August 28, 2013

We have had consistent server problems about 5pm ET everyday. Sorry for the inconvenience. The only option is to try again later.

Biggest problems for new users is:
1. Knowing there is a difference between Username, Store ID, and Dealer ID and their associated passwords.
2. If prompted for a Username and Password enter lower case letter "Q" for BOTH.
3. Store did not set up your Dealer Account like they said they did.
4. If using a mobile device you may need to POWER IT DOWN and turn it back on.
5. Mobile devices may automatically capitalize the lowercase letter "Q". This will prevent you from logging in.
(This will apply to the Username more than the Password)
6. Laptops and Desktops may think they are smarter than you and do the same auto-capitalization.

Biggest problem for mobile devices:
1. For some reason mobile devices do not show the authentication dialog consistently.
2. To fix this POWER DOWN your phone or tablet and POWER it back up.
3. Next time you access our site you will see the request for Username and Password (both lowercase letter "Q".

March 19, 2013

Users of mobile devices tip:

The first letter is usually uppercase. Make sure you are typing the correct case when entering usernames and passwords. Don't enter a capital "Q".

More info for mobile device users below.

March 1, 2013

Internet Explorer Issues

The links along the left side are gone.

Now what?

1. Use a different browser such as Mozilla, Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.
2. Move your mouse over where the links should be. You'll see a tool tip in yellow appear. Click your mouse when the appropriate tool-tip appears.

We are trying to fix the problem.

Sept 26, 2012

Authorization Required

Did you get this message and you don't know what to do? Usually, your web browser will ask you for a username and a password to access the secure area of Mall-Central.com. However, if you inadvertantly hit "cancel" rather than "submit" then your web browser will show the message below. In addition, your browser will cache (remember) this page so next time it will display the same info and will NOT ask for the username and password.

Now what?

Clear your browser's cache and try again. If that does not work then try something else like turn off and back on your computer, launch your browser (ie Internet Explorer), clear the cache again, and now try Mall-Central.com. This time enter the correct username and password and DON'T click "cancel".

Authorization Required

Cookies have been implemented on the Report Page. This should make it more convenient and eliminate the requirement to enter your Dealer or Store Password each time.

Users of mobile devices continue to have problems. See August 11, 2012 notes.

As an alternate for "mall" and "password" you may now use the letter "q" for both. This is easier to type.

For desktop or laptop users, modern browsers have the option to remember "mall" and "password". Use this option and you should NEVER be bothered by the AUTHENTICATION prompt again.

August 11, 2012

The site was down for 12+ hours last Thursday. This was unprecedented and has nothing to do with other recent changes regarding security measures and passwords.

Users of mobile devices continue to have problems. The reasons are as follows:

Mobile devices have small screens and have unique ways to manage their windows. Also, they have unique ways to manage multi-tasking (having more than one application running at a time).

Because of this you, the user, may not be aware of the AUTHENTICATION error and the need to re-enter the username and password. The solution is to find that window. Another solution is to quit the application, ie web browser ie Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, whatever. If that does not work turn off and on the mobile device. What this means is do a HARD turn off. Power the device OFF as if you are on a plane flight. This will force quit the application. This time enter the correct username and password (ie "mall" and "password") and chose the option to remember this if one is available. The problem should never happen again.

Just for the record, MALL-CENTRAL.COM works with iPhone iOS 3.X and iPAD iOS 5.1 EXACTLY CORRECT and I can't see how anyone could have problems.

For desktop or laptop users, modern browsers have the option to remember "mall" and "password". Use this option and you should NEVER be bothered by the AUTHENTICATION prompt again.

July 18, 2012

The site is working, has always worked (except for a few hours on Sunday, July 15, 2012), but requires another level of AUTHORIZATION. This authorization is accomplished by entering "mall" for the username and "password" for the password in the prompt window whenever it appears.

This authorization procedure is part of the Apache Server software since the beginning of time and always works. Our technical staff and I (Lou) dont understand why it does not seem to work for everybody - especially mobile devices. However, I do hear from users of iPhones and iPads with words of thanks (I assume this means it works for them).

The most common words of advice is to make sure the caps lock key is off. Note that copy and paste techniques can be problematic as it can inadvertantly include invisible characters such as spaces and line feeds and tabs, and carriage returns. The best practice is to type in the words "mall" and "password" without spaces before or after and in lower case. Also, it may be a good idea to quit the app (ie Safari or Internet Explorer or Firefox or whatever browser you are using) and/or refresh the page.

For several hours on Sunday we were not able to keep the site working without implementing this authorization technique. Based on current site performance it appears this may become permanent.

Our focus right now is to help iPhone and iPad and other mobile device users as they seem not to be able to have as much success. If you have any experience with these devices please let us know.

Please note that some browsers will show a message with explicit instruction on what to do in the AUTHORIZATION prompt window. Also, some browsers will remember the username and password when a box is checked. This should make this procedure less inconvenient.

We are very sorry for the frustration, inconvenience, and trouble this has caused everyone. This is not the intent of Mall-Central.com and we appreciate everyone's undestanding and patience as we work thru this.