<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <title></title> </head> <body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000"> FYI, Just got off the phone w/ Ed Winslow, author of the PTBiz software. (I actually had a good conversation with him.) There is a newer version of the program that has no hasp or security codes. For previous users, the price is $150 + $15 S&H, and for new users, the price is $300. After a first glance at the trial versions of Peakeware, Execukey, and PowerTech, PTBiz is so much smoother and faster. Though it doesn't have as many functions as the others, I wouldn't use those anyway. I can tell already that PTBiz is far easier to learn and use than the others (don't know about DC al Coda). For instance, I was trying to use Execukey and got lost - and I'm a computer nut! I don't know that I'd expect much technical support, but Ed said he was supporting the latest version, though he hasn't gotten many requests for the program. However, I've never needed any support except for those darn codes and hasps which are now no more. If the program keeps on working, I think I'll stick with PTBiz since I like using it. It's really worth $165 to never have to re-enter the data or re-learn another program! But I have to say I really hate the thought of sending Ed another dime! Sure beats $600+, though. John Formsma Greg Newell wrote: <blockquote cite="mid6.2.1.2.0.20051214163822.01d84828@pop.ameritech.yahoo.com" type="cite">John,         I've been printing invoices on the spot for years with PTBiz but I too am looking for a way out. You're correct that not all info will transfer to virtually any other program. I've bought a copy of FileMaker pro hoping to build my own database program but haven't quit every other bleeding thing in my miserable life in order to convert all my waking hours into becoming proficient with FileMaker pro. Whatever way I finally go it will be where I am beholding to no one. No dongles, no hasps, no software keys and no one individual responsible for the whole program. I'm sure the other previously mentioned programs are all quite good in their own way but I won't tie myself up like that again. As others have mentioned I am faced with transferring quite a lot of information and I really don't want to do it more than once. 3,000 clients and 21 years of invoices threatens to take quite a while. best, Greg At 08:01 AM 12/14/2005, you wrote: <blockquote type="cite">Tom, OK, just looked at T&C. It looks like a wonderful scheduler and address book program. But, it doesn't look like there's a way to do invoicing, accounting, etc. What I'm wanting to do is use a laptop to print out an invoice at the piano location. This looks more professional, plus it will elminate a bunch of bookwork when I get home and don't feel like doing it. :-) Can you do this with T&C? John Formsma Tom Servinsky wrote: <blockquote type="cite">John, Do yourself a favor and go directly to Time & Chaos. You won't pay a fortune for some out-dated software. You'll get a tech service that is out of this world. You'll get one of the most flexible and most use-friendly programs out there. And for less than $100. It also syncs with the Palm devices.  <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="http://www.chaossoftware.com"><http://www.chaossoftware.com></a><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.chaossoftware.com">www.chaossoftware.com</a> I've tweaked my program for the last 3 yrs and finally have running smoothly and effectively. Oh...and I'm a recovering PTBIZ user. Tom Servinsky ----- Original Message ----- From: <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:john@formsmapiano.com"><mailto:john@formsmapiano.com></a>John Formsma To: <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org"><mailto:pianotech@ptg.org></a>Pianotech Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 1:04 AM Subject: Piano Service Software Greetings everyone! Resubscribed recently...if this is a recently discussed topic, please forgive. Is anyone using the technician software listed on ptg.org? ExecuKey PianoDB by D C Al Coda PowerTech PeakeWare If you are a user of any of the above, is your experience favorable? Would you recommend it? I'm looking to replace PTBiz since apparently it is no longer being sold or supported. (I'd hate to think about the mess I'd be in if something happened to the program or Hasp hardware key and I couldn't retrieve my data - yikes!) Any other software out there that is user-friendly, does invoicing, reminders, and accounting, and is priced under $400.00? Am I living in "dream world"? PTBiz has done everything that I have needed. While it certainly has its quirks, I like that it's compact and doesn't have all the "bells and whistles" that I don't really need. It seems to make sense to look toward a program that will allow data to be easily transferred into other programs, such as MS Access (or another popular database). That way, if a program becomes obsolete for whatever reason, one doesn't have to re-type all the data into the new program. Any ideas? Thanks, John Formsma </blockquote> Greg Newell Greg's piano Forté <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net">mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net</a> </blockquote> _______________________________________________ pianotech list info: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives">https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a> </blockquote> </body> </html>