Suggestions

[sunad]

This new version certainly has some compelling features. On the same token, it has some drawbacks - at least in my opinion.

I DO LIKE:

1) New UI
2) Automatic backup to Interlink
3) One data file per list (new program) vs many files per list (old program)
4) Automatic program update mechanism
5) Simpler workflow / design approach

I DON'T LIKE:

1) Frequent registration checks. I could see a weekly or monthly check... but every time I run the program? Not only is it annoying but problematic if Internet is down and I need to make circulation changes. Not only that, but I think the registration ID should not be Windows profile specific.

2) Licensing model. Personally I have issues with the licensing model. I can understand losing access to support and updates when you don't renew, but write access to the entire program? I don't like that (correct me if I'm wrong on the behavior of the program if you don't renew).

3) Multi-user access. I read there was an addon module that allowed for this (I'm assuming it means writing to a database server instead of to a file), but it would be nice if this were included in the base package.

4) Stability. I just am not convinced that this new version is as stable or reliable as the old one. I will say, however, that it is far more stable than it was a few months ago.

The concept behind the new program is worlds ahead of the old one. I think, in time, this one will become the choice for existing Interlink customers.

[pilcherpub]

i have a suggestion i would like to place. i would like to be able to print a user defined list of the snowbirds. i am going to be giving them a different sub rate and it would be a whole lot easier to accomplish this if i had a way to just type something in and it would give me a list of subs who have an alt address in their file, not just if they are switched to it or not, but if it even exists. maybe an early birthday present for me??

[vindicator]

I am wondering if Sunad has encountered any of the problems the rest of us have since installing the new version. Have you found many features that you used to use non-existent in this newer version? Just curious...

[sunad]

Vindicator, I'm not sure I follow your question. Could you clarify? I'd be happy to share our experiences with you, so long as I understand the question.

[vindicator]

You noted features you DID like and that you DIDN'T like with the new windows version. I was wondering if anything else has come up that you didn't like with this new version since you posted your original post.

[sunad]

Well, to be honest, I don't know. Those impressions were when I was trying to set it up. We still have some training issues to solve first before we actually make the official move. See here.

My training issue aside, my biggest gripe is the network drive bug. That needs to be fixed very soon.

[vindicator]

Good grief... you are a techie. You don't actually use the features of the program do you? Are you trained on the software though and if so how did you receive your training?

[sunad]

Yes, I am a computer/network technician. I have academic and vocational training (degrees and certifications). But much of what I have learned was self taught. I'm also a web developer/designer. Much of my web work involves CGI languages like PHP, and databases like MySQL.

I'm familiar with MS-DOS, all versions of Windows, Novell NetWare, even Linux (which is my favorite).

So I'm helping our circ manager the best I can, which is hard because although I have a basic understanding of most of the departments here, I don't know most of them well enough to fill in for them. So helping in the circulation department is a learning process.

[vindicator]

Well, honey! Way to go! Wish we had a tech person around here. Our boss kind of is... he set us all up on networks but he has good techie friends, too.
How big is your paper that they need your services?

[sunad]

Well, our office actually manages 2 papers in neighboring counties. One is a weekly paper, covering a population of about 10,000. The other is a bi-weekly paper, covering a population of about 20,000. The smaller paper has its own office in its own county, but it's only an editorial department. Billing, advertising, web/IT, distribution, etc occurs at the larger office, which I am located.

We host our websites, email, etc on-site (ourselves).

I cover web and tech, but I also do graphic arts (ads, flyers, etc) and imaging/prepress (the postscript/pdf part of it) when the production manager is either gone or short handed. I do a lot of things. But that isn't uncommon in smaller offices. It seems like most of us in our office do that.