#Good Bye
15 messages in this thread
Steve-
Yeah, it's just weird. No problems with two Amigas running EasyLedgers
with
moderate amounts of input, and the third machine getting a LOT of input
goes down twice a day.
In preparation for using the Elite PC version, I'm setting up S.I.A. on
a PC. Lloyd tells me the network version has been around for a
while…true?
Tim
Tim:
The network Elite has been installed in over 1500 customer locations in
Australia, starting July 1989 – over 1 year ago. (we consider them our
"beta test" sites). It's very solid.
Steve
Steve-
I'm looking forward to using Elite, but am still confused by the
single-user and network versions…Lloyd said something about a software
"key" that "unlocks" the programs networking ability (for an extra
cost…)?
Also, as I understand it, files generated from S.I.A. (PC version) can
be converted via a software utility so they can be read by Elite?
Tim
Tim:
Yes, Elite comes in 2 versions; single user and multiuser. The multiuser
option allows for record and file sharing across 64 stations. Actually the
code is already there, but it needs to be "unlocked" by us when the user
pays the $495 for the multiuser capabilities.
Elite will read in the SIA data, so no problem.
Steve
Steve-
What is the cost for the single user version of Elite? To be perfectly
clear, you're saying I can set up S.I.A. on a P.C., then down the road buy
Elite and simply use a utility to import the data…?
Is the structure of Elite anything like S.I.A.?
Tim
Tim:
Elite is a high-end SIA. It not only has multiuser capabilities, but
significant features not found in SIA. Much more detail, flexibility, and
sophistication. And much higher price – $1995 for single user, $2490 for
multiuser (up to 64 workstations).
Yes, if you are using SIA (IBM), Elite has an import utility that will read
all the SIA data. People use it in two different ways: (1) to upgrade to
the more powerful Elite, or (2) to use SIA at multiple branch locations and
then use Elite at the headquarters and have Elite read in the SIA data
periodically and consolidate it for HQ reporting.
The screens are similar but different. The function keys are very similar.
Basically the user interface is just a tad more sophisticated but an easy
adjustment for anyone. The file formats are different, so that is why
there is the conversion program.
We have an evaluation copy of Elite for $30. It's a steal. I'd recommend
it to you so you can get a good feel of the product. It does everything
except close the end of the month and open a new database.
Steve
Steve-
You convinced me. I ordered Elite from Lloyd a couple of days ago. It
seems to have all the features I've been looking for:
1. Multiuser 2. Sorts 3. 5 customer price levels 4. Purchase orders 5. Huge
accout capacity
Sounds great!
Tim
Tim:
Great. Please keep me informed of your progress. You know how it is, I
rarely get first-hand customer feedback. Since we go back a long way, I'd
appreciate hearing the good and bad.
Steve
Brown-Wagh
Since you gave up the Amiga market, why don't you leave AmigaVend ASAP?
The SysOps told us to delete our .SEC file because you were leaving, so why
don't you leave?
If you feel that the PClone market is more rewarding than the Amiga market,
stop filling up the Amiga fora with your presence.
In other words, get lost!
BobS
Stupidity is a capitol crime
I hope that comment was a joke. However you feel about companies'
decisions is your business, but that type of comment is undeserved.
Brown-Wagh has helped the Amiga greatly and it is certainly NOT their fault
that they had to leave. I'm shocked that you make such a remark. Again, I
hope it was a joke. Robert Salesas Eschalon Development Inc.
Robert,
I think you're being a bit hard on Brown-Wagh! While they no longer are
the publisher/distributor of Softwood's Pen-Pal, they continue continue to
publish Easy Ledgers and other accounting software for the Amiga.
-sja
Robert:
How old are you? Maybe about 13 or 14? Your outburst betrays a lack of
maturity.
Brown-Wagh primarily markets productivity software. Outside of
graphics, animation, and to a lesser degree, DTP…Amiga users don't care
much for the standard computer applications: spreadsheets, account ing
software, etc. This isn't Brown-Wagh's or my own "erroneous" opinion, it's
simply a fact of life supported by the sales figures on this type of Amiga
software.
Instead of blasting Steve Wagh for "abandoning" the Amiga market, you
should thank him for programs like Service Industry Accounting that *are*
available on the Amiga. There's nothing for the Amiga that can touch that
program in the accounting area, and frankly, the Amiga market didn't even
warrant its development.
Don't you think you owe Steve an apology?
Tim Avery
Would you talk like that in person? If Brown-Wagh finds the Pc market more
rewarding, why not ask them "Why?" instead of denying what they say?
Bob:
Thank you for your comments. At first I thought they weren't worth
answering. But when I reflected on them, I realized how you stick out like
a sore thumb among the Amiga community. That group of end-users and
developers are a fine class of enthusiasts. Many we sold to, many we met
at shows, many we sold for, and many we competed with, but most remain good
friends and associates. It was my pleasure to work closely with them for
almost five years, always hoping that the Amiga would become the personal
computer of choice for most buyers. It was fun, frustrating, and always
rewarding (even financially). Now our product line does not lend itself to
the Amiga's game, European, and graphic strengths. So we have become
"passive" participants. I miss my friends. Thank you for reminding me.
Steve
I know that it all has been said, but I would like to offer one more
thought.
Brown-Wagh jumped ship too soon. Our Amiga 3000 sales have been very
impressive. The questions we are asked as dealers is "productivity" and
"business" oriented. We happily point at Service Industry Accounting and
say what a super program!
But you know Brown-Wagh has released a few dogs. One is B-Graphics. I
have never seen a program that was so ill-behaved in a long long time. The
memory fragmented requestor for example. How in the world does B-H expect
a businessman (who that program was written for supposedly) to understand
that message. Further, why can a business man enter figures that will
bring the guru? That is not excuseable in any application program. This
program needs a lot more testing and a few more features. Dot matrix, low
resolution print-outs in today's world of postscript is not acceptable and
will not be taken seriously by anyone.
This message is not really to flame B-H, but to point out that "quality" is
important. Business software *must* be bullet-proof from data entry
errors. And in order for the Amiga to be competitve as a "business"
system, software must have features comparible (or exceed) their IBM
compatible counterparts. We have yet to have a decent spreadsheet, we have
yet to have an excellent graph program. We have yet to have software that
will solve many (any?) mid-level business problems.
B-H bailed out because of the bottom line. This is understandable,
however, B-H was part of the problem not just the Amiga community and the
Amiga market.
Take a look at AmigaVision sales, and tell me that it is a "enthusiasts"
market.
It is changing.
-mark=