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AppleWorks documents revert to an earlier version after saving.
Documents affected include multi-page documents, documents that have been kept open on the desktop or in the dock for long periods of time (hours), or any document when the parent icon has been renamed or moved to another folder at the finder level while the document is open (either on the desktop or in the dock).
Anecdotal history would indicate the problem began to manifest itself around the last quarter of calendar year 2003. The bug seems to be confined to AppleWorks 6 when used in an OSX environment.
This "failure to save" bug has been discussed at length in this forum. The problem appears to be related to how the open document links to the document's icon on the desktop (or folder location). The problem has been positively reproduced by moving the icon to a different folder or renaming it while the actual document is open, either on the desktop or in the dock. Once the change has been made, the link is broken and further changes to the open document will not be saved unless a new document is created by invoking a "Save as..." command. The AppleWorks built-in "Autosave" feature does not circumvent the loss of data.
Suspect behavior includes loss of the flashing highlight around the word "File" when the "Save" command is invoked (from the File menu or by the key combination, "Command-S"). Additionally, even if you invoke "Command-S" just before you close the document, AppleWorks will bring up a warning dialog box asking you if you want to save the "unsaved" document. If you approve this final warning "Save" dialog, any data added after the link was broken will be lost--so DO NOT approve the save at this point! Cancel the dialog, and then use "Save as..." from the File menu.
Others have experienced similar "Save" failures when the document was left open (either idle or working, usually multi-page documents) for a long period of time. I have not been able to reproduce this behavior with AppleWorks in two trial runs--but there is sufficient evidence to use caution.
The only workaround (so far) is to exercise caution with open documents when renaming, moving, or "idling" multi-page open documents for extended periods time, and to be attentive when saving! Always invoke "Command-S" before closing a document, and if AppleWorks warns you to save again, use the "Save as..." command, or your work will be lost!
A final comment for those of you working on long documents (college students in particular who are writing term papers right around this time!):
Anyone in the midst of a multipage document--10, 20, or more pages, multiple chapters, graphics, charts, etc. Be safe and save multiple copies of your work! If possible, print individual full pages as an incremental "paper" backup. Back up your data on your local harddisk, as well as on a secure server or other media that is separate from your trusted home environment. Save often (in particular before printing and before you walk away for a stretch or coffee break) and create multiple backups of documents you really don't want to lose. Remember to open and verify your saved work, including your backup. A power glitch, an unexpected HD failure, or a particularly harmful bug need not be the harbinger of a catastrophic loss.
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