Some typical questions

Will the software run on my PC?

Can I install it for multiple users on one PC?

Can I use HomeSec on more than one PC?

Can I link my Events to other files?

What if it all goes wrong?

What about future proofing?

 

 

Will the software run on my PC?

The first thing to note is that if your PC is not compatible, you will not be charged a penny. Only when a test application has successfully run are you asked to pay. If your PC isn't up to the task, you will never reach the Pay Page.

HomeSec utilises a modern, powerful and secure (Microsoft) database engine that does place quite strict requirements on the PC/operating system. For full details, view the Tech Specs section. However, if your machine has a Pentium 3 (or equivalent) processor, or newer, and Windows XP/Vista you should be fine, assuming you have a minimum of 512MB of RAM and free space on your hard disc.

Note: Windows XP (Home or Professional version) must be Service Pack 2. If you do not have SP2, it is available as a free upgrade from the Microsoft website.

XP SP2 upgrade available from here.

If you have a 64 bit PC
If you do not have Windows Vista then download and install the 64 bit version of the Microsoft .Net Framework from here.

Then (all users), from the same page, download and install the 64 bit version of SQL Server Express Edition. If this all works, then download HomeSec.

From an ease of use point of view, we recommend a minimum screen size of 1024 x 768.

 

Can I install it for multiple users on one PC?
Yes, but all users must have Administrator privileges on the PC - otherwise the operating system will not allow writing to the database on the PC's hard drive.

If you do not use User accounts and any user can simply turn on the PC and work as an Administrator then you have nothing to worry about. Simply install HomeSec and it will be available to everyone. HomeSec uses its own Usernames and Passwords so you can still limit access to those that need to use it.

If you employ user accounts you will need to install a copy of HomeSec for each system user who will require access to it. All users can share the same database file and all will have access to Public Contacts and Events. Alternatively, each user may create their own personal database files.

 

Can I use HomeSec on more than one PC?
Yes, but each PC must have a version of HomeSec installed.

All your HomeSec data is stored in a folder called 'HomeSec' on your C:\ drive. However, you may also copy/move this folder and access a HomeSec database located somewhere else.

If you want to use your data on another PC, follow these steps:

Copy your HomeSec folder from the C:\ drive to a USB stick either manually or from within HomeSec (using File - Export database)

Place it in another PC that runs HomeSec.

Then, before you log on, click the 'Guest' button and browse until you find this folder (on the USB stick) and select the HomeSecDB.mdf file inside it. You may then log on as normal to your own database on the other user's machine.




Can I link my Events to other files?
Yes.  For example, you may use HomeSec to record details of meetings but the meeting's minutes may be in a Word document. No problem, you can link a number of other files to every Event you record. When you view the Event, the files are listed and you may open them for use from within HomeSec.




What if it all goes wrong?
Some people have a natural aversion to wrenching themselves away from the paper mountains have have relied on for years and trusting to a computerised system. This is understandable but, in reality, using a system like HomeSec will in fact make things more bullet proof, not less.

For example, HomeSec makes it very simple and very fast to make back-ups of ALL your data which can then be removed on a CD or USB stick to a place of safety. In the event of a disaster, you just need to get hold of another PC and you are up and running again in a very short time - a situation not true if your paperwork mountain catches fire!

 

What about future proofing?
HomeSec uses some of the latest software components and does not rely on legacy items such as Access databases that will not be supported in the not too distant future.

In terms of the HomeSec application, the intention is not to produce an upgrade every six months and then expect customers to pay for it. Our philosophy is rather more customer focused. We want you, the users, to let us know how we might imporove the package, which bits you like and which bits you don't. If you would kill to have another feature then let us know via the web site.

Upgrades will then be available, free of charge to existing users as small downloads via the web site.

Obviously we cannot guarantee to to fulfil every request but the intention is that the product is moulded into what the users want.