Here are a few issues encountered with Beta 6 on Vista Home Premium SP1 and printing to Word 2007:Convert issuesConvert does not point to the correct directory for existing SiD 5 Data Files. Initially it points to a User > ... > Roaming Data directory. That directory has limited permission in Vista SP1, even with UAC disabled (per Microsoft Technical Support). The actual User Profile data files are not in that directory.
When I browse to Users > [username] > SiDiary Data (or whatever is the correct directory), it does Convert correctly. However, even with a single patient defined, it does not retrieve the Patient Name. The Profile appears as [1]. I have to edit the Profile Name to my name. I triend converting again, this time the Profile appeared as [2]. The actual imported data appears correct. I have over one year of records.
If it would be helpful, I can document the exact Paths of the directory issues with Convert.
Initial Data Entry issuesI am entering data concurrently in SiDiary 5 and a separate instance of SiDiary Beta 6. For two days I had entered data only into 5. When I tried to enter data into Beta 6 for the previous days, I selected an earlier day. When I entered a BG [BZ] value for that day, there was no issue entering the value or correcting the time. However, the BG value then moved the log book day from the previous date I was trying to update back to the current day. The value then appeared in a column for the current day rather than the prior day I was trying to edit. When I used the Calendar function to correct the day, a prompt window with two radio buttons appeared. (I did not get a screen capture, but will describe the issue.)
Example: (Radio Button 1 08-{Oct}-2008 [F11], Radio Button 2 09-{Oct}-2008 [F12]). When I pressed [F11] the date of entry did not change to 08={Oct}-2008, but stayed on the current date 10-{Oct}-2008.
Date Format issuesIn the United States, the standard date format is MMDDYYY, and this my system default. Beta 6 uses the European/International format of DDMMYYY. I have no problem with this, and my system time format is 24-hour. However, many, if not most, users in the UnitMMed States prefer and will use the MMDDYYYY format. It would be preferable for Beta 6 to use the System default setting or have a Profile Option to select the desired date and time format.
Also, when the Convert Wizard starts and prompts for the Patient Birth Date, it does not specify the date format. It would be helpful and more clear to either allow a choice of date format options, or prompt the user that the date format is DDMMYYYY.
Report issuesI am sure this is on the To-Do List, but the Report Templates are still in German in Beta 6 En. It might be helpful to other U.S. beta testers to include a note in the ReadME.txt that English translation of the templates is forthcoming. If it is not too time consuming, in the interim, provide a brief translation key of the German words used in the template to the English equivalent. E.g.,
BZ = Blood Glucose (
BG).
Print issuesI successfully printed several Beta 6 reports. When I clicked Print, the report was spooled immediately to printer, not allowing for any printer-specific options. For example, my Epson Stylus CX5800F Multi-Function Printer (MFP) allows dual-sided printing, which I prefer with multi-page reports. One enhancement would be very helpful, especially in Vista, after selecting a Report Template, before printing, make a call to Windows Print Manager > Printing Preferences.
Many other applications do this, not just Microsoft products.
From Printing Preferences I can select single or two-sided printing, edge binding to top or side, and in the case of my printer, I can choose to Preview before sending the to printer, and Advanced Options such as print quality like Normal, Fine, Photo, Best Photo, Color, Grayscale, Black only, as well as a "Watermark" overprint. For example, I use a "SiDiary Beta 6" 'watermark' on Beta 6 documents and "SiDiary" 'watermark' on SiDiary 5 documents.
At present I have to manually open Printers > Printer > Print Preferences, select the desired options, then return to Beta 6 to send the report to the printer.
When I do print a report, there is a minor issue when Word 2007 opens the selected report template. Word 2007 prompts for the file format of template to convert it to Word 2007 docx or Word97-compatible doc format. Conversion options include txt, etc., and I choose Import from RTF. Word 2007 opens the document and converts it. Word 2007 then closes, automatically reopens, and again prompts for the File Import Conversion option, and I again select RTF. This time the document remains open in Word 2007 and I can print the report. The report then prints correctly, using the Printer Preferences manually selected from Vista Print Manager.
Printing Update 26 Oct 08:Clarification on print reports with Word 2007: The first time the report opens it formats the text only. It may run a macro? Word 2007 closes (to import data from Beta 6 table?) then reopens a second time. Now the graphics are inserted and formatted.
The Trend graphic is still truncated on the bottom "Smiley" 8-|
End UpdateThere are no problems with the embedded graphics and tables, other than the results are in German as mentioned above. However, even though Beta 6 is set to "lbs" for weight, the report has weight in kg. BG levels are correctly set to mg/dl and all other values appear correct to a brief review.
Overall impression 
SiDiary Beta 6 has many new and useful features. This build has been very stable, and I am impressed with the many new and useful features.
It would be helpful to include the "magnifying glass" option from SiDiary 5 when viewing Graphs, Charts, and Trends.
More feedback after I explore Beta 6 further.
