I been following everybody's comments about Alpha 4 and Alpha 5 and some are very interesting. I felt it was time for me to add my two cents.
I don't care how great, pretty, neat or Windows compatible a piece of software is. If I can not manipulate the software to do what I want it to do, then it's about as useful as a car in the desert with an empty gas tank and as valuable as a flat tire.
I've been using Alpha 4 for about 10 years. I've developed a number of applications, some of which I sold with runtime
licenses. No, I'm not a programmer, I'm an airplane pilot. I just tinker with computers in my spare time. The only programming I did was years ago with Quick Basic, that was way too much work. None of my Alpha applications are what I would call simple. They all have multiple sets with bunches of scripts with many calculated and summarized fields. I use many typeset mode reports. I have to say that I'm absolutely amazed at what a non-programmer can develop with Alpha 4. The end user has no idea what is going on behind the scene. My users don't even know
they're using Alpha 4. All of my application are menu driven.
I purchased Alpha 5 ver. 1,3,4 and 4.5. I never was able to do anything with version 1. What little I've done with Alpha 5 has been very slow and painful, although a few times it has been rewarding. I'm not a stupid person, but there is something not right here. If you want to make a simple database, Alpha 5 is fine for the non-programmer. But if I'm going to make something that's USEFUL TO ME, they will need to add a lot more Genie's than they have now.
In my mind the real problem is that the documentation REALLY STINKS. The Xbasic manual appears to be written by programmers for programmers. Everything is simple once you understand it. I've spent hours going around in circles with Xbasic. The user's manual has good examples of basic routines, but it never has any examples for things that I'm trying to do. I remember with one version of Alpha 4, there was an audio tape that had lessons on it. That was great. That's what got me going with Alpha 4.
I'll keep on struggling with Alpha 5, but right now if I need something important, I most likely will make it in Alpha 4. DOS has been dead for a long time. But you know what, I'm glad. Alpha 4 runs better under Windows 98 than it ever did under DOS. You can window the program, cut and paste and even run multiple instances of the program. I'm confident that someone will keep making a DOS like environment that Alpha 4 will be very happy to run in.
As far as printers go, I get the impression that people think they have to have just one printer. I have three printers connected to my computer; a dot matrix, an inkjet and a laser. One to LPT1, one to LPT2 and one to LPT3. And I can have all three printing at the same time, I tried it just to see. I picked up a brand new HP inkjet printer that was DOS compatible for $49.00. I hooked it up LPT2 and it's dedicated to Alpha 4. Printers should not be a
problem, especially now with version 7.
Sorry, I got a little long winded.
Ron
I don't care how great, pretty, neat or Windows compatible a piece of software is. If I can not manipulate the software to do what I want it to do, then it's about as useful as a car in the desert with an empty gas tank and as valuable as a flat tire.
I've been using Alpha 4 for about 10 years. I've developed a number of applications, some of which I sold with runtime
licenses. No, I'm not a programmer, I'm an airplane pilot. I just tinker with computers in my spare time. The only programming I did was years ago with Quick Basic, that was way too much work. None of my Alpha applications are what I would call simple. They all have multiple sets with bunches of scripts with many calculated and summarized fields. I use many typeset mode reports. I have to say that I'm absolutely amazed at what a non-programmer can develop with Alpha 4. The end user has no idea what is going on behind the scene. My users don't even know
they're using Alpha 4. All of my application are menu driven.
I purchased Alpha 5 ver. 1,3,4 and 4.5. I never was able to do anything with version 1. What little I've done with Alpha 5 has been very slow and painful, although a few times it has been rewarding. I'm not a stupid person, but there is something not right here. If you want to make a simple database, Alpha 5 is fine for the non-programmer. But if I'm going to make something that's USEFUL TO ME, they will need to add a lot more Genie's than they have now.
In my mind the real problem is that the documentation REALLY STINKS. The Xbasic manual appears to be written by programmers for programmers. Everything is simple once you understand it. I've spent hours going around in circles with Xbasic. The user's manual has good examples of basic routines, but it never has any examples for things that I'm trying to do. I remember with one version of Alpha 4, there was an audio tape that had lessons on it. That was great. That's what got me going with Alpha 4.
I'll keep on struggling with Alpha 5, but right now if I need something important, I most likely will make it in Alpha 4. DOS has been dead for a long time. But you know what, I'm glad. Alpha 4 runs better under Windows 98 than it ever did under DOS. You can window the program, cut and paste and even run multiple instances of the program. I'm confident that someone will keep making a DOS like environment that Alpha 4 will be very happy to run in.
As far as printers go, I get the impression that people think they have to have just one printer. I have three printers connected to my computer; a dot matrix, an inkjet and a laser. One to LPT1, one to LPT2 and one to LPT3. And I can have all three printing at the same time, I tried it just to see. I picked up a brand new HP inkjet printer that was DOS compatible for $49.00. I hooked it up LPT2 and it's dedicated to Alpha 4. Printers should not be a
problem, especially now with version 7.
Sorry, I got a little long winded.
Ron
Comment