CompuServe Thread

#Quicken/PC-Task

11 messages in this thread
#135890From: Andrew ChristieMar 14, 1994 7:22 PM
I don't know about Quicken on PC-Task, but I can tell you that I use TurboTax with it. Although that means nothing to you, I just wanted to share with you that larger programs such as TurboTax and perhaps Quicken run EXTREMELY SLOW off the hard drive under PC-Task. I think PC-Task is an excellent program and works well, but remember that you must use a file set up as the C: drive. Everytime a program accesses the HD it must scan the entire file. Therefore, the bigger the file, the longer it takes. Just an example of how slow it is, when I installed TurboTax, it said on the screen that it should take about 10 mins. Well, it ended up taking between 30 and 40 mins on my A4000/040. I suggest to you Pha$ar. I've used it for 2 years and it works great. If you really must use Quicken, you'll probably want to get an Emulator. I personally am waiting for the Emplant 486 emulator. -=Andrew=-
#135899From: Jim BelantMar 14, 1994 9:03 PM
Andrew I use both Quicken and TurboTax. I agree that TurboTax is very slow when accessing the hard drive. It took approximately one hour to install on my 2000 w/ 25 MHz '030. When running TurboTax I use a 2 Meg RAM cache for the hard drive. However, I find Quicken to be very usable on my system, much faster than TurboTax. I use EGA emulation for hi-res color graphs. The data entry runs in text mode.
#135920From: Betty Clay/SYSOPMar 15, 1994 12:31 AM
TurboTax is pretty slow no matter what. I used it on my laptop 386/25 and it was awfully slow on that. —Betty
#136632From: Andrew ChristieMar 21, 1994 9:45 PM
Well, since I wrote that messege that you replied to I got the Emplant board. I also purchased MacInTax (Mac equivalent to TurboTax) and Quicken for the Mac. Both work great! MacInTax is much easier to use than TurboTax, not to mention the GREAT increase in speed. Quicken also seems to work quite well with the exception that I can't get checks to print at the moment. I am sure, however, that there is a fix to that problem (like getting the Mac printer driver for my printer (Which is a Star SJ-144 if anyone knows where I can get one)). But for the price of $280 for the equivalent of a Mac Quadra 900, I think I got my money's worth! -=Andrew=-
#135910From: David CzayaMar 14, 1994 11:22 PM
Well, if Quicken is too slow under PC-Task, I will wait for the Emplant PC software or buy a real PC. I'm using an A2000 with a GVP 68030/40 MHz accelerator, so it should probably run close to your 4000. >> I suggest to you Pha$ar This is what I use now. I have run my home and business accounts with it for years, but it is extremely dated. The worst part is that there is no way to export data.
#136633From: Andrew ChristieMar 21, 1994 9:45 PM
As a coincedence I just purchased and installed an Emplant (mainly because I think they will be hard to come by when the PC software comes out). I also puchased Quicken and MacInTax. Quicken is much more versitle and comprehensive than Pha$ar. I agree, Pha$ar is getting dated. I've never used the PC version of Quicken but if the Mac version makes it as easy to use as MacInTax over TurboTax, I would suggest to you to go ahead and get the Emplant now and just use the Mac versions. I've used both PC & Mac versions of TurboTax and MacInTax is much MUCH better then TurboTax!
#136642From: David CzayaMar 21, 1994 11:06 PM
I have a feeling that I will be doing just that (getting the Emplant and using the Mac version of Quicken). Looks like it's time to move after all these years (sheesh, almost 10 years with this computer). David
#136690From: Andrew ChristieMar 22, 1994 5:29 PM
>> (sheesh, almost 10 years with this computer). << You're not knocking the Amiga are you??? 🙂 After all, the Amiga is a great computer, the only problem it has is the lack of software support. And to me that really is not a problem, the problem I have is being able to bring work home with me and do it on my computer. Once the PC version of Emplant comes out (and hopefully it will) I will then be able to bring work home without having to buy a whole new computer. You have to admit that $300 for the ability to emulate the Mac and soon a 386/486 is cheap! -=Andrew=-
#136755From: David CzayaMar 23, 1994 10:55 AM
>> (sheesh, almost 10 years with this computer). << >> You're not knocking the Amiga are you??? 🙂 Never! >> the only problem it has is the lack of software support This never bothered me in the past (I still have a vintage Oct. 1985 A1000), but recently it has. I am finally seeing a lot of PC software that I would love to own and run, but can't. >> $300 for the ability to emulate the Mac and soon a 386/486 is cheap Well, aren't you forgetting the price of the Mac roms/OS and the cost of the PC software/OS? I don't know how much the PC software will cost, but I doubt it'll be free and you still have to purchase MSDOS and Windows which is a few bucks. System 7 is not cheap either. If the PC software comes out within the next two months with good compatibility reviews, I'll buy it. If not, I'll be buying a clone and I don't want to do that. I have just run into a wall and out of patience. 10 years is a long time for anything. Btw, I fully understand Utilities Unlimited approach to not announcing a release date for their software, but it really is a handicap to their customers. I, for one, cannot make a business decision (this is my business system) to purchase another computer or not because I don't have the proper information. I would like to set aside $500-600 for the Emplant system rather than a couple grand on a 486 clone, but not knowing whether the Emplant PC will be available two, six or twelve months down the road is just not acceptable. I have to draw the line somewhere and unfortunately that is forcing me to abandon the Amiga and the Emplant based solely on a lack of information. David Czaya …via AutoPilot 73445,407
#136763From: Andrew ChristieMar 23, 1994 2:43 PM
>>Well, aren't you forgetting the price of the Mac roms/OS and the cost of the PC software/OS?<< Ah ys… to do it legally you must purchase the Mac roms, however, they can be pirated. Not that I would ever condone such a thing! >> I have to draw the line somewhere and unfortunately that is forcing me to abandon the Amiga and the Emplant based solely on a lack of information.<< I understand. One can only wait for so long, you gotta do whacha gotta do! I have heard from a friend that the Emplant PC software is in testing (rumor – take it for what its worth). David Czaya …via AutoPilot 73445,407 -=Andrew=-
#136791From: David CzayaMar 23, 1994 7:54 PM
>> Ah ys… to do it legally you must purchase the Mac roms, however, >> they can be pirated. Not that I would ever condone such a thing! Well, I would never do that. I have never pirated and never will. If I can't afford it, I do without. >> I have heard from a friend that the Emplant PC software is in testing Yes, I've heard that as well. It could still be a year. Never know… David Czaya …via AutoPilot 73445,407