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ISO Recommendation about learning

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    ISO Recommendation about learning

    Hello - I started Saturday with the trial, and am going thru videos and the wiki tutorials. I'm looking for recommendations in terms of learning sequence. I feel very comfortable with the A5 interface and am confident that I'll make progress.

    I am not a developer; I learned SQL (with a mentor) because Excel wasn't cutting it and I wanted to learn a database that could lead towards building a web based application (hopefully being able to market it). I like how easily A5 interfaces with SQL, and hope to link with my stored precedures too.

    I learn best by doing - hands on, diving in - and then going to find the answers. Watching the videos, I'm just jumping all over the place. So I'd like to assign myself a goal, and follow it thru.

    Do you have a recommendation on which way I approach the learning process?

    Option 1. learn to view, add and edit using a small group of related tables (eg, 3 tables, Entity, Contract, Address; yes, addresses are tied to a contract, not directly to the entity]

    Option 2. get comfortable with viewing data via dialogs; I have a lot of instances where I want to see a grid of master records, click on one and see multiple related grids (probably in tabs or accordion containers). Later on, learn and integrate adding new records and editing.

    Option 3. Your recommendation.

    thank you -
    MSQL since 2010
    A5V11 since Feb 2012

    #2
    Re: ISO Recommendation about learning

    I think this post may answer my question on what path to follow.

    Going back to the original post, allow me to use this thread to announce we have put together a nice collection of longer videos at http://alphadevnet.com/video.a5w. They include formal training videos by A5 Masters, Application Showcases, and some are shorter videos covering single subjects.


    there is such an abundance of good information here, but it does seem a bit tricky to know which list of videos/tuts to follow... probably because it's different for everyone and there's no right/wrong way
    MSQL since 2010
    A5V11 since Feb 2012

    Comment


      #3
      Re: ISO Recommendation about learning

      I will reply, but as a user who is just learning the system, miles away from being an expert. Therefore, not a recommendation, just my journey.

      I wanted to convert a Microsoft Access internal database to a marketable, web enabled database for multiple companies based on a subscription model. The base system will be a PostgreSQL backend with Alphafive 11 serving as front end. I have no doubt that Alphafive can handle this.

      I setup the SQL backend first based on the similar setup of the Access system. I then watched video, downloaded Alpha trial editions and attempted to start myself. Coming from a single company Access background has been an tremendous obstacle for me as well as never having had formal database training. Setting up a web enabled system with web security and multi-tenancy is not for the faint of heart. The entire system has to be fundamentally designed correctly from the start if you are pursuing a similar goal.

      I started on my own watching videos and reading this forum and learned enough to be dangerous. After quickly running into road blocks, I then hired Peter Greulich to do some initial setup and programming to get me going, paying particular attention to web security and subscription based logins. I found him through the Independent Alpha Five developers network at http://www.alphadevnet.com/index.a5w as well as the fact that he helped me on this very forum. He did several fantastic screencasts to explain what he had done as well as answering emails after the project completion.

      Then summer came. ( I work at a family landscape company and had to go back to my real job.)

      This winter I then restarted the project and was just not making progress. I then hired Steve Workings and met him for a few days of personal tutorings. He is also an IADN member and is very knowledgeable and a fundamentally great teacher. He is the guy that made many (maybe all?) of the Total Training videos. I believe many of the IADN members will do tutoring/special projects both in-person as well as via web conferencing. Therefore, working with one geographically close isn't really a concern these days.

      The more you bubble diagram or layout your project ahead of time, the better you will be. Watching many of the videos ahead of time is good so you get an idea of what Alpha is capable of. You will discover that there are many different ways to "skin the cat." I do believe in the Apple theory that the interface design is at least as important as the underlying codings and workings. i.e. do you want the user to interact through grids, dialogs, tabbed ui's, accordion controls, tabs, etc. and all through a consistent interface throughout the entire application.

      Anyway, this is my current journey. My knowledge of Microsoft Access has been my biggest handicap. Have to unlearn Access and learn Alpha instead. My other frustration has been learning the command reference system on Alphapedia. My suggestion would be to layout the overall plan, do some initial grid setup and menus, and tutor with someone to get started out on the correct foot and minimize reworking your database.

      Good luck

      Andy

      Comment


        #4
        Re: ISO Recommendation about learning

        Thank you for sharing your journey Andy.

        I know from my experiences learning SQL, that the money spent with my mentor was invaluable. Of course, it may take a while to find the right 'match' in the dating game.

        As I've already spent quite a bit learning SQL, I'm trying to budget how much I'll need to spend learning A5. Your post has helped me with that.

        I need to figure out a way to estimate the amount of money I'll need to spend learning A5, vs the amount of money I'll need to spend for my developer to complete the front end that he's started.
        MSQL since 2010
        A5V11 since Feb 2012

        Comment


          #5
          Re: ISO Recommendation about learning

          Originally posted by MarionT View Post
          Of course, it may take a while to find the right 'match' in the dating game.
          You gotta kiss a lot of frogs, Marion.

          However, when analysing the spend/return/residuals in your project, if you stick with Alpha learning, it will save you time and possible money in the future.
          There are quite a few on the forum (see above post #2) who would be able to assist if you get stuck, but it depends on your business and leisure needs whether you want to devote your time to development or running a business.
          See our Hybrid Option here;
          https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


          Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
          You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: ISO Recommendation about learning

            Originally posted by MarionT View Post
            I think this post may answer my question on what path to follow.

            Going back to the original post, allow me to use this thread to announce we have put together a nice collection of longer videos at http://alphadevnet.com/video.a5w. They include formal training videos by A5 Masters, Application Showcases, and some are shorter videos covering single subjects.


            there is such an abundance of good information here, but it does seem a bit tricky to know which list of videos/tuts to follow... probably because it's different for everyone and there's no right/wrong way
            Marion, I clicked the link you suggested, it asked me to login, and says sign up first, I received a confirmation E-mail, and sent me to the same page, asking me to signup, I don't know the purpose of the page, it always says If you don't have an account visit the sign up page, i did create 50 email address for me to use on the sign up page and I registered and every email that i created, there is a link for me to sign in on every email that i received from iadn, because i think they are requiring more than 1 sign up I registered 50 times but to no avail. My suspect why I can't login was that the page they made was not working,well they are experts How come? or maybe it is not meant to log in, its maybe an advertisement. really Marion, were you able to sign up before? Or maybe it requires some bucks, I saw a free that's why i thought I could get a little info at least.
            Last edited by JetLi; 05-02-2012, 03:31 AM.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: ISO Recommendation about learning

              Jetson -

              RE: IADN Video Library - If you are having trouble setting up your account:
              1. use the contact form (via the link at the top of the site)
              2. call using the indicated phone numbers
              3. write directly to Steve Wood @: [email protected]
              4. Attend one of Steve's free weekly webinars and ask him directly http://www.alphatogo.com/support.a5w...e7c8c1ed2eea20

              I have not paid at all for watching the videos. I'm sure Steve would like to know that the sign-up is not working.


              THe other great, free, resource for videos are those via the Videos Link at the Wiki http://wiki.alphasoftware.com/HomePage


              Many of the same videos (plus some others) are also at YouTube.
              MSQL since 2010
              A5V11 since Feb 2012

              Comment

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