[pianotech] A new Pianotech list that works

[Encore Pianos]

To speak to Ron's comments, I say "what he said".  

As for Higher Logic, it sounds like standard PR that doesn't address the
issues at hand.  You know, blah, blah, blah.  

They may power umpteen associations and communities, but that still does not
a good product.  Magic words and no apparent criteria for what can or can't
do are spot on.  That's the greatest sin of this package - the interface is
completely half-assed.  It's stupid.  If it were well designed, we would not
have to be geniuses and figure it out.  If it were well designed, the
navigation would become quickly obvious to someone with a minimum of
computer skills.  It is the furthest thing from that.  Why aren't related
functions grouped together logically in the menuing system instead of here
and there and everywhere?  The whole menuing system is ill-concieved.
Please don't tell me that I am the problem, I've been using PC's since the
DOS days.  Yes, there is a learning curve that I must attend to, but the
package asks too much of us without giving any help.  

And I think Ron is dead on with his comment about a ground floor rewrite.
These are core structural issues related to the incomplete conceptualization
of the architecture of the program.  Bugs you can fix, that's the smaller
aspect of our problems.  I haven't heard anyone who is defending the program
speak to the interface issues.  They only tell us that we need to learn it
and sometimes how to do things.  I suppose that is good, since there is no
documentation or help of any kind.  How much did we pay for this WCPOS?  WHY
was it chosen over other packages - what were the criteria that made it the
leading contenter?

Will Truitt



-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Duaine Hechler
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 12:08 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org; improvements at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] A new Pianotech list that works

On 03/12/2011 10:45 AM, Ron Nossaman wrote:
> On 3/12/2011 9:48 AM, Paul McCloud wrote:
>
>
>> The bottom line is, some people on the list are going to be reluctant 
>> to share what they know because it's too time-consuming to do it.
>
> Judging from the number of 500+ word posts, I seriously doubt the time 
> consumption is the true problem. In my case, it's having to fight what 
> appears to me to be a nowhere near ready-for-market system, written by 
> inexperienced people and not realistically (at all?) beta tested 
> before marketing. For those people who like the old adventure games, 
> where the secret of getting past the Flatu-gax at the end is having 
> eaten the blue rock and sticking the candle in your left ear at the 
> beginning, this thing is perfect. For those who don't care for 
> guessing at the magic words that make negotiating with a virtual 14 
> year old who decides by no apparent criteria what you can and can't 
> do, it's very annoying.
>
> If this were software I'd bought, based on what was printed on the box 
> (since I sure wouldn't expect any user accolades or stunning reviews) 
> It would be deep in the trash by now, and I'd be looking for something 
> functional.
>
>
>> I just hope that we get this straightened out, fast.
>
> I visualize a dog walker, with two Irish Wolfhounds, a Boxer, a 
> Basset, a Chihuahua, two Pomeranians, a three toe'd sloth, and a 
> terrorist in a dog disguise crossing a busy intersection against the 
> light. That's us, there in the middle.
>
> Unless the supplier is deep into a "ground up" rewrite and 
> reorganization, I'd be very surprised if this ever proves to be workable.
>
> Ron N
>
WELL, being the person that I am, I logged a complaint direct to the company
(Higher Logic) and here was their reply:

Duaine,

Thank you for your note.  I appreciate you taking the time to reach out.

I can assure you that our software if virus free, we power approx.. 250
associations and over 30,000 communities.  While the new system is very
different from the last, it is a vast improvement in many respects.  All I
ask is that you give it a chance.

If you would prefer to go back to the old system, then you can always go to
the "My Subscriptions" page and change your subscription to "PDA" mode which
allows you to receive, real time, plain text emails which you can then
respond to by your email client.  Of course there are many downsides to this
but these are things which are currently experienced with your current
system i.e. no direct link to view the user profile; no immediate link to
view the thread, no integrated mobile apps etc.  

With respect to your comment about moving to linux, it is my experience that
there is little that can be achieved with a linux platform that cannot be
achieved from a windows platform and vice versa.

Notwithstanding the above, we are planning to enhance the discussions group
format in the near future, so if you have any specific recommendations I
would welcome them.

---------- DID WE GET INFORMED ??? --------

p.s. I forgot to mention, the outage last night was for a system upgrade and
all clients were advised well in advance of this.  We typically do this late
at night on a Friday or at the weekend to minimize disruption.  Apologies if
you didn't receive the notice.


--
Duaine Hechler
Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ
Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding
Reed Organ Society Member
Florissant, MO 63034
(314) 838-5587
dahechler at att.net
www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com
--
Home & Business user of Linux - 11 years