Skylog - More Information

1. I get a ' ' ' is not a valid integer' error when printing/running a report.
2. How do I ensure the security of my Skylog data?
3. What types of Windows Mobile powered devices will Skylog work on?
4. Why can't I backup to a CD or DVD drive?
5. Can I use Skylog with a Pocket PC running the Windows Mobile OS?
6. I do multiple flights a day, can I just put in one entry per day?
7. Will Skylog Version 5 (or earlier) work on the Windows Vista OS?
8. Will skylog work on Apple Mac computers?
9. How do I transfer Skylog to a new computer?
10. Why have I gained a couple of flight records after upgrading to V6?

11. Upgrading your operating system to Windows 7.

12. Skylog iPhone Conduit configuration requirements.

13. My iPhone Conduit isn't displayed on the Skylog Conduits screen.

14. How can I improve my Skylog iPhone App's syncing reliability?

15. What is the current status of Skylog's mobile applications?

16. Skylog Android app Compatibility and Syncing requirements

1. I get a ' ' ' is not a valid integer' error when printing/running a report.

If you have Skylog V5, update your program to the latest V5 version using the appropriate free update and then select Main Menu|File|Repair Database. If you have Skylog V4, download file
CheckData.exe to your Skylog folder and run it from that location.

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2. How do I ensure the security of my Skylog data?

Please note that Floppy Disks are not noted for their reliability and, therefore, if you use them, it is strongly recommended that backups are alternated to a number of FDs. If your backup media is a large capacity storage medium eg, Zip disk, external hard drive, CD-RW, USB Flash Drive etc, it is recommended that backups are alternated to more than one backup folder eg, I:\skylog1, I:\skylog2 etc and also to more than one removable disk/drive.

In addition, to minimise data loss in the rare event of a computer problem necessitating a hard disk reformat occuring together with a corrupted Backup file or unreadable Backup media, it is essential that:

- Skylog is closed and then re-opened before a Backup is made.
- If using Skylog V5 or earlier, you copy the data and configuration files (.dbf and .ini files only) in the Skylog folder (usually c:\program files\skylgpro (Pro) or c:\program files\skylog (Standard)) to an external safe location eg, FD, Zip disk, external hard drive, CD-RW, USB Flash Drive etc, at regular intervals, or

- You take regular 'snapshots' (images) of the drive(s) containing your Skylog folder and other valuable data (documents, address books etc) to external media using a drive imaging tool such as Symantec Norton Ghost, or Acronis True Image, or
- You make regular backups of the Skylog folder and folders containing other valuable data to external media using a backup tool such as NovaStor NovaBACKUP or Acronis True Image, or
- You use an online backup service such as BT Digital Vault (www.btdigitalvault.bt.com) or AOL Xdrive to backup your Skylog or Skylog Pro folders (usually c:\program files\skylog or c:\program files\skylgpro respectively) to a secure server.

Important:
If using Windows Vista or 7 and Skylog V5 or earlier, please make sure you also backup Data folder:

c:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\skylog (Std) or skylgpro (Pro)

as it will (if UAC is enabled) contain your working data files - see FAQ 7 below.

If using Skylog V6 or later, please make sure you also backup the following Data folder:

Windows 98, 98SE: C:\Windows\Local settings\Application Data\Skylog (Std) or Skylog Pro (Pro).
Windows ME: C:\Windows\Application Data\Skylog (Std) or Skylog Pro (Pro).
Windows 2000, XP Home & Pro: C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Local Settings\Application Data\Skylog (Std) or Skylog Pro (Pro).
Windows Vista or 7: C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Skylog (Std) or Skylog Pro (Pro).

To ascertain the location of your V6 data folder, select Main Menu->Help->About; your data folder is shown on the bottom panel of the About form.

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3. What types of Windows Mobile powered devices will Skylog work on?

New Windows Mobile powered devices come in three flavors: Professional, Standard, and Classic. There are two primary differences between the three, the most visible difference is touch-screen support: Professional and Classic devices have touch-screens, while Standard devices do not. Skylog requires a touch-screen and, therefore, Standard devices are not compatible with the free Skylog Pocket PC application; only Professional and Classic devices are compatible.

The free Skylog Pocket PC applications will work on legacy Pocket PC's with a phone capability running the Windows Mobile 2003, 5 or 6 Pocket PC phone edition operating systems eg, O2 XDA II, PALM TREO 700w. They will not work on Windows Mobile-based Smartphones using the Windows Mobile™ 2002/2003, 5 or 6 software for Smartphone operating systems.

See also FAQ3 above.

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6. I do multiple flights a day, can I just put in one entry per day?

From JAR-FCL 1.080 (c) Logging of time:

(vi) If the holder of a licence carries out a number of flights upon the same day returning on each occasion to the same place of departure and the interval between successive flights does not exceed thirty minutes, such series of flights are to be recorded as a single entry.

Hence, flights over 30 mins apart must be logged separately.

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7. Will Skylog Version 5 or earlier work on the Windows Vista OS?

Microsoft Windows Vista was broadly available as a stand-alone product or pre-installed on new PCs on January 30, 2007. Testing with Skylog V5 on the Vista Business edition showed that Skylog V5.06 and earlier were not fully compatible with the new OS in the following areas:

- Skylog's current Help system - based on WinHelp - does not work as MS have withdrawn support for this Help system in Vista. The WinHelp Help system has been replaced by the HTML system in the Skylog V5.10 Vista update.

- If Skylog is installed in Skylog's default installation folder (c:\program files\skylog or c:\program files\skylgpro for Pro) on Vista, and assuming that UAC (User Account Control) was ON when Skylog was installed, Skylog's working data files will actually be in folder:

c:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\skylog (Std) or skylgpro ( Pro)

If UAC is switched OFF subsequently, Skylog's working data folder changes to the default c:\program files \skylog (or skylgpro) folder (containing empty/old data files), and recent data will appear to be lost. If UAC is switched ON again, Skylog will use the Program Files' VirtualStore folder again and all your data will (miraculously!) re-appear. If you change your UAC setting after using Skylog in Vista, you will need to restore your current data from a current backup (taken BEFORE the UAC setting is changed) to ensure your working data is re-installed in the correct folder.

However, if Skylog is installed on Windows XP (or earlier) or is installed on Vista in a folder other than 'c:\program files', the working data files will remain in the Skylog folder and will not be affected by the UAC setting. In Version 6, the working data files will be installed (on Vista) in the C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\skylog (Std) or skylgpro ( Pro) folder and, hence, will not be affected by the UAC setting.

- Provided the Palm application Version 2.05 (or later) is installed on the Vista OS together with the Skylog V5.11 update, the Skylog Palm application will work correctly on Windows Vista. Please note that if you change your UAC setting, you will have to re-install the Palm application.

- Provided the Pocket PC application Version V1.08 is installed on the Vista OS together with the Skylog V5.11 update, the Skylog Pocket PC application will work correctly with the new Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC) - which replaces ActiveSync. Please note that if you change your UAC setting, you will have to re-install the Pocket PC application. If during installation of the PPC application an 'Unable to find the ActiveSync Application Manager...' message is displayed, please download and install the latest appropriate Windows Mobile Device Center 6 for Windows Vista driver from:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter.mspx

- Checkboxes, radiobuttons and certain buttons disappear if the keyboard Alt key is pressed. This problem is fixed in the Version 5.11 update.

- There are minor appearance issues eg, the Skylog Desktop icons do not display correctly in all Desktop display options. These issues will be fully addressed in a Version 6 upgrade.

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8. Will Skylog work on Apple Mac computers?

Skylog is designed for use only with computers running Windows operating systems and we do not promote or support it for use with Macs. However, we are aware of some users with older macs running optional extra Windows emulator software are using Skylog successfully. In addition, the latest generation Macs running Mac OS X Tiger v10.4.6 (or later) let you install and run Windows operating systems (and, therefore, Skylog) on them using Boot Camp (see: http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/), and we understand that some Macs are now supplied as standard with dual-boot Mac OS X/Windows operating systems. Many users are known to be using Skylog successfully on these machines, and also on Windows virtual machines (VMs) - such as Parallels or VMFusion - installed on their Macs.

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9. How do I transfer Skylog to a new computer?

1. Install Skylog Pro or Skylog Standard on your new computer. If you are transferring V5.xx and updated an earlier V5 version to V5.11, download and install the V5.11 installation file (Install511_P.EXE (Pro) or Install5.11_S.EXE (Standard)) from the Skylog website at:

www.skylog.co.uk\PRO\Install511_P.EXE (Pro) or,
www.skylog.co.uk\PRO\Install511_P.EXE (Standard)

To start the installation process, double-click on the file in Windows Explorer. You will need to re-enter your registration details during the installation process.

2. Copy files Logbook.dbf, LogbookX.dbf, LogbookX.nsx and skylgpro.ini (Pro) or skylog.ini (Standard) where X = 1 - 9 ( Pro) or X = 1 - 4 & 7 - 8 (Standard) to the Skylog folder on the new computer. This is usually 'c:\program files\skylgpro' ( Pro), or 'c:\program files\Skylog' (Standard). Alternately, take a backup (ie, create file backup.zip) from the old computer to removable media (floppy disk, USB flashdrive etc) and then Restore this backup to the Skylog installation on the new computer using Main Menu->File->Restore.

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10. Why have I gained a couple of flight records after upgrading to V6?

In V5 (and earlier versions), deleted records are flagged as such and then removed automatically from the database on shutdown or when the database is re-built. However, it has been discovered recently that this functionality has not always been 100% reliable and one or two deleted records might remain in the database - although not visible or included in any totals, reports or printouts. The V6.04 (or earlier) database conversion program copied these 'deleted' records to the new V6 database and, hence, they appear in the V6 database undeleted. The V6 database is new and doesn't handle deleted records in the same way as the V5 (and earlier versions) database.

If you have found this problem or have upgraded to V6 using the V6.04 (or earlier) installation program and didn't check your record totals/hours, you can identify any V5 'deleted' records by downloading file ChkDeletedRecs.exe from here to your Skylog program folder - usually c:\program files\skylog (Skylog Standard) or c:\program files\skylgpro (Skylog Pro) - and running it from there. This folder should still contain your V5 (or earlier) database files eg, Logbook1.dbf etc.

This issue is resolved in the V6.05 (and later) database conversion programs, and investigation reveals that it is unlikely to have affected the majority of V6 upgraders. Nevertheless, if you are unsure, please run ChkDeletedRecs.exe

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11. Upgrading your Operating System to Windows 7.

If you're upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 you can do what's called an in-place upgrade as long you install the same version of Windows 7 as you have of Vista. However, if you are upgrading from Windows XP (or earlier) or from a different version of Vista, you will have to carry out a clean install. That means you can't just turn XP or Vista into Windows 7; you will have to export all your data, erase the hard drive, and then reinstall all your applications and data.

Hence, if you have to carry out a clean install of Windows 7 (or are upgrading from the same version of Vista and you are using Skylog Version 5 or earlier), it is absolutely essential that you take at least 2 backups of your current data to separate external storage devices as detailed in FAQ 2 in order to avoid data loss. However, whatever Windows 7 upgrade scenario you are faced with, we strongly recommend you implement this backup strategy before proceeding with the upgrade,

If you have to carry out a clean install, it is worth considering using Laplink's PCmover program, see:

http://www.laplink.com/pcmover/pcmoverupgradeassistant.html

to assist with the upgrade process. The program helps you upgrade quickly and easily from any version of Windows (version 2000 or later) to Windows 7. Please note that only Skylog Version 6 or later is fully compatible with Windows 7.

Please note also that Skylog is a 32-bit program and, hence, should be installed in the c:\Program Files (x86)\Skylgpro folder if installing to the Program Files folder on a Windows 7 64-bit operating system.

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12. Skylog iPhone Conduit configuration requirements

Note: To synchronise your iPhone with your PC, your PC and iPhone must both be connected to a WiFi network; synchonisation will not work over the USB link. However, if you do not have a WiFi network, you can set up an ad hoc network with your iPhone provided your PC has a wireless network adaptor. See for example:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/adhoc.mspx

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Set-up-a-computer-to-computer-ad-hoc-network

1. Apple iTunes for Windows (which includes Bonjour for Windows which is required by the Conduit) should be installed on your PC. iTunes may be downloaded from:

http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Alternately, Bonjour for Windows itself may be installed. The Bonjour.exe installation file may be downloaded from:

http://support.apple.com/downloads/Bonjour_for_Windows

If iTunes or Bonjour is not installed, you will receive the following error messages when running the Conduit:

'This app has failed to start because dnssd.dll was not found'

'Could not find iPhone conduit's iphoneserv.dll file'

2. If Skylog is run from Windows on an Apple Mac Parallels virtual machine (vm), the Parallels Network Adaptor setting needs to be: Devices>Network adapter 1>bridged (airport). If another setting is used, you will receive the following error message on your iPhone when trying to sync to the PC:

'Sync Failed
No connection established with your PC. Please ensure that the Iphone_conduit.exe file is included in your PC's windows and/or 3rd party firewall exception list and try again.'

In addition, if using Parallels Desktop 5 or later, the 'Send the Host's MAC address to DCHP Server' tick box has to be checked if the caveat shown under the tick box applies.

3. If you use a 3rd party security firewall on your PC/virtual machine, following installation of the Skylog iPhone Conduit, please ensure the following files are included in the 'Allow' and/or 'Exception' lists:

iPhone_Conduit.exe
iphoneserv.dll

These files are located in the Skylog Pro program folder - usually c:\program files\skylgpro.

4. If the Windows Firewall (see Control Panel>Security Center>Windows Firewall>General) is On, please ensure the 'Skylog iPhone Conduit' entry in the Exceptions list is ticked.

5. Download and install the latest Skylog iPhone Conduit from the Mobile Downloads page to your Skylog Pro program folder - usually c:\program files\skylgpro.

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13. My iPhone's Conduit isn't displayed on the Skylog Conduits screen

After re-starting an iPhone/iPod, we have found that the Conduit is, on occasion, not displayed on the Skylog Conduits screen when attempting to carry out a sync with the PC. Although the Wi-Fi symbol is shown at the top of the screen, the IP Address in Settings>Wi-Fi Networks>IP Address>DHCP is incorrect and the Router and DNS addresses are missing. Hence, the iPhone/iPod is not actually connected to the Wi-Fi network, although it appears to be.

We have found that turning the iPhone/iPod's Wi-Fi OFF and ON again in Settings>Wi-Fi Networks then connects the iPhone/iPod to the Network and syncing then works as normal. Please see the following Apple Support web pages for further information on resolving Wi-Fi issues of this nature:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398?viewlocale=en_US

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1559

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14. How can I improve my Skylog iPhone App's syncing reliability?

The iPhone Wi-Fi network uses the 2.4 Ghz frequency band in common with many other devices and networks such as neighbours' wireless networks, microwave ovens, baby monitors, DECT phones, bluetooth networks/devices etc. Hence, Wi-Fi performance may be significantly degraded by these networks/devices which, in turn, can have a significant impact on the reliability of Skylog's iPhone - PC sync network. If you suffer from a syncing success rate of less than 100%, please try one or more of the following measures which may improve the situation:

- If you have a bluetooth network, try switching it off temporarily before carrying out a sync. Bluetooth networks are the most likely cause of syncing unreliability.

- Try selecting a different channel on your wireless router. Make sure you re-connect your iPhone to your Wi-Fi network (on the Settings>Wi-Fi Networks screen) after doing this.

- Try syncing from different locations with respect to your wireless router.

- Try temporarily switching off any other devices which use the 2.4 Ghz frequency band.

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15. What is the current status of Skylog's mobile applications?

(November 2011)

1. Palm Devices

The current Palm apps are still supported but are now obsolescent as they will only work with devices using Palm OS 3.5 or earlier; they will not work with newer devices - using HP's webOS which is Palm's proprietary mobile operating system running on the Linux kernel - as this is completely different technology to earlier versions of the Palm OS. There are no plans at this time to port the Skylog apps to this new OS unless its sharp decline in market share (approx 6% at January 2010) over the last few years is reversed.

2. Windows Mobile Devices

The current Windows Mobile apps are still supported but are now obsolescent as they will only work with Windows Mobile 6.5 devices or earlier; they will not work with recently launched Windows Phone 7 devices as they use completely different technology to earlier versions. There are no plans at this time to port the Skylog apps to this new OS unless its recent sharp decline in market share (approx 16% at January 2010) is reversed.

3. Apple Devices

Currently, the market leader (excluding RIM) with their iPhone, iPod and iPad devices, and very popular with professional pilots. Hence, most of our development has focused on this platform over the last couple of years. Version 2 of our Skylog Pro app was released in September 2010 with Version 3 (providing Sim session recording) released in November 2010. At this time, we do not intend to develop a Skylog Standard version.

4. Android Devices

Devices using the Android OS are rapidly increasing their market share, with significant interest noted from professional pilots. Hence, producing an Android app for Skylog Pro has been a high priority in our development plans. Development of the app is now completed and the app was released to the Android Market on 17 October 2011.

5. Blackberry Devices

These devices have the greatest market share at this time, but we have noted very little interest from professional pilots. Hence, we have no plans at this time to produce a Blackberry version of Skylog Pro.

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16. Skylog Android App Compatibility and Syncing requirements

The basic requirements for using the Skylog Pro Android app are:

1. An Android V2.2 or later device. The app may work on earlier versions, but that is not guaranteed.

2. Skylog Pro V2.10 (Build 2.1.0.0) or later. See: 'Main Menu>Help>Check for Updates...'.

3. ADB USB drivers must be installed on your PC. Check for this in Start>Control Panel>Device Manager and look for an entry similar to: 'ADB Interface'. If an entry isn't there, please go to your device manufacturer's website and look for a link to USB drivers. For example:

Samsung Nexus:

http://nexusshacks.com/nexus-s-hacks/how-to-install-nexus-s-windows-usb-drivers/

and

http://androiddrivers.net/samsung-android-drivers/download-nexus-s-drivers/

ZTE San Francisco:

http://sanfranciscoandroid.co.uk/android/how-to-install-the-usb-drivers-for-the-orange-san-francisco-zte-blade/

Motorola Xoom:

http://www.motorola.com/Support/US-EN/Support-Homepage/Software_and_Drivers/USB-and-PC-Charging-Drivers

For Links to other OEM USB drivers, please see:

http://developer.android.com/sdk/oem-usb.html

4. A USB connection between the Android device and your Windows PC.

5. Settings>Applications>Development>USB debugging must be checked on your device. You will see a small triangular icon with an exclamation mark at the top of the screen.

6. The Skylog Android Conduit (InstAndroid100_P.EXE or later) must be installed on your PC. This is a free application which may be downloaded from:

www.skylog.co.uk\PRO\InstAndroid100_P.EXE

7. The Skylog Pro Android application must be purchased from the Android Market at https://market.android.com/apps/TRANSPORTATION.

The initial App - PC syncing process is as follows:

1. Carry out a 1st sync by starting the Skylog Android Conduit on your PC by double-clicking on the Desktop icon. The last 28-day data and other lookup and configuration data will be transferred to your Android device.

2. Enter new flight and/or duty hours records on the device.

3. Carry out a 2nd sync to transfer the new records to your PC. Then open Skylog Pro and follow the instructions to verify and copy the flight records to the main Skylog Pro database.

4. Carry out a 3rd sync and the last 28-days records will be transferred to the Android device. To see these records, make sure Main Menu>Prefs> ‘Show PC Records’ is checked’. These records will be shown 'greyed' and are not editable.

Thereafter, carry out steps 2 - 4.

Warning: Samsung shipped a broken kernel with Android 2.1, which is not able to support JIT compilation. If you possess a Galaxy-class device with Android 2.1, you will get unexpected results, this is caused by a kernel bug that breaks cache coherency, rendering any engine doing JIT compilation useless. Check with your manufacturer/carrier for an Android 2.2 or later update.

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