MainBoss Newswire
May 2007
Topics:
1.
Data
Execution Prevention Errors
2. Different
Ways of Entering Dates into MainBoss
3.
Upcoming
Tradeshows
*********************************************************************
Next On-Line Training: Reporting: May 23, 2007
Administration
IT: May 30, 2007
MainBoss On-line help
- http://mainboss.com/english/manual/mainboss/Index.htm
*********************************************************************
New computer processors can have a feature called Data Execution Prevention (also called DEP/NX). This feature is based on a rigorous division of computer memory into "code" (machine instructions) and "data". If the processor thinks that a particular location in memory should contain data, the processor refuses to execute any instructions that are actually there. DEP/NX facilities are used by the most recent versions of Windows, including Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista.
DEP/NX was developed in response to programming practices often used by computer viruses and worms: a virus might create bad instructions as data inside a legitimate program, then execute those instructions in order to cause havoc. Unfortunately, the same programming technique has been used for decades by legitimate programs—the best answer to certain problems is to create new instructions based on current conditions (e.g. user input) and then to execute those instructions.
MainBoss 2.9 is one such program: the underlying software occasionally creates instructions in a data area because that was the best way to deal with certain situations. As a result, MainBoss will run into problems on computers with DEP/NX under the operating systems previously listed.
Of course, MainBoss is not unique; as we said, this programming technique has been used for years and is completely appropriate in many situations. Lots of other programs run into the same difficulty. In fact, DEP/NX has been around for several years, but most computers have turned it off because it messes up so much software.
Lately, however, we’ve noticed that some new computers have DEP/NX turned on by default. Inevitably, this causes trouble with software like MainBoss and all the other programs that use data execution. As a result, Windows makes it possible for you to say, “Don’t worry about this program, let it execute data.” Once you’ve told Windows to accept data execution for MainBoss, you’ll have no trouble with DEP/NX.
The process of getting MainBoss to work with DEP/NX varies from one version of Windows to another, and is slightly complicated. However, our FAQ has step-by-step instructions that will help you fix the problem. For full details, see
http://mainboss.com/english/support/faq/mb28_dep.shtml
Note that the same instructions will help you if you’re having similar troubles with other (non-MainBoss) software.
*********************************************************************
There are several ways of putting your dates into MainBoss. In earlier versions of MainBoss, you had to be sure to enter the date exactly according to the format specified under the Preferences section in the Administration menu. But with the latest version, you have much more freedom in date formats. For example, the next time you come across a date field (such as when creating a new work order or closing one), simply type today and see it transformed to today’s date. You can also type in yesterday, tomorrow, next week, Jun 16 and so on…they all work and are automatically converted to the correct format. Just one of the many ways we are trying to make your work with MainBoss even easier!
*********************************************************************
ICSC Spring Convention Trade Exposition at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV from May 20-22, 2007
We will be in booth 453
BOMA The Office Building Show 2007 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY from July 22-24, 2007
We will be in Booth 109
2007 World Workplace NA Expo at the Ernest Morial Convention Center, New
Orleans, LA, from October 24-26, 2007
We will be in Booth
1045
*********************************************************************