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Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0

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    #31
    RE: Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0

    Somebody send McDonnel a "get well" card

    Comment


      #32
      RE: Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0

      Hello,

      I really shook the tree with my issues, eh?

      Okay, this is precisely what I want:

      1) I want Alpha to work the way I expect it to. I mean:
      a) more intuitive interface, ease of use, flexability
      b) fewer bugs, contrary methods to achieve desire results

      2) I want to get off the fence and re-commit to Alpha and NOT use Access (which I've never enjoyed) or anything else.

      I'm going to evaluate 5.0 shortly, so please don't demand any decisions of me until after I have fully considered it. To blow me off into Access might bring peace back to the kingdom, but that's not the right answer.

      Deep down, I believe that Alpha CAN pissibly do it, just holding them to that task. If I didn't feel passionately about it, I wouldn't be responding to every message now would I?

      As to DOS simplicity, we all know the obvious limitations of working in that environment. But...

      The comment was made to illustrate the fact that Alpha DOS was so simple and powerful (for it's time) that you could pretty much program or make modifications in one's sleep!

      Then with the Windows iterations, we had no flow or logic as to accomplish these very same tasks. The "Genies" had taken the wrong kind of mushrooms and took you down strange paths instead of true guidance. Sit and wait....

      I appreciate all the work the Alpha community has done in my extended absence to make the products better. Now I am preparing to roll up my sleeves and be constructive over the long term once again.

      It'll take me 2 years to catch up the messages alone! Tim

      Comment


        #33
        RE: Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0

        It's very impersonal to use the last name, right Herrold?

        Hold the Get Well card until I've reviewed the 5.0 software and reported my findings.

        Actually I've never felt better. I've been listened to and given the opportunity I was seeking....

        Comment


          #34
          RE: Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0

          Also helps if you spell the name right.

          Comment


            #35
            RE: Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0


            Sorry to raise the issue yet again, but at the risk of sounding both juvenile and somewhat jaded, I would like to ask why the upgrade is $299, and yet the full purchase is only $50 more?

            I, like so many of us, started using the Alpha database software when it was available only for the Dos platform. It's so long ago, now, that I've forgotten which version I first purchased.

            At the time, I had no preconceptions of how good (or bad) the product was. There was no such thing as a "try before you buy" version. I took a leap of faith based upon two things: a magazine review that absolutely revered it's power and versatility, and, perhaps more importantly, it's price.

            I continued purchasing upgrades as they were offered (not religiously, mind you), moving up to the windows platform to my present version (A5v4.03).

            With the release of version 4.5, I decided to take a wait and see stance, given the higher upgrade price. With this new pricing scheme, I fear that I may have purchased my last upgrade.

            I suppose that what I'm leading to, is my frustration at having a once reasonably priced database turn from its roots as a database for the masses to, in my limited perception, a product only larger companies can afford to maintain.

            At any rate, I apologize for the rant.

            Grant.

            Comment


              #36
              RE: Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0

              Grant,
              At one point I thought the price was a little high, but after you useit for awhile I have a different opinion. I think you have to look at the time savings versus using another program and put a value on your time. I'm not a programmer but use Alpha products more as a hobby. At the same time I run a business with Alpha 4 and am switching to A5. I could NEVER do what I can do in Alpha with access or any other product out there that I have seen. Alpha 5 is really easy to use. Much better than v4. If you look at it this way it starts to look rather inexpensive. For me my time is worth a lot.
              The more money alpha makes on this the more they can spend on development of even better stuff to come. I guess it all works out in the end. I do think though that there should be a version for about $50 that is lacking some functionality. The price now is sure to scare away some people who won't spend the money to see what a fine product it is. A really low priced version would attract a lot more first time users, many of whom would upgrade to the full version. (Ala Turbocad)
              Spend the money and use it for a few weeks, then see if you still feel the same way. If so you have 30 days to get your money back. I think you'll keep it though.

              Russ

              Comment


                #37
                RE: Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0

                $145 buys version 4.5. There is no way they could sell even a piece of V5 for $50.

                Bill
                Bill Hanigsberg

                Comment


                  #38
                  RE: Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0

                  All along (I started developing under A4... 1992), it's been my opinion that Alpha 4, and A5 (up through 4.5) offered far and away the most productivity in terms of bang-for-buck and especially results/hour! I've always felt that Alpha offered a far better product than the price indicated... I even believed that potential corporate buyers might see the low price and think 'That must just be some toy database.'

                  When I saw V5's price my first thought was 'I knew that wouldn't last forever'. My second thought was 'At least I know it's worth it.' As far as the guy who writes the checks... convincing him only took 'You can email reports without leaving Alpha.'

                  peace and wierdness,
                  Bob Emery

                  Comment


                    #39
                    RE: Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0

                    Everyone,

                    I got 3 emails today that the upgrade/pricing subject was alive again, so here we are once again.

                    Been travelling solid for weeks and haven't put the V5.0 through all it's paces yet.

                    When I have some vacation time next week, the plan is to modify a 4.5 application and import a huge DOS text delimited file and see how that goes as well.

                    So no major comments yet, but what I've seen so far puts a smile on my face. Version 5.0 looks to be a major player, having made a leap to the big time.

                    I did have a couple baffling error msgs (opening "new" 4.5 file with 5.0) but will sort through them before further comment. Will post what I can ASAP....

                    Regards, Tim

                    Comment


                      #40
                      RE: Upgrade from Version 4.5 to 5.0

                      I have a lot of the same objections to the cost and the rebate issue. I don't seem to have the e-mail with my order # on it (and I save everything!) so I'm not sure how to get my rebate. But since I'm having several bothersome problems, I'm not sure I'm keeping it anyway. The install said it worked perfectly, but when I load the books, I get an error message saying there's a problem with CMap/Encoding with a font. The examples, for example, don't display.
                      Okay, I went past that and tried to use the Import genie. Even though the help file says it's on the CD, I get a message I have to use IE v4.something and since I don't have it, the installation is cancelled. How lovely! Because it's an Access file, I can't use the regular import, I have to use the genie. I waited all this time, had V4.5 dangled in front of me with the hope of problems solved in the next release, and this is what I get. I am not happy at all.

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