My top three issues with Lotus Notes 8.0.2...
#1 and the biggest issue is with a horrible error screen that appears when closing Notes 8. After researching and dealing with IBM Support, I know the message is is actually eclipse failing but try explaining that to 4,000 users. Until we can pinpoint what's causing it and make it stop I'm not allowed to roll 8 out to anyone else. We thought it had to do with our Roaming profile users but I wasn't able to narrow it to only them.
#2 and a bigger issue in my eyes is that on about 50% of the workstations the inbox doesn't automatically refresh. IMO, that will be even more devastating to users than an error on closing. I have this particular problem with my client as well. I get my messages on my blackberry and then can wait and wait and my inbox just doesn't refresh. I've worked with IBM Support on this for awhile and no one is able to figure it out. And on a random side note, this particular issue introduced me to the first IBM Support person that I hope to never have to talk to again. Wow... rude doesn't begin to cover his arrogance, which I would have overlooked if he had actually solved the issue.
#3 had to do with synchronizing the PAB and Blackberry. This was solved by figuring out that contact preferences had to be changed, but it shocked me to find out that the default setting wasn't to enable this new feature. It's one of the bigger selling points to my users that they wouldn't have to manually do this anymore. Anyway, we're trying to get policy in place to update this so we don't have to do it on every workstation.
4 comments:
Melissa,
I can honestly say that 8.0.2 is a huge improvement over 8.0 or 8.0.1. Unfortunately there are still some underlying problems with Eclipse that need to be ironed out. I am sure that in time, things will progress to a richer and more robust client.
Melissa, I haven't seen the Inbox issue you are seeing but have you tried to disable automatic refresh and then re-enable it? Also, have you tried to rebuild the Notes.ini? Lastly, I have seen issues like that with workstations setup for multiple users by using locations. g
@1 - I have not had any reports of an error screen on close for my 8.0.2 users. Have you tried the notes.ini setting "enable_early_authentication=0". This parameter fixed several strange issues for me.
@2 - I have seen this on older version here and there, but not yet on 8.0.2. I'd say try what Jim recommends. Secondly, don't let a bad tech stop you. If they don't fix your problem escalate the priority of the PMR from 3 to 2 to 1. Then if they still don't fix it ask them to make it a "CritSit" (critical situation). This is a special, high priority status (not well knwon) that opens up higher level of awareness and resources within IBM to help get the problem solved.
@3 - Agreed. This should have been on by default. I haven't looked at forcing it on with a policy. Is this flag supported in the policies? I haven't found it yet.
Finally - You know about 8.0.2 CCH1? It is a hotfix that you have to ask for. It may address some of your problems.
Sorry about the tech support guy, I have yet to find one like that in the last year or 2 and usually they are very good. Some however I think get frustrated with new admins so just remind them of it and that you are doing your best. I usually start by telling them my background so they have an idea how to work with the problem.
Also, unless you really just have a question, always say it's a #2 unless the server is failing because your issues are impeding your progress.
That said, make sure you train users to not click on the x in the top right corner to close notes, this will cause the error in some versions.
Also check the path statement for the user's pc that notes directory is in there and always make sure your java code is the latest available. Go to java.com and have it check if you need it. This has solved some eclipse issues I have found.
Also be careful with Blackberry desktop manager, it installs an older java version if you are not using the latest which I think is 4.6 and that will cause you problems as well.
You will come to find that the activities of your users, Operating System and other pieces of software affect the end user side sometimes more than you can imagine.
Oh an dmake sure if these are Vista or XP users you are installing and running as an administrator.
Inbox refresh issue sounds like a install issue because it's an agent trigger to check every few minutes. Now if your server is too busy it will not refresh the user until ready. Also I find Blackberry people get upset because mail goes to them before Notes. But if you set your server up correctly you stop them from making it check for new mail every minute. I set mine for 5 so it holds off the crazies.
But it should kick in if everythign installed properly to begin with.
It sounds like that is not the case here though.
You may want to go through and design a preset install with the options you want enabled and checked(the PAB is in preferences) when you get a minute or 2.
I know who am I kidding.
hope all this helps. You know where to find me if you need me.
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