Version 8 features?

[Jason]

Re: Version 8 features?

I finally broke down and purchase V7 desktop after going back to using msAscces. I have A5V6, but had gone back to V5 since is ran better and used fewer resources. My biggest gripe is that V7 offered almost nothing for the desktop application developer and it appears that V8 will do the same thing unless they actually re-write the browse control. Alpha should have released the web version as a totally separate application and left the desktop alone until (or should I say if) enough enhancements are added to justify a major release. The desktop purchase was basically just a dentation of funds to Alpha for the ability to get new patches. Judging by the "special" pricing that never ends, sales of V7 must not be that good in spite of the ad saying that the sale pricing stays in effect because of the great success it has had. Supply and demand shoots that theory down.

This should be in the wish list, but along with the brows, a better way of handling libraries and code grouping would be a wise move also. Also separating the table from the sets in the database window would be nice.

There! I haven't grumbled for a few weeks now so it's out of my system for the time being.

How can you say version 8 will do the same as Alpha hasn't released any real info on version 8 yet. Plus, Alpha has said once that version 8 is a feature rich and major upgrade with a lot of emphasis on DESKTOP features. Give them a chance before you down any new releases.

Jason

[Lance Gurd]

Re: Version 8 features?

I have found some details of dynamic tree controls in the current help file that will be implemented in version 8. Copied the code from the help file entered it in version 7 and it worked. therefore not a new feature just a help file item that shows us how to use an existing unpublished feature?

[Thontlb]

Re: Version 8 features?

I said it "appearers" that way because most of the v8 features I've heard about are web-oriented. Point #2: just did that with v\7 I go by their track record which was good from DOS 1-4. V1,2 for Windows were thievery. #3 was usable, 4 was a solid app, 4.5 a rip, 5 great , 6, a feature or two for xdialog, 7 a donation to Alpha. Swelen said 8 would be "feature rich" with desktop changes, but no one seems to know what they might be. They said V6 and 7 were upgrades. V7 may have been, for the 25% of the users coding for the web. I buy a lot of software. The vast majority of the upgrades are warranted for both the user and the developer's coffers. There was nothing about V7 that made coding, debugging of the db better oraninize. Nothing that would save me time or add anything to my app. The times when a package goes off in a different direction, they change the name and target users that want the new program. I've watched the progreesion (and death) of most majoe databases, and A5 v5 was one of the best out there at the time. V6 & 7 are no worse than 5 (other than eating up all of the system resources), but I must say that Alpha has had the worst weries of upgrade of anything I've ever used. And don't go saying it's only 129 bucks. I can get a very fine uprade of Access 2003 for 99 bucks and can find a dozen forums like this one that even categorize their subjects so you can find what you're lookin for.

[mronck]

Re: Version 8 features?

I think a lot of the features for V7 indeed were for the webapplication part of Alpha Five. Where however it was not the case either that no new features were introduced for the desktop application at all, major point that I would like to make is that of influence to what you get out of V7 for the desktop partly is a matter of creativity.

The case is, that V7 brings huge and major advantages to the desktop application, if you can see them.

I am referring to the possibility introduced in V7 to create thin client applications that for the very first time in Alpha Five's history introduces the possiblity to create native client-server applications to be run on the desktop.

You could create a desktop application with webcomponent techniques starting from V7 that will let your customer benefit from:

• No more shadow creation and maintenance
• No need for thick clients thus hardware savings for the customer
• No need for runtime installations, thus licensing savings
• No more network optimization issues
• No need for even Windows Terminal or Citrix solutions

So to say that there are no benefits in V7 for the desktop application is a major collision with the truth. It is just in the perception and interpretation of the tools handed to you what benefit you can gain from it.

You could even create hybrid applications where the strong parts of the one world can be implemented without losing the strong parts of the other world, just as the situation asks for.

You could even implement an active-x object on a form, create a webcomponent and run it into the active-x object and doing that, get rid of the embedded browse by your own thinking instead of by keeping complaining about it, knowing it is already said lots of times that getting rid of that embedded browse would take redesigning a huge and major part of the desktop application. You can do it yourself as well by using the tools differently. Remember a webapplication is not obliged to run on the web.........

As always, it is the creativity of the developer that creates the application, not exclusively the tools handed to him.
V7 from my point of view was a huge improvement on both sides of the programming world.....

Kind regards,

[trackmanpete]

Re: Version 8 features?

So what is your point? My impression of this forum is that we can come to it to ask for help, learn some new tricks and read how others solve issues in developing a program. Having you rant in two different postings about the shortcomings of Alpha past, present and FUTURE really makes me want to go back to Access or better yet, Filemaker Pro.. I don't think so.

Please, if you don't like Alpha Five, move on and let the rest of us struggle on. As for my own short experience of almost a year, I have been able to build a few databases that work, plain and simple. I could not do that very well in Access in the same amount of time (and I was being paid to do that). The web site you listed for Access help didn't impress me. I like the people and their generosity in helping solve problems on this site compared to the short, curt answers I have found on Access sites.

The object of Alpha Five is to make money. Software companies that don't upgrade their product have two choices, go out of business or create other software. I congratulate Alpha Five on their efforts and look forward to seeing what Version 8 will feature.

[smrogers]

Re: Version 8 features?

I ditto TrackmanPete, with one asterisk -- I think ALpha wants to here the rantings, good or bad; it's the only way they can get true perceptions of how the users feel about their product and fix what they can.

[Bob Arbuthnot]

Re: Version 8 features?

Terry Bryan,

Why do you keep coming back to Alpha5? Apparently you became fed up with them some time ago and you keep singing the praises of Access, I'm just curious why you even waste your time posting your unhappiness on this board?

BA

[Rayr]

Re: Version 8 features?

I think a lot of the features for V7 indeed were for the webapplication part of Alpha Five. Where however it was not the case either that no new features were introduced for the desktop application at all, major point that I would like to make is that of influence to what you get out of V7 for the desktop partly is a matter of creativity.

The case is, that V7 brings huge and major advantages to the desktop application, if you can see them.

I am referring to the possibility introduced in V7 to create thin client applications that for the very first time in Alpha Five's history introduces the possiblity to create native client-server applications to be run on the desktop.

You could create a desktop application with webcomponent techniques starting from V7 that will let your customer benefit from:

• No more shadow creation and maintenance
• No need for thick clients thus hardware savings for the customer
• No need for runtime installations, thus licensing savings
• No more network optimization issues
• No need for even Windows Terminal or Citrix solutions

So to say that there are no benefits in V7 for the desktop application is a major collision with the truth. It is just in the perception and interpretation of the tools handed to you what benefit you can gain from it.

You could even create hybrid applications where the strong parts of the one world can be implemented without losing the strong parts of the other world, just as the situation asks for.

You could even implement an active-x object on a form, create a webcomponent and run it into the active-x object and doing that, get rid of the embedded browse by your own thinking instead of by keeping complaining about it, knowing it is already said lots of times that getting rid of that embedded browse would take redesigning a huge and major part of the desktop application. You can do it yourself as well by using the tools differently. Remember a webapplication is not obliged to run on the web.........

As always, it is the creativity of the developer that creates the application, not exclusively the tools handed to him.
V7 from my point of view was a huge improvement on both sides of the programming world.....

Kind regards,

Hi Marcel,
How would I create a webcomponent and run it into the active-x object and doing that, get rid of the embedded browse?

I dont know if this would be more trouble then its worth, I think we all have come to count on Alpha Five having the tools to get the job done without having to purchase 3rd party components and we would like to see them upgrade some of the weaker tools like the (browse) to make this an even better product.

I can go back 3+ years on this board and find ref to the browse being upgraded, the time is now for all of us that has been following this browse problem.

[x-itec]

Re: Version 8 features?

I personally think that v7 should be more bug-free before releasing any new version, sorry saying so. I will report some bugs with videos soon and hope to get them fixed.

[Lance Gurd]

Re: Version 8 features?

Every morning I look at this board, and my inbox, hoping that a beta of version 8 has been made available as I cant wait to get rid of the major bug of v5,6&7 the browse!

Lets just hope Selwin's summer is not too long!

[mronck]

Re: Version 8 features?

It is not that difficult.
Open a form, draw an active-x component area, select the IE Webbrowser object, set its parameters to the a5w page you have created with the right component, and you are all set. You would need some basics covered though, like running the WAS.

Kind regards,

[Rayr]

Re: Version 8 features?

It is not that difficult.
Open a form, draw an active-x component area, select the IE Webbrowser object, set its parameters to the a5w page you have created with the right component, and you are all set. You would need some basics covered though, like running the WAS.

Kind regards,

Hi Marcel,
So I would have to run WAS for my desktop application for the new browse to work?

[Rayr]

Re: Version 8 features?

Every morning I look at this board, and my inbox, hoping that a beta of version 8 has been made available as I cant wait to get rid of the major bug of v5,6&7 the browse!

Lets just hope Selwin's summer is not too long!

Lance,
ether Selwyn summer will be longer then everyone else or their will be no public beta the way I see it because beta testing takes longer then one or two months.

[mronck]

Re: Version 8 features?

Hi Marcel,
So I would have to run WAS for my desktop application for the new browse to work?

Rayr,

To be precise: there is no new browse. What I meant was to give an idea how one could create a new solution to the old embedded browse problem by himself without having to wait for the final solution from Alpha Software, using technology at hand.

This could be done by implementing a web component into a desktop application, thus creating a hybrid form, containing partly desktop technology, and partly web component technology.

Of course, to take advantage of the features of web component technology you should have the technology itself available..... thus: if you were to work with hybrid applications, you need access to the functionalities of both worlds. I.e. have the WAS running.

Remember, that a hybrid application can mean much, much more then only this example. The example I gave was just an idea to solve problems by workaround rather then keeping stuck with it.

Kind regards,

Marcel

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: Version 8 features?

I personally think that v7 should be more bug-free before releasing any new version, sorry saying so. I will report some bugs with videos soon and hope to get them fixed.

To paraphrase our illustrious Secratry of Defense:
"Sometimes you have to develop with the database you have, not the database you wish you had."

Be realistic!