Version 3.40 Information:

This version was implemented primarily to reinstate the functionality of the Online Application Status Check feature, which became disfunctional when the NSSAR switched from application status files in html format to pdf format.  As a result of this change in file types, this feature now runs much more slowly than it did before (see separate topic below for details).

Also added to the Conversion function was the ability to import NSSAR PDF file types.

 

Why is the Online Application Status Check feature so much slower now?

The NSSAR originally stored the Application Status check data online in html format on their web site.  Each state had it's own html file, or series of files, in which only data from that state was stored.  When SARApAid needed to compare data, it would download only those files necessary for the comparison.  For example, if your application was filed in the state of Texas, only the Texas file(s) had to be downloaded in order to check the status of your application.  Once the file(s) were downloaded, the html code could be parsed (searched) directly for the data needed to compare with your application file.  Downloads and searches were fast because no extraneous data had to be handled at any time.

The NSSAR has since changed to a pdf format for the file containing Application status information, and the data for all states, countries, etc. is stored in a single file.  Although this is probably more convenient for someone who is manually checking their application status by browsing the NSSAR web site, it means longer waits for users of SARApAid.  Downloads will be longer because the application status data set for the entire society must be downloaded instead of just the pertinent state(s).  The pdf format used also precludes a direct parsing of the file to extract the necessary data.  Data in pdf files is both compressed and encoded to reduce the size of the file and to restrict some operations by the reader if desired by the creator of the file.  This means that the pdf file must first be decoded and all text streams must be inflated (decompressed) before the data can be read.  Again, because one file contains all, it takes a considerable amount of time (in computer terms) because the entire data set must be decoded and inflated before the pertinent data can be found for comparison. 

This decoding and inflating of the pdf file is what causes the majority of the increased time required to check your application status.  Even with a 3MHz computer, it can take approximately 20 seconds to process the Application Status file and another 8 seconds to process the Pended Application Status file, as opposed to less than a second for processing with the old method.  Slower computers will take more time, of course.

Bottom line, your application status can still be checked automatically and accurately, but I can no longer say "immediate" or "fast" with any real meaning.

 

Compatibility Issue - Win95

There may be a compatibility issue in Win95 with the Online Application Status Check feature.  This again is due to the routines that are necessary to process the pdf file format.  I can't tell for sure whether this issue is definite or not because the only way I have to test for Win95 compatibility is in VirtualPC running Win95, as I don't have a physical machine with that operating system on it any more.  There are issues with VirtualPC itself when Win95 is run inside it, so the results are muddy.  If anyone is still running Win95, please let me know if the Online Application Status Check feature runs without a problem or not on your machine.  If it fails, you will see a "KERNEL32" error message, and the program will dump, so it will be quite dramatic and noticeable.  I am researching to see if there is a solution to this problem, but I didn't want to hold up the reinstatement of this feature for the majority of users while I looked for a fix for the Win95 problem, which should, at this point, be only a small minority of users.

 

Upgrade Information

In order to activate this version, your license must be dated 28 Jan 2006 or later!

If you have version 3.35 already installed on your computer and your license is valid as per the previous paragraph, you should be able to use the Upgrade Wizard to upgrade your software.

Because of changes to my web hosting company previously covered, if your installed version is something less than 3.35, you will have to manually install this upgrade.  Manual installation is actually much easier than it implies, and full directions will follow below.

 

Manual Installation of Version 3.40

Before you do anything, recheck your license date and make sure it is 28 Jan 2006 or later before you complete this process.  This date can be seen in the lower left of the Splash screen seen when the program starts.  If your license date is earlier than that and you complete this process, you will end up with a DEMO version of the program, which will print SAMPLE across each application that you print, among other things!  The SARApAid Upgrade Wizard automatically checks your license date for you when it checks for updates, but this process is bypassed during a manual install, so you will not be protected from an installation proceeding even if your license is too old.  Cox SoftWare will not be responsible for your program reverting to a DEMO version if you fail to heed this warning!

Start your manual install by clicking below on the current version of SARApAid which is installed on your computer:

Version 3.30 or 3.31

Any other version

(The following instructions are for WinXP.  If you have an older version of Windows see the Download page for specific instructions for your version.  I don't currently have Vista, but have performed an installation on a Vista machine.  If you are a Vista user, the instructions below should work, but you will see several additional warning/questioning windows typical of a Vista installation in addition to the ones mentioned below.)

• You should see a File Download - Security Warning Window...
  Answer the question presented ("Do you want to run or save this file?) by clicking the Run button.

• You should see an Internet Explorer - Security Warning Window...
  Answer the text "The publisher could not be verified.  Are you sure you want to run this software?" by clicking the Run button.

• The upgrade installation process should begin.

 

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For information on Downloading or Purchasing click on the appropriate link.