Allow non-concurrent access to edit a document

[patrick-w]

I have created a simple word document and have placed it in my Public
folder (OS X.4.9), with read/write access to everyone.

I would like to allow non-concurrent access to edit this document, but
a first test has shown that 2 editors can change the document, the
last one to save the document over-writes the work of the other
editor.

I had expected an error message when the second editor attempted to
open the document.

Please advise.

Patrick

 

[John McGhie [MVP Word, Word Mac]]

Hi Patrick:

The user will only get an error if your file server is correctly configured
to return them. Your system administrator may have to become involved here.

However, the methodology is inherently unsafe: If the first user opens the
file, makes a change, and closes it before the second user opens the file
there is nothing to prevent the second user overwriting changes made by the
first.

You really need a proper version control system that enables persistent
check-out of documents, so the first user can put a lock on the document
until they have "really" finished with it.

Apple provides CVS as part of the Xcode tools with your operating system

It's described here:
http://developer.apple.com/internet/opensource/cvsoverview.html

Alternatively, tell your users to MOVE the file to their hard disk while
they are working on it. Then, even if they disconnect from the network, the
file will not be there for any other user to get hold of while they work on
it.

Cheers

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John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia. GMT + 10 Hrs
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]