Frequently asked questions >

What do I get when I buy openQM?
	• A fully functional multi-user database that runs on all multi-tasking Windows systems, Linux and FreeBSD. • A high degree of compatibility with other MV databases for skills transfer and software portability. • Built in versions of our utilities that are chargeable on other MV databases. • Dynamic files for high performance data storage and retrieval with no file maintenance. • Directory files for data interchange with other systems. • A balanced tree based alternate key index system for rapid access to data other than by the primary key • Trigger functions for data validation and event triggering. • A range of useful data conversion codes that can be extended to add your own. • A flexible command processing environment easily tailored to your application needs. • A very powerful and easy to use query processor for reporting and ad hoc queries. • A simple menu generation system for application front-ends. • Two dictionary driven data editors for simplified application maintenance. • The easy to use QMBasic programming language closely following but extending the SMA definition. • A facility-rich full-screen editor ideally suited to application development. • A screen builder for fast development of form filling interfaces. • A set of tools to perform routine administrative tasks on your system. • The ability to run background tasks as phantom processes. • A client API library for a Windows look and feel using Visual Basic. • A comprehensive documentation set including extensive online help. • A no nonsense software supplier that believes in quality software at low prices.
How can I get an evaluation copy of openQM?
	If you are using Linux, the easy way to do this is to download the GPL version from the Downloads page as this requires no activation. If you want to use some other variant, such as windows, or intend to install the product under a commercial license, simply download the software from the Downloads page and visit the Evaluation Licences page of the openQM website to get a licence authorisation code. Evaluation software can be supplied on CD but there is small charge for this.
How do I license a downloaded version of openQM?
	When you install QM from a downloaded self extracting archive or from a CD it will display a licensing screen. Normally, this is the time to enter your licence details but if you haven't got them to hand you can abort the licence entry by following the on screen instructions. The screen will be redisplayed when you next try to run QM. The licence number is unique to the particular licence. It must only be installed on the system(s) for which it was supplied. Ladybridge Systems will take legal action against fraudulent use of the software.
Is my licence restricted to one system?
	Like all software manufacturers, we are concerned by software piracy.  Our policy is to take immediate legal action where we find users to be abusing the terms of their licence.  To help protect our interests, we have two styles of licences. Evaluation licences are "portable", that is, they can be installed on any system.  Permanent licences are locked to a specific system based on a system id code generated from features of your system.
What if my system id changes?
	Because of the way we construct the system id, it is unlikely to change but it is possible that something you do to your system might affect it.  If this occurs, we will ask for written confirmation that you are relicensing the same system and then send you a new authorisation code.
What if I want to increase my user limit?
	To increase your user limit, simply let us or your dealer know the licence number you want to upgrade and the number of users and a new licence key will be supplied. You pay only the difference between the two licence values.
How do I reapply a licence?
	If you need to reapply your licence because of, for example, a change to the user limit, enter the QMSYS account and type UPDATE.LICENCE. The same screen as used for initial licence entry will be displayed.ade and the number of users and a new licence key will be supplied. You pay only the difference between the two licence values.
How do Release Numbers Work?
	Every QM release is identified by a number such as 1.4-3 where this comprises the major release, the minor release and the build number. Major releases correspond to the introduction of significant new functionality.  It may be necessary to purchase an upgrade licence to move to a new major release level.  Major releases will normally be infrequent but our licensing policy includes provision of free upgrades to users who have only recently purchased their previous licence.  We will continue to supply bug fixes to previous major releases for a period of at least one year except where the nature of the fault makes this impossible. Minor releases correspond to the introduction of less significant new functionality.  Existing licences can usually be carried forward from a previous release. The build number, reset at each minor release, identifies the specific product build.  New builds are uploaded to our web site as often as required to fix problems reported by users or to introduce new features that do not warrant a change of release number.  Because we try to respond to our customer wishes as quickly as possible, it is not uncommon for us to a post new release within days of its predecessor.  Whilst users do not need to take every release, it is recommended that users should upgrade to the latest build periodically or when a feature of interest appears in the What's New in Recent Releases? list.
What is a Dynamic File?
	Dynamic files are used to store most data in QM applications. They employ a hashing process to locate records by a mathematical transformation of the record id to a file position. The aim is that a record can be located with just a single disk access regardless of whether the file contains 10 records or 10 million records. In reality, a small proportion of the records in a file may take more than one disk access but the average should be very close to one. Most high performance file systems need periodic retuning to maintain their performance as the data in the files changes. This usually requires users to be logged off the system for some time. Dynamic files are automatically restructured in very small steps during normal use, effectively spreading the cost of retuning very thinly over the normal operation of the file. Although there are configuration parameters that can be used to adjust the way in which dynamic files work, most users simply leave them at their defaults and let the system sort itself out. For more information about the inner workings of dynamic files, visit the Technical Notes page for a detailed description.