Filehandler News: Tested on MacOS 14 (Sonoma), and iOSPad 17. All seems good following the bug fixes below.

Although I'm always happy to receive enquiries about my software to my personal email address, you may be quicker emailing requests for support to pals-mac-support@open.ac.uk , from where I, Dave or Rob will get back to you asap. Since many queries are best sorted out over the phone, it would be helpful if you could include a phone number in your email.

• Latest version of the Marking Filehandler is 5.3.12UN - updated 22/11/2023.
  Version 5.3.11 for the Mac fixed three bugs: a) one caused by the new M3 chip b) one which seems to have been introduced by Sonoma (MacOS 14), making marks entry awkward when the entry is more than one digit and c) one caused by me :-(, a bug which truncated the Max Score entry for part scores, when that entry ended in zero. Version 5.3.12 includes (by request) an approximate word count for the PT3 comments (Tools->Word Count(PT3))

• Latest version of all the Monitoring Handlers is 2.0.7

DOWNLOADS:

Marking: Mac

• DOWNLOAD the Mac Filehandler here.

• Please read the Disclaimer!

• Monitoring:Mac

• There is also a Mac application for eTMA-monitoring
• Version 2.0.7 of the Mac MonitorHandler is available here
• PLEASE NOTE: If you aren't seeing the correct criteria in the checklist (there should be 7 not 15), go to your folder called etmamonitoring, locate any files called monrubric.txt and/or monrubric1.txt and move them to the trash. I left some in by accident - sorry!

Below are also versions of the Handlers which will run on Linux and Windows. Please note that in order to maintain compatibility in the future all versions now have Java embedded in the app. This means that there is no need for a separate Java installation (although if you do have one that shouldn't cause any problem at all).

Windows

• There is a Windows build of the Marking handler here .
• If you are running an older 32 bit version of Windows, or the above version won't run, you should use this version )
• As always, you use at your own risk!  

• There is a Windows version of the Monitor Handler. For all monitoring received on or after 14 September 2020 you MUST use version 2.0.7. You can get it here.
• Important Note for Windows users: when trying to open the app for the first time you might get a message from Windows Defender saying "Windows protected your PC". This is OK. Just click on "More info" then in the next window "Run anyway";  the message will disappear and the file handler will start. The message will not appear again.
• Please note too that a small file used as a launcher in the Windows version ("filehandler-installer.vbs"), may be identified by Windows 10 as a "threat". It isn't - the warning can safely be ignored.

Linux:

• Linux users of the Marking Handler should use this build. If your machine is quite old, you may be using 32-bit software, in which case try this. 29 October 2020: Minor update to Linux version to allow "System Default" option for word processor. No new version number - now in version 4.1.19 and above.
• A Linux version of the new Mac Monitor Handler is available. It isn't fully tested so treat it with caution! For all monitoring received on or after 14 September 2020 you MUST use version 2.0.7. You can get it here.

iPad

• Versions for iPad for marking and monitoring are available. Click here for more information.

Documentation is included in the downloads. I will try to offer some support where possible, but I do not accept any obligation (legal or moral!) to do so! PLEASE read the instructions carefully! There is no charge for the package, but if you find it useful, an appropriate donation to a charity such as World Vision would be appreciated. I'd also be glad to hear whether it's worked well for you - please do email me.


The applications have been tested, and are being used successfully, by current ALs. Some comments:

• "Having once again used this elegant program for my latest batch of assignments, I can only restate what a difference it has made"
• "I've just finished marking my batch of eTMAs using your filehandler. So, I just thought I'd drop you a note to say.........FANTASTIC !"
• "Thanks a million again for creating this wonderful application. I am now using it and everything has been working fine."
• "Mike's Mac system is must-try material - it's user-friendly, seamless, and the support he provides is second-to-none. Simply brilliant."
• "Just to let you know that all is working swimmingly and in particular the autoimport bit, which is making life a lot easier - thanks!"
• "You have made a complete stranger very happy! I recently purchased an iMac and thought I was doomed to use the Windows partitioning approach for eTMAs until I came across your outstanding programme and guide. Now I have eTMAs as a thing of beauty on my screen…".
• The new eTMA monitor handler seems to be working brilliantly! I'm extremely grateful for your update!.
• I'm a new AL for the J presentations, and have been fretting about the eTMA system, and have been borrowing a friend's PC to do the marking which is a pain, as I use Mac. *Thank you so much for this!* I can't wait to give it a go, and do marking from my own Mac in my own home!!
• You will find that Mike's Mac File handler software does just what it says on the tin - and of course Mike is on hand to answer any queries.
• I'm a new AL […]and have used your mac file handler for my first TMA. Just wanted to let you know that it all worked like a dream and was really easy to use with your excellent instructions. Thanks very much for making this software available!

Good luck and "happy" marking!
Mike Hay (AL 00516109 - OU email: mike.hay@open.ac.uk)
Test

If you'd like to be informed by email of updates or issues, please click here.
(I'll add you to the emailing list; if you don't wish to remain on the list, or you wish to be removed at any time, just let me know.)

Please note that these applications have been developed for my own convenience! I am very happy to share them with other ALs who may find them useful, but I accept NO LIABILITY whatsoever for any loss or damage of ANY kind that the programs may cause. Please read the disclaimers in the documentation!

I have put copies of reasonably up-to-date source code here (Marking) and here (Monitoring). Professional programmers please don't laugh too much; I know it could do with a lot of refactoring, and more use of accessors, etc! Maybe someday.... (not to mention comment statements!)

Number of site visits:
testView My Stats
My Home Page

Also: Attendance checker for Adobe Connect Sessions.
Create attendance registers automatically! More information here.

IMPORTANT for iPad Handler Users: New procedures for using the handler in iOSPad13. Click HERE.