[SOLVED] File Sharing Question

slmorse · 04-08-2008, 06:21 AM

I'm a receptionist at a business and forward a lot of messages to my employer and we've been swamped with calls lately resulting in a lot of paper usage.

We're trying to set up a shared folder for messages and we were wondering if there's anyway both computers on the network can view the same file and make changes to it while it's opened on both computers.

If this is not possible, are there any recommendations for quick delivery of these messages back and forth through our network?

Thanks in Advance!
-Staci

slmorse · 04-08-2008, 08:47 AM

I could REALLY use the help please!!

**Cellus** · 04-08-2008, 01:44 PM

Under regular circumstances, the simple answer to your first question is No. If a file is being shared and is accessed by one user, and then is accessed by another user, the second user is only able to see the file in read-only mode. If the second user was to make any saves, they would have to do it as another file (not the same file).

When you are talking about "quick delivery of messages back and forth", what exactly do you mean? Could you elaborate? Please note we have no idea what your computer network looks like, so if you could give us an idea of what you currently do with delivering messages, and what you would like to do, it would help significantly.

slmorse · 04-09-2008, 05:57 AM

Thank you so much for responding. I did find out that you cant make changes to a file that's open on two computers.

Right now, I'm down to hand writing messages and walking them to him. We have two computers that are networked together (its a fairly small business). I set up a word file in the shared folder and he pulled it up no problem, but he'd like to be able to keep it open all day and see the changes I make. Obviously you can't do that like you explained. I cant believe someone hasnt thought of some kind of way to do this already. This is only my 4th day here and the owner had no idea of the number of calls he gets in a day because the previous employee neglected to forward messages. He just wants to eliminate the paper usage and come up with a fast way to view messages, delete ones he's responded to, and see any new messages when they're added to the list.

johnwill · 04-09-2008, 07:42 AM

Well, you could look into a shared Excel file. :)

slmorse · 04-10-2008, 10:44 AM

Thanks for all your help. I've decided to go with Microsoft Office Live Workspace. We're gonna try it out and see if it works like we want it to.
I'm sure I'll be posting again sometime in the near future! lol
Thanks again!

04-08-2008, 06:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
slmorse Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4 OS: XP	[SOLVED] File Sharing Question I'm a receptionist at a business and forward a lot of messages to my employer and we've been swamped with calls lately resulting in a lot of paper usage. We're trying to set up a shared folder for messages and we were wondering if there's anyway both computers on the network can view the same file and make changes to it while it's opened on both computers. If this is not possible, are there any recommendations for quick delivery of these messages back and forth through our network? Thanks in Advance! -Staci

04-08-2008, 08:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
slmorse Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Re: File Sharing Question I could REALLY use the help please!!

04-08-2008, 01:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,633 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: File Sharing Question Under regular circumstances, the simple answer to your first question is No. If a file is being shared and is accessed by one user, and then is accessed by another user, the second user is only able to see the file in read-only mode. If the second user was to make any saves, they would have to do it as another file (not the same file). When you are talking about "quick delivery of messages back and forth", what exactly do you mean? Could you elaborate? Please note we have no idea what your computer network looks like, so if you could give us an idea of what you currently do with delivering messages, and what you would like to do, it would help significantly. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!

04-09-2008, 05:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
slmorse Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Re: File Sharing Question Thank you so much for responding. I did find out that you cant make changes to a file that's open on two computers. Right now, I'm down to hand writing messages and walking them to him. We have two computers that are networked together (its a fairly small business). I set up a word file in the shared folder and he pulled it up no problem, but he'd like to be able to keep it open all day and see the changes I make. Obviously you can't do that like you explained. I cant believe someone hasnt thought of some kind of way to do this already. This is only my 4th day here and the owner had no idea of the number of calls he gets in a day because the previous employee neglected to forward messages. He just wants to eliminate the paper usage and come up with a fast way to view messages, delete ones he's responded to, and see any new messages when they're added to the list.

04-09-2008, 07:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: File Sharing Question Well, you could look into a shared Excel file. :) __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

04-10-2008, 10:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
slmorse Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Re: File Sharing Question Thanks for all your help. I've decided to go with Microsoft Office Live Workspace. We're gonna try it out and see if it works like we want it to. I'm sure I'll be posting again sometime in the near future! lol Thanks again!