FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are timezones taken into consideration on the "Details/ETA" list?
A#1:No, we do not adjust the ETAs with timezone information. The reason for this is that we do not have timezone data for all the locations on the "Details/ETA" list.
Q: What is "Port Spray"
A#1:Port Spray is a function in Dataloy Distance Table (DDT) that "sprays" all the ports according to the level of detail in the map. The more you zoom, the more ports will be displayed on the map. Move your mouse over a port and you will see the name and location (latitude/longitude) of the port.
Q: What is Google Earth™, and what does the button marked "View Voyage in Google Earth" do?
A#1:Google Earth™ is a standalone program for viewing satellite/aerial photos of the entire world. This program must be downloaded and installed on each PC before you can view a voyage in Google Earth™. (Ask your IT staff before installing it.) When you have Google Earth™ installed you will be able to see the sailing route in Google Earth when you press the "View in Google Earth" button.
Q: When I press the "View Voyage in Google Earth" button it asks me if I want to save or open a file called ddt.kml. Should I save it or open it?
A#1:Press "Open" and if you have Google Earth installed. Google Earth will automatically open and display the sailing route.
A#2:If you don't have Google Earth installed, or for some reason Windows does not recognize it, you will prompted with the message "Windows cannot open this file...". If your are sure you have Google Earth installed even though Windows does not recognize it, press "Select from list" and select Google Earth from the list, or browse to GoogleEarth.exe in your "C:/Program Files/Google/Google Earth/" folder) If this works for you you can check off the "Always ask before opening this type of file" question when asked to save or open. If you choose "Open" and uncheck this checkbox you will be able to view the sailing route without doing anything other than pressing the "View Voyage in Google Earth" button in the DDT.
Q: When I press "View Voyage in Google Earth" button I only see a new web page with lots of numbers on it, what is wrong?
A#1:Then you have no association in your browser with Google Earth. If you are using Opera, try Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer.
Q: How can I copy/paste the DDT with the map and sailing route into an email, Word document or PowerPoint?
A#1:If you want copy the chart into word/email/powerpoint presentation you simply press "Prt Scr" (Print Screen) button on your keyboard. Then you can go into Word, PowerPoint, etc and press "Paste" or "Ctrl + V" (the shortcut for paste). This will give you a picture that is a copy of your screen the moment you pressed the button. Make sure the DDT is showing on your screen when pressing the "Prt Scr" button.
Q: What do you mean by "time-out"?
A#1:Because we operate on a per-license basis, we need to track the number of users who are currently active. Because of technical limitations in modern standards and implementations, we are not always notified when users disconnect or stop using the system. In order to compensate for this, it is necessary that we set a time-out—that is, a certain length of inactivity after which we consider the session abandoned.
Short time-outs have proved unpopular with our customers. We have adjusted the time-out period up to 12 hours, which should be sufficient for most of our customers. After this length of time has transpired, you are considered logged out and must log on again.
To ensure smooth operation, we have added an option for forcing log-ins. This will immediately time out the oldest session and log you on. This may cause some frustration and confusion if you operate out of a large office with insufficient licenses. Should you frequently be prompted to force log-outs, please consider purchasing additional licenses or limiting your circulation of passwords.
Q: What do you mean with concurrent users?
A#1: DDT can be used on any number of PCs based on a concurrent user licensing. This means that when a user logs in to DDT on one of these PCs it asks the DDT server for permission to run. The DDT server looks at the total number of users logged in with your username and password. If this is less than the number of licenses owned then the user is allowed access. If not, the user is given a polite message about waiting until later because too few licenses are available. If this occurs frequently we recommend that you buy additional licenses. If a logged in user does not use the DDT for 15 minutes the user will be logged off automatically. This is to allow other users to access. As a customer you are responsible for making sure your user name and password is not distributed to unauthorized users. If you suspect the user name and password has been distributed unintentionally you must change your password and redistribute it to the authorized users.
Q: I can see the map, but when I enter a port and press tabulator the status line is saying "Searching please wait" and nothing is happening. What should I do?
A#1: Please upgrade you flash player by visiting http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/. Press install/download button on the top of the page. Then try Dataloy Distance Table (DDT) again. Dataloy Distance Table is using Macromedia Flash Player, and needs the latest version.
Q: Can I print the map with the sailing route?
A#1: Simply press the button with a printer icon. This button is fixed now. (Did not work earlier)
Q: My screen looks like this, what can I do?
A#1: Please upgrade you flash player by clicking visiting http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer . Press install/download button on the top of the page. Then try Dataloy Distance Table (DDT) again. Dataloy Distance Table is using Macromedia Flash Player, and needs the latest version.
Q: I'm unsure on the spelling of the port name. How do I search for the port?
A#1: Simply type in the first letters of the port name. And press tabluator to enter the next field. The system will then show the next 10 ports that match your search (alphabetically), so you can choose the correct one.
Q: The message WMS ERROR: BBOX is invalid, how to solve this.
A#1: This matter has nothing to do with the calculation of the distance. It is only related to the map it self. Please try to press the "Calculate" button again and see if the message disappears.
Q: Sometimes when I select a port from the port list, it appears in the next port field. Am I doing something wrong?
A#1: Press the "Clear" button. Then the map an its cashe will be cleared and the problem will disappear.
Q: The map does not render itself correctly. It looks like the sailing route is crossing land several times.
A#1: Some times the map does not cope with all the traffic on the website and renders it self wrongly. Please just click on the map with the "Zoom in" tool or press the calculate button once more, and the map should render perfectly.