Edition date: (v5) 27 Jan 2021

Wordshark v5 and Numbershark v5 Downloads and USB Products:  

1. USBs produced in the past 5 years (v5.005.04 and later) work substantially as designed, and install / run well on these latest Mac OS X  releases. However, features introduced in the macOS update 10.14 Mojave (Sept 18) and 10.15 Catalina (Sept 19) have caused minor issues for Wordshark 5 and Numbershark 5 downloads and USB products, which have continued into Big Sur. We have so far not been able to address these minor niggles. see below for a list of these.
   
2. Older v5 USBs do not run, and return this Apple error message:  Apple's transition to 64-bit technology is now complete. Starting with macOS Catalina, 32-bit apps are no longer compatible with macOS. If you have a 32-bit app, please check with the app developer for a 64-bit version.   We investigated, and found that Catalina OS also prevents older v5 USB from being updated - potentially causing such USBs to then not work on Windows machines. This means that we are unable to produce a "patch" for older v5 USBs.  If you find your v5 USB is affected, please contact us, or your local country distributor as the only solution we can offer is a reduced-price "Replacement with latest v5 USB".

The main issue experienced is that many users find they do NOT have the latest “Java Runtime” installed. To check your version of Java look in System Preferences for a Java icon. You will need release JDK 8u231 or later for Mac OS X  from https://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

 If you get the message "Unable to load Java Runtime Environment", this is caused where there is no Java, or an outdated version of Java installed. Wordshark and Numbershark need the Java programming language to run, and this is no longer bundled with Mac OS X. Please download the latest release from www.java.com, then install it. Several customers have told us that they tried doing this using "Safari",  but found it much easier to achieve  in "Chrome". You may then need to then re-start your browser (close all browser windows and re-open.)  Most Catalina and Big Sur users WILL need to read advice from Oracle  (Java producer) to install successfully. This is available from:  https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/using-jdk-jre-macos-catalina-5781620.html

All other issues are minor and most go unnoticed. We are aware of these:

1. A very small number of users have reported that Wordshark 5 and Numbershark 5 downloads have given an error “Can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer”. Fix: go to “System Preferences / Security & Privacy / Allow [Word][Number]shark 5 to run anyway”
   
2. There is a slight delay between entering a name being prompted for a password 
   
3. There is a slight delay when signing in with a pupil account
   
4. The option to change a user icon is not working (Settings for username/Your icon)
   
5. When setting work, if you select a green heading and drop this into the basket the topic/word list, the heading does not appear. Fix: Click on the heading again to choose individual lists or mixed lists. The list will appear.
   
6. Using the “Quick sign on” from within an Admin account: After choosing a student there is a slight delay in signing in. Further, if this student is a new user, who has not yet logged into the program, the student selection box cannot be closed until you exit from the welcome video. 
   
7. On first log in the Admin is unable to “Add students” (from within the Admin / Add and manage menu). Clicking on the menu “Admin/Add and Manage students and staff” closes the window but leaves the program open in the dock.  Fix:  A restart of the program appears to resolve this issue.  IF using the USB product, closing the program, ejecting the USB, removing from the USB port then reinserting the USB and re-opening the program resolves this issue.