Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ukma!uflorida!novavax!infocenter!mraustad
From: mraustad@infocenter.UUCP (Mike Raustad)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Re: Re^2: dBASE IV - is this for real?
Summary: I agree with both sides
Message-ID: <3167@infocenter.UUCP>
Date: 11 Jul 89 16:52:43 GMT
References: <11@cica.cica.indiana.edu> <3520001@hpindda.HP.COM>
Organization: Quick-fried to a crackly crunch
Lines: 55

In article <3520001@hpindda.HP.COM>, keithb@hpindda.HP.COM (Keith Broussard) writes:
> It would be nice if all of those people who use comp.databases do so
> constructively.  I am tired of hearing all this griping about dBase
> IV.  I agree that producing dBase IV was a mammoth undertaking, and I,
> personally, can be a little bit forgiving with a version 1.0 of the
> software, even though, like many, I can't wait for version 1.1!
> 
    I agree 110 percent with you, however, I am tuned in here so that I can
read about what frustrates dBase users in general. I work with dBase III
and am *very* satisfied with it.  I was thinking about upgrading to III+
or IV. I am hesitant to do so now because of what I have read here, coupled 
with the fact that I am satisfied with what I have now.  I have not had
anything negative to say about dBase, but am interested in what *users*
have to say, good or bad.  I also feel that if I went out and spent all
the money AT wants for their packages and got home as was not happy with
it, I would be *MAD*.  You can bet *I* would vent my frustrations right
here where AT is listening.  I understand both sides of the fence here.

> Anyway, if you don't use dBase IV because you don't like the opening
> graphics, or you think it's slower than dBase III+, or you have
> something against a powerful and easy to use user interface (menus and
> popups), or whatever, then leave messages in notefiles that pretain to
> what you use.  Leave us (however sorry you feel for us) dBase IV users
> alone and find someone else to gripe to.

     Where are these notefiles? Can I access these?  Where else can I
obtain information about the pros and cons of dBase?  

     I do not think he was griping to you, rather AT.  In the first
paragraph you said you would like to see release 1.1, but you did not
want to wait.  You all but said you agreed with him, but you were more
professional about the way you said it. Either way, the audience is here
for comments and suggestions, both of which AT wants to hear.  I dont 
think we need to talk negatively about AT, its tough to beat your
competition to the gates these days, ( note my company name in my .sig
file ), but if you sell a package with bugs in it, you should be able
to handle the gripes or complaints that will naturally follow. On the
other side of the coin, you should have posted a followup article 
siding with AT or telling the rest of us that *you* were happy with the
product.

> 
> If you are a dBase IV user or have had an intelligent experience with
> the product, then use comp.databases as a feedback mechanism to
> Ashton-Tate (you see, they ARE listening), and as a channel to give
> useful suggestions/warnings/tips/hints to other users.

     Yes, please continue to share your experiences with us.  I have obtained
some good ideas and suggestions here. 

 ____________________________________________________________________________
| MIKE RAUSTAD  -   ENCORE COMPUTER SYSTEMS - FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33313  | 
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