# FreeGuide FAQ

## Contents

- What is FreeGuide?
- How do I install FreeGuide?
- How do I use FreeGuide?
- I got an "Execution Error" message. What is wrong?
- FreeGuide used to work for me but now it's stopped. What is wrong?
- The grabber configuration step gives me an error. What is wrong?
- What version of Java does FreeGuide need?
- When I double-click on a .jar file WinRAR comes up - what do I do?
- Why isn't Firefox one of the browser options?
- Can I use FreeGuide from behind a proxy server?
- I get an error about "TZ" - what do I do?
- How do I change the order in which channels are listed?
- How do I get listings from 2 different sources or channel lineups?
- I've downloaded the listings but FreeGuide says some are still missing! What's happening?
- Why are some of my favourites not selected?
- Does FreeGuide support skins or themes? How do I use them?
- How do I find out what's being planned for future versions?
- How do I ask more questions?

## What is FreeGuide?

See the README.

## How do I install FreeGuide?

See the README.

## How do I use FreeGuide?

See the User Guide.

## I got an "Execution Error" message. What is wrong?

Note: if you very quickly get an "Execution Error" message, check that you're connected to the Internet and try again. If you have to wait quite a while and then get the "Execution Error" message, everything may still be alright - click "Continue" to see.

If you keep getting the "Execution Error" message and you don't see any listings when you click "Continue" then click "Show Details" and copy the error messages shown into an email and send it to freeguide-tv-users@lists.sourceforge.net with an explanation of what you were doing, what operating system you are on and what versions of Java and FreeGuide you are using.

## FreeGuide used to work for me but now it's stopped. What is wrong?

If FreeGuide used to work for you and has now stopped, it is probably because the web site it grabs listings from has changed its format. Check the whether there is a new FreeGuide version here: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=35309&package_id=27789.

If there isn't a new FreeGuide yet, you can see whether there's a new xmltv version here: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=35309&package_id=103744 and then follow these instructions to install it:

- Under Windows unzip the xmltv-x.x.x-tkgui-bin-windows.zip file and copy the file xmltv.exe over your file "C:\Program Files\FreeGuide\xmltv\xmltv.exe"
- Under Linux, unzip the xmltv executable from the xmltv-x.x.x-tkgui-bin-linux.tar.bz2 file and use it to replace the file xmltv in the "xmltv" subdirectory of your FreeGuide install directory.
- Under Linux-NoXMLTV, download the file xmltv-x.x.x-tkgui.tar.bz2 and install it as usual.

## The grabber configuration step gives me an error. What is wrong?

If your grabber fails to configure or run because it can't seem to get any data from the Internet, it may be because you need to use a proxy server. Read this question for information on how to set one up.

## What version of Java does FreeGuide need?

FreeGuide needs Java version 1.4.0 or above. You can find out what version you are using by opening a DOS window or Cmd prompt and typing "java -version". If it says you've got an earlier version, or if you get an error, you need to get an upgrade from http://java.sun.com/getjava/.

## When I double-click on a .jar file WinRAR comes up - what do I do?

WinRAR is a program for unzipping zipped up files like .zip, .rar and .jar files. However, we want to run these .jar files instead of unzipping them. Open a DOS or Cmd window and cd into the directory containing the .jar file. Now type "java -jar [jarname]" to run the .jar file. Replace [jarname] with the name of the file you want to run (usually either FreeGuide-X.X-Win-Install.jar or just FreeGuide.jar).

## Why isn't Firefox one of the browser options?

Because it has a bug that means it can't be called remotely to open a specific URL. There is more information in this Firefox bug report.

## Can I use FreeGuide from behind a proxy server?

Yes. Here's how:

In the following replace "proxy.uni.ac.uk" with your proxy server address, and "8080" with the port it uses. On Windows you can find these out from the "Tools" menu on Internet Explorer by choosing "Options", going to the "Connections" tab and clicking "LAN Settings":

### With Windows 2000/XP:

- Right Click "My Computer" -> Properties
- Choose the Advanced Tab and click the Environment Variables button at the bottom middle of the window.
- Click the "New" button in the Global Variables section.
- Variable Name: http_proxy
- Variable Value: http://proxy.uni.ac.uk:8080
- Click OK
- Click OK

### With Windows 95/98/ME:

- Add a line "set http_proxy=http://proxy.uni.ac.uk:8080" to the file C:\Autoexec.bat
- Restart your computer

### With Linux:

- Bash users: Add a line "export http_proxy=http://proxy.uni.ac.uk:8080" to the file ~/.bash_profile

### Authenticating Proxies

If you have an authenticating proxy, try "user:password@proxy.uni.ac.uk:8080" replacing "user" with your username and "password" with your password.

## I get an error about "TZ" - what do I do?

You need to set your timezone before you use FreeGuide.

## How do I change the order in which channels are listed?

To change the order of channels, you need to make a channel set. Choose "Channel Sets" from the "Tools" menu and create one there, than choose it from the drop-down in the top right hand corner of the screen.

## How do I get listings from 2 different sources?

It is possible to make FreeGuide grab the listings from two different listings providers and merge the results for you to view. This might be useful if you want to see listings for 2 different channel lineups, for example. To do this you will need to configure your grabber twice, and save the config files as tv_grab_na_dd.conf and tv_grab_na_dd_b.conf in the normal directory for XMLTV config files. The example below is for the na_dd grabber, which is for people in North America.

You'll need to run one normal configuration by choosing "Choose Channels" from the "Tools" menu in FreeGuide, and one manually, by opening a Cmd or DOS window and typing:

`cd "C:\Program Files\FreeGuide\xmltv"
xmltv tv_grab_na_dd --configure --gui --config-file tv_grab_na_dd_b.conf`

Now give the settings for the second lineup when you are asked.

Next you'll need to go to FreeGuide's "Advanced Options" screen and the "Grabber Command" tab. Instead of what's there you'll need these 3 lines:

`"%misc.xmltv_directory%\xmltv.exe" tv_grab_na_dd --config-file "%misc.xmltv_directory%\tv_grab_na_dd.conf" --offset %offset% --days 1 --output "%misc.working_directory%\tv-%date%.xmltv.tmp1" --dd-data "%misc.working_directory%\dd%offset%.xml"
"%misc.xmltv_directory%\xmltv.exe" tv_grab_na_dd --config-file "%misc.xmltv_directory%\tv_grab_na_dd_b.conf" --offset %offset% --days 1 --output "%misc.working_directory%\tv-%date%.xmltv.tmp2" --dd-data "%misc.working_directory%\dd%offset%.xml" --reprocess
"%misc.xmltv_directory%\xmltv.exe" tv_cat --output "%misc.working_directory%\tv-%date%.xmltv" "%misc.working_directory%\tv-%date%.xmltv.tmp1" "%misc.working_directory%\tv-%date%.xmltv.tmp2"`

If you're in another region you'll need to adapt the commands to work with your grabber. On Linux you'll need to adapt the commands to be Linux-y. Do ask if you need help, and when we work out the solution for other regions and platforms we'll put the results up here.

## I've downloaded the listings but FreeGuide says some are still missing! What's happening?

If you grab some listings late in a day, nearing the grabber's idea of the end of a day (e.g. close to 6am for the UK grabber) then you may be told that there are missing listings for that day even though you've just grabbed new listings. This is because the grabbing has started from tomorrow, so what's left of today doesn't have a full set of listings. Don't worry about this - just say "No" and you should be able to see what you need.

## Why are some of my favourites not selected?

If your grabber works in midnight to midnight time slots, you may find that on the day you do a download, programmes which are favourites and are on after midnight are not chosen automatically. If you click "Reset Choices" in the bottom left, they will be chosen.

## Does FreeGuide support skins or themes? How do I use them?

Yes! See the Look and Feel Guide.

## How do I find out what's being planned for future versions?

Check out the TODO file.

## How do I ask more questions?

If you have a question about how to use FreeGuide, look through the archives of the users' list and the developers' list and if you can't find an answer send an email to: freeguide-tv-users@lists.sourceforge.net.

If you want to get involved with developing FreeGuide, read the developers' page and the developers' list and feel free to email the developers' list: freeguide-tv-devel@lists.sourceforge.net.