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Subject:RE: Simultaneous Author Access to files From:jgarison -at- ide -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 20 Oct 2000 10:44:52 -0400
The real issue is access WITHIN a file ... We have several .doc files that
we all need to access, but we all need access to different portions of those
files. What I want is something that will let us "play nicely" inside the
same file at the same time.
For example, one file covers a large module in our application. Several
other modules interact with this one, and a writer responsible for a
different module may need to get at one part of the "big one". Someone else
may be in the "big one" but in a different portion; I want to be able to go
to my section while someone else is working in their section.
And in our HATT, we're creating HTML files - yet, since they're all
contained as part of a Master File, only one person can access the Master
File at any one time. Again, what I want is access to my topics/HTML files
at the same time someone else is accessing their topics/files.
I think I AM asking for the Holy Grail.
John
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Shaeffer [mailto:jims -at- spsi -dot- com]
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2000 10:13 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: RE: Simultaneous Author Access to files
<from original>
Are there ANY tools and/or Document Management Systems that will let us have
free rein to open and edit whatever needs editing, regardless of whether
someone else is using it or not? Or am I asking for the Holy Grail here?
<end quote>
Document Management or Version Management software is all about locking any
version of a file that is being modified. Between the time that a writer
checks it our and then checks it in, nobody else can touch it. Any other
system gets out of control.
Why?
If two writers are making changes to the same doc at the same time, the only
changes that get saved are the ones made by the 2nd writer who saves his or
her version. The first writer to save his or her work loses. If this
describes your problem, then any decent Version Management software will
solve it. (If you enforce the rules.)
But, if you really plan to give two writers read/write access to the same
file at the same time, it seems that you're just asking trouble.
Or, am I missing something?
Jim Shaeffer
jims -at- spsi -dot- com
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