TimeTiger 1 FAQ

Upgrading TimeTiger

Installation and Setup Login and Security Using TimeTiger Reporting TimeTiger/Web

Can I stay with TimeTiger 1.7 if the changes in 1.8 are not important to me? If I stay with TimeTiger 1.7, will I still be able to upgrade to version 2?

Yes, you can stay with version 1.7 but you will need to upgrade to TimeTiger 1.8 prior to upgrading to TimeTiger 2. TimeTiger 1.7 will continue to be supported, but enhancements to TimeTiger will me made to version 1.8 and later only.

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How can I open the secured TimeTiger 1.8 database format from Microsoft Access?

With TimeTiger 1.8, you must do a little more work in order to open your database using the Microsoft Access 2000 or Access 2003 application. First, create a shortcut on your Windows desktop. The target of the shortcut should be:

   "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\MSACCESS.EXE"
        /wrkgrp:"c:\mydata\TTiger.mdw"
        "c:\mydata\TTiger.mdb"

If you are using Microsoft Access 2003, use the following shortcut target instead:

   "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\MSACCESS.EXE"
        /wrkgrp:"c:\mydata\TTiger.mdw"
        "c:\mydata\TTiger.mdb"

Note: do not use Microsoft Office XP to open a TimeTiger 1.8 database. Contact Indigo technical support if you do not have Access 2003 or Access 2000 available.

The first item in the target above is the full path to the MSACCESS program file. The second part (starting with /wrkgrp) is the full path to the TimeTiger security database (MDW) file. Finally, the actual TimeTiger database is specified at the end.

You can now use this shortcut to open your TimeTiger database using Access. When asked to login to Microsoft Access, use your TimeTiger administrative username and password.

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How can I upgrade to from version 1.6 or 1.7 to TimeTiger 1.8?

We have provided a step-by-step procedure for upgrading your TimeTiger installation to version 1.8 on our web site at http://www.timetiger.com/tt1upgrade.asp. Note that you do not need to upgrade your TimeTiger 1.7 authorization key in order to use TimeTiger 1.8, but be sure to read the TimeTiger/Web installation instructions over again if you use TimeTiger/Web and a Microsoft Access database, as there are several steps you must follow in order to upgrade successfully.

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Now that TimeTiger 2 is available, how long will TimeTiger 1 remain supported?

We have no plans to discontinue support for TimeTiger 1, however the bulk of our product development and improvement efforts are being invested in TimeTiger 2 and beyond. TimeTiger 1 will continue to be supported on versions of Windows up to and including Windows Server 2003 and on SQL Server versions up to and including SQL Server 2005, but future versions of Microsoft products may not be supported.

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What are the different files (with extensions LDB, MDB, MDW) in my TimeTiger data directory?

Each Microsoft Access TimeTiger database, as of version 1.8, consists of 2 separate files. The MDB file contains the main database tables. The MDW file contains the security information required for Microsoft Access database security. The LDB file, which is only present when the TimeTiger database is in use, contains information about database locks made by the different database users. It is very important that you back up both the MDB file and MDW file when backing up your TimeTiger database.

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What are the improvements in TimeTiger 1.8?

The main improvement with TimeTiger 1.8 has to do with the way Microsoft Access databases are handled (for users who choose the MS Access database format). Rather than the unsecured database format used in TimeTiger 1.7 and earlier, version 1.8 now uses Microsoft Access security to encrypt the TimeTiger database while it is on your disk. This will help to deter unauthorized users from viewing or modifying TimeTiger data, as well as allow the MS Access database engine to more accurately handle database locking. This last improvement should greatly reduce or completely eliminate the "database corruption" errors experienced by some customers.

There are a number of other enhancements that affect SQL Server users as well as Microsoft Access users. We are now publishing a revision history for all TimeTiger builds. You can access this history from the TimeTiger 1 download page.

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What is the difference between TimeTiger 1.8 and TimeTiger 2?

TimeTiger 2 is a 100% web based solution with additional emphasis on project tracking and project management functionality. All features in TimeTiger 2 are accessed using a standard web browser whereas in TimeTiger 1.8 only time logging can be done over the web with a web browser (using TimeTiger/Web). TimeTiger 2 is available in an Online or On-Premises solution (hosted by Indigo or installed on your own servers). For more information about TimeTiger 2, see the TimeTiger 2 Tour.

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How many users can TimeTiger support?

TimeTiger gives you the option of using a Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server database. If you choose the Microsoft Access format, we recommend a maximum of 150 users. For SQL Server, you can have 1,000+ users in your database.

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I am deploying TimeTiger to many users. How can I run the setup program silently on their machines?

You can run the TimeTiger setup program silently (not displaying any dialog boxes or messages to the user) by launching the setup program with the following command-line syntax:

setup /s /v/qn

Notice that the exact spacing between parameters must be followed as above.

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I have just downloaded TimeTiger from the web site. How can I enable my 30-day free trial?

Simply install TimeTiger and run it. Setup a new TimeTiger database. When asked to enter your authorization key, type the word TRIAL. This will enable TimeTiger for the next 30 days.

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I receive a strange error message when I try to start TimeTiger.

If you receive an error message # 430 (or any message referring to OLE Automation), or if you see a message similar to Method '~' of object '~' failed, try downloading and installing the following patch from the Microsoft web site:

MDAC 2.8

If the problem persists, please contact Indigo technical support.

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Is TimeTiger 1 compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista?

Yes, starting from build 1.8.30, TimeTiger 1 is fully compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of MIcrosoft Windows Vista.

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When I try to install TimeTiger, I am told that MDAC needs an updated Internet Explorer version. What should I do?

If you are running the original Windows 98, you must update the Internet Explorer that came with your system to at least version 5.0. You can get an updated version of Internet Explorer from http://www.microsoft.com/ie. After installing IE 5 or later, you should be able to install TimeTiger normally. Windows 98 Second Edition comes with Internet Explorer 5 built in.

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When TimeTiger or TimeTiger/Web attempt to connect to my SQL Server database, I get a Cannot Generate SSPI Context error.

This often occurs if your SQL Server is in a different Windows domain than your user account (or the TimeTiger/Web user account). It's best to keep your SQL Server in the same domain as your TimeTiger users, but you can also set up a domain trust relationship to address this issue. Microsoft has further information on this error message in KnowledgeBase article 811889.

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Can I bypass the TimeTiger login screen?

TimeTiger can be set up with integrated security, so that users do not need to log in to TimeTiger separately if they are already logged into Windows. In order to take advantage of this capability, you must do the following:

  1. In TimeTiger Explorer, Tools, Options, Security, choose either the second or third option.
  2. Ensure that all TimeTiger user names exactly match the corresponding Microsoft Windows user names of your users. TimeTiger can only log in a user whose Windows user name matches their TimeTiger user name.
  3. Ensure that all TimeTiger passwords are set to blank. Integrated security will not work for users that have a TimeTiger password set.

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Can the TimeTiger application be set to start automatically whenever the system restarts?

Yes, when you initially install TimeTiger you are given the option of installing a Startup Shortcut, which will automatically launch the program when the system is restarted and a user logs into Windows.

If you de-selected the Startup Shortcut option during installation (or it was later removed), you can create one manually. These instructions are for Windows XP, but a similar process can be followed for other versions of Windows.

First, open the Start menu, All Programs, TimeTiger, then RIGHT-click on the TimeTiger icon. Choose Copy from the pop-up menu.

Now, open the Start menu again, All Programs, RIGHT-click on the Startup group, and choose Explore All Users.

On the right-hand side of the window that appears, below any of the other programs in the Startup group, RIGHT-click the mouse and choose Paste Shortcut. A shortcut to TimeTiger should appear.

Now, whenever the system is restarted, the TimeTiger application will start.

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I started evaluating TimeTiger but my authorization key has expired. Can I have an extension key?

Please e-mail support@indigo1.com and an extension key will be e-mailed to you so that you can continue your evaluation.

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Can I log my time when I'm not in the office using my laptop or handheld computer?

TimeTiger 2 will support this functionality. Right now, use TimeTiger/Web, the free web logging add-on to TimeTiger, to log time while you are away from the office.

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Can I log time into the future?

Yes, logging into the future is supported from TimeTiger 1.7.20 and later and TimeTiger/Web 1.7.17 and later. To enable future logging in TimeTiger, go to Tools, Options, Timers and check "Allow time logging into the future."

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Do I always have to have TimeTiger running when I want to track my time?

The TimeTiger main timer is continually running even when the program is not or your computer is off. Each time you launch TimeTiger you will notice that the program has kept timing since the last time you entered your time.

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How can I change the order in which projects and tasks are displayed?

By default, TimeTiger automatically orders projects and tasks first by their Estimated Start Date, then by their Estimated End Date, and then alphabetically by name. So, depending on the start and end date, the order in which tasks appear may differ from the order of the tasks in your original Microsoft Project file. You can instead order projects and tasks alphabetically by name by going to TimeTiger Explorer, Tools, Options, Advanced and clicking the Sort Projects and Tasks Alphabetically checkbox.

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How do I change or remove the Main usergroup?

Before you can make changes to the Main usergroup, you must do the following:

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If I am a supervisor, how do I edit my own time?

As a supervisor, your time is automatically approved by TimeTiger (appears green and cannot be edited). To edit time that you have logged you must first mark the time as unreviewed (using the clear button). After doing so, you should notice that the time entry background is white. You can now edit your time. Don't forget to approve your time after you make this change.

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TimeTiger is telling me I don't have enough licenses - what now?

If you do not have enough licenses to add an additional user, you need to delete or de-activate a user. If you would like to have more active users, you need to purchase additional licenses.

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What do the colors mean in the Edit Time window?

If supervisor approvals are enabled, different lines will appear in different colors depending on their meaning. Below is a list of the colors lines might be:

For more information on the Edit Time screen, refer to that section in the TimeTiger help file.

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What if I've been away for more than a day, and need to allocate time to those days?

To help speed up the time it takes you to regularly enter time, the TimeTiger Log Time window defaults to the current date. If you want to allocate time for dates in the past, you can.

At the top left corner of Log Time window you will notice an area that contains the date. To enter time for dates in the past:

Enter the date for which you want to allocate time in the date field.

OR

Click the button to the right of the Date field and select the date from the calendar that appears.

Once you've entered the date for which you want to allocate time, just enter your time as usual. See the help file for more details.

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What if my computer crashes and I didn't allocate time?

The TimeTiger timers are continually running even when your computer is off. So if your computer crashes or there's a power failure and you didn't allocate time, don't worry. When you re-start TimeTiger you'll find that the timer will have continued to track your time (even while your computer was down) and you can enter your time where you left off. Note that you can force TimeTiger to clear the timers each time it is restarted in TimeTiger Explorer, Tools, Options, Timers.

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When I am logging my time, what does ... will be discarded mean?

At the bottom of the Log Time window, you will see a field that indicates that a certain number of hours will be discarded. Typically, you can simply ignore this number. It represents the amount of time since you last logged time with TimeTiger less the total number of hours you are about to log. TimeTiger is telling you that it is about to clear all the timers (which constantly accumulate time, even when TimeTiger is not running) and that some of that time is not accounted for in your current submission.

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When I try to change the date using the ... button (to pop up the calendar), I receive error 80010108: Automation Error. The object invoked has disconnected from its clients.

As of TimeTiger version 1.8.26, we have fully resolved this issue by implementing a brand new calendar date picker. Upgrading to the latest version of TimeTiger 1 is the best way to solve this problem.

On versions of TimeTiger prior to 1.8.26, this problem will sometimes occur when the calendar provided by Microsoft Office conflicts with the calendar shipped with TimeTiger. You can easily correct it by instructing your system to use the appropriate calender. To do so, exit TimeTiger, open a command-prompt and type the following commands.

If you are using MS Office 2000 or earlier:

cd "\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office"
regsvr32 mscal.ocx

If you are using Office XP:

cd "\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10"
regsvr32 /u mscal.ocx
cd "\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32"
regsvr32 mscal.ocx

Note that the first regsvr32 command has a /u and the second one doesn't!

At the end of the process, you should see a message telling you that DllRegisterServer in mscal.ocx succeeded. You can now restart TimeTiger and use the calendar normally.

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Why aren't the timers changing?

If this is the first time you are running TimeTiger, you might be wondering how you can tell the timers are running. Well, they are, in the background. You will only see the timer change after the increment that was set up in the database when it was created. For example, if the database was set up to track time in increments of 0.25 hours, you will have to wait 15 minutes to see the timer change.

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Why is my TimeTiger icon blinking?

TimeTiger has a built in reminder mechanism. The TimeTiger icon will begin blinking red after a pre-defined number of hours has passed since the last time you entered your time. The default is that it blinks after two hours. You can change how soon after your last allocation the icon starts blinking by going into Tools...Options in the Explorer window.
To ensure that you are accurately entering your time, you should try and allocate your time as frequently as possible, ideally, every time you switch tasks or Projects.
If you are a supervisor, and you need to review time, the icon will blink with a small checkmark. You will also get this icon flashing if you have a supervisor, and some of your time has been denied.

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How can I export information to Intuit Quicken or other software?

Although there is no accounting system Import/Export built in to TimeTiger, remember that we use an open Microsoft Access or SQL Server database. You can open this database using your favorite third party reporting or data extraction tool and generate the export you need. For help with this process, e-mail support@indigo1.com.

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How can I export information to Microsoft Excel?

If you use Microsoft Internet Explorer as your browser, just go to the File menu and choose "Edit with Microsoft Excel" when viewing a TimeTiger report. If you're using another browser, just save the numbered HTM file to a convenient location using your web browser, then open it directly from Microsoft Excel. You will be able to view it and edit it in Excel, all formatting intact.

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How can I include my or my organization's custom logo in TimeTiger/Web?

As of TimeTiger/Web build 1.8.10, we have provided a facility for you to display your own custom logo alongside the TimeTiger logo in TimeTiger/Web. First, you must create a logo that is exactly 55 pixels high (the width is completely flexible). Then, save this logo in GIF format in the TimeTiger/Web program folder on the server (by default, c:\Program Files\TimeTiger Web) and call it customlogo.gif. You should immediately see your logo appear on TimeTiger/Web pages.

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I have a problem installing TimeTiger/Web.

First, check the installation instructions on the web site or the ReadMe file included in the TimeTiger/Web download for the specific problem or error you are experiencing. If that does not help, e-mail support.

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I receive an error 401;1 (Unauthorized) error when trying to log into TimeTiger/Web.

This can sometimes occur if your TimeTigerWeb user (which you set up during the TimeTiger/Web installation process) does not have Log on Locally priviledges on the computer running the TimeTiger/Web server. Add this right to the user account and contact support if the problem persists.

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I receive an 'unspecified error' when trying to log into TimeTiger/Web.

This is most commonly caused by a configuration change that Internet Information Server cannot handle without a restart. Please restart your Internet Information Server by stopping the IIS Admin Service and restarting both it and the World Wide Web Publishing Service. If you are unfamiliar with stopping and restarting system services in Windows, simply restart your machine for the same effect. If the unspecified error persists, please e-mail support@indigo1.com.

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