CDTools™ FAQs

Technical Support

Q: How can I get technical support for CDTools?

A: For CDTools Support, call 1-888-892-0800 (1-978-823-0100), Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

General Questions

Q. Do I have to be using or understand Contextual Design to use CDTools™?

CDTools is designed to support managing, analyzing, and sharing customer data. Although the software does have process support for Contextual Design in it, and through the CDTools Resource website, you do not have to be using the Contextual Design method.

Q. I already capture my data in word processing, spreadsheet, and diagramming software. Why do I need CDTools?

CDTools brings all of your data into one integrated environment where you can track customer demographics and interview status, capture interview notes and observations, put your affinity diagram online without reformatting or retyping notes, and publish your affinity to a browser that can be accessed outside of CDTools by anyone. CDTools also lets you easily update, maintain, and re-use your data, not just for your current effort but also for future or related projects.

Q. What does it mean that CDTools lets you publish your data to a browser?

CDTools’s Publish feature takes your affinity diagram and generates an HTML-based data library that can be provided to anyone who has a browser like Internet Explorer or Netscape. The Publish feature does not require a web server or HTML skills to use; CDTools does the work. Once published in the browser, you can make your data and findings available to anyone who needs access.

Q. I'm familiar with Contextual Design. Does CDTools support the entire Contextual Design process?

The initial version of CDTools supports interpretation session notes and the affinity diagram — the two most-widely used pieces of the Contextual Design process.

Q. Did InContext use Contextual Design to create CDTools?

Of course! The product was designed by InContext using the entire Contextual Design process. Our beta testing also involved Contextual Inquiry interviewing.

Use By Distributed Teams

Q. Our teams are based in different locations. Can we use CDTools in distributed meetings?

Assuming you are using some kind of online meeting application, you can use CDTools in that environment. For interpretation sessions, everyone in the meeting can participate and observe what is being captured in the Notes session by the designated notetaker. For bringing the affinity diagram online, multiple people can be working at the same time as long as they do not attempt to create the same labels. Once the data is published, you can make it available to anyone.

Pricing, Licensing, and Ordering

Q. How much does CDTools cost?

US $750 per licensed installation.

Q. How does the licensing work?

When you install, the software will be installed to your specific CPU. Each person who wants to use CDTools on his or her computer must have purchased a license. Part of the installation process includes license activation, which you receive from InContext at that time.

Q. If I upgrade my computer, do I have to buy another license?

At installation, CDTools is installed to the computer’s CPU. If that same computer is upgraded, the license remains in effect and there’s no need to contact InContext. If you acquire a new computer, you will need to contact InContext to remove CDTools from your initial computer, and then install and transfer the license to your new computer.

Q. How does maintenance work?

Your CDTools purchase includes one year of maintenance. Maintenance consists of any product version updates to the product. Product version updates are defined as a fix or enhancement to the product and are generally downloadable. Product upgrades — the purchase of a new version of CDTools for existing owners — are not included in maintenance.

Q. Can I get an evaluation copy?

You can download a limited-time trial copy. The trial starts once you install and activate the software.

Q. Is there a special program for educational pricing?

Call InContext at 1-888-892-0800 (1-978-823-0100) to discuss.

Q. How do I order CDTools?

You can either order from our website (download or shipments) or by calling InContext at 1-888-892-0800 (1-978-823-0100).

Technical Questions

Q. What are the system requirements?

Q. What kind of database does CDTools use?

CDTools uses a Microsoft Access database and distributes a run-time Access database.

Q. Do I need to have Access installed to use CDTools?

No. CDTools distributes a run-time Access database.

Q. Can I open the CDTools databases in Access?

No. Because CDTools needs the database to stay in the precise CDTools format, the CDTools databases cannot be opened directly in Microsoft Access.

Q. If I want to publish my data to a browser, which browsers are supported?

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or higher, or Netscape 7.1 or higher.

Q. Can I import my existing data into CDTools?

Yes. You can import individual user notes and completed affinity diagrams in word processing files. In both cases, you must have them formatted with styles recognized by CDTools. You cannot import spreadsheets or other formats. CDTools provides a .dot template file with the supported styles.

Q. Once my affinity diagram is in CDTools, can I print it out to put it back on the wall?

Yes. You can export to either an .RTF format (for word processing) or Microsoft Visio 2000 or higher. You must have Visio already installed on the computer with CDTools for the export to be successful. The Visio file is in a wall format, and in the export you can specify your paper size (ranging in size from 8.5 x 11 to a plotter) for the best layout. The Visio layout will look like an affinity wall. You can also adjust the layout when in Visio.

In the case of the .RTF format, CDTools provides a .dot template you can use to apply styles in a word processing document, so the hierarchy of the affinity is represented in a format that resembles an outline when printed.

Q. Can I make my affinity look like it did on my paper wall? I want the labels to be in the same location.

If you have Microsoft Visio installed on your computer (Visio does not come with CDTools) you can export to Visio. Once in Visio, your affinity will lay out as though it was on a wall. If you want to further adjust the layout so it exactly matches your wall, you can do that in Visio.

Q. Can multiple people work simultaneously in the same project database?

Yes, but with some limitations. Multiple people should not attempt to capture notes for the same user simultaneously; however, they can be capturing notes for different users.

When typing in the affinity, multiple people can be working at the same time as long as they do not attempt to create the same labels. If they do, only the last action of the last person will be saved. The best way for multiple people to work at the same time is to assign specific user notes or affinity wall sections to each person. If you are working over a network, you can expect some decrease in performance.

Q. Can CDTools be installed on a server?

No. Your project database can be housed on the server and accessed by multiple people, but the CDTools software cannot be installed on the server.