Circuit Data On The Go

Frequently Asked Questions:

What do I have to buy to use Circuit Data On The Go?

Good question! Unfortunately the full retail version of Filemaker Pro costs right at $500.00. At times Filemaker will run a special as they did recently and offered it for two copies for the price of one. At times employees for Apple or other institutions may be able to get the program at a discounted price. A copy can almost always be obtained on Ebay for less than $200 and will work just fine, as if it were downloaded from Filemaker. Amazon is another excellent source, often there are copies there for less than $200. (Maybe the cardboard is a little mushed.) The 30 day trial should allow potential users enough time to examine the program closely enough to decide if they should purchase the program.

Is the Program Hard to Install?

No, the program is as simple to install as clicking on the link to download the program. The Full Version can run anywhere on your computer. Full instructions as well as video tutorials are on the "Downloads" page.

Where did the program come from?

The program was developed by me. I serve as a circuit overseer and have long desired for a way to abbreviate repetitive tasks. Also I wanted to work natively on a Mac. Unfortunately, there was nothing available for traveling overseers to fit the need. Also with the advent of jw.org, it became apparent that a program would be useful in handling many tasks in connection with the site..

Is the program updated regularly?

Yes! As soon as any bugs are found, updates are issued. It is hoped that in time these updates will be needed less often. Many helpful features are constantly being added. The branch adjusts the way they do things and the program must adjust accordingly. Also, when new Mac operating systems are released, Security is enhanced, adjustments are then needed. These updates are applied easily to the program by using the "Update" feature, by going to settings in the program. Keep your program always updated to keep it running smoothly!

Will the program run on Windows?

Yes it will, but with limitations. However, it does work, with some specific things not possible at present such as connecting with your address book, it doesn't have Notifications like Mac, etc. This is mainly because of the plug in software that we use in addition to Filemaker. It mostly has Mac functions available, not because we don't develop for Windows! However, updates to the program can easily be applied manually. Just requires a few more steps.

Can I give the program to someone else?

Please refrain from simply giving the program to another traveling overseer or sub. It is better that they are signed into the web site so they can receive updates and messages about the program. Simply give them the email address circuitdataonthego@gmail.com and I will send them an introductory email as well as log in instructions for the web site. Thank you for doing this! It will save a lot of headaches later! Also your registration is tied to things like your Logos, Headers and Signature that you might upload in the program. If you give out your registration number then others will be using your uploaded images!

I see ways things could be done differently. Can I make suggestions?

Absolutely!! We encourage it and some of the suggestions have made it into the finished product and have been awesome! Please don't feel bad if your suggestion isn't used. It may not be practical at this time to add it, due to time constraints, but these suggestions may be kept on the 'table' for later insertion into the program. Whenever writing about the program always go to "Settings" and then click "Email CDOTG Support". This gives me valuable information about your program and operating system as well as error messages that will assist me in assisting you!

What languages is the program being distributed in?

There are a number of languages offered including Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Hawaiian, Iloko and a number of others in the works. We offer languages on a 'per need' basis. No sense translating if there is no one to use it!! Also we encourage any traveling overseers to feel free to assist in translation for foreign languages. Just let us know!

Why do you use "Plug-In" software? What is that?

Yes, we use what is commonly called "Plug-In" software which takes our program to new heights! I pay for the licensing on this software not produced by Filemaker, but it really makes a huge difference in what the program can now do and it is worth every penny! Now we can create "Notifications" which are non-intrusive messages that come from the side of the screen in Mac. We can also create beautiful HTML emails and send them through SMTP, all because of the plug in software on both Mac and Windows. After any updates, it is usually necessary to reinstall the plug in just to be safe, especially after OS updates on your computer. Please do not contact the developer of the Plug-In software in Germany regarding questions about the Plug-in. He does not handle technical support for end users. Only to developers. Thanks for observing this!

Can I call you? I have a couple of questions?

We'd love to talk! But there simply is no time to offer technical support over the phone. Sometimes brothers will call but honestly, there's very little I can do over the phone. If you have any questions, check out what is mentioned first on our site by using the Search box found on the home page, and then heading over to the Support Page to learn how to get assistance. I usually find that in an email or two, we can solve the issue. Please remember that I am a Circuit Overseer too, with hundreds of users spread across many time zones. I simply will not allow anything to take me away from my primary focus of serving the congregation during the week. I usually answer questions early morning or on Monday's, keeping in mind that I am on the Hawaiian Time Zone at present. Don't forget to send Feedback from the program when writing! This helps to avoid an extra email to ask for this data. Remember, we have users on different platforms, Windows, Mac, iOS, and different versions of the program, Filemaker Pro, Filemaker Pro Advanced and Filemaker Go. Lots to keep up with but glad to assist!

I have a sub serving a week same time as me, can I enter two weeks for the same date?

Yes, this easy to do. You can enter two weeks with the same date and enter records for each one. When going to congregations served that week though, be sure you have the right week's record pulled up when entering data as you will have two records found for the week. The program will ask which week you would like but just verify which one you need!

I want to run this on the iPad. Is this possible?

Yes! The program was primarily designed with the iPad in mind, using an app from iTunes called "Filemaker Go". The database works on both the iPad and the iPhone very nicely. More compatibility and usability continues to develop with the iPad as the program grows and matures. See the Support information for tutorials on how to install the program on the iPad.

What can I do from the iPad?

You can email reports, agendas, Circuit Assembly Assignments, Letters to congregations for the visit, view charts and enter data for recommendations, etc. You can also view tutorials from right within the program on the iPad. Really, you can do pretty much everything you can do on the computer and in some ways you can do even more. Just copy your database over to your iPad or iOS device using iTunes and edit your data and when done, copy it back to your computer. To check if you have the latest data in your database, look at the "Welcome" screen and see the last updated time stamp to be sure you have the latest data!

I want to use the program on other tablets. Is this possible?

There is no provision to run Circuit Data On The Go on other devices besides the iPad and iPhone.

I want print from the iPad and leave my computer at home. Can I do this?

It is getting closer and closer to that goal, but there are still limitations. With apps you can connect through a local network. However, if you are traveling and a network is not available, this may be hard to do. You can directly print to certain HP printers that support "AirPrint" but this again is limited and the printers are huge! So much for mobile printing at present, but stay tuned, more solutions may be coming from Apple!

Does the iPad synchronize with my database on my computer?

It does not actually synchronize. So be careful if you do work on your computer, then do work on the iPad and then try to copy one to the other, it will overwrite the data on the other device or computer. First work on the computer for example, then copy the database to the iPad. Then be sure to CLOSE the database, which saves any work you have done. Collect congregation records or use the database in other ways on the iPad, then when you come home at the end of the day, you can either keep your database in the cloud, or Airdrop it on a Mac to your other device. You can no longer connect through iTunes to copy data back and forth to your devices and computer. To check if you have the latest data in your database, look at the "Welcome" screen and see the last updated time stamp to be sure you have the latest data!

When I email PDF documents, people can't see them?

You cannot read fillable PDF documents on an iPad or iPhone. This is a limitation of these devices. Files sent from Circuit Data On The Go are subject to these limitations. Also, encrypted files cannot be opened by the iPad or iPhone. People will try to do this and contact you saying you never sent the file! They are trying to do EVERYTHING on these devices and it simply is not possible..yet. Be sure you and your recipients have a free program on their iOS device like Adobe Acrobat!

Printing - When I go to print and hit "Preview" a different record appears, why?

Sometimes this can happen, but we have taken great pains to eliminate this throughout the database. You will rarely see this.

Printing - When I go to print, do I print "Current" or "Records Being Browsed?"

It depends on what you are printing. If you are printing a list of pioneers for example, you need to select "Records Being Browsed" as this contains a number of different records. However, if you want to print just one letter to a congregation about the visit, or a particular Assembly participant, then select "Current Record". Usually this will be selected for your by the program. But usually the program now takes care of this for you!

Insert Files - How do I insert files into the program? Do I have to keep entering them?

PDF and other picture files are easily inserted into the program. Simply drag and drop! A great feature introduced into Filemaker Pro 12. Also, you can store other types of documents in "Storage" to keep for later.

I get an error even crashing when I try to send a PDF?

PDF files are very complex files and can contain errors in them. It is good to check them for errors before using them in your documents and trying to output them. Read this Support Document for more information on how to prevent this from occurring. We are using fewer and fewer fillable PDF's which is helping!

Updating - My update does not seem to be working. What am I doing wrong?

If you are using the Full Filemaker Pro version then you should be able to place the program anywhere on your computer, even on external drives and it will update! More information is contained on these issues under Downloads and Support

Backups - How do I restore from a backup?

Simple! Be sure that you click "Save" at least once a week and store your backup somewhere. If you use Time Machine, this is also a nice easy way to keep backups. If you are using Filemaker Pro, then simply open the backup! That's all there is to it!! You can change the name to whatever you had before and simply continue.

Sub CO - How do I give my information to a sub?

There's a number of ways to do this. But first make a copy of your database somewhere on your computer. Now take your program and OPEN the duplicated file for Pro users and go to "Circuit Info" and click the boxes of what you would like to eliminate in the database. Remember that major deletions of data are taking place so be sure you are doing what you really want to! Then after completing the removal of data, check to see if critical things are removed (ie: PQR information about your Sub! or your Log In Information) Send it on a thumb drive and now he can input the data. A feature is included in the program where he can now send you update contact information and data for the visit. Simply go to the panel on the "Visits" portion of the program and he can generate the needed information and send it to you. You can drag these 2 files and update your data! Also you can send a PDF form to your sub and he can fill it in and return it back. Works great!

Moving - how do I prepare the database for a move to a new circuit?

I think the easiest way is to use the new "Export Settings" from your program. This can be done anytime. It saves everything from your database that you might reuse (ie: Personal Data, Letter Composition, Email notes, etc etc.) so you can actually just get a new fresh database and then set it up with the basics from the jw.org website such as Congregation Information, CBOE and SEC data. Or you can also import the data from another brother who uses CDOTG by going to "Import" from the Directory and selecting Import Filemaker Databases. So simply download a new program. Update it. Then enter the basics and then use the "Import Settings" feature to bring all your hard work in your email messages, etc, back into the program. Now you have a nice clean start! The "Import Settings" and "Export Settings" are located under "Circuit Info" then go the "Share/Moving" tab. You can always take a database from another brother and just do the same, import your own settings and it will overwrite the brother's settings in the database you received. Check your personal data to be sure it is up to date as well under "Circuit Info"

Hey! I am a Filemaker Developer (aka plays with Filemaker) and would like to make changes to my database. Can I do this please?

I get lots of requests from brothers who want add to the program, or want to make changes that simply are not practical. Some what to change their own database permanently and keep it that way. The fact of the matter is that all changes made by end users will be completely eliminated by any updates. So this is impossible. It's not that we don't want people to change things, it's just the way software works. But we would love to hear your suggestions, but to progress to the point of developing your own solutions is pretty daunting and takes years. Better just to send in your suggestion and probably in some cases this has already been thought of! Sorry!

Circuit Data On The Go!