View source for Updating to the latest version of the InfoEx application

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{{Requirements|UserLevel=All user levels|Connectivity=Online only}}

This document describes how your InfoEx application is automatically kept up-to-date. The document also highlights how to force an update and how to erase your local data cache.

==Background==
Every time you run InfoEx with a live Internet connection, the browser automatically checks on the server whether there is a new version of the application. If the browser detects a new version, it automatically starts downloading the new version of the application in the background while you are working with the locally stored version of the application.
{{Note|If you are in a location with limited connectivity, this automatic download can be a significant burden on your Internet connection and can considerably affect the speed of InfoEx functions that require connectivity (e.g., viewing of InfoEx report). This update process is controlled by the browser (not the application) and it is not possible to opt out of it.}}

To ensure that an update of the InfoEx application is not unexpectedly slowing down your InfoEx routine, CAA staff aim to announce software updates in advance via a Message in InfoEx. This will give you a chance to plan ahead and start the automatic update process well ahead of when you need the application the next time.

This document provides step-by-step descriptions of the following tasks:
* [[#Automatic update of InfoEx application | Automatic update of InfoEx application]]
* [[#Forcing the InfoEx application to update | Forcing the InfoEx application to update]]
* [[#Clearing your local data cache | Clearing your local data cache]]

==Step-by-step description==

===Automatic update of InfoEx application===
{|class="TblSteps"
|-
|class="StepNum"| 1.
|Open your Google Chrome browser.
|-
|class="StepNum" | 2.
|Start the currently installed version of the InfoEx application by going to {{InfoExURL}}. If you have an internet connection, your browser will automatically check whether a new version of the application is available. If a new version of the application is available, the browser will automatically start downloading it in the background.
|-
|class="StepNum" | 3.
| [[File:UpdatePrompt.png|300px|thumb|right|Fig. 1: Notification that new version of InfoEx application has been downloaded and it available for use.]]Once the new version of the application has been downloaded, you will be prompted whether you want to use the latest version (Fig. 1).
|-
|class="StepNum" | 4.
|If you are in the middle of using the InfoEx application (e.g., entering observation, performing a workflow, viewing an InfoEx report), click {{ButtonGrey|No}} and continue to use the version that you currently have installed already. The browser will automatically use the latest version of the InfoEx application the next time you use it.
|-
|class="StepNum" | 5.
|If you are not using the Infoex application yet (i.e., you are still on the login screen), click {{ButtonGrey|Yes}}. This will reload the page and use the latest version of the Infoex application immediately.
|-
|class="StepNum" | 6.
|Depending on the significance of the update of the InfoEx application, we might ask you to erase your local cache to avoid any potential conflicts with local data that was created with the previous version of the application. See [[#Clearing your local data cache | Clearing your local data cache]] for more details.
{{Note|Clearing your local cache will erase any observations that have not been submitted yet and all of the customization information for your observation entry forms. It will not affect workflow definitions and InfoEx report templates as this information is stored on the server.}}
|}

===Forcing the InfoEx application to update===

If you are experiencing issues with your InfoEx application, you might want to reinstall your local application. You can also follow these steps to ensure you are running the latest version of the application on your computer. 

{|class="TblSteps"
|-
|class="StepNum" | 1.
|Open your Google Chrome browser.
|-
|class="StepNum" | 2.
|Type 'chrome://appcache-internals/' into the address bar of your browser.
|-
|class="StepNum" | 3.
|Find {{InfoExURL|offline.appcache}} in the list of location allocations and click on the Remove Item link to delete the local manifest of the InfoEx application.
|-
|class="StepNum" | 4.
|Go to {{InfoExURL}} to download the latest version of the InfoEx application.
|-
|class="StepNum" | 5.
|Erase your local cache to avoid any potential conflicts with local data that was created with the previous version of the application. See [[#Clearing your local data cache | Clearing your local data cache]] for more details.
{{Note|Clearing your local cache will erase any observations that have not been submitted yet and all of the customization information for your observation entry forms. It will not affect workflow definitions and InfoEx report templates as this information is stored on the server.}}
|}

===Clearing your local data cache===
Significant updates of the InfoEx application can be associated with changes in the structure of the data that is stored on your computer (e.g., unsubmitted observations, local settings for customized forms). Any conflicts in the data structure between your local data and what the application expects can lead to unexpected behaviours. 

If your InfoEx application is behaving oddly after a recent software upgrade contact CAA staff for advice and go to the cache clearing utility as described below and complete the appropriate steps to clear your local data cache. After you have cleared your data cache, you need to be online to log in again since your locally stored login information has been erased in the process.

{|class="TblSteps"
|-
|class="StepNum" |1.
|[[File:AdminMenuOperationAdministrator.png|300px|thumb|right|Fig. 1: Administration menu for operation administrator]]Click on the 'Cache Management' link in the administration menu (cog wheel) (Fig. 1).
|-
|class="StepNum" | 2.
|Select the appropriate cache clearing option as advised by CAA staff and and wait for the message that the local cache has been cleared successfully.
{{Note|Clearing your local cache fully will erase any observations that have not been submitted yet and all of the customization information for your observation entry forms. It will not affect workflow definitions and InfoEx report templates as this information is stored on the server.}}
|-
|class="StepNum" | 3.
|Go to {{InfoExURL}} to start the InfoEx application again.
{{Note|After you have cleared your data cache, you need to be online to log in again since your locally stored login information has been erased in the process.}}
|}

==Related documents==
{{PagesConnectingToInfoEx}}

==Functionality tested by==
* Nov. 20, 2015: Stuart Smith

[[Category:Super User]][[Category:Operation Administrator]][[Category:Submission Moderator]][[Category:User]][[Category:Administration]][[Category:Version 3.3.0]]