[samigo-team] question about Data Discrepancy errors in Samigo

[Bryan Holladay]

We've actually turned off this check for a few of our clients.  In the
code, it's a real simple check:

When you load the page, there's a timestamp that gets stored on the
server and is also posted to the page that is loaded
When you submit the page (i.e. save) then it compares the submitted
timestamp to the timestamp saved on the server
If they do not match, then "Data Discrepancy"

So in your case with the browser back button, here's a step by step:

Load first page,  serverTimeStamp = 10:00, 1stpageTimestamp: 10:00
Load Second Page, serverTimeStamp = 10:04, 2ndPageTimestamp 10:04
Press backbutton on browser, the old page has timestamp: 10:00, server
still has 10:04
Press Save: serverTimeStamp: 10:04, 1stPageTimestamp: 10:00


This is also how multiple tabs are checked.  It's not a perfect system
and would be hard to deduce why the times are different, hence the
generic error.

-Bryan

On Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 2:20 PM, Ward, Lynn E. <leward at iupui.edu> wrote:
> Hi all,
> One of the top three development priorities for several Samigo institutions
> is reducing the occurrence of data discrepancy errors.  This is a concern
> for IU as well, as many of our users have expressed both concern and
> confusion when they get the error--particularly because the possible causes
> cited in the error message are almost never at play when the message
> appears.  I am able to force the error to occur in most browser by clicking
> the browser back button and then attempting to save or click next.  However,
> rarely when I receive the error is their actually a discrepancy between what
> I entered in the test and what has been saved.  So, I'd like to know more
> about the error and what causes the error to occur.
> What is the actual underlying condition or trigger that results in the
> error?
> When students get this error, should they be concerned their entire
> assessment  or just the data they entered since they last saved?
> We'd like to update the error message to more accurately reflect the cause
> and scope of the discrepancy, as well as steps to take to verify that the
> saved or submitted version is in fact correct.
> Lynn
>
>
> ==========================
>
> Lynn Ward, Principal Systems Analyst, Instructional Technology Systems and
> Services
>
> University Information Technology Services
> Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
> Information Technology and Communications Complex (IT 225D)
> 535 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
> Phone: 317-278-5713  E-mail: leward at iupui.edu
>
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