| Category |
Question |
Answer |
| Collaboration |
Did you support different languages with PathMaker?
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No, right now (December 2006) there is only an English language version. A Chinese version is coming soon. |
| Collaboration |
I am currently evaluating your software and have several questions:
1. How do I put math formulas into new forms?
2. Can I mix and match the various form templates in a single pathway ( ie if I want a SIPOC flow chart in, say, a strategic planning template ).
3. I want to use some of my own template forms from excel, word, etc. I don't want to ruin the templates nor redo the hyperlinks with each new pathway project. Any thoughts? |
1. To put formulas into new forms, enter "=" and then type in your formula. You can also look in the help system and search for formulas.
2. Yes, you can mix and match the various forms/templates. For example, if you are working in a Strategic Planning Pathway template, you can add and enter a flow chart tool, then under the file menu, select change template, and select SIPOC.
3. Put your own templates into one directory. Make hyperlinks into PathMaker, then save as a template.
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| Collaboration |
How can I work with others if the software isn't on the web? |
There are really two answers to that question.
First, you can work with people who are on your local or wide area network, including anyone who connects through your firewall on a VPN (virtual private network). Equip the team with PathMaker software, and put the project file onto a shared drive. That way, everyone can meet together, work separately or both as is convenient.
Second, we do offer a hosted web application, ipathmaker, at http://www.ipathmaker.com. |
| Compatibility |
Is there any Pathmaker version for LINUX compatible? |
For PathMaker, no. BUT, our ipathmaker web-based application works in Firefox 2.0+ versions, so you can use it from a Mac or Linux machine, as well as Windows-based machines. |
| Downloading |
I was trying to istall your free trial and it would not get past the first stage. Everything appeared OK on the download from your website and it appears in my 'programs file'.
Did I miss something, I do have winzip on my system also.
|
It looks like you may have selected "open" in the download dialog, instead of "save". Please try your download again. |
| Examples |
What are the user IDs and passwords for the example files that come with PathMaker 6.0? |
The User ID is Admin, and the password field is left blank. |
| Examples |
How do I find the Example files? |
We used to include example files in the free trial download, but now they are on the web, instead. Here's the link: http://www.skymark.com/pathmaker/literature.asp |
| Flowcharts |
Can I link the Flowchart to the Data Analyst? |
Not directly. You can paste data from one to the other, and you can have both tools on the same pathway, but you can't click on a Flowchart shape and have it take you to a mini datasheet.
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| Free Trials |
Is this download/free trial, a full version of the software? |
Yes, the free trial version is the same exact thing as the regular version. You need an authorization code, though, to keep it running for more than 30 days. |
| Free Trials |
I cannot remember how to get into the trial to review the software. |
First, run PathMaker.
In the trial version, a dialog box will pop up, telling you how many days you have left in the trial period. Press the continue button.
You'll come to a "Start a Project" Dialog. Choose the blank pathway option.
Next, you'll come to a "Choose a File Name and Location" dialog box. Give your file a name, and save it to a folder where you want to keep this work.
Then, you'll come to a Login dialog. Since you are creating this file, you are the default administrator. You can create your own user ID and password. You don't have to use passwords, if you don't want to. If you check the "Remember..." checkbox, your computer will store this information for you, and you won't have to worry about remembering them.
Finally, the project will open, to the project pathway screen. You can add steps (tools) to your pathway, launch them, and use them. They'll be saved automatically to the project database file that you named earlier. |
| Free Trials |
Can I obtain an extension on my 30 trial for further evaluation? |
Yes. Just email us and we will give you a code that will unlock PathMaker for another 30 days. |
| Import/Export |
Is there a way to import data from one tool into another? |
There are several ways you can import data. You may import data from a table in any ODBC compliant data source. However, you can cut also copy and paste data just as you do in most Windows programs. For example, if you copy some ideas from a brainstorm, you can paste them into the candidates list in the consensus builder. (not in the setup dialog, but in the main ballot). You can also import from an external data source and set up a live link.
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| Import/Export |
Can PathMaker's Data Analyst tool exchange data with Excel? |
Yes. You can use the Windows clipboard to copy and paste date to and from all spreadsheet programs which comply with the Windows programming style guides. You can also use ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) to transfer data into PathMaker's Data Analyst tool from any program for which ODBC drivers are installed.
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| Import/Export |
Can I collect data from gauges in real-time, and bring it into PathMaker? |
PathMaker doesn't directly support real-time data collection from gauges. However, products like the Software Wedge from TAL can transport data from the gauges to PathMaker.
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| Installing |
What platforms will PathMaker run on? |
PathMaker is tested on Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98, 95, and NT 4.0. We have heard from some users that it runs satisfactorily on some Windows emulators on Mac and Linux machines, but we have not tested it on those platforms. You could try Virtual PC, for the Mac OS, or software from Parallels, which lets a Mac run Windows simultaneously. Caveat: we don't know how they work, or how PathMaker works within those emulators, though anecdotes suggest that it is ok. |
| Installing |
pathmaker which I tried to download is not opening, help me to sort out this problem. |
Here are some troubleshooting questions:
1) Did the download get completed? It would be a file called PM6101.exe, about 21MB in size.
2) If it was downloaded ok, did the installation get completed? If you are not sure, double-click on the PM6101.exe again, which will offer you a Repair or Update option. Choose it, and run the installation through. If you see any errors, please write them down and send them to me.
3) If installation was ok, then please tell me what error(s) you are seeing when you try to use the software. We will try to help. |
| Installing |
I’ve installed, but I can’t seem to access anything. Ideas? |
Usually, if this happens, it means that the Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) didn't install correctly. You can try closing all other programs, and reinstalling; this sometimes corrects the problem. If that doesn't work, search for MDAC on Microsoft's site. You'll find a list of versions you can download. Pick the most recent one for your operating system, download it, and install it. |
| Installing |
My installation won't run all the way through - why? |
Make sure that other programs aren't running, and that you have the necessary level of permissions to install software on your machine. Also, if you have a lot of software installed, checking your system for existing .dll files can take a few minutes. |
| ISO 9000 |
Can we use PathMaker to support our ISO 9000 registration effort? |
Yes. With the release of the ISO 9000:2000 standards, PathMaker has become a critical tool for organizations seeking ISO 9000 registration. The new standards require specific documentation of continuous improvement efforts; PathMaker does that for you. The new standards also require that outputs conform to customer requirements. PathMaker's SPC tools help you 1) ensure that they do, and 2) demonstrate that to ISO registrars.
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| Licenses |
I use a computer at work and then a computer at home, can I install on both with one license? |
We do permit the use of one license on a work machine and a home machine, provided that it is intended for use by the same person. Otherwise, we require one license per machine. |
| Meetings |
Can I use PathMaker's Meeting Agenda during an actual meeting? |
Absolutely. That was one of our key design criteria. You can launch tools from the Agenda, record decisions, notes, action items, and whatever else you want to add. Most users project PathMaker onto a screen in a conference room using an LCD projector.
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| Passwords |
Why do I have to use a User ID and password on old files that I have opened in PathMaker 6.0? |
All versions of PathMaker from 2.5 on were designed for collaboration over the network by team members. Some projects contain sensitive data, and many are shared on public drives. We felt that it was more secure for users if we offered a password protection option. When you first create a file, or open it for the first time after it has been converted, you can just make up your own User ID and password. You become an administrator, by default, and it is up to you to add other team members to the project, if you want to share it with anyone else. |
| Passwords |
I can’t get into my project and it won’t let me in no matter what I type. Why? |
Your user name and password are case-sensitive. Try using all lower case letters, or all capitals, or caps and lower case.
Another common mistake: You may not have used a password at all - try leaving it blank.
If all else fails, email us the file. Send it as an attachment to: support@skymark.com, and add an explanation of the problem. |
| Pricing |
Is there a discount on purchases made for academic use? |
Yes. There is a 20% discount for bona fide academic institutions.
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| Pricing |
I purchased multiple copies of a previous version(s) and received a cumulative discount. Does the discount continue with copies of the current version? |
Yes, but please notice that the pricing structure is different for the new version. Please view our price list to see how much your additional copies will cost. |
| Saving Files |
How do I save a PathMaker project to a floppy disk? |
In your My Computer window, find the project file, and drag it to the A: drive icon. If it is too big to fit on the diskette, you will have to use a compression utility (we use Winzip from http://www.winzip.com) to squash it first. |
| Templates |
How can we get many people to use the same set of templates? |
In PathMaker, templates are contained in Settings databases, which have .PMSettings extensions. Copy the settings file you want to use to a file server or shared drive. Then, from the PathMaker file menu, choose the Project Options command. It will open a dialog box, from which you can browse to the settings file you want to use by default. If all users point their systems to this central settings file, everyone can work from the same pathway and tool templates, across the organization. |
| Templates |
We encountered a problem when using your software. We are often told The file you are trying to open is not a valid Pathmaker project when trying to open a pre-built project and that project could not be opened. We wonder what the problem is and how we can solve it.
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There was a bug in one of the early releases of PathMaker 6.0, where it conflicted with some of the built-in templates that had been migrated from PathMaker 5.5.
The bug has been fixed. If you get the latest release from our website, http://www.skymark.com, the problem you described will be solved. |
| Templates |
I’ve upgraded and now I can’t access any of my old templates. What should I do? |
Templates are stored in a settings file, the default location of which is the C:\Program Files\SkyMark\PathMaker 6.0\Settings folder.
You can use the File >> Project Options command to find out what settings file is being used by your machine.
You can also use the File >> Template Maintenance command to move old templates to a new settings file, and to convert them to new version formats. |
| Tool Functionality |
How do I add a title in Flowchart? |
Use a "text" node at the top of your chart, and set the font to whatever is appropriate for your title. The "text" symbol is one of the symbol types on the flowchart toolbar. |
| Tool Functionality |
Is there a facility in PatchMaker software to create a storyboard of milestones in an improvement project? If not, how else can I achieve the same objective indirectly using PathMaker charts/graphs. |
PathMaker does not have a "Storyboard" tool, but... the Pathway acts as a sort of storyboard/clearinghouse. Information is not all displayed on one canvas, but each piece is only a click away. You can also save snapshots of tools and paste them into a Flowchart tool that you can use as a storyboard. |
| Tool Functionality |
I am looking for a easy to use quality improvement software tool capable of supporting me with at least the basic 7 quality tools, plus story board capability for supporting data capturing and analysis for improvement decisions. Does PathMaker software support creation of story boards? |
In PathMaker, we use the pathway as a sort of map, to guide you through a series of steps. It can work as a kind of storyboard, after the project, where all you work is just one click from the pathway. But, there is not yet a single storyboard view where you can assemble highlights of you work on one big canvas. |
| Tool Functionality |
Can you add extra worksheets to the Data Analyst? |
Each Data Analyst has one worksheet. You can have many charts based on that worksheet. Each chart has its own assigned headers, that remember what columns to point to.
Also, if you want another worksheet, just add another Data Analyst to your pathway. |
| Tool Functionality |
How do I add a title to my Cause and Effect diagram? |
Right now, you can't. The main effect should describe the function of the diagram, but it is a suggested feature that we are planning to add. |
| Tool Functionality |
How do I change the title in Data Analyst? |
The easiest way is to right-click on the title, and edit it in place. |
| Tool Functionality |
How do I get a chart to print in Landscape? |
The File >> Page Setup command opens the Page Setup dialog box. Choose the Printer button there, and choose the Landscape option. |
| Tool Functionality |
I’ve entered my data but no chart appears. What's wrong? |
It could be one of several things:
1) The chart portion of the window is too small for the chart to be displayed. Drag the horizontal gray splitter bar downward, to make more room.
2) You may not have your assignable headers (the drop-down boxes in the second row) assigned to columns with graphable data.
3) You may not have numeric data in your columns that you are trying to chart. If your chart requires numbers, you have to feed it numbers. |
| Tool Functionality |
I made a c chart, and I'm looking at the statistics. If sigma is the standard deviation, why is it so different from the value I calculated in Excel? |
A correct c chart doesn't use the classic standard deviation formula, or the shortcut formula that Excel uses. Instead, c charts use the square root of c bar as their sigma, where c bar is the average of the data points in the range. |
| Tool Functionality |
In the Data Analyst, can you drag down in a cell to make things repeat (i.e.: you are numbering and instead of typing 1-100 you want to make the numbers repeat or you may want the months to repeat instead of typing each one? |
You can use the Edit >> Fill command. It will look at the first two cells in the range that you have selected, and create a series based on the difference between those two cells. So, say that you have January in the first cell, and February in the second one, and you select those two and others below them. If you then use Edit >> Fill, it will fill in March, April, May, etc. It works the same way with numbers. |
| Tool Functionality |
Is your “Notes” form template limited in the number of characters it will accept? |
Yes, it is limited to 512 characters. The trouble is, with a small font, it looks as though it will fit more than that, and it accepts pastes with more than that. We're working to make it clearer. |
| Tool Functionality |
Do you offer separate “bundles” of the various tools, like a flowchart only package? |
No. It's an integrated toolkit, and we believe that a lot of the value comes in having all the tools in one place. That said, we do provide the ability to link outside documents into the project, via hyperlinks, so you can use things you already have, like Word documents, or Excel spreadsheets. |
| Tool Functionality |
How do you use the brainstorm tool in the pathway? |
Add a brainstorm tool to your pathway by clicking on the "add brainstorm" icon on the pathway toolbar. A brainstorm step (row) will be added to the pathway. Then, use the launch icon that is part of that row, to open the tool. |
| Tool Functionality |
Can you please explain the assignable headers in Data Analyst? |
PathMaker uses the assignable headers to point to the data that is supposed to be charted. It is a little unusual, but once you get the hang of it, it makes charting very very fast and easy. Each chart type has headers that it uses. A c chart, for instance, will use Subgroup (the label, date, sample number), and # of occurrences. You assign Subgroup to the column that contains your labels, and you assign # of occurrences to the column that contains the counts. |
| Tutorial |
Do you offer User Guides? |
Yes, but they are all electronic now. The PathMaker Help system has everything in it that used to be in the User Guide, and our Getting Started Guide is a brief tutorial in .pdf format that you can download and print. |
| Upgrades |
I just downloaded my free upgrade, why won’t my authorization code work? |
The authorization codes change with the versions. So... with a new version, you need a new code from us. |
| Upgrades |
How do I upgrade to PathMaker 6.0? |
The fastest way is to download it. If you have a slow or unreliable web connection, we can send you a CD-ROM. There is a nominal shipping and handling charge for this service. Ask for details. |
| Versions |
How do I know what version I have? |
From inside PathMaker, from the Help menu, choose the About PathMaker command. The dialog box will tell you the exact version you have. |
| Versions |
Will PM 6.0 read files created in previous versions? |
Yes. PathMaker 6.0 can read files created in earlier versions. If you have a file created in a version prior to 3.0, you need to convert first to 3.0, then up to 6.0. We can help you with this, if you need it. |
| Versions |
Is there a web-based version of PathMaker? |
Yes, and its usage is growing rapidly. Follow this link to try it: http://www.ipathmaker.com.
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