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Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

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    #16
    Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

    Hi Mike
    If you're still out there, I just discovered the forum.
    Funny that - your first request
    "My biggest problem is just getting started, I just want to be able to use a combo-box to open another form with the relevant data on it having come from that first forms combo box (which can contain any number of info fields). Seems like the easiest thing to me but so far I have been stumped by it!"

    When I convinced my associate to get the trial of A5V9 6 weeks ago, THAT also was his first requirement. I found a workaround in Susans A5MadeEasy. He says in Access it is a given, shouldn't have to use a workaround. He went back to Access. If you find a straighforward way using a combo box, let me know.

    Comment


      #17
      Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

      Hi Ray

      I'm still tossing up weather I carry on with A5 or not. I'd like to as it appears to offer much better user interfaces , but We will see.

      Take a look at this thread I started the other day and look at the sample database Tim put up there on a post it amazingly does exactly what we are talking about!!

      http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...ad.php?t=77307

      All the best to you.

      Mike

      Comment


        #18
        Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

        I also had the thought that I would be able to just jump right in and fly away with apps...sadly its not the case. Considering the fact that alpha offers so many features it just isnt realistic to think that you can whip out a perfect product after having it for a couple weeks. I did find that the more time I spent on these forums just reading others posts that I absorbed a huge ammount of information. I trust that if you give alpha enough time to learn the ins and outs that you will never again have a use for access. Also, as others have already stated...these forums are probably the best possible resource for help. Theres 10-15 people on here that are truly amazing, they know it all and are all more then willing to help in anyway possible. In many cases they even offer phone support to users who need a leg-up. Its a great community, I would even go so far as to say its more of a "family" here on the boards. I truly hope that you stick with alpha, it'll be rocky at first but soon enough it will be smooth sailing. :-)
        Joel Domen
        Material Resources and Planning Manager
        NAFCO Industries

        Comment


          #19
          Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

          Originally posted by Ray in Capetown View Post
          Hi Mike
          If you're still out there, I just discovered the forum.
          Funny that - your first request
          "My biggest problem is just getting started, I just want to be able to use a combo-box to open another form with the relevant data on it having come from that first forms combo box (which can contain any number of info fields). Seems like the easiest thing to me but so far I have been stumped by it!"

          When I convinced my associate to get the trial of A5V9 6 weeks ago, THAT also was his first requirement. I found a workaround in Susans A5MadeEasy. He says in Access it is a given, shouldn't have to use a workaround. He went back to Access. If you find a straighforward way using a combo box, let me know.
          Joel probably said it best but here's another viewpoint. Hopefully a thought provoking one....

          Just because they are both databases doesn't mean they have to work the same. In fact, from everything I've read (and in some cases, done), Lotus Approach, SQL, MySQL, Cache, Oracle, and others don't work the same way as Access. In fact, I don't think any of them really work the same as any of the others.

          All modes of transportation don't work the same either. Here's a parody of Mike's post just to make the point. (Not trying to be nasty - just making a point.)

          "My biggest problem is just getting started, I just want to be able to use a car to get from one place to another the same way as I do with my boat. [Just put it in the water, start the engine, and go.] Seems like the easiest thing to me but so far I have been stumped by it!" [Every time I put the car in the water, it just sinks.]

          When I convinced my associate to get the trial car 6 weeks ago, THAT also was his first requirement. I found a workaround in Cal's Car Driving Made Easy - according to Cal I should try driving the car on roads. My associate says in Boats it is a given, shouldn't have to use a workaround. He went back to Boats. If you find a straighforward way of using a car, let me know.


          OK, that probably sounds pretty stupid on the surface but think about it. We all know that driving a car is not the same as piloting a boat, driving a train, flying an airplane, or piloting a space shuttle even though they can all be used to transport someone or something from one place to another. They all have different ways of accomplishing the same basic thing. Yes, the strong points of each one is different but they are all "just a mode of transportation". Certainly a person can get on any one of them and get transported from one place to another. Similarly, each database product is "just a database" but each one works differently and has different strong points.

          In the end, you need to pick the one that is best suited to do the job you need done and then learn how to use it.

          A new pilot probably spends at least 120 hours learning the basics of flying before getting a license - a minimum of 40 hrs. in the air and usually more than twice that in ground training and personal study time. Spend half that time studying how to use Alpha Five and I bet you won't go back to Access.

          Comment


            #20
            Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

            Hi Cal

            I guess you make a fair point..and I wont argue with you on it.

            The problem as I see it is that people have said to me "WOW, you develop with Access, look at this database I created with Alpha-5, did not even need to use any code at all..the Genies did it all for me!"

            I'm so used to never using Wizards or Genies (I normally Code everything), that I thought I'd give it a try. So I went into it, I admit, expecting an incredibly short learn time and got snagged up on what I felt should be a pretty simple thing. (If you have ever read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance...this is what Pirsig referred to as a Gumption Trap...i.e. Mentally thinking ahead of how you visulize the job or project going then finding things are not quite as you presumed)...then when my first post here

            http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...ad.php?t=77026

            which was precisely about the whole combobox thing, never got much attention I was a bit dissapointed. I thought, well although with some of the access forums there are some pretty insulting Experts? at least there are so many forums around you can be pretty sure of coming out with an answer.

            After my first foray onto these forums I felt this may not be the case with Alpha which was what worried me.

            Anyway 'nuff said, I still intend to carry on with Alpha as and when I get time, which will mainly be weekends. I can justify a lot of time at work writing a database but I cant justify too much learning a product.

            I also have found reading other's posts on here to be very good value at getting a little better aquainted with Alpha.

            Thanks
            Mike

            Comment


              #21
              Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

              Mike (and others),
              I also have found reading other's posts on here to be very good value at getting a little better aquainted with Alpha.
              You have realized what I contend to be the best and easiest way to learn Alpha, but to carry it a bit further....Don't just read the posts--search out and use all the samples that have been attached to this messageboard. Categorize them into what can be a very extensive help library of these and also use the code snippets (mine now has over 400 sample databases and over 500 code snippets). I went as far as when first learning to simply search the forums just for attachments, downloaded, and then organized them. Whenever I cannot figure something out now I use my help file first, then Alpha's, then the messageboard. Then I will resort to starting a thread if I still cannot find an answer.

              Hope this technique will be of some use--it has stead me and many others here I know.
              Mike
              __________________________________________
              It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
              It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
              Henry David Thoreau
              __________________________________________



              Comment


                #22
                Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

                Cheers Mike I'll do that too as soon as I get a moment or weekend or two.

                Thanks
                Mike

                Comment


                  #23
                  Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

                  To jump in here I have to violently agree with with Cal and Mike C.

                  Databases and database development tools are quite different from other tools that are generally thought of as belonging in an "office suite".

                  Unlike a spreadsheet or presentation or word processing application, databases tools are much more abstract in their nature and provide the user with many more "degrees of freedom" in what can be done with them.

                  That is both the good news and the bad news.

                  First the good news.This freedom means that virtually any kind of custom application can be built them and in that sense they are like chameleons because they can take on so many different forms/disguises/appearances along with different functionalities. Now for the bad news. This flexibility is possible because of the abstract nature of database development tools and the requirement to carefully think through your table structure and the relationships between tables which means that to master the art of building database applications definitely takes more time and effort than learning how to use a tool like PowerPoint or Word. At the end of the (as has been pointed out by other folks on this thread,) it is well worth it!!

                  Also we do recognize the need to assist customers with training materials and we have released 2 online/downloadable training courses in the last few months. If you need more info about these 2 courses just email me directy at [email protected]

                  Best wishes for 2009!
                  Richard Rabins
                  Co Chairman
                  Alpha Software

                  Comment


                    #24
                    Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

                    More info on the latest training course for building web apps in alpha five.

                    http://www.imakenews.com/alphasoftwa...x000329252.cfm
                    Richard Rabins
                    Co Chairman
                    Alpha Software

                    Comment


                      #25
                      Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

                      BUILDING WEB APPLICATIONS IN ALPHA FIVE JUST GOT EASIER!!
                      Intellectual Business Solutions is pleased to announce the release of our
                      Building Web Applications Level 2 Learning Guide

                      Here's what's inside...
                      - Set up and implement advanced security for an application.
                      - Create and work with user registration dialogs.
                      - Filter data in components using arguments.
                      - Get tips for using Xbasic code and programming on the web.
                      - Create web pages that use "Includes".
                      - Create and work with request variables.
                      - Create components which can be modified at runtime.
                      - Set common overrides for components.
                      - Create Freeform regions on pages and in components.
                      - Create a complete page using a single Freeform.
                      - Build a web page without a component (hand-code a page).
                      - Create an AJAX-enabled web page.
                      - Use AJAX and JavaScript to enhance web application performance.
                      - Create a dialog which integrates with Google Maps.
                      - Create a dialog to run reports from the web.
                      - Create a dialog to allow users to upload files to the server.
                      - and much more.

                      Complete with:
                      • Step-by-step learning
                      • Undocumented Alpha Five features & functions
                      • Real-world examples
                      • Over 400 fully-illustrated pages


                      Buy it now at our
                      online store


                      You can purchase this learning guide and other Alpha Five v9 titles. There are five (5) titles in this series! Choose from our pre-set book bundles or create your own bundle and save.

                      View the Outline

                      A value that goes way beyond price.

                      Intellectual Business Solutions, Inc.
                      Visit our website
                      Valerie Simpkins
                      Intellectual Business Solutions, Inc.�
                      Business Intelligence for Intelligent Business�
                      301-249-3400
                      [email protected]
                      www.intellectualbusinesssolutions.com

                      Comment


                        #26
                        Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

                        Hi everybody

                        I have the book (in printed version) Alpha Five version 9 Level 2, but I lost the sample files of the example project (case study) "Event Planning database" (who have the books, knows that in the book it works with the samples files of Event Planning database). Please, if someone have that sample files, someone could give me a link to download the samples files and exercises.

                        I'm learning yet and I need help of someone.

                        Regards.

                        Milton.

                        Comment


                          #27
                          Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

                          Hi Milton cant help you but can you advise where you got the book from please? Thanks Mike

                          Comment


                            #28
                            Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

                            I can't help you with that either, but we do have books on Alpha Five. Go to www.LibertyManuals.comfor a full selection of versions.
                            • Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 10.
                            • Coming soon, Alpha Five Web Applications Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 10.5


                            Susan Bush
                            sigpic Susan Bush, Liberty Manuals Co. Books for Alpha Anywhere mobile, web and desktop.

                            Comment


                              #29
                              Re: Alpha 5 Training Resources..whats out there?

                              Just one further note - want to make it clear that we have books for all versions of Alpha Five back to V4.5. http://www.libertymanuals.com

                              Susan
                              sigpic Susan Bush, Liberty Manuals Co. Books for Alpha Anywhere mobile, web and desktop.

                              Comment

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