyone ever suggesting the auto-backup feature. I find it VALUABLE on my spreadsheet and word processor, and it would be equally VALUABLE for DeLorme to add this feature.

One of the other long-time users stated recently that all you have to do is go to Map Files and save from there, but I personally don't trust that method. I've developed a habit of closing the program and reopening it on a regular basis, ESPECIALLY when I beta test, so as to NOT lose what I've just done.

You could do a new suggestion note, if you like, with a POLL asking people to vote on auto-backup (or auto-save) on routes, mapfiles, draw files, gpl files, and see how forum members vote on it. The results might be interesting.

As David said, the gpl files need to be saved at time of a crash so we don't lose them. On my atv or walking with my laptop, I've found that to be a serious problem in mapping our 130 acre farm.

[Buz Steele]

XMap 4.5 GIS Editor has an auto save feature built in that you can turn of and on, but it is only on the GIS Editor portion of the program.

I have trained myself to use Control + S to save as I am working. I have that IF I use it, all is well. Sometimes I forget. As you said, the real problem is if the program crashes. Apparently we all have this problem. I thought I was just overwork my program.

Buz

[petrrj]

Has there been any movement towards adding a auto save or a database approach to the tracking data.

This is the biggest flaw with the SA program.

When for what ever reason the computer get turned off accidently or another program locks up the computer and you have to reboot or turn off the computer, you loose all the valuable tracking data...

I depend on that data as an audit trail for my work travel...

Please consider this feature...

Paul E. Rogers

[John Moran_2]

Has there been any movement towards adding a auto save or a database approach to the tracking data.

This is the biggest flaw with the SA program.

When for what ever reason the computer get turned off accidently or another program locks up the computer and you have to reboot or turn off the computer, you loose all the valuable tracking data...

I depend on that data as an audit trail for my work travel...

Please consider this feature...

Paul E. Rogers

If you need a backup trail logger, you might consider the Delorme PN-40 or PN-60 for that purpose. Those devices may need to be used with Delorme Topo9 for transferring the data to a computer of yours, but Topo9 comes bundled in the box at no extra charge.

PN-40/60 devices do retain a few minutes of the track log in volatile memory between automatic saves to an SD card, and that data can be lost if the devices crash with ignition switched external power (rare nowadays), but either device could be complementary to your existing data logging system since you are already familiar with Delorme products. You might find a pretty good bargain on a PN-40, or even a PN-30 (Topo8 bundle) for the purpose. I would not recommend a PN-20 at this point in time as those devices are so slow as to be frustrating.
JM_2