VStar version 2.16.7 has just been released.
PLEASE NOTE: With this change it was necessary to create a new .jnlp file so it is imperative that you delete any old versions of vstar.jnlp you might have on your computer and download a new version from here: http://www.aavso.org/vstar-overview When you click the blue "Download VStar Now!" button it will download the new version of vstar.jnlp which you can keep on your desktop (or any other convenient location on your computer) and use to launch VStar.
The biggest thing in this release is a behind-the-scenes change David made in order to improve VStar's database connection capability. Hopefully, the connection will no longer be lost if VStar sits idle on your computer for awhile.
In addition, some improvements were made to the French language version of VStar. Thank you Damien!
-Sara
Another note: I don't think that any of the plugins were changed, but should you have trouble using any of them, please try using the Plugin Manager (Tool > Plugin Manager) to update them. Remember to close then reopen VStar after updating the plugins so that any changes made will take effect.
-Sara
Thanks Sara.
Just to confirm: there were no plug-ins changed between the last version and this.
Let me echo your thanks to Damien.
David
Hello Sarah and David
Thanks for the heads up about the new VStar. I was able to download this new version, but had to update my Java first. All went smooth and its now running. Thanks for doing this. I am really using this tool more and more, and I need to take the Choice course on it to become proficient. Think there is one in March.
Update--yes there is one in March. Just signed up for it. Its March 2-27th. Looking forward to it.
Gary
Hi Gary
Great. I hope you enjoy the course.
There's so much more I want to add to VStar, apart from the inevitable bug fixes.
David
Hi David,
A new version of VStar works great and I still use the very helpful beta of AoV with PR.
Thank you for the excellent work.
Velimir
Hi Velimir
That's good to hear. Getting the AoV period analysis plug-in out is close to the top of my list.
Thanks.
David
I got the new
Hi David,
I got the new version of VStar up and running; thanks for all your hard work! I just wanted to let you know I am getting this message after VStar is idle for a few minutes (on Windows 7; Java Version 8 Update 31):
Blake
Hi Blake
Long time no key!
Hmm. Do you know whether the network connection was lost in that few minutes of idle time?
If others see this, can you let us know please?
Thanks.
David
Hi David,
After upgrading to a new JAVA version "V8 update 40" (I am still running XP), I tried the new VSTAR (2.16.7). It opens, but when I select a star, either from the 10-star list or one of my own choice, VSTAR attempts to "connect to the AAVSO database". Unfortunately it never gets out of this mode :(
Cheers,
Helmar (AHM)
David,
Tried it a few more times and still getting the same result: Works fine until I stop using it for a few minutes, then I get the error message when I come back and try to do anything.
Thanks,
Blake
Hi Blake and Helmar
Hmm. Sorry you are having this problem.
Are others here also seeing this database connection problem? If so, can you please tell me your operating system and Java version?
David
Hi Blake, Helmar
Are you using WebStart to run VStar or running it from a local (SourceForge) download?
Just trying to rule out certain things.
David
local download
Hello David,
Sorry for getting back so late - work got in the way...!
I tried the web and the local download version. Getting star data from file seems to work in both cases, but the "connection to the AAVSO database" does not (neither using one of the 10 Citizen Sky stars nor a different star name - e.g.AH Her). Also the "authentication" of member credentials takes a long time, e.g. when trying "New Star from BSM...", with a final error message of "plug-in authorization failed".
Hth,
Helmar (AHM)
Hi Helmar
Someone else is seeing errors with JRE 1.8 Update 40 as well. See this topic:
http://www.aavso.org/vstar-2166-release#comment-15055
There is at least one report of an applet not working with the new update that used to work with previus versions and WebStart has some commonality with applets, so it's possible this is related but I have no direct evidence.
David