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Another open Letter To Alpha

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    Another open Letter To Alpha

    This may be somewhat of a repeat of my earlier comments, but I think they are worth saying again.

    I still think a "Hands On Tutorial" something similar to the "Video Professor" product would be one of the best investments Alpha could make for people to try A5.

    According to the commercials I have seen on TV, you would simply install and launch A5. Then you would put the tutorial CD in the computer and follow the on screen instructions. It would show people how to make a DBF in A5...how to build and index....etc...etc. and ALL ON SCREEN. You can rewind and play as many times as required. The benefit here is you can learn each phase before going on to the next.

    It's all done "on screen and hands on" instead of having to slog through the high tech typed documentation that comes with A5. I think alot of people just need to be shown the basics.

    I think the on screen tutorial is a great idea. I would pay extra for a product like this. Maybe then more A4 users would at least try the A5 product.

    Let's face it. I have purchased A5....Alot of other A4 users have purchased A5 and we don't have the time for a learning curve. Most consider A5 as a very costly small frisby.

    With this on screen tutorial, learning the basics could be done in an afternoon. The CD could even be broken into 2 parts. 1) Show basics for new users. 2) more detailed stuff to learn later.

    Which would be more expensive, upgrading A4 to a Windoz A4, or creating this tutorial CD?

    If you don't want to make the Tutorial CD, we are waiting for our Windoz A4

    RS



    #2
    RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

    See if this is any help.

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

      Here's the url for Alpha Five vers. 2 FAQ, almost all of which still pertain to vers. 4. This site contains all the 'how to's' you mention, and dozens more.

      http://www.alphasoftware.com/support/tech/alpha5/v2faq.asp

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

        Thanks fellas...I will have a look.

        RS

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

          Hi Rick-

          No official statements (or promises) here, but with the release of Alpha Five version 5, you might find something like what you're asking for here in your post...

          -Brenden

          Brenden Cobb
          Alpha Software

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

            Thanks Brendon

            When is this A5v5 coming out? I will give it a lengthly look over.

            I fear, however, that no matter how easy A5v5 is, alot of people will still want to continue with A4.

            If there was a simple (magic button) transfer of all DBF files, scripts, indexes, forms, letters and reports, things may be different. More people would transfer across.

            I look at all my Applications, sets, forms, reports, letters etc etc, and I fear I am looking at a daunting task.

            Another thing when it comes to the business end. WE TRUST A4. I know that sounds funny, but when I print a certain document (running numerous scripts and variables), I know that A4 will do the job faithfully/completely and without me having to worry whether end product is correct. That is because I have used A4 for 10 years.

            It will take some time before I would give that kind of trust to a freshly designed new program (especially when you are not sure of what you are doing).

            If I were you guys at Alpha, I WOULD NOT GIVE UP ON A WINDOZ A4. There are alot of A4 users out there in the same boat as me. We A4 users have spent 10 years or longer building lengthly, complicated applications that would probably take further years to equate in A5.

            A Windoz A4 would be the simplest to use, and (with a few upgrades) will continue to give what the business people need for the future. There are many, many A4 users that simply will not change to A5. A Windoz A4v99 would be nice.

            I said I will look at A5v5 (and I will give it a thorough lookover), but if it doesn't work for me, I will certainly let you guys know.

            RS

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

              Hi Rick,

              For the last month I've been trying to migrate an Alpha 4 application to Alpha 5v4.5. I figure it's going to take me at least 3 more months if I'm lucky to complete this task.

              My sole motivation is just to learn Alpha 5. So far there has been nothing that I have done in Alpha 5 that was any harder to do in Alpha 4.

              To this date, I actually like the user interface of Alpha 4 better than Alpha 5. As of today, the only thing I like better about Alpha 5 is the ability to print a specific page of a multi page report.

              This process gives me the feeling like I'm repeating a year of schooling. Last year I learned a subject in French, and this year I'm learning the same subject in Latin.

              Well, complaining about Alpha 5 is like cursing the dark. At this point though, I would gladly purchase Alpha 4v8 for windows.

              Ron
              Alpha 5 Version 11
              AA Build 2999, Build 4269, Current Build
              DBF's and MySql
              Desktop, Web on the Desktop and WEB

              Ron Anusiewicz

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

                Thanks Ron.

                I thought (and still do think) that an on screen tutorial would work the best for A5. I said I would have a look at A5v5 when it comes out, and I am a man of my word.

                However, then I took a look at what I had in A4.

                It has taken me years of adding things, revamping, tweeking the system, etc to get to the final product I have today. I don't have that much time left to start a new program from scratch.

                There is no magic one button transfer from A4 from A5. It takes quite a bit of time just as you are pointing out and that's after you learn the program well enough to be confident in doing so.

                I still think that a Windoz A4 is the best solution. It would compliment..and not compete against A5.

                RS

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

                  Rick,

                  How can you keep making statements to which you have no facts?

                  "Alot of other A4 users have purchased A5 and we don't have the time for a learning curve. Most consider A5 as a very costly small frisby."

                  Now there's a slam that should offend even Alpha, it does me!!! Ya don't like A5 (and there's things I don't like about it) but please don't keep playing the broken record. Let it be. When v5 comes out, see if it's to you're liking. If not, that's cool. It will not be for everybody.

                  kenn (:>>)

                  P.S. Rick, I'm one of those A4 users and I certainly don't consider A5 to be "a very costly small frisby"!!
                  TYVM :) kenn

                  Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

                    Kenn

                    You seem to get nastier and nastier as the days go by.

                    I did say I was going to look at A5.

                    We A4 supporters will let it be when we have our Windoz A4.

                    All you have to do is look on the A4 is it worth it string to no where I am coming from...and I do consider a computer CD program a costly small frisby If I can't use it.

                    Maybe A5v5 will change my mind.

                    RS

                    Comment


                      #11
                      RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

                      Is this the same Rick Sloan who was arguing in a previous thread that A4 does everything he needs it to do and that A5 can't do anything valuable enough to make learning it worth his time?

                      What exactly would you like A4v8 to do that A4v7 can't do? Is there some hint in your desire for a version 8 of A4 that A4 DOESN'T do everything you need?

                      Comment


                        #12
                        RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

                        paul-
                        A4v7 could use a windows driver for the typeset print mode. bill

                        Comment


                          #13
                          RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

                          Hi Paul

                          I started this string to perhaps assist Alpha in marketing their A5 product with an on screen tutorial and that's all.

                          Yes you are right that A4 does everything I need. All you have to do is read the other string "A4v7 is it worth it" to find out what A4 needs to be perfect.

                          There are a handful of you guys in this forum that really like and use A5. You can see yourselves on the other strings (look at "A4v7 is it worth it" and "An open letter to Alpha"). See how these strings develop. I'm sorry to say, but you people don't win any of the arguments.

                          I made no bones about saying I would try A5 in those strings. I said I would.

                          I will either be a convert or I will have even more ammunition to carry on the fight for a WinA4v8.

                          RS

                          Comment


                            #14
                            RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

                            RS,

                            That's not what you said. Your statement, "Most consider A5 as a very costly small frisby." really says that most people consider A5 to be nothing more than a very costly frisbee.

                            By accusing me of being "nasty and nastier", you're taking this to a very personal level. That's not good. I�ve not referred to you with personnel adjectives so please refrain.

                            You also seem to want the last word so I�m not going to respond any further. When you respond to this, please think about the use of your words before making reference to others ("We A4 supporters...") or about products you know nothing about. Are you sure all A4 users share your opinion? Do you speak for the folks who use both A5 and A4?

                            Adios,

                            kenn

                            P.S. You missed the point that Paul was trying to make.
                            TYVM :) kenn

                            Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              RE: Another open Letter To Alpha

                              Ken,

                              When Rick mentioned "frisby" he WAS speaking for himself. Do a search on this message board for "frisby". The earliest article having "frisby" is from 12/29/01 23:05. The following sentence is copied & pasted from that message from Rick.

                              "To me it was/is a low cost frisby."

                              Looks to me like he's speaking for himself there and not anybody else.

                              Mike
                              Thank you,
                              Mike Konoff

                              Comment

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