07-25-2002, 01:00 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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HanDBase 3.0 ships!
http://www.ddhsoftware.com/handbase_ppc.html
I gave you a preview of HanDBase back in mid-June. Well, just over a month later, it is shipping. By far one of the coolest features is forms, shown below. I need to put it through its paces and will be doing a full review soon.
Be patient on downloading. The last time they released a Pocket PC client, it slowed their servers to a crawl. They have since tripled capacity but now all Pocket PC and Palm HanDBase 2.x users will be vying for their slice of bandwidth.
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07-25-2002, 05:32 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 5
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Looking forward to your review, Ed, especially if you can provide some comparisons to other existing DBs that already provide forms (such as SprintDB Pro, which is what I've been using).
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07-25-2002, 06:03 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 129
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Well, I upgraded to HanDBase Professional 3.0, the version that is advertised to come with Forms Designer.
Upon installation I discovered that the product is incomplete. Although it does have Forms Designer module for desktop, the Pocket PC equivalent is missing. When I tap on Forms icon on my PPC all I get is "Coming Soon!" message  Same happens when I tap on Extras icon.
I could not find anything on their web site indicating that they were shipping incomplete product. I paid expecting full functionality, as advertised on their web site.
I think I should request my money back...
George
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07-25-2002, 06:11 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by GadgetMan
Upon installation I discovered that the product is incomplete. Although it does have Forms Designer module for desktop, the Pocket PC equivalent is missing. When I tap on Forms icon on my PPC all I get is "Coming Soon!" message Same happens when I tap on Extras icon. |
There are no "extras" yet - that is a place holder for future info. The PPC version of forms is coming soon and will be part of your package - no extra cost AFAIK. However, my desktop version doesn't have the forms package. I have an email into them on this. I understood that the 3.0 release would have forms on the desktop, so I await clarification.
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07-25-2002, 07:17 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 129
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Ed,
I downloaded HanDBase 3.0 Professional this morning. The Desktop version came with Forms Designer module. However, the Pocket PC version came without it.
Now, when you look at DDH Software's web site there is no word that Forms Designer module for Pocket PC would be "coming later". On the contrary, they trumpet it all over the place that HanDBase 3.0 Professional INCLUDES Forms Designer.
They actually display a large button on the right side of the screen saying that you can upgade to Pro version, which INCLUDES Forms Designer (with words "Desktop Palm Pocket PC" displayed on top). Based on that ad I purchased the upgrade only to find out that the most important compoment (the main reason I decided to upgrade) is missing.
Also, down towards the bottom of the page they describe what components come with what version. Both Professional and Enterprise editions are shown as contaning HanDBase Forms, without indicating that the handheld versions are really not included.
All they had to say that Forms Designer would ship later and it would be free to all who purchase or upgrade to Professional version. They chose not to do so. Now, if this is not false advertising, then I do not know what is...
On top of that the manual which came with the software is incomplete (missing images) and I already found a major bug that prevents me from using an important database I imported from version 2.77. I already spoke to their Tech Support about that and they are to forward this problem - which they were able to replicate but not solve - to the developer.
George
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07-25-2002, 08:05 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 31
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Thanks guys for your straight up talk. Most of us have been without sleep for several days getting all of this v3.0 stuff onto the web site. From back at the HanDBase Summit in June we knew that the HanDBase Forms Pocket PC client would not be ready for release, and we announced it there, but neglected to be clear on the new website about this. Here's the official scoop:
- HanDBase Forms are supported by all three clients- HanDBase Palm OS, HanDBase Pocket PC, and HanDBase Desktop. Any 3.0 version of HanDBase will read and use forms if they (the forms .PDB files) are present on the device.
- The HanDBase Forms visual editor is available for HanDBase Professional and Enterprise packages right now on the desktop for both handheld platforms, and it is also available on the Palm OS. We're in development of the handheld version, but I would not expect this for at least another month or two. (The Palm OS version of the forms designer was in development from before the initial release of Microsoft's Pocket PC OS, so we have a little catching up to do!).
- On the web site we accidentally included the wrong info in the Pocket PC's software packages page of the site. I promise you this was unintended- several of us here are very anal about being sure the 'what's included' is accurate. We'd rather not sell an app at all than sell it and have an unsatisfied customer!
The webmaster is correcting this page right now so that it accurately reflects what's in each package. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope this doesn't reflect us as a company who is intentionally false advertising. Would never want that to be the case- quite the contrary. There were so many things being done at the same time here, unfortunately this probably won't be the last typo on the site.
To George and others, as with all of our products, we have a 30 day refund policy, so please contact us: Toll-Free 1-877 334 4608 x2 for a refund if you so desire. You can always purchase it again when the handheld version is available if you'd so desire, and I sincerely hope this has not changed the way you view our company to that degree.
Again my apologies for unintentionally posting this misinformation. Certainly was not intentionally misleading customers- that's not at all what we're about!
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07-25-2002, 08:32 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ddhsoftware
Again my apologies for unintentionally posting this misinformation. Certainly was not intentionally misleading customers- that's not at all what we're about!
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If I've muddied this up any I am sorry. Actually, I am still looking for the forms app on the desktop. :?
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07-25-2002, 08:37 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 307
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It's too bad about the form designer not being available on the PocketPc yet, but the situation is not that tragic. You can still design the forms on the desktop. I rather have this than wait another month. Handbase is easily the best database program for the pocketpc. SprintDB is probably more powerful, but only to programmers. For the average and above average user, it's the way to go.
I am concerned about the bug someone on this reported. What was it? I am about to port over my databases and I guess I'll make backups first.
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07-25-2002, 09:25 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 713
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Tried to upgrade, mixed results
I downloaded the (free) upgrade from 2.7x to 3.0 which went well. Unfortunately, I didn't get the Forms Designer either. Very dissappointed about it. I'm pretty sure I had the Pro version before, but how can you tell?
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Bwana Jim
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07-25-2002, 09:27 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 10
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I've not had chance to dload the new 3.0 version but from reading posts here it looks like forms desinger is not availble if you are a "normal" existing 2.x user.
Can any one clarify that the current 3.0 desktop version does NOT have forms designer but that you need the professional version (which has an offer of 14.95 for an upgrade for existing users).
It sounds like it is worth the upgrade to the professional version (for me at any rate) if this is the case. 15 bucks is pretty reasonable.
Chris
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Linear Mode
