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Alpha Training

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    Alpha Training

    I've been developing an Alpha 5 web application for the past couple years. I'm not a programmer, but rather an educator working in a school and community non-profit.

    I'd like to speed up the Alpha 5 learning curve, so that I can more quickly do what needs to be done - in developing the application and mining the data.

    We were recently awarded a grant to help pay for some professional development.

    Is the best way to spend those funds to go to the national conference or some other way? (I basically have enough to cover my expenses to attend the conference - no more.)

    Any feedback is appreciated.

    Thanks much.

    Alex Steinman

    #2
    Re: Alpha Training

    MAN, this is an open ended question for sure!

    One suggestion is to make a list of questions or issues you feel would make your learning the most beneficial.

    Alpha Software is also offering a Mentoring Program. So you could purchase some mentoring time and use you list of questions.

    You could also start with a few questions from your list right here on this message board. This message board is fantastic!

    The conference is great for a lot of information in a very short time frame. Plus you will meet many users and developers that will be glad to help and share a lot of information.

    The books are also useful and provide for a nice reference.

    Basically there are a number of paths to travel, but IMHO it all begins with a list of questions, so you don't waste time learning what you already know.... unless you want the review.
    Dan

    Dan Blank builds Databases
    Skype: danblank

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Alpha Training

      Excellent advice, Dan.

      I'll begin working on my list.

      I'll likely go the route of contracting with an expert to mentor me.

      Thanks for responding to my question.

      Alex

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Alpha Training

        Hi I recently purchased some mentoring, And so far I can tell you that was a waste of money. If what I got is the norm, I will stick to the message board. For 2 hours I got about 6 lines of code that doesn't work on my live server. Stick to all the great help on this message board.
        Chad Brown

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Alpha Training

          I agree with making a list and posting it here. You'd probably have 20 guys descend upon you with various specific suggestions and education.

          Hate to throw water on the resources, but the available books are "ok", but pretty rote in nature. Peter's books are technically advanced, but not really a "how to get there" approach. The "conference" does not exist any more; its been converted to a straight training seminar. The education I hear is at a good level, but don't expect to see too many advanced developers there. Anything by Workings is worth the money and time, he's the best trainer in our camp, but its group training so will have some limitations on addressing your more specific issues.
          Steve Wood
          See my profile on IADN

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Alpha Training

            Alex

            I am just getting started with Alpha Five, coming from a Filemaker background. I too, live in Columbus, Ohio.

            Is there a User Group in the Columbus area? I would love to learn more about the program and was sort of hoping that might be a group in the area!

            Best wishes on spending your training money....what a nice problem to have!

            Thanks
            Greg Taylor

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Alpha Training

              I would recommend contacting Intellectual Business Solutions they have great books which contain step by step examples that are easy to follow. I've also attended various conferences in the past and I really find them interesting and educational. People of all different skill levels attend so including expert developers.
              David Brown

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Alpha Training

                Thanks Dave for the post. We just released our Building Web Applications Level 2 Learning Guide which has intermediate to advanced content for going further with building web applications using Alpha Five. Here's our listing about it:

                BUILDING WEB APPLICATIONS IN ALPHA FIVE JUST GOT EASIER!!
                Intellectual Business Solutions is pleased to announce the release of our
                Building Web Applications Level 2 Learning Guide

                Here's what's inside...
                - Set up and implement advanced security for an application.
                - Create and work with user registration dialogs.
                - Filter data in components using arguments.
                - Get tips for using Xbasic code and programming on the web.
                - Create web pages that use "Includes".
                - Create and work with request variables.
                - Create components which can be modified at runtime.
                - Set common overrides for components.
                - Create Freeform regions on pages and in components.
                - Create a complete page using a single Freeform.
                - Build a web page without a component (hand-code a page).
                - Create an AJAX-enabled web page.
                - Use AJAX and JavaScript to enhance web application performance.
                - Create a dialog which integrates with Google Maps.
                - Create a dialog to run reports from the web.
                - Create a dialog to allow users to upload files to the server.
                - and much more.

                Complete with:
                • Step-by-step learning
                • Undocumented Alpha Five features & functions
                • Real-world examples
                • Over 400 fully-illustrated pages


                Buy it now at our
                online store


                You can purchase this learning guide and other Alpha Five v9 titles. There are five (5) titles in this series! Choose from our pre-set book bundles or create your own bundle and save.

                View the Outline

                A value that goes way beyond price.

                Intellectual Business Solutions, Inc.
                Visit our website
                Valerie Simpkins
                Intellectual Business Solutions, Inc.�
                Business Intelligence for Intelligent Business�
                301-249-3400
                [email protected]
                www.intellectualbusinesssolutions.com

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Alpha Training

                  Hi Valerie,
                  Any chance of getting your latest books as a PDF. In the past I purchased the hard copy books but it would be great to have an option to purchase at a reduced price as a download and also not have to pay for freight to places outside the US.

                  I have purchased most of the download PDF books for V9 from Liberty Manuals as they are less than a third of the price and I save even more by not having to pay freight to Australia.

                  Just a thought

                  Murray

                  Comment

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