Restricted users cannot save treasure hunts for non-networked JED

Symptoms

You create some treasure hunt games and save them, but they disappear when you re-start JED.

Applies to

This occurs only where all three of the following conditions apply

  • JED 2009/10 release (published summer 2009), v1.4.3476.23954
  • 'Stand-alone' install, i.e. local install, where install option 'Use JED from just this computer' was chosen during install – see installation guide (i.e. does not apply to network installs or internet version)
  • User is logged on to Windows with a Restricted user account (i.e. does not apply where user is logged on to Windows with an Administrator or Power User logon)

Cause

The JED treasure hunts are multi-player games. They are intended for use on the network-installed version of JED and the internet version of JED, as covered in the JED help and treasure hunt flyer. They are not intended for use in stand-alone non-networked versions of JED, because multi-player game play is not possible in this configuration.

Windows Restricted users are not allowed to make global changes that affect all logged-on users. This includes creating games that would appear for all users. This is by design.

However, JED should notify you when this condition occurs, and it doesn't. This is fixed using the service update (below) and in later editions.

Resolution

Install the latest edition of JED (2010/11).

Alternatives

The JED treasure hunts are multi-player games intended for networked installs, not single-machine installs. But if it is essential to use JED in this way, you could consider using one of the following:

  • Run JED, set up your games, and then leave JED running for the user to come along and play the game. This is not how the treasure hunts are intended to be used, since the tutor won't be setting different questions during the game, and the user will be in a game of just them on their own. Also, the game(s) will be lost when you re-start JED.
  • Give away permissions on the relevant configuration file. The file is C:\Program Files\Careersoft\Job Explorer Database\TutorConfiguration.xml. It is a job for your network administrator to do to give away 'Modify' permissions on this file for the Restricted user group. This would still be a one-person game, but it would remember the games.

Alternatively, change your JED install to a network install (see installation guide), so that it will remember the treasure hunts and your users can participate in real multi-player play of the game. This is the fun way to go, especially if you are using JED in a supported context, with a tutor/supervisor and two or more players.

Sorry

JED 2009/10 should warn Restricted users when saving treasure hunt games to say that their games will not when JED re-starts, but it doesn't. This is fixed for later releases.

Page date 15/10/10