STATIC
The changing seasons bring us a perennial favorite when it comes to Support calls. "My keyboard died. None of the keys work." There is a device called a Keyboard Buffer. When static shock affects the keyboard, it overloads the buffer and prevents the operator from seeing any reaction on the screen when they press a key. The static shock can be so small that we don't feel it. Just the same, it eventually fills up the buffer. The fix is to follow the keyboard cable to the back of the computer and unplug it, touch your finger to the end of the cable, and then plug in the cable again. There are several preventative measures. Running a humidifier during the winter months, grounding strips, plastic keyboard covers, and spraying the floors. I have gone from the most expensive to the cheapest. When spraying, we recommend the regular Static Guard or mixing fabric softener with water in a 3:1 ratio and misting it over the floor in front of the keyboard.
TIMED EVENTS
I ran into an interesting predicament during a recent Support call. Their Timed Events stopped working after a certain time at night. I almost went bald scratching my head over this one. We determined that they had exceeded the limit on the number of Timed Event commands they can use. They had broken down the command structure, using a command like Fire A Break, and rather than say, "do this Sunday through Saturday", they told it to Fire the Break Monday, Fire the Break Tuesday, Fire the Break Wednesday, Etc. So they had five commands when they could have had one. This exceeded the limit. The system will allow you to enter more; it just won't act on them. Once we consolidated their commands the system began to act as it should. By the way, only the last two commands in this case were ignored, and they were for the weekend, making this a difficult problem to work out. You may want to check your Timed Events. When you go into Timed Events if you can hit the page down button more that 20 times and not get to the end, you are near the programmed limit.
SETUP SCREENS
We want to remind you that the Setup Screens in the SMARTCASTER are the settings that make your unit uniquely yours. These screens should not be adjusted without a Support Technician on the phone assisting. "Hmmm, I wonder what this does?" means that you will be calling SMARTS later to figure out why your system is acting so strangely. And that prompts another warning. Technology changes, and features that were available on the older systems are no longer accessible. The example would be Shrink and Expand in the User Setup. This was available with the older audio cards. The newer cards, including those made by the same company, do not have this feature. The bottom line is that turning this feature on in the setup screen does strange things when the hardware no longer has the ability. As we said before, consult us before making changes in ANY setup screens.
DISKS
Three points to mention in regard to disks. If we send you new software, PUT IT IN! We send out software to improve your system. "It's running just fine" is a fickle excuse for staying in the dark ages. We incorporate suggestions from stations so that our systems become an even better tool in your studio. Take advantage of the gift. Secondly, store your disks in a safe place where EVERYONE knows where they are. The trunk of the boss' car and your house are not acceptable places. One cool, dry location in the building, AWAY from the bulk eraser, is what is required. If we call to help you and need those disks, the quicker they can be accessed, the quicker you will be back on the air. And, thirdly, protect yourself! Make a periodic backup disk and store it safely. This will save you having to put all that information back in by hand.
Doug Burton