Handbase support

[Javed Shakoor]

Hi,

This is a message addressed to Dave Haupert. I have recently emailed him twice without getting a reply so I am hoping he will see this message and let me have a reply. Normally whenever I wrote to Handbase support i always got a reply within one or two days. However, due to the current winding down of operations (as detailed in Dave's last post) I am wondering if he has been looking at the requests for support from users. Anyway I am repeating here the contents of my email.

I’ve been using Handbase for a number of years on a MacBook Pro. I am currently using Mac OS Mojave but I am intending to upgrade to Big Sur very soon. I have Handbase version 4.5.1. Could you confirm that this is compatible with Big Sur and that I will be able to sync without any problems. You mentioned in your last post that the latest version is not yet registered with Apple and that there is some other procedure for starting up the app on the MacBook. Could you please let me have details on this.

I read your recent announcement on The Handbase forum and was disappointed to read that you are in the process of winding down with Handbase. Could you please let me know the following:

1. Will you keep updating Handbase for each new version of MacOS?
2. For future compatibility would it be better for me to switch over to the Windows version?
3. If the same issues with compatibility are likely to arise in the future with the Windows version, would it be better for me to move to some software other than Handbase? Could you please let me know what are the best substitutes for Handbase I could use. I would very much like to stay with Handbase because it fits my needs very well. I have a number of databases including some relational ones and, also, I have been very happy over the years with the support I have received from you.

Please also let me know if, by making a suitable contribution, I can help to ensure continued compatibility of Handbase with future versions of Mac OS.

Thank you and best regards
Javed Shakoor
javedsha2002@gmail.com

[glenwf]

I think this discussion will help answer some of your questions.
http://www.ddhsoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4800

[Javed Shakoor]

Thank you for your response, glenwf. I've already read the post you referred to. In fact that was what gave rise to the questions I asked. Would you be able to throw some light on the questions I asked.
Thanks
Javed

[glenwf]

Sorry, I have no more info. I'm on a 2012 MacBook Pro with Catalina and hope the future looks good because I've been using HanDBase forever and rely on it every hour. Don't know what I would do if it failed because I've tried alternatives and they don't measure up.

[curtterp]

Hi,
~snip~
I’ve been using Handbase for a number of years on a MacBook Pro. I am currently using Mac OS Mojave but I am intending to upgrade to Big Sur very soon. I have Handbase version 4.5.1. Could you confirm that this is compatible with Big Sur and that I will be able to sync without any problems. You mentioned in your last post that the latest version is not yet registered with Apple and that there is some other procedure for starting up the app on the MacBook. Could you please let me have details on this.

~snip~
Thank you and best regards
Javed Shakoor
javedsha2002@gmail.com

Good day Javed,

I cut down your post in the quote to answer what I can.

The latest Mac version of HanDBase is Version 4.6.0.2.

You can download the latest version by going to http://www.ddhsoftware.com/download.html and login with the username/password combo that you got from DDHSoftware when your purchased your Desktop program.

The version listed in the download section is 4.5.12, but download it anyways. It will be version 4.6.0.2, the version listed on the website of the download section is listed incorrectly.

I have a MacBook Pro 16" on the latest version of Big Sur and it syncs just fine.

I also have a MacBook Air 13" M1 on the latest beta version of Big Sur. HanDBase Desktop for Mac also syncs just fine on that machine too.

So yes, HanDBase for Mac works with Big Sur when you have version 4.6.0.2.

Edited to add: My tests are to my iPhone 12 and iPad Pro.

Have a great day

[Javed Shakoor]

Hi Curt,
Thanks very much for your response. Very useful information.
I was thinking of trying to get some other software to replace Handbase but I think I'll stay with Handbase for now, mainly because it's the best and because Dave seems to be maintaining it for the time being. I've been using it since the Palm Pilot days and have been very happy with it. I am quite dependent on it and use it very often.
Thanks again and all the best
Javed

[MGHDb]

Hi Curt,
Please can you tell me how you were able to download the 64-bit version of HanDBase for Mac? The one that downloads from the DDH Software website (4.512) is the 32-bit version which will not work on my MacBook Air that is running on Big Sur.

The OS on my desktop iMac is Mojave but I have not been able to sync my iPhone since last November. I get the dreaded "To use this Feature You must Connect to a WiFi Network" error message. I have tried all the suggestions made in another post, to no avail.

I would appreciate if you could help.

Thank you.

Murali

[curtterp]

Hi Curt,
Please can you tell me how you were able to download the 64-bit version of HanDBase for Mac? The one that downloads from the DDH Software website (4.512) is the 32-bit version which will not work on my MacBook Air that is running on Big Sur.

The OS on my desktop iMac is Mojave but I have not been able to sync my iPhone since last November. I get the dreaded "To use this Feature You must Connect to a WiFi Network" error message. I have tried all the suggestions made in another post, to no avail.

I would appreciate if you could help.

Thank you.

Murali

Hi Murali,

The version you see listed when you log into the download portal -> http://www.ddhsoftware.com/download.html is incorrect. It shows 4.512, but the download dmg file contains HanDBase version 4.6.0.2

I just went through the download process this morning just to make sure that the correct version was still in the customer download portal.

After downloading, when you open the dmg file, it will ask you to copy the HanDBase Desktop for Mac to the Applications folder.

When you run HanDBase Desktop for the Mac the first time, you will get a Warning message that HanDBase Desktop 4 cannot be run. Click the OK button. (Screenshot Below)

click OK on this warning message

1st run warning messsage.png (130.28 KiB) Viewed 15699 times

Go to Apple Menu->System Preferences->Security and Privacy->General Tab. Click on the Open Anyways button next to HanDBase desktop (screenshot below).

Click on the Open Anyways button to allow HanDBase4 to open

Security_Privacy_Panel.jpg (36.29 KiB) Viewed 15699 times

HanDBase Desktop for Mac should open straight away

The last screenshot is to show that the version should be 4.6.0.2

about HanDBase Desktop 4

zAboutHanDBase.jpg (36.2 KiB) Viewed 15699 times

[MGHDb]

Thank you, Curt.

When I log in to the website I do not find a link to download the desktop version of HanDBase (screen shot attached). I therefore downloaded the version available under the Demos tab which is the 32-bit version.

Are you able to send me the 64-bit version that you were able to download? I have my registration password, so can use it to register.

Thank you.

Murai

[Max]

Just for the record: I currently have HanDBase version 4.9.079 on my iPhone and HanDBase Desktop 4 version 4.6.0.2 on my iMac, running in Mac OS Big Sur, version 11.2.3. Syncing works fine, and I've seen no problems in running the iPhone and 64 bit Mac apps.

So that's all good. And thanks to Dave for those updates!

(What's less good is that there's apparently no way to edit or create a new database on the Mac. That's not a big deal for me because I created all of mine on a Palm Pilot--but it would be a nice option to have, especially for new users with Macs. Maybe I'll re-purchase the HanDBase Desktop for Windows if and when I get the urge to do some mods. I have a cheap Win 10 laptop for that sort of desperate non-Mac work.)