I am looking for anyone who has upgraded to 7.81. I am wondering what, if any problems, you have encountered. Harriet Farmer Ottawa Humane Society Harriet Farmer Database Support Ottawa Humane Society

We have been notified by Blackbaud that RE vers. 7.81 is not fully compatible with The Researcher's Edge, which we use. A compatible version is in development due for release this quarter. The letter is dated November 28, 2006. We will not upgrade to 7.81 until the known issues are resolved. Kim Gajewski Database Administrator and Technical Support Wisconsin Lutheran High School 330 N Glenview Ave Milwaukee, WI 53213

Although we limit postings from the forum administrator, we want to provide clarification regarding compatibility between The Researcher's Edge and The Raiser's Edge. As mentioned in the February 2 issue of The Prospector, we released The Researcher's Edge 2.1.2.18, which is compatible with The Raiser's Edge 7.81.1334. We recommend downloading and installing this update before upgrading to The Raiser's Edge 7.81.1334. For more information, review this Knowledgebase solution: http://www.blackbaud.com/esupport/esupport.asp?resource=&number=0&id=BB315350

This is good news. Thank you for posting. Kim Gajewski Database Administrator and Technical Support Wisconsin Lutheran High School 330 N Glenview Ave Milwaukee, WI 53213

Just got word from Blackbaud that an issue has been discovered in The Researcher's Edge version 2.1.2.18. Do not use this version. A new build is coming, stay posted... Kim Gajewski Wisconsin Lutheran High School [Email Removed]

Can you be more specific about the issue? This is a bit cryptic and if anyone has already upgraded they should know what they need to be watchign out for. *** I can spell, I just can't type. Where is spell check? Melissa S. Graves Manager, Development Database & Direct Mail Planned Parenthood of Connecticut [Email Removed] 203-752-2804

Actually, our IT person tried to install the upgrade of TRE today and the web site stated it was not available. Maybe they took it off since there are problems. RaShell Peterson Manager, Advancement & Research Services Oregon Institute of Technology 541-885-1131

The only information given us by Blackbaud was that an issue exists and a new build is pending. Unfortunately, no details came with the notice. I am hoping that the latest upgrade will take care of an identified integration issue between The Raiser's Edge and The Researcher's Edge: when sending groups of constituent information from Researchers to Raisers, many records are not linked automatically even though the names and addresses are the same in both modules. Kim Gajewski Wisconsin Lutheran High School [Email Removed]

Harriet, we upgraded to 7.81 last week for the Raiser's Edge. I lost track of all the problems we experienced! I know that every time I ran the plug-in 'unpost gifts' the server crashed causing the entire office to be without the database. And I wasn't able to enter information into a batch because I kept getting error messages after hitting tab. BB is still trying to figure it out both issues. I was unable to process donations for three days. They had me create a new log in name for the raiser's edge and that has supervisor rights in order to process donations. I formally had gift supervisor rights. It did not fix the problem but went around it. However, I am able to process gifts now but if I logged in as my old log in name I would not be able to. Oh yeah, one more problem...I can no longer define constituent fields in a batch (the right column with donor info.). This is a major inconvenience and they are working on fixing that one also. Which reminds me, changing your log in name is a major inconvenience as well because I had to open every query I every saved and mark the check box that states others can modify it...because I am now considered "others". My boss is curious if anyone else has had similar problems?

I was planning to upgrade our RE to 7.81 this weekend. However, the last entry by Teresa Werkheiser scares me. Are there any other companies who have upgraded to 7.81 without any problems? I'd really appreciate the reassurance. Thank you.

We make it a point to NEVER upgrade to a new version for at least 3 or 4 weeks, for this very reason. Lots of bugs get worked out in the first few weeks of a new release. I don't want to be a guinea pig :-) Tracie Cassidy Database Coordinator Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation (206) 987-6833 [Email Removed]

Thank you Tracie. I agree with you -- I usually wait some time before going thru the update process to ensure the bugs are worked out. I didn't realize that Blackbaud just released their latest update (7.81.1334). I was planning to load 7.80.1122 which was released a year ago (unfortunately, didn't get around to it until now). Thank you for your response. Aloha.

Tracie, That's a good point. I wanted to share the progress on one of the issues. This morning I received an email from BB saying "Hello Teresa,This is Caroline writing in reference to your case, in regards to the error message received when defining constituent fields in batch. I am including a plug-in that will correct this issue and allow us to define constituent fields in batch without any errors. However, this plug-in will only work successfully with our latest version. We have just released patch 7 for build 7.81.1334. Before running this plug-in, you will need to update to 7.81.1334.7" There are a lot of bugs to work out already...patches & plug-ins...I think your making the right decision to wait. Thanks for the advise, I'll pass it on to our Database Manager for next time.

Hi all, I am still getting to know Raiser's Edge and am in no hurry to upgrade. Is there a requirement on the time that we have to upgrade? We just converted from Gift Maker Pro the end of August...I really do not need any more issues to contend with at this time! I definitely want to wait until all of the bugs are worked out! Thanks! Lori Lori Smithers Development Coordinator Society of the United Helpers [Email Removed] www.unitedhelpers.org

Lori, if you have just converted to Raisers Edge in August, then I'll assume you must be on Version 7? Except for the occasional patches and other miscellaneous fixes that go on, you are probably not that far out of sync. Besides, staying up to date will fix problems that you may or may not know about but will eventaully encounter. I have had good success with staying current. Darrel C. Spacone Development Services Manager LifePath Hospice and Palliative Care 12973 Telecom Parkway, Suite 100 Temple Terrace, FL 33637 813-871-8413 813-871-8473 FAX 813-395-1199 CELL [Email Removed]