HomeGauge 3.3 to 4.5 Update History

HomeGauge Home Inspection Software 4.5 Update

Added Excel export from spreadsheets
Want to use your spreadsheets outside of your software? Now it is an easy task.

Added support for extended characters, such as Chinese
More languages are possible now with the latest version of HomeGauge.

PDF forms can now include a customer signature
Have the customer sign your pdf form right on your tablet!

PDF forms are now added as attachments by default
This automatic feature helps you from forgetting any important attachments on your report!

PDF forms now more secure when saved
Additional security has been added to the pdf forms!

Bug fixes:
-Fixes for crash bugs on some HG screens
-Fixes for PDF viewing on some machines
-Fix for invalid image types used as logos
-Fix for potential crash bug when merging a report
-Fix for potential bug when switching from one section to another
-Fix for Style/Material exclude column malfunctioning in some cases
-Fix for Style/Material auto-include comments that insert a photo
-Fix for some photos not being correctly resized
-Fix for dragging photos into PDF forms
-Fix for potential crash bug when pasting an image
-Fix for "Switch To / Retry" dialog on some operations
-Fix to prevent a report section having an empty name

 

HomeGauge Home Inspection Software 4.4 Update

Added Work Scope 
This feature allows estimating, real quotes, and a print setting to include your contract to get the signature on your bid! Can be used by energy, contractors and some home inspectors who give estimates. Can be printed with the estimates showing and without estimate amounts. Also includes a special section at each item for "Office use only" (for take-offs, protocols to repair etc.) and more!
Watch the tour of this powerful new feature! 

Added *FREEFORM* Smart Text - prompts user for input
Another cool feature. Anywhere in your auto comment you need to input something manually each time, simply add this SmartWord to your comment and when used it will allow you to manually type in the number or keyword. Example: The serial number on this unit is *FREEFORM*.  If this was an auto comment and you used it an entry window will pop up for you to insert text.

Styles & Materials can now be excluded from the grid with one click
One click to exclude at the Styles and Materials Section!

Added Find Next Unanswered Styles and Materials!
This is a much needed feature that allows those inspectors who plan to finish the report later to arrive on site and search just the Styles and Materials without the Inspection Items getting in the way!! This is a great way to make sure you have answered all of the Styles and Materials before leaving the site. Find it under the "Find Next.." drop down on the tool bar on the desktop or on the menu in the Pocket HG.

Added type-to-search field for Contact List
Have a long list of contacts? Now enter the first few letters of their name for quickly locating your contact!

Report Fills can be applied for specific sections
This feature existed but would only "Apply" the entire saved report fill. Now it will ask you "which sections" do you want to "Fill" from your saved Report Fill.

When merging a report, specific sections to merge can be selected
Same as above feature, it will now allow you to exclude sections of one report before it merges with another (usually used when two or more inspectors are inspecting the same home on different computers).

CYAs can now be printed
Yay!

Excluded sections, inspection items, and styles/materials now display dimmed
It grays out what has been excluded for quicker viewing!

Added an option to disallow word wrapping on Inspection Item grids (HG and Pocket HG)
This allows you to see more inspection items without scrolling when using the Pocket HG

Moved "Delete Picture" and "Edit Picture" further apart in picture menus
Your welcome!

Can now copy phone and address info from previous customer tab
Great for energy audits or sellers inspections when the customers current address is also the "Report" address.

Each customer tabs now displays the last, first name
good!

Added print merge fields for "All REPs" and REP roles
When you type a letter template (under Options/ Edit letters) you can now add these name tags to the many different tags you have already that will insert or "Populate" your letter with the report, customer Rep and now "All Reps" in the report.

Added keyboard shortcuts for replacing *Smart Text* and ${spreadsheet-values}
Fast Typers wants to use a smart word that you created to bring up paragraphs of text. You can now type away and then type in your *Smartword* and on the keyboard choose CONTROL-SPACE. This works for the spreadsheet values too. Above the comment box is the lightning bolt icon that shows these shortcuts.

Can now copy and paste a *Smart Text* and all it's replacements
This is for copying a smart word and all its replacements from one template into another (Template/All Smart Text)

PDF uploaded to the Online Service now include a cover picture in the list of reports
Thats great...if you like pdf's that is.

Can now "Pin" column A of spreadsheets so that it is always visible
Right click on your spreadsheet under column A and select "Pin" to keep column A in your window when scrolling to the right. Great feature.

Selecting Open Workbook, then OK, then Cancel, will no longer clear current workbook
Whew, thats a relief!

More little features that saves time on your Auto Comment use and sentence building:
Comments can now be filtered by category in Pocket HG
Comments can now be edited from the Smart Text list
Added type-to-search field to the Smart Text list
If Smart Text replacement is not found, user can Cancel out of creating a new one
All Comments window now displays an auto-include status
Editing column headers only for one section now clears checks only for that section

Thanks to the many inspectors who give us feedback to keep HG Solid with the below requests!

Spell Replacements can now include a space
Added option to turn off silent spell-check (red underline)
Fixed bug where section/item numbers would be different when using Reinspection feature
Fixed some issues with paragraph tags when inserting comments
Fixed issue with merging a report into another report that has fewer summaries
Fixed issue with merging some comments
Inspection items are now displayed if there are no column headers (Pocket HG)
Can now use TAB to navigate through General Styles/Materials like in other sections
Text Replacement window for picture captions now does not extend past edge of screen for single-display machines
Fixed some issues with Summary Review row selection
Fixed some issues with Spell Replacements immediately preceding a RETURN
Fixed some issues with the column widths in the All Comments window
Fixed some issues with the column widths in the Contacts list
Fixed some issues with CYA pane scrolling
Fixed issues with creating new file in Edit Report Docs when a file is already open
Fixed potential crash bug when opening reports in Pocket HG
Fixed bug where crash reporter would fail to launch on some machines
Fixed potential bug when adding a General Style/Material
Fixed some issues with history combo boxes for PDF forms

Changes for version 4.4.2

Fixed Send Templates to Pocket HG selection screen to use new template folders
Fixed potential crash bug when merging in a report that has no template
Fix for a report's appointment ID and uploaded flag overwritten on report merge
Fix for intermittent crash when previewing PDFs
Fix for template icons sometimes not displaying on Windows XP
Fix for Server Busy dialog when sending email from HomeGauge Send Letter
Fix for Summary Review screen section numbers not obeying Renumber On Exclude
Emails sent from Send Letter in HomeGauge can now have attachments

 

HomeGauge Home Inspection Software 4.3 Update

NEW!! Spreadsheet component

HomeGauge software just became more powerful! See the new "Spreadsheet" tab beside the Overview tab when editing report sections. You can enter data, calculate values via spreadsheet formulas, and merge that data into your report automatically with auto-comments or Styles and Materials.

NEW!! Home Energy Survey Templates! Energy templates with preconfigured spreadsheets for Raters, Building Analysts, auditors and energy performance contractors.

HomeGauge enters the Energy profession with Home Energy Survey templates! HomeGauge 4.3 includes two powerful templates — one for Home Energy Surveys, and one for Combustion Appliance Safety (CAS testing, also called CAZ). Simply enter in the measurements and data into the spreadsheet, and then run through the report items, clicking the auto-comments to pull data from the spreadsheet directly into the report. It's a Process... and it's duplicable! Standardize all your Home Energy Surveys and CAZ testing to make more money with faster reports! We've also enhanced the sketch tool to work faster and better! See Our Sketch Tutorial! Another cool feature that eliminates the headache of drawing the home's orientation, and laboriously entering in the window and door locations, is a spreadsheet insertion tool at the Edit Picture window. Now, simply take the N, S, E and West pictures, click the tool, and all the window and door measurements you put in the spreadsheet will drop onto the picture. Save 20 minutes or more with this one feature and throw away the pencil and antiquated graph paper (I mean really)!! See Our New Auto Drop Dimensions Tool Tutorial! Note: Also included free, as a form, is the Energy Star Qualified Homes "Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist" for HERS raters. See some sample Home Energy Surveys here!

NEW!! Two new free PDF forms
HomeGauge 4.3 includes a radon PDF form for use with any number of test devices. For those using continuous monitors and not test kits, you can now use the free form to easily attach the results to the report. The other free form is the Energy Star Qualified Homes "Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist" mentioned above.

NEW!! Spell check replacements
Always typing "hte" when you meant "the"? You can now set up specific replacement text and have HomeGauge replace the "problem word" with the "replacement word" automatically. You can set this up in the Spell Check Options window in the Options menu.

Other updates included in 4.3

Arrows in the Edit Picture window can now be rotated. Drop your arrow and rotate your arrow by entering in a number, or hold the turn arrow icon until the arrow has turned to your satisfaction. See the tutorial on how this works!

Added option to allow editing report while Print Preview window is open: Simply minimize the preview and type directly in the report (while preview window remains open). 

Styles & Materials sections can now have a specific title: Tired of calling the Styles and Materials, well, Styles and Materials? It's not apparent, but go to the S&M of a section and click on the word "Styles and Materials", and a text box appears. Type in whatever you want as a title, and it changes! See the Tutorial on how this works!

Added a floating window for CYA information (under Help / CYA Library). 

CYA information added for Styles & Materials: Now you can add CYA notes to an item or at each Style and Material.

Supplemental CYA information is now available; not tied to Inspection Items or Styles & Materials. Store as much info as you want...and it doesn't have to be associated with an inspection item.

HomeGauge now checks Pocket HG version when transferring templates and reports: Sometimes when an inspector updates he forgets to update the Pocket HG too. HG will now display a message so you can update the Pocket HG well before the inspection occurs. 

Added option to ignore checked columns when double-clicking a column header : Did you know that if all items in the section were "good" you can double click the Column header and it will check all in the section as Good? A real time saver, and now it will skip any items that were checked by a different column header! 

Online Services upload file size is now checked before upload begins You will know right away if your file is larger than 10 megabytes. 

City, State, etc., dropdowns can now have more than 30 items...For those of you that serve many areas!

Customers and REPs can now have up to three email addresses...Edit one of your REPS and see three email entry fields. Send your uploaded report to all three email addresses of that agent (if desired). This will eliminate the agent thinking she didn't get the report because she is checking the wrong email. Now even better service for your agents! 

Moved the Clear Comment Text button in the comment editor further from the Auto Comment insert buttons: Some of you wanted the eraser icon moved away from the add auto comment icon to prevent accidentally deleting the comment you wanted to add to your library. Making HG more efficient! 

Added option for replacing Smart Text into auto-included comments after selecting a template. Now you can have all your comments drop in to the report automatically at report start up (like it always did), but this time the smart sentences won't kick in prematurely. Simply select the lightning button above the comment box when ready! 

The category for the selected comment is now displayed in the Select Comments window. Looking in ALL Comments trying to find an auto comment? Now at the auto comment window you can highlight the comment and at the bottom see where the comment is stored in ALL Comments. 

Images attached to comments can now sometimes be found even if the disc path changes. Sometimes, if you attach a picture to an auto comment to be automatically included, but then later you change the location of the picture, HG does a better job of searching your computer for the new location and can re-establish the link automatically. 

Completion Stamp now saved per template: Depending upon which template you open, during reinspections you can now use different comments for your completion stamp! 

Added button to copy address from Customer to Report Info and vice-versa: Ever type in the inspection address in the wrong place (Customer's current address)? Now, you can quickly move it with a copy paste feature. 

Intro page HTML file can now be specified in the Print Document settings: We did this for Energy Surveys in order to remove the reference to an agent, as many Home Energy Surveys will not involve an agent, but you may find other uses for different Report Intro Pages. 

Images and objects in the sketch tool can now be rotated. Try the Polygon, Poly line tool, as well as the dimension line tool, add color, etc. The Sketch tool is greatly improved for speed! 

Smart Text comments that do not have all Smart Text replaced are now caught when checking for report completion.

Smart Text connectors now do not add a trailing space if they are only one character ("." "," ";", etc).

Smart Text replacement window now remembers last size used.

Default attachments can now be re-ordered and multiple selections can be made.

Attachments page no longer prints or uploads when it is empty.

Fix for Attachments list layout in PDF format.

Fix for picture comments not showing up in All Comments window.

Fix for potential problems when comment editor was very small.

Fix for copying/pasting report sections.

Fixed some issues with editing CYA information.

Updated some report docs (cover page, etc.) for better HTML compatibility.

Some printing fixes for Internet Explorer 8 compatibility.

Fix for invalid Print Document names that could cause Online Services upload issues.

Fixes for problems with some PDF forms image orientations.

PDF forms that have the same image or signature in multiple places now merge correctly.

Fix for images and signatures in PDF forms sometimes not merging before print or upload.

Inserting multiple comments into a PDF form field now follows Comment Options Add Paragraph... setting.

Text boxes in the Edit Picture window can now be set to have no border.

Inspector Comments field on Inspector Info window is now not limited to a certain number of lines.

Selecting a referral on Inspector Info window no longer erases mileage data already entered.

Auto Comments can now be used when editing a previously placed text box in the Edit Picture window.

Contacts list now updated more often.

Fix for importing contacts from Windows Address Book in 64-bit Windows.

Added document merge fields for customer or REP username.

Using Next and Previous buttons to move to Customer or Report Info screen now gives a text area focus.

Fix for problems encountered when reports database rebuilding is interrupted (i.e. by a corrupted file).

Fix for invalid dates in report list windows (Open Report, etc).

Report and template version is checked when opening.

Pocket HG 4.3

Completion Stamp functionality now available in Pocket HG.

Client name now displayed in menu bar on Pocket HG.

Fixes for column header double-clicking in Inspection Items grid.

Plus many of the same updates in the desktop version of HomeGauge 4.3.

 

HomeGauge 4.2 Release Notes

If you have any version of HomeGauge 4 installed you can retrieve updates by:

1. Starting the HomeGauge software
2. Using the menu in the HomeGauge software - "Help - Check For Updates".
3. The update will be automatically downloaded and installed

4.2.4 - 2009/02/20 Fixes and Updates

• Fixed a bug with merging some PDF data
• Fixed bug where external PDF links did not work in Print Preview
• Fixed a bug with Print Preview window when it has both PDF and HTML files
• Fixed potential crash bug in summary review when multiple itemized comments are added
• Fixed bug with incorrect data handling when moving between multiple itemized comments in summary review
• Improved Pasting MS Word into auto comments edit text box
• Fix for Pocket HG forgetting the PDF form name

4.2.3 - 2009/02/13 Fixes and Updates

• Fixed summary printing bug that repeated the column header for each itemized item
• Changed PDF form save option to remember last destination folder.
• Fix for replacement text customer fname 2 not being set to empty when it does not exists

4.2.2 - 2009/02/04 - First Public Release - See the new features here.

 

HomeGauge Home Inspection Software 4.2 Update

NEW!! Support for Pest Inspection Forms and other required PDF forms
Go to the "Misc" button on the left hand menu and then select the new tab "Forms". One form is included for testing. Common forms are available for purchase, or more forms can be created.

NEW!! Support for creating sketch drawings.
Anywhere you can insert a picture, and in pest forms that require a sketch, you can now quickly draw a layout of the home or any other kind of sketch you might need. Click where you would normally insert a picture to pop up the menu and select the "Insert Sketch" option.

NEW!! Quickly select sub folders of line drawings or pictures
Many inspectors have added to the available HomeGauge line drawings and created their own large library. You can now categorize the images into folders and quickly move from folder to folder to find the right drawing quickly.

NEW!! HomeGauge has a built in PDF viewer
Previous versions of HomeGauge used the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which caused many problems inside of HomeGauge. We now use our own built-in tool to display the PDFs that is also FAST.

Other updates included in 4.2
Added option to have added comments included at report start to be itemized
New option for Unanswered Checks to look for blank itemized items 
Ability to sort the consolidated summary by section instead of summary
Added ability to reorder attachments
New option to use sequential numbers of summary items 
Email input fields made larger 
Fix of Quick-add comment category list not alphabetized 
Fix for Replacement text for Rep full address contains HTML tags 
Fixed keyboard tabbing order in first pick duplicate dialog 
Fixed failing to open report created on Pocket HG report can cause crash 
Fix for Merge report overwriting Invoice selections 
Repaired the print header/footer Help button 
Eliminated blank page before consolidated summary only

 

HomeGauge 4.1 Release Notes

If you have any version of HomeGauge 4 installed you can retrieve updates by:

1. Starting the HomeGauge software
2. Using the menu in the HomeGauge software - "Help - Check For Updates".
3. The update will be automatically downloaded and installed

4.1.2 - 2008/10/15 Fixes and Updates

• Printing from the "Office - Send Letters" was disabled
• Some of the different display themes from "View - Themes" menu did not draw correctly
• If pictures were included in "Auto Fills" they did not always work
• Option to include new multiple comments at report start as itemized or as one comment..
• Reports that contain invalid dates would cause the software to crash.
• Minimum size of the comment window shrunk to allow for small tablets in portrait mode
• Notes added to HG appointments in Outlook are now not overwritten
• Using the "back" button would crash the software if the first section had been excluded
• "Report - Replace Smart Text" now works in the overview sections and the general info

4.1.1 - 2008/09/17 - First Public Release - See the new features here.

 

HomeGauge Home Inspection Software 4.1 Updates and Fixes

- Added summary item review screen. This is a new screen, accessed from the Summary button, designed for reviewing and editing items included in any summary.

- Reports can now include multiple customers - each customer will have a tab on the Customer screen.

- Added ability to add an overlay image when editing pictures - useful for infrared picture overlays and energy assessments.

- Added completion stamp functionality for reinspections - message is user-editable and can include a timestamp.

- Up to 10 logos can now be set, along with merge fields for each.

- Added mapping functionality for inspection address via Google, Yahoo, MapQuest, and Microsoft.

- Added ability to copy and paste pictures between inspection items so arrows, rectangles, etc. won't have to be redrawn

- Calendar report items now sync with handhelds

- Calendar now includes a 7-day view

- Added a Spanish/English spell-check dictionary

- Added several new spell-check options

- Added ability to set defaults for all report info and customer city, state, etc., info

- Quick-add comments can now be immediately assigned to a category

- Can now enter comments, etc., while listening to voice recordings

- Added context menus (right click menu ) for editing, copying, etc. inspection items in the template.

- Double-clicking a column header now sets an 'X' in all non-excluded items for that column

- Added more office functionality to merge report data into a Word document

- Default picture sizes are now user-configurable - users can set "Small" to be 150x100, for example. This is great for Texas inspectors to get two pictures on one row.

- Handheld devices can now be assigned a name to help keep track of them for inspectors with multiple devices.

- Buttons for picture caption now leave input focus in comment editor

- Made attachments work better with printing output to a PDFs

- Removed some problem words from spell-check dictionaries

- REPs can now be moved up/down in list on report info screen

- Added some extra info to help resolve some issues with agreements/attachments

- Fixed: More editor bullet/numbered list issues

- Fixed: Some copying and pasting issues

- Fixed: Removing an itemized item now correctly updates picture usage

- Fixed: Existing URLs can be edited correctly

- Fixed: "Remove Formatting" button on comment edit screen now also removes color

- Fixed: Clicking on links in CYA pages now opens in a new window

- Fixed: Issue where HomeGauge would not completely exit when trying to update, mostly on TabletPC

- Fixed: Comments and attachments now function correctly in General Styles and Materials

- Fixed: Some General Styles and Materials remained excluded regardless of setting

- Fixed: More issues with summary print alignment

- Fixed: Problem with tablet input icon when text is selected in editor

- Fixed: Problem where color applied to text with a Heading format would revert to black - heading must still be selected first, then color

- Fixed: Issues with template toolbar buttons sometimes being disabled

- Fixed: Problem with auto-fill save dialog and very long sections names losing the 'X' column in some cases

- Fixed: Bug that prevented exporting HomeGauge invoice line items to QuickBooks

- Fixed: Problem with extra white space sometimes inserted with a comment

- Fixed: Issue with shift-clicking in some HTML windows causing a new empty browser window

- Fixed: Position of splitter between items view and comment view now always saved correctly

- Fixed: Bug where summary intro/footer text was sometimes not saved correctly

- Fixed: When downloading appointments, local invoice items are included in invoice if missing

- Fixed: Bug where editing a REP in current report would erase role information

- Fixed: Some issues when merging a report not in the Reports folder

- Fixed: Bug that could occur when viewing HomeGauge v. 3 reports in the Open Reports window

- Fixed: Bug that could occur if a backslash (\) was typed in a city, state, etc., drop down

- Fixed: Bug that could cause a crash when setting text back to Heading 0 (Normal)

- Fixed: Calendar display of reports with incorrect start/end times

- Fixed: Some text issues in picture caption field

- Fixed: Some issues with report stats

- Fixed: Some issues editing text in General Styles and Materials

- Fixed: Contact lead sources now export correctly

 

PocketHG 4.1 Fixes and Updates

- Deleting reports from Pocket HG now moves them to PC Recycle Bin

- Moved comment erase button to far end of toolbar in Pocket HG

 

HomeGauge 4.0 Release Notes

If you have any version of HomeGauge 4 installed you can retrieve updates by:

1. Starting the HomeGauge software
2. Using the menu in the HomeGauge software - "Help - Check For Updates".
3. The update will be automatically downloaded and installed

4.0.12 2008/03/10 Fixes and Updates

• Printing in Format 3 with short comments would cause the pictures to not be centered. We plan on adding to 4.1 the option of having the pictures be centered or left aligned
• Printing of the summary with short comments would cause the inspection item and the comment to not line up correctly
• HomeGauge customer user name was shown as editable would but would have no effect. It is now "read only"
• Editor: a link/url in the editor would not display the current link info. Highlighting a word to make it a link would not use the highlighted text as the clickable text
• Editor: improvements to bullet list items. (a) when hitting a return at the end of a multi line comment to start a new bullet, it did not display. (b) the lines in the same paragraph do not line up with hitting a bullet on a multi line comment. We know the bullets issue has been frustrating for some of you that use them. Typing in a list of bullets can be frustrating in MS Word also and is not always as straight forward as it seems. Please be aware that sometimes the bullets can display differently when moving from one item to the other and back again. If the bullets still do not operate as you would like then please send to support@HomeGauge.com a detailed step by step set of actions on how they work now and how you would like them to work, so that we can address each different use case. These are new issues added in v4 with the new editor that included the new spell checker. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

4.0.11 2008/02/25 Fixes and Updates

• Fixed: If the option to skip over excluded sections is enabled it will skip over the last section also.
• Added: Options for comments inserted to start as a new paragraph or to run on. (Options - Comment Options)
• Fixed; Multiple people4.csv issues that caused the file to grow in line length and drop agents/customers
• Fixed: If a "report document" has an encoding of UTF8 then the editor will crash
• Fixed: Adding a comment to the local list caused the filter to be applied, filters caused the up/down/delete button to not function
• Added: Color the report area to indicate what section the user is working on
• Fixed: Creating a REP during the process of the upload does not get saved.
• Fixed: Quickbooks import issue with line items that have no price
• Fixed: Issue with editing report documents that contains v3 replacement image tags
• Fixed: Agreements with a logo would not display
• Fixed: Improvements in the handling of pasting MS Word comments
• Added: Add HTML header format controls to every input area
• Fixed: "Transfer to PPC window" - the "delete" button does nothing
• Fixed: A missing or unselected style sheet would cause the HTML report to not be included in the upload
• Fixed: If no template is selected and the print options for summaries is used it will cause a crash
• Added: Template - All Comments window - Add a splitter bar to allow the resize of the comments and the categories.
• Fixed: The text in the summary does not use the assigned color
• Fixed: Menu options "cities,states,zips" disabled in certain situations
• Added: new text boxes on Edit Comments dialog next to buttons for adding attachments and pictures; current number of attachments and pictures is shown in the boxes
• Added: Auto fills now display in alphabetical order by name. Added info field below list that displays date and template used.
• Fixed: If comments are chosen in the template to be “included upon report start up” the summary selection that is checked in the saved comment are not checked in the box when the report is opened.
• Added: Add option to configure the auto load of the line drawings tab
• Fixed: Larger butons for selecting the date or time
• Fixed: Change the next default opened default template to be the HG4 version after saving from a HG3 version
• Fixed: Pocket HG - if canceling a smart text auto comment it gets used anyway
• Fixed: Find Unanswered would skip over flagged items in the Styles and Materials
• Fixed: Improved error message for when uploading report and an attachment does not exists.
• Fixed: HomeGauge will crash if an upload is canceled in the middle
• Fixed: When using the consolidated summary the width is not consistent. It will also print even when nothing is in the summary
• Fixed: Minor improvements to the Texas printing for better width use
• Fixed: Copy and pasting a whole section from different templates causes a crash
• Fixed: Change the "print documents" user interface to be easier to understand
• Fixed: When merging a report the audio/wav files are not merged

4.0.10 - 2008/01/07 Fixes and Updates

• Fixed Printing Format issues with columns being different widths from section to section
• Fixed Format 5 - Texas Print Formatting Issues.
• Invoice items got duplicated every time an old report gets opened again
• When inserting a long comment in an inspection item that is short, sometimes the program would crash
• Save Template was sometimes enabled right after opening a report or a template
• Internet Tools - Update Custom Pages did not always work
• When upgrading a V3 template to V4 the Style and Material Parent Inspection Item was not upgraded. This only effects user with print style 2 or 5. Texas users will want to open their v3 template in HomeGauge 4 again to fix this issue.
• Changes to the date,time or REP list did not enable the save report button
• Indentation in the new editor did not work
• Manually checking a picture as used does not get saved
• When doing a "Edit report docs" and then a preview it looks strange especially header h1 html tags
• Add a "rebuild database" on the PPC transfer dialogs
• Cut, Copy and Paste sometimes is not enabled on the toolbar in the inspection items
• Editing the General - Edit T showed a "Select parent" button that does not apply
• When editing the local comment list with a "category" filter caused issues
• When selecting a comment with a filter, the correct comment was not always used
• Using "Select file" in the Report Open dialog did not use that file
• When using a "Consolidated Summary" the link from the table of contents was incorrect
• Table of Contents now has more spacing and print all links in blue instead of blue and purple.

4.0.9 - 2007/12/21 - First Public Release

 

New in HomeGauge 4.0

Report Fill

Create a "Report Fill" that can be saved and quickly applied to any new report to allow you to enter common items fast.

Line Drawings

Included are many of the most commonly used line drawings that were created with the home buyer in mind, instead of being overly technical. Some of the drawings are without text, so that you can add your own comments.

Office Management

• New contact list with REPs and Buyers/Sellers that can be used in new reports
• More inspector only info like notes, referral source, driving directions...
• The ability to run reports on referral source, type of report or...
• Print out "appointment info" sheet for the day's inspections
• Calendar showing the scheduled appointments and reminders
• Ability to print or email thank you letters and other marketing items
• Ability to edit agreement with merge fields
• QuickBooks enhancements - better syncing, options for selecting sales account, more field mapping

Auto Comments

• Import and export of comments with last modified timestamp for comment syncing between templates
• Select multiple comments and have them insert as itemized right away
• When a Style and Material option is selected, comments can be defined to be included right away
• Ability to filter auto comment selection list by the comment category.

Pictures

• Keeps track of "picture use" across runs of the software
• Added ability to have more than one picture selection tab for line drawings or other pictures
• Use auto comments for text on pictures
• Use auto comments for the labels below pictures
• Added a "zoom" button

Printing

• Added option for separate summaries to be consolidated
• Added option for summary to print column headers or not
• Create PDF documents
• Improved Internet ready format (HTML) with Table of Contents
• Attachments that are HTML are included inline in the report 

User Interface Improvements

• New editor that includes better spell check with red underlining
• Included Spanish dictionary
• Add menu item to move through and spell check whole document
• Add option to turn off spell checker
• Faster report open when there are many 1000's of reports
• Include a splitter bar for inspection items and comments
• Exclude status for Styles and Materials and Inspection Items
• Option to skip over excluded sections in back/next buttons
• General Section - The General Items selection appends to the end of text

Radon

• Add radon warning message if the home has not had closed home conditions for 12 hours
• Ask for radon upload with report upload
• Include Radon Test instructions on how the program works

Internet Tools

• Ability to add X number of REPs to a report
• New upload features for uploading documents (invoice, agreement, report, summary) separate at the same time.
• Improve flow of uploading report process
• SSL connections used for greater security
• Better support for International characters
• When user enters username and password, verify it immediately 

Misc

• Ability to copy/paste whole sections
• Option to have an inspection item be in only one summary
• Option to have only one inspection column selected at a time
• When deleting reports, send them to the recycle bin
• When pasting from Word, clean up MS Word junk
• Add UI for editing inspector state or other licenses
• Installation includes support for web upgrade

Pocket PC

• Display the report summary for review with the customer
• Move over only the selected templates
• Added more fields for Radon info, "Payment Note"...
• Add cut and paste menu to edit comment dialog
• Added ability to delete reports while on the Pocket HG
• Add "Save" button to the toolbar for quicker saves

What is new in HomeGauge 3.3

• Support for the Windows Pocket PC. Introducing Pocket HG!!!!
• Integrated support for Radon testing from AirChek ( radon.com ). See Misc tab in software plus sign in to homegauge.com and then click on "Radon Testing" for more info. 
• Add image place holders when you take a picture to insert later. Quickly "Jump" to the place in the report to add the picture from picture preview.This features uses a timestamp of when the picture holder was inserted and compares that with the timestamps included in the pictures. Hint: Make sure your PPC and camera both have the same time. Pay attention to am/pm and the timezone also.
• Ability to make and listen to voice recordings at each inspection item. Very helpful on the Pocket PC or Tablet PC in the field 
• Ability to give each auto comment a short name to make it easier to scan and select. Very helpful on Pocket PC
• Ability to set up a comment to automatically cause an inspection item to be included in summaries. ( All Comments - Edit T for that comment )
• New configuration for summaries to include icons and colors and those icons and colors to be used in the body of the report. ( Summary - Edit T ) 
• Select multiple auto comments at the same time to drop in the report. (hold down the Ctrl key while clicking to select multiple items.)
• Select mutliple auto comments from the global list to be included in the local list.
• Option to turn off auto renumbering when excluding items or sections. This is handy for reinspections.
• New button to move backwards to previous smart text word when doing a series of smart text insertions
• New button to skip current smart word and insert nothing. 
• Picture editing: insert text on top of picture
• Picture editing: insert grid on top of picture
• Insert labels to show up underneath the picture in the report. This looks really nice and improves the report when adding pictures to the "Overview" tab of a section.
• Option to have First unanswered to stop on flagged items. ( Options - Unanswered Options)
• Find unanswered will also stop on picture place holders to help make sure you inserted all of the pictures. ( Options - Unanswered Options) 
• Ability to specify the HomeGauge data folder where reports and templates are stored.
• Option in the print options to number the itemized comments. for example: 4.2 (1) and 4.2 (2)( File - Print Options - Misc Tab)
• New button to alphabitize the options of Styles and Materials
• New menu item to set command bars back to default position ( View - Toolbars - Default ) 
• New input fields for Mr., Mrs. Rev, etc.
• In "All Smart Text" show which comments are used that smart text 
• Filter "All Comments" for comments that only contain words ( Template - All Comments - Filter ) 
• Print Option to have the comments or the pictures come first in the report. (File - Print Options - Misc Tab)
• Check box option for when duplicating a section to include the parent section name in front of duplicate section. Useful for multiple units.
• Summaries that do not contain any items will no longer print
• Option to uncheck summary check boxes when a column is unchecked (Templates - Edit Column Headers)
• Included in the install several different cover pages for different looks. 
• Various user interface and keyboard use improvements
• bug fix: General Section - "template move up" will remove the current answer 
• bug fix: sections mislabeled when more than 26 repeat sections
• bug fix for sometimes losing REP user name especially when using wireless connection 
• crash fix : robert gonzalez - delete all sections in components and then unexclude first section in optional - HG go boom