Global Calendar Sharing Version 2.0 Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just install over my existing version?

If you're upgrading from one of the old demo versions of Global Calendar Sharing, please uninstall the demo version prior to installing the full version. If you are upgrading from a previous full version just install the new full version and it will automatically upgrade your Global Calendar Sharing version.  Please note that after you install GCS and configure its settings, you need to close Outlook and wait 20 seconds for Outlook to finish closing.  Then you can open Outlook and start using GCS.

If you receive a error during installation and you previously had Outlook open.  Restart your computer and then run the installation before you open Outlook again.


What is required to use GCS 2.0?

GCS works with Outlook 2000, Outlook 2002 (XP), Outlook 2003 and requires Exchange Server 2000 or Exchange Server 2003.


What does GCS do?

GCS 2.0 allows a user to synchronize a (Mailbox or Personal Folder) Calendar with a (Mailbox or Public Folder) Calendar.  GCS 2.0 supports synchronizing between calendars in Bidirectional or Unidirectional mode.  Bidirectional mode allows appointments to flow from each calendar.  Unidirectional mode allows appointments to flow either from the Local Calendar to the Global Calendar Only, or from the Global Calendar to the Local Calendar Only.  GCS 2.0 now
tracks appointments by Entry Id, not by Subject.  GCS now tracks your Global Calendar and Local Calendar by Entry Id.


What is the # of Levels to Load input box on the Browse Folders screen?

 

The default is 5 levels into the Folders List for Personal Folders, Mailbox Folders and Public Folders.  You can change this value as needed if the default value is too low.  This was done to help speed up the display of Public Folders, especially in Large Exchange Public Folder implementations.

 

 

On the Browse Folders screen, I noticed the Load Button, what does it do?

 

Use this button to force GCS to Browse Folders based on the value you entered in the # of Levels to Load input box.

 

 

The Print Calendar button does not do anything, what do I do?

 

Download and run the “Test Print Calendar Program” to help diagnose the issue.  Once you run it, click the Test Print Calendar button to see if it detects any errors.  If it does, copy any text displayed and paste in an email to techsupport@martininfoservices.com. 

Download the diagnostic program from http://html.martininfoservices.com/downloads/gcs/GCSTestPrintCal.exe.

 


Why do I get an error message “The Property OrigEntryId is Unknown”.

 

GCS performs an upgrade on the Calendars that you select for your Local or Global Calendar.  If you get this message it usually means that the upgrade has failed on one or both calendars.  If the error message is in reference to fnGetGlobalMatchByEntryId, the issue is with your Global Calendar.  Typically, if the upgrade fails on your Global Calendar, it is because of permissions.  Make sure that you have Owner permission to the Global Calendar if you are using a Public Folder.  To resolve this issue, make sure that you are running the most current version of GCS.  If you continue to have the problem, try adding a test appointment to the Global Calendar and then close Outlook.  Wait 20 seconds and then open Outlook and try to sync.  If the problem persists repeat the process above with the Local Calendar.  If the error message is in reference to fnGetLocalMatchByEntryId, the issue is with your Local Calendar.  If the problem still persists, open the Calendar Sharing Tab in Outlook.  Click the upgrade button next the Global and Local Calendars.  If you receive an error message, please note and contact techsupport@martininfoservices.com.  If you do not get a error message, close Outlook for 20 seconds.  Open Outlook and try to sync.

 

 

I installed the trial version on my system and it worked 1 time only and then Outlook crashed and the next time I started Outlook, it prompted me that it was starting in the “Safe Mode”.  From that time forward, I have not been able to sync my local calendar with the public calendar.  When I open “Options” from the “Tools” menu, “Calendar Sharing” is no longer there.

If you are running Outlook 2002 or Outlook 2003 try the following.

When a problem is detected during startup, Outlook fixes the problem or isolates it, and allows the program to start successfully with certain add-ins and extensions turned off.

You can either click Yes to start Outlook in safe mode and disable all add-ins or extensions that will not start, or a corrupted resource, file, registry, or templates. A list of disabled items is accessible through the Disabled Items dialog box if you click the Help menu, and then click About Microsoft Outlook. You can use this dialog box to enable the listed items back.

If you enable some items, you may need to reload or re-install an add-in. Enabling an item does not necessarily fix the root of the problem; an item that you enable may be placed back on the disabled list the next time that you start Outlook.

If you click No, Outlook tries to start normally without disabling anything. You should choose this option if you have experienced an improper shut down or other system problem that you know is not serious enough to start Outlook in safe mode.

 

 

 

I installed Hotsync or ActiveSync or some other PDA management program after installing GCS and GCS not longer works.


If you are running Outlook 2002 or Outlook 2003 try the following.

When a problem is detected during startup, Outlook fixes the problem or isolates it, and allows the program to start successfully with certain add-ins and extensions turned off.

You can either click Yes to start Outlook in safe mode and disable all add-ins or extensions that will not start, or a corrupted resource, file, registry, or templates. A list of disabled items is accessible through the Disabled Items dialog box if you click the Help menu, and then click About Microsoft Outlook. You can use this dialog box to enable the listed items back.

If you enable some items, you may need to reload or re-install an add-in. Enabling an item does not necessarily fix the root of the problem; an item that you enable may be placed back on the disabled list the next time that you start Outlook.

If you click No, Outlook tries to start normally without disabling anything. You should choose this option if you have experienced an improper shut down or other system problem that you know is not serious enough to start Outlook in safe mode.

 

If GCS continues to be disabled each time by Outlook.  Enable GCS using the steps above, close Outlook, then uninstall GCS.  Then reinstall GCS.

 

 

What happened to extra text in my Global Calendar and Local Calendar?

GCS now tracks your Global Calendar and Local Calendar by Entry Id.  You will no longer see any extra text denoting the path to the folder.  Instead you will only see the actual name of the Folder selected as the Global or Local Calendar.


What happened to the | symbols in my Global Calendar and Local Calendar?

GCS now tracks your Global Calendar and Local Calendar by Entry Id.  You will no longer see any | separator symbol in the path to the folder.  Instead you will only see the actual name of the Folder selected as the Global or Local Calendar.


What permissions are required for GCS to work with the public folder calendar?

For Bidirectional mode (Both) you need to have Edit All and Delete All permissions.  Or you should have Owner or Editor permissions.
For Local -> Global mode you need to have Edit All and Delete All permissions.  Or you should have Owner or Editor permissions.
For Global -> Local mode you need to have at least Editor permissions.



How many days can I synchronize?

Between 1 day to 365 days.  The default is 30 days.


How often will GCS automatically synchronize?

You can set the range for automatic synchronization between 1 minute up to 65535 minutes.  The default is 30 minutes.


Does GCS support volume Licensing?

U
sers can activate using a Customer Number and Password, supporting Volume Licensing.


Will GCS delete appointments for me automatically?

Global Calendar Sharing supports automatic deletion of appointments between a Personal Folder calendar and a Public Folder calendar.  To utilize this feature you only have to put [DEL] as the first 5 characters of the Body of the appointment.  When the Global Calendar Sharing control detects [DEL] as the first five characters of the body, it will automatically remove that appointment.


How long can I try GCS before I have to purchase?

Leave the Registration Code Blank to have GCS enter 14-day evaluation mode.  You will have full functionality for 14 days.

 

How do I activate GCS?

 

After you have installed GCS, open Outlook.  Click on Menu  Tools -> Options.  Click on the Calendar Sharing Tab.  Enter your Customer Number and Password.  Click the Activate Button.  You should receive a successful activation message.  Click Apply and then Ok.

 

Why do I get a message about scripts trying to run when I start Outlook?

 

Depending on your security settings and Outlook version, you might see this message especially in Office XP.  This is due to security changes implemented by Microsoft to stop malicious code and viruses from executing without your permission.  Or your Exchange environment has implemented Outlook Security features.  If you have implemented Outlook Security features, add CalendarAdm.dll as a trusted add-in.  Usually you should only see this message on the startup of outlook.  If you set the time for at least 2 minutes and click yes.  You should not receive anymore messages about scripts until you start Outlook again.

 


How am I supposed to use GCS?

 

After you have installed GCS, open Outlook.  Click on Menu  Tools -> Options.  Click on the Calendar Sharing Tab. 

Step 1)  Decide whether you want to use the toolbar.  Click the checkbox to enable the toolbar, or clear the checkmark to disable prompting for the toolbar.

 

Step 2)  Set your Global Calendar.  (Click the Browse button to select either a Mailbox folder or Public folder)

 

Step 3)  Set your Local Calendar.  (Click the Browse button to select either a Mailbox folder or Personal folder)

 

Step 4) Set the Refresh Rate in minutes.  ( 30 minutes is the default)

 

Step 5) Set the number of days to process.  (30 days is the default)

 

Step 6) Set the update direction.  (Both / Global -> Local Only / Local -> Global Only)

 

Step 7) If you have not already activated the software, activate it now, or you can try GCS for 14 days without activating it.

 

Step 8) Click Apply and then Ok.

 

Step 9) Close Outlook and wait 20 seconds.  Then Open Outlook and proceed as normal.

 

 

Copyright and legal notices

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Copyright © 2006 - 2008 Martin Information Services, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Global Calendar Sharing are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Martin Information Services, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, ActiveX, Exchange Server, Internet Explorer, Office, Outlook, and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered marks - in the United States and/or other countries - of their respective owners.


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The content of this document is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Martin Information Services, Inc. Martin Information Services, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this document. Martin Information Services, Inc., nor anyone else who has been involved in the creation, production or delivery of this document shall be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, exemplary or consequential damages, including but not limited to any loss of anticipated profit or benefits, resulting from the use of this document.


License agreement

Use of Global Calendar Sharing is covered by a license agreement provided by Martin Information Services, Inc. with the software product. If you have any questions, please email sales at sales@martininfoservices.com.