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Bonus TIPS for Successful Posting

Try a Search First
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Did I just buy too soon?

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    Did I just buy too soon?

    I just purchased Alpha5 Unlimited Runtime this weekend (Before reading through all of these posts). Did I just make a critical blunder and buy yesterday's software at today's prices? I've worked with Alpha4 for years and FINALLY decided to step up to something a bit more modern. Does Alpha have a policy for free or greatly reduced pricing for those of us who 'just missed the boat'?

    Thank You

    #2
    RE: Did I just buy too soon?

    I hear the price of V5 will be approx $300, $150 upgrade - if you just paid $130, you will not have lost a dime...

    Other tahn that I can't really help you, except to say there is the new V5 scheduled for release in March or so, and then there was talk of a version 4.5 release in January (which it now is...) I would like BOTH as the 4.5 will have fixes for bugs that get in my face with version 4.03 build 230 (is this the version they still ship?). I also have the unlimited run time...

    Financially I doubt you have stepped in it...but as a practical matter you at least can get to work with something that will let you get used to the new environment. It seems the windows environment is significantly different from DOS and Alpha Five also - those transfering stumble a bit. But it's probably better to stumble a bit now with what is an excellent product, and be ready for V5 when it is released. Maybe you can at least get a free/cheap version 4.5 upgrade?

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Did I just buy too soon?

      I agree with Stephen.
      Going from the DOS version to the Windows version wasn't very easy and took a little getting used to. I've found usually the things that are worthwhile aren't always easy. It clearly was worthwhile in this situation.
      I think your timing was probably pretty good. You now have a couple months to become familiar with the Windows version. When the new version is released you should be near the top of the learning curve and will have benefitted from the timing of the purchase for that reason.

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Did I just buy too soon?

        Thank you Anthony and Stephen,

        I still have my doubts though. You see, I was not allowed to 'upgrade' from the single-user veriosn of A4 to the Unlimited Runtime version of A5. I'm on the hook for just under seven bills for the software and accompanying manuals.
        And then I hear that the 'engine' used in A5V6 will be completely 'new and improved'. Does this mean that it will continue to use xbasic? If so, I probably won't mind paying $500 or $1,000 for the next upgrade. If not, failure to warn putential customers of upcoming radical changes is not only unethical, it's also irresponsible.

        Perhaps my fears would be lessened if the FTP sites containing the files that describe the new release would allow me a reasonable download speed. I run on a T-1 at home and a fractional T-3 at work and being limited to download speeds in the 1.3K to 2.7K range lead me to believe that a MUCH larger backpipe is needed.

        Who knows? Maybe I'll be overjoyed when my software bundle finally arrives. Until then, I'm holding my breath and wondering if *I* made a mistake.

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Did I just buy too soon?

          The runtime package is an add-on, not an upgrade. All who bought it also bought the stand alone version.

          Those who have been beta testing version five say that version four stuff runs fine under version five. You gain additional capabilities under version five.

          Alpha Five is not perfect software. Once you get past the learning curve, it will allow you to do more in less time than any other database product I know of. That doesn't prevent me from wishing it had features it doesn't, but the good news is that the Alpha people have been listening to their customers and have been adding many of the things people have asked for.

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