Did I Upgrade?
August 9 2007 01:15:17 PM
Add/Read Comments [9]
On several occasions people have mentioned to me that after they upgraded their Lotus Notes client, their email did not look any different. This is an understandable issue, as most users don't realize that Lotus Notes databases (of which email is one) each have their own design, which is not directly tied to the upgrading of the Lotus Notes client software. This differs from when you upgrade software like a word processor or spreadsheet program, where the new features are automatically available after the install. Lotus Notes is different.
Think of upgrading to a new house. You might get bigger rooms, a finished basement, and newer plumbing (i.e. new foundation or core features) but your existing furniture does not get reapolstered automatically. If you want them to look new, you also have to have the fabric redone. Same goes for Lotus Notes. After you upgrade your client software, if you want your Mail file to be upgraded, you need to apply the new design to it.
Most companies control the look and functions of your mail file by applying the new design template for you, so you don't have to worry. However, this does not always happen at the same time as the upgrade of your client software, hence the confusion. For example, you may have your Lotus Notes client upgraded to version 7.0.2, but your company may still use a version 6.5 mail template. So when you see us talk about all the new 7.x features you wonder why you don't see them. Same for installing Lotus Notes 8. The client will look different and have many new "core" features, but your mail file will not automatically look like what you see in the Notes 8 marketing material and demos.
To see what version of a database you are using, you look at the Design tab of the Database Properties Box.
Does that help explain it?
Advanced Tip: If you are allowed to apply you own design changes, you can do so by selecting File - Database - Replace Design, and choosing the new template you wish to use.
Warning: Do not try this unless you are sure you know what you are doing!
Think of upgrading to a new house. You might get bigger rooms, a finished basement, and newer plumbing (i.e. new foundation or core features) but your existing furniture does not get reapolstered automatically. If you want them to look new, you also have to have the fabric redone. Same goes for Lotus Notes. After you upgrade your client software, if you want your Mail file to be upgraded, you need to apply the new design to it.
Most companies control the look and functions of your mail file by applying the new design template for you, so you don't have to worry. However, this does not always happen at the same time as the upgrade of your client software, hence the confusion. For example, you may have your Lotus Notes client upgraded to version 7.0.2, but your company may still use a version 6.5 mail template. So when you see us talk about all the new 7.x features you wonder why you don't see them. Same for installing Lotus Notes 8. The client will look different and have many new "core" features, but your mail file will not automatically look like what you see in the Notes 8 marketing material and demos.
To see what version of a database you are using, you look at the Design tab of the Database Properties Box.
Does that help explain it?
Advanced Tip: If you are allowed to apply you own design changes, you can do so by selecting File - Database - Replace Design, and choosing the new template you wish to use.
Warning: Do not try this unless you are sure you know what you are doing!
