Pesky Problems (a.k.a. known bugs)

last updated 8/11/11

It's our goal to make volunteering easy - and our volunteers love us because we're doing just that!  Occasionally, however, we learn about problems -- we're technology, after-all  -- so we'll keep this page updated to let you know about 'em and how to fix 'em.

If you ever encounter a problem, please hit the help button (at the top of the website) and tell us about it. Be sure to tell us what browser you are using and how you connect to the internet.  We'll do our best to get it fixed for you and all our volunteers out there doing good!

Here are our most common pesky problems:

• Ad blocks some screens in some versions of Safari 5 Mac. (occasional)  

Ads block some organizer screens in some versions of Mac Safari 5, with some screen sizes.  Please see this help article for a quick workaround. click here

• Extra large activity, Organizer gets Scripting error  (rare)

If you've got a very large sign up with hundreds of volunteers and many days, you may be seeing a Scripting error message on PCs.  This indicates limitations in the browser memory. To overcome this problem, please try these memory-optimizing strategies: use Firefox as your browser, use a 'fresh' browser (close and re-open browser, work with only one tab open), and delete activity days in the past (click the Delete icon next to the activity status calendar).  That should do the trick. If you have access to a newer, faster workstation - please try that too. Here's where to get Firefox, for free: http://www.firefox.com.

• Page screen goes black in IE8. (rare)  

Some versions of IE8 on some pages are rendering black. Clicking the browser refresh button fixes the problem immediately.  If it happens more than once, it's likely happening to you on other sites too. Consider using Firefox as a browser, free from http://www.firefox.com.

• Volunteer sees a white screen on sign up and can't access the activity (rare)
  

When this problem occurs, the volunteer sees a white screen framed by the VolunteerSpot logo and header information.  Here's what it could be and what to do about it:

1) The URL invitation link is getting broken into two lines by the volunteer's email software and VolunteerSpot doesn't have enough information to open the signup calendar.  The workaround is to copy the entire link from the bottom of the invitation and paste it into a browser. Alternatively, the volunteer organizer can prevent this problem by using a link-shrinking website like TinyURL. TinyURL also lets you give a link an alias, so this -

                     http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/8-608618812

           becomes -
 

           http://tinyurl.com/CentralVolunteers

2) Volunteers using older versions of Entourage as their email client may encounter a reported bug where their email program alters incoming links. This can be fixed by upgrading to version 12.1.2 or newer.

 3) A very small number of volunteers appear to have a specific conflict with the unique security and virus configurations in their internet browser blocking our site. The conflict is rare, typically occurs in IE, and we've had trouble reproducing it so we can fix it.

The quickest solution is to use an alternate browser or computer to access VolunteerSpot.  You may download a free Safari browser for PC or Mac here - http://www.apple.com/safari/download/. Reported fixes also include lowering the security settings in your browser, allowing VolunteerSpot as a 'Trusted Site', enabling 'Java Script or Active Scripting' in advanced browser settings, or temporarily disabling the firewall. 

4) Volunteers accessing from a high security corporate environment (e.g. a bank) may not be able to access VolunteerSpot from work because corporate security blocks the JavaScript that runs our system. 

If these options aren't acceptable, the organizer may schedule the volunteer manually.  Volunteers will still receive confirmation and reminder messages from VolunteerSpot. 

• OOP's Message (occasional)

The OOPs message alerts you that your wireless connection has been interrupted.  If you continue to work, your information will be lost.  If it happens frequently, the workaround is to move out of the crowded coffee shop, closer to the router or to connect through an ethernet connection.

• 'Change my password' button in (Firefox) appears to be unresponsive (frequent)  

If you're in Firefox and click the "change password" button in the MyInfo tab, it will appear as if the system did not respond - however, the pop-up screen to change your password did fire and is hovering at the very bottom of your browser window....scroll down to see it, enter your new password, and then scroll right to save your new password.

• VolunteerSpot takes too long on dial-up connections (frequent)

'Nuf said - sorry, we're way tooo slow on dial-ups! The workaround is to give the volunteer an assignment manually. They will still receive automated confirmation and reminder messages, even if they can't access VolunteerSpot themselves.

Still have questions or concerns? Please click here to access our Help system.  You may search for answers to commonly asked questions or report a problem by clicking "Contact" at the top of the Help page.  

Comments

[Samantha Geller]

hey thats nice information. I use www.Aafter.com for tiny urls.