MusicMaster Blog

By Aaron Taylor

In this article, we’ll cover the sections in the help menu of MusicMaster and the information and resources available in each subsection. If you’ve not done so in the past, we invite you now to take a trip with us through the MusicMaster HELP resources.

CONTENTS

This is the starting point to access the entire library of help “books” in the MusicMaster help system. Double click “MusicMaster for Windows” to have it open up to reveal all the books available for your perusal.

INDEX

Click here for an alphabetic list of topics, as well as a search bar to enter words or phrases to locate topics you are interested in:

SEARCH

Another method to call up information on topics you are interested to read about:

Here’s a question that comes up from time to time…“Where can I get the MusicMaster Manual?”

As MusicMaster for Windows is constantly being updated and refined, we are continually adding to and enhancing our documentation. As such, we would recommend you print up the individual subsections you need them to make certain you have the most current information on the topic. As an example, we’ve gone into the “Contents” section here to locate details on The Rule Tree Hour Rotation Rules, specifically the “Day Offset Window”. Note that you have the print option to select your printer to only print that specific rule summary, or to select that selected heading (Hour Rotation Rules) and all subtopics.

MUSICMASTER TIPS

Here you’ll find special MusicMaster, music related and other quotes you may find helpful while using the application. By default, this tip window opens and will rotate through the list when the program is opened. You’ll find a check box to disable it if you wish. Let us know if you have an idea for an addition to this list that you think others may enjoy or benefit from…We always welcome suggestions!

SYSTEM INFORMATION

This window can tell you the operating system, service pack and build you are running. It also will indicate on the second line whether daylight savings time is activated for this database.

Additionally, the list below these details lists the Microsoft components that MusicMaster require to operate properly, as well as the current version. If you are having issues with your MusicMaster installation running correctly, we’ll often have you visit this list and verify that all of the smiley faces are green and “happy”. Ones that appear yellow or red may mean the component in question is out of date or missing. Occasionally, the support team will request you send us the specifics on your machine and installed components to help diagnose a possible issue with MusicMaster. You can then click on the “copy to clipboard” option to create an expanded version of this list, which in turn can be sent to use for further review.

USER REGISTRATION

You will need to verify you are connected to the internet for information to be displayed in this section.

When you click here, the MusicMaster application will attempt to reach out across the internet to “ping” our license servers for information about your key. This will typically display the serial number for your key, the station or organization it is licensed to, as well the username. It will also display information about your potential days to upgrade your current version. If you have recently purchased an upgrade to MusicMaster the blank window under the “Upgrade Server” section will be where you enter the codes provided to you to upgrade your USB key, and then hit “Submit”.

CHECK FOR UPDATE

On a regular basis, A-Ware Software makes updates available to its users. They may be major version updates, or service releases that add new functionality or fix issues reported to us by users. Clicking this menu choice will allow you to check to see if one is available to you.

If you have any questions about updates, or whether you should update to a new version, feel free to drop a note first to your Music Scheduling Consultant. Also, before beginning any update, make a backup of your databases before proceeding.

If a new update of the application is available to you, you’ll see a screen like the following:

From here, follow the prompts to update to the latest release.

Otherwise, if everything is up to date, you will see:

Again, always make verifiable backups of your databases in advance of any application update.

MUSICMASTER WEBSITE

When you select this option, MusicMaster will launch your internal default browser application, and take you to the MusicMaster website. Worth of a whole other article itself

http://www.musicmaster.com/?p=2396 access our blog articles, webinars, training walkthroughs, and support portal here (just to name a few)!

RELEASE NOTES

At the top of this window, you will be able to verify the operating systems that this version is currently supported on, as well as other important Microsoft components, and gives you guidance on where to update those if applicable. This can be very helpful if you are considering updating the operating system on your machine, or if you are migrating to new hardware.

This section will also tell you about all of the enhancements, fixes and additions that have been made in the version of MusicMaster you are currently running, and will run back to the very first release of the version you are currently running. You may find it useful to visit this section each time you update to learn about what is “new and cool” in the version you are now running. If there is any portion of the release notes you’d like more explanation on, please get in touch with your Music Scheduling Consultant.

If you wish to print this information for offline reading, it is a simple text file that can be saved outside of the application if you like.

VIEW LICENSE

This is the same window of information you’ve clicked “OK” to when installing the application. If you need to know this information after the fact or have questions, here it is.

ABOUT MUSICMASTER

At a glance, this window can give you a lot of very useful information, and allow you to quickly navigate to areas in your machine or network where portions of the application or your database are installed.

System Info- Duplication of the information detailed earlier in this article.

Release Notes – Duplication of the information detailed earlier in this article.

License – Duplication of the information detailed earlier in this article.

App Folder- This is where the MusicMaster application and related files are installed. This can be helpful to reference this area if you are unsure of their location on your machine or network.

Data Folder- This is where your MusicMaster databases are installed. This can be helpful to reference this area if you are unsure of their location on your machine or network.

Options Folder- MusicMaster configuration files are typically located here.

Temp Folder- MusicMaster and OS specific temp files are located in this directory.

As you can see, MusicMaster has a wealth of information contained insider of the HELP menu that can assist you in learning more about the application, your databases, and the installed version and configuration. If you have further questions at any time please reach out and get in touch, we’d love to help!