o-charts fingerprint file assignment issue

[brice3010]

On a Windows 10 pc with OpenCPN 5.6.2 and o-charts plugin 1.0.32.0 I created a new system ID from the o-charts plugin preferences window.


A fingerprint file already existed for this machine, but in view of issues with the o-charts app in OpenCPN last year I decided to make a new .fpr file.



After making this ID, the file does not appear on my desktop as promised by the plugin after the firngerprint creation. However I can find the .fpr file back under c:\Program Data\OpenCPN\


Now when trying to install that system ID in my o-charts online account a message appears: "The system already exists". See attachment.



When trying to create a new ID with a different name for my system but with the newly created .fpr file the message persists.


Last year I already had created a .fpr file for my system but since I had the o-charts plugin create a new .fpr file then this previous .fpr file will not be valid anymore.


1. How can previous installed system names be deleted from the o-charts account
2. How must I proceed on the online o-charts account page to get purchased o-charts be made active on my pc; using the newly created .fpr file?

[bcn]

Please contact us at o-charts.


We recommend to upgrade to OpenCPN 5.8.0 and the corresponding o-charts plug-in anyhow.


Cheers


Hubert

[brice3010]

Originally Posted by bcn

Please contact us at o-charts.


We recommend to upgrade to OpenCPN 5.8.0 and the corresponding o-charts plug-in anyhow.


Cheers


Hubert

Hi, thank you for your fast reply.
I wish at this time not to upgrade OpenCPN from 5.6.2 to 5.8.
The o-charts plugin I did upgrade to the latest version (after my OP).


However I do not understand what a change to OpenCPN 5.8 would do to solve my issue on my o-charts online account.
I only wish to remove previously installed systems from my o-charts website account (except for the Dongle fingerprint).


I will send a mail though the o-charts website contact page.

[hoolie]

That's true. There is no way to delete or disable out of date system identifiers on the o-charts web site. It hasn't caused me a problem yet as it has with you but it might do in future.

[bcn]

Why should it cause an issue? If you try to assign an outdated system or one different from your actual system, you will get a warning and the usage will not be possible. Always working from within the plug-in. The offline process is less strictly and allows for more errors.


The history helps to keep track - and traceability.


At o-charts we can mark systems under request as obsolete: such a system will then still show up in the account (marked as obsolete) but not in the online assignment process from within the plug-in.

[brice3010]

So far no answer as to why an upgrade to OpenCPN 5.8 would be an answer to my question in OP.


But then I did get this answer from o-charts by mail (I do not understand why this issue had to be addressed over email with o-charts; I post the answer from them here because it may be of help to others):


If your system "desktopErik" has not changed you can install the charts
even if you have created a new fingerprint. In fact, when accessing the
o-charts server, a new one is created each time. This is only used to
identify your system during the connection, and it is then no longer
necessary on the computer and can be deleted at any time. so you shoul
be able to install the charts on your desktop any time.


Subsequently I assigned my desktop pc (which previously had been assigned to a fingerprint identifier on my o-charts webshop account) to my newly purchased charts. Proceeded to OpenCPN and yes, download ok.


Conclusion:
the generation of fingerprint files is of use only once on any given system.
But that fact might be addressed more clearly in the o-charts plugin.

[bcn]

Originally Posted by brice3010

So far no answer as to why an upgrade to OpenCPN 5.8 would be an answer to my question in OP.


Conclusion:
the generation of fingerprint files is of use only once on any given system.
But that fact might be addressed more clearly in the o-charts plugin.

When using the online method from within the plug-in, the handling of the system identifier file is completely transparent, one does not need to care about it at all.

Only for the offline install or for trouble shooting (sometimes) the .fpr is required.


We recommend to use OCPN 5.8.x and the corresponding o-charts plug-in as quite some issues have been addressed in the updates, the performance is better as well.

[hoolie]

I understand the advantages but it doesn't suit the case where the boat computer is permanently installed on board in an area of poor or non-existant internet coverage. Download of updated chart files to a portable memory device is then the only option.

[bcn]

Sure, that's why the offline install method is there and will be maintained.
No "always online" required by design.

[hoolie]

I recently renewed my chart subscriptions and read the notice that chart file downloading is to be discontinued but I was relieved to see the facility is still there! So I downloaded backup files to my laptop.