[pianotech] Computer Software

[Greg Newell]

Jer,

            We talked about this before but FileMaker is a program that
gives you everything necessary to create all that you have shown me and the
list. It is very robust in what it can do. I agree that it is an excellent
product that can be used to create a great many things. I've no doubt it
will do all that I want it to do and more if I were only willing to drop
everything else that I am responsible for and devote countless hours in
order to figure it all out. Therein lies the issue. I don't have either the
time, or the desire to take on what would amount to at least another full
time job. Whomever you used created all of that for you did a great job.
What happens when he goes away or is too busy to fix or modify things for
you? Will you be able or willing to do it for yourself? Will you pay someone
else programming fees to configure it the way you want? This is exactly the
problem I had with PTBiz which was, I believe, built from Excel or some
other Microsoft product. So you see, I view this as another of the same
issue I had before. If I knew how to do it all myself it would be a no
brainer and I would adopt FileMaker in a heartbeat. Thoughts?

 

Greg

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Gerald Groot
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 7:48 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software

 

I understand your frustration Greg.  We could have that with any company
though.  From my understanding, FileMakerPro has been in business since
around 1990 or so.  That's 21 years +.  My current version is 7.0.  The most
recent version is 11.0, I think.  Mine has never crashed, never given me
even one problem whatsoever and at this point, I really see no reason to pay
$300 or more to update unless someone out there wants to gift me with it.  J
I've had mine since 2004 with not even one teeny problem.  J

 

In case you're interested, here's something I happened across just now.
http://www.filemaker.com/fba/devcon-awards-2011.html  

Jer

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Greg Newell
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 7:31 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software

 

FWIW, Jer, I really liked the database that you showed me in FileMakerPro
but was faced with the same dilemma that I had with PTBiz some time back.
All of the sudden the programmer decided that he wasn't interested in
supporting his own effort any longer. Before that he had specifically asked
users for input on what we thought that the program should include and the
reply I receive back from a laundry list of items it took some time to
investigate was "what's it worth to you?" Now I thought that he was looking
to improve things with input not bucking for more dollars. He then added a
dongle type thing which simply made the program a P.I.T.A. at which point I
dropped it and moved to Quickbooks and a paper calendar. Bummer. Someday.
Maybe. But it will have to be from a company that will be around for a while
before I throw my hat in again.

 

Greg

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Gerald Groot
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 7:14 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software

 

I like Filemaker Pro.  Use it for both my main customer data base, as a
billing program and for letter writing.  But, I use MS Outlook for
scheduling.   

Jer

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Greg Newell
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 7:04 PM
To: 'Matthew Todd'; pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Computer Software

 

Todd,

            You are not alone!!!! I've been searching for this for decades.
I have a guy working on it right now. He is interested in feedback from
people who want what I do. 

 

Greg Newell

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Matthew Todd
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 9:28 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Computer Software

 

I currently use Time & Chaos for my clientele database/calendar, and sort of
use Quickbooks for my financials.  Do you guys know of/use a software that
has the best of both.  I hate switching back and forth between two programs.
I would rather find something that can do both.

 

 

TODD PIANO WORKS 
Matthew Todd, Piano Technician 
(979) 248-9578

http://www.toddpianoworks.com <http://www.toddpianoworks.com/> 

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