Re: Where are the updates to Access Client Solutions forWindowsposted? -- MIDRANGE-L

Paul,

So the confusion you have run into is common for WIndows people, myself included, because we are so used to an 'Installer' It sets up reasonably well suggested directory paths and off it goes. If you update it updates into the same path so we're good to go. Then along comes this much more Mac/Linux like thing that doesn't get installed so we end up using the long file name as the path such as "IBM_i_Access_Client_Solutions_LCD8_2010_05" as you suggested. That isn't really the intent though, it's suppose to be a 'delivery' folder.

Once we all get our hands around the fact that there is truly only one very important bit in there, acsbundle.jar and potentially the acslaunchxx.exe files we can plan a better implementation which I have now done. (I got it wrong the first time as you!) As a consultant I have many copies of this thing on my system. In a path ../iAccess I have a folder for @Frankeni one for @shell and then one for every customer I visit frequently. When I get updates to the product I simply copy the files mentioned above into the @Frankeni folder. Upgrade done! then I test to be sure it's OK for me. Then I copy it into @Shell and all the customer directories. Takes maybe 15 seconds to drag and drop. When I need to set up a new customer I make a copy of @Shell which has in it my keyboard layout and One system configured but my preferences for copy/past and to use tabs etc. Finally I add that customer's machine(s) to that new environment.

Because this thing isn't installed I can run multiple copies which is VERY cool and with tabs enable the sessions are grouped together that way.

So I think you are correct that perhaps what IBM needs are some scenarios for installation to help the windows folks 'get it'.

- Larry "DrFranken" Bolhuis

www.Frankeni.com
www.iDevCloud.com - Personal Development IBM i timeshare service.
www.iInTheCloud.com - Commercial IBM i Cloud Hosting.

On 8/12/2015 11:17 AM, Steinmetz, Paul wrote:

Tim,

First of all, thanks for all the ACS tips and updates.

A few ACS / ESS install / upgrade questions and issues.

1) The file/folder name is confusing/misleading.
Last year, August 2014, I downloaded and extracted my initial version of ACS from ESS.
Folder name was IBM_i_Access_Client_Solutions_LCD8_2010_05
This was Version 1.1.3 Build 4260 June 24, 2014

Last Friday, 8/7/2015, I downloaded and extracted the latest version of ACS from ESS.
Folder name was IBM_i_Access_Client_Solutions_LCD8_2010_09
This was Version 1.1.4 Build 5290 July 13, 2015.

The folder names are misleading.
Seeing 2010_05 and 2010_09 leads one to think this is an old version and not current.
Could the folder name be changed to coincide with the build date, 2015_07.

2) Because I extracted to the default folder, this resulted in two versions of ACS on my PC.
My HOD session desktop shortcut was still pointing to the old Version 1.1.3 Build 4260 June 24, 2014, not the new Version 1.1.4 Build 5290 July 13, 2015.
After days of frustration, not finding how to resolve this, I finally opened up a PMR.
IBM support did an IBM Assist on Site to better understand and see the issue.
It was determined that we had to re do the "File Associations".
I was not clear and how and where to accomplish this.
First, per IBM, we launched ACS from the acsbundle.jar file.
However, "File Associations" did not appear.
Closed ACS, relaunched from acslaunch_win-64.exe.
Tools tab, File Associations now appeared.
.hod was already selected, ok.
MSGGEN002 - The function completed successfully.
Retested the hod shortcut, but still launching the old version.

To resolve this issue.
Closed ACS, relaunched from acslaunch_win-64.exe.
Tools tab, File Associations.
Unchecked .hod, ok.
MSGGEN002 - The function completed successfully.
Tools tab, File Associations.
Rechecked .hod, ok.
MS GGEN002 - The function completed successfully.
Retested the hod shortcut, now launching the new, current version.

Reviewing and discussing the issue with support, had I not used the default folder name, and extracted to the same folder, could have avoided this.
However, I was not comfortable on extracting to the same folder, (what if something went wrong or new version was not working)

Conclusion.
More detailed ACS upgrade instructions needed explaining:
1) Extraction default Folder issue
2) hod File Association issues and instructions.

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: MIDRANGE-L [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tim Rowe
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2015 2:05 PM
To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Where are the updates to Access Client Solutions forWindowsposted?

Greetings! First, The interaction on ACS has been great. The product
has been available now for over 2 years and many of the things we intended
as goals for this product have been realized. BUT, we also realize we are
not yet done! We have a number of ideas on how to yet improve the
experience for the user as well as the administrator that will be
deploying this for their users. OK Here are hopefully a few things to help
clear up some confusion on were we are today.

ESS - Right now, this is where you need to get your initial copy of ACS.
The first time you start ACS, there is a license agreement that you need
to accept. Today, that is only available through ESS. NOTE!!! We are
working to correct this! Hopefully in a few weeks we will have easier
options for accessing ACS other then ESS. ESS will still be available we
very much understand we need a simpler way. Here are detailed
instructions for getting ACS from ESS -
[1]http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1010355

FTP - One the ACS product page we have an FTP site that contains the very
latest version of ACS. It will be the same version as what is out on ESS
other then the license. Today, the license in the FTP version is the Tech
Preview. BUT, here is the one kool thing, IF you have ALREADY accepted the
license from the ESS version, the FTP version will work for you as it will
find your already accepted license. Here is the link to the FTP site -
[2]ftp://public.dhe.ibm.com/as400/products/clientaccess/solutions/updates/

Versions of ACS

5250, Data Transfer, Printer output, console stuff - From ESS it is
labeled 'IBM i Access Client Solutions'. Note. Today there is NO INSTALLER
for this support. We have added scripts for Window, Linux and Mac to
'emulate' an install. It will create short cuts on the desktop and handle
the file association. Again, NO installer. We continue to update this
version regularly as we are continuing to add new functions as well as
updates based on customer feed back .

Widows Application Package - Connectivity to DB2** for i using ODBC,
.Net, and OLE DB - Programming Toolkit for accessing IBM i system
objects -Support for TLS/SSL connections -AFP printer driver Today this
is ONLY available through ESS. This support of course, does not change
very often either so we did not see a need to have on the FTP site. In ESS
this is labeled 'IBM i Access Client Solution - Win AP ' (for Application
Package) NOTE - there IS a windows installer for this package. It is
also ONLY required if you need the programing connective components.

Linux Application Package - Basically the same thing as the Windows
version but with the programming connective pieces for Linux. Only
available in ESS, the name is 'IBM i Access Client Solutions - Linux AP'
NOTE, there is also an installer for this too.

ESS should have the very latest version but for the 5250 support, the FTP
site will be updated a bit sooner. But both places should have the latest
update.

Once we have the new licensing support updated I will post again.

Again, If you have thoughts on better ways to deploy this, please contact
me directly
Thanks Tim - timmr@xxxxxxxxxx

Tim Rowe, timmr@xxxxxxxxxx
Business Architect Application Development & Systems Management for IBM i
IBM i Development Lab, Rochester, MN
(507) 253-6191 (Tie) 553-6191

http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/power/software/i/are/index.html

End of MIDRANGE-L Digest, Vol 14, Issue 1134
********************************************

References

Visible links
1. http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1010355
2. ftp://public.dhe.ibm.com/as400/products/clientaccess/solutions/updates/
--
This is the Midrange Systems Technical Discussion (MIDRANGE-L) mailing list To post a message email: MIDRANGE-L@xxxxxxxxxxxx To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change list options,
visit: http://lists.midrange.com/mailman/listinfo/midrange-l
or email: MIDRANGE-L-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx Before posting, please take a moment to review the archives at http://archive.midrange.com/midrange-l.