Sometimes when I go into a spec and add/change something in there, I come up with and error message when I try to save. Is this because there is someone else working in the model using the spec at the time? That's the only thing I could come up with. Is this typical? Just seems like a lot of wasted time making everyone get out all the time so I can save off what I've done....
Correct!
If you open the project first (you don"t even have to open the model) than the P3D locks the spec files.
I usually open the spec files first with the spec editor, than I run the P3D.
Than it is no problem to save on it when I make changes..
Make two copies of the spec, one in a Master folder, and the main one in a Working folder, for example.
Create/edit your Master specs, then during lunch or the end of the day (if you can) over-write the Working folder specs.
You can also do what we do here which is give the designers read only access to your spec folder. We happen to have one common location for all specs. This way I can open them and edit them whenever I need to with out having everyone get out of the project. I wish I could do this with the Project setup as well :). At any rate, there is a rare instance when I have to give a designer write permission (like migrating a project from 2013 to 2014) but it's easy enough to do.