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From: peters@pulman.dec.com (Don Peters, APO-1/F8, 289-1242)
Newsgroups: net.micro.atari16
Subject: Regent Base experience
Message-ID: <5645@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Date: Tue, 30-Sep-86 17:22:58 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.5645
Posted: Tue Sep 30 17:22:58 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 3-Oct-86 00:37:29 EDT
Sender: daemon@decwrl.DEC.COM
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 38

I thought I'd pass along some experience I had with a software package
called Regent-Base. I ordered this program about two weeks ago, based
upon a recommendation that this software had a good GEM interface and
was fairly powerful.

The manual comes with a classy cover, but the internal documentation
looks like it was quickly made, with numerous typographical errors
scattered throughout the manual. They couldn't have used a spelling
checker on it, although I think they have a product called Regent Spell!

After studying the manual for many hours, I wrote my first application.  I
was able to design a GEM-appearing screen without too much difficulty, and
started on the report generation phase. I soon ran into unexpected error
messages that didn't apply. In fact, I soon uncovered about about six
problems, ones that severly impacted my application.

So, refering to their documentation, they say to contact them from the
hours of 10 am to 2 pm for help. But they neglected to list a phone number,
and I had to call information for it. On my first try, all I got was a
recorded message. On my second try, the next day, someone answered who
couldn't help me. In fact, he said, only "Frank" could help me, and
Frank wouldn't be back for a few days. Well, several days later I called
again. Again, a recorded message. I left my name and phone number. No
reply. Three more days I called, all during their service hours, and
always getting the same recorded message.

I'm now wondering if they are still in business. If they have a staff, it
must be extremely small if only one person in the company is capable of
answering technical questions on the product. I'm sorry I bought this
product, and can only relate these experiences to others out there who
are wondering about purchasing it. My recommendation is to avoid Regent
Base until they come out with a less buggy version and until they can
muster a staff to answer the phone.


     /Don Peters, Digital, 617-689-1242/

        ...decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-pulman!peters