----------
>From: Mark Allen <mpa@iig.com.au>
>To: PageStreamWindowsBeta List <PageStreamWindowsBeta@egroups.com>
>Subject: [PageStreamWindowsBeta] Concerns
>Date: Thu, May 18, 2000, 1:57 AM
>

>Hi,
>
>I'm starting to wonder if I have just made an expensive mistake.
>
>I've been trying to build a catalogue in Publisher. Not good. Missing the
>simple functionality of my Amiga and PageStream3 (been using for years
>previously), I jumped at PageStream v4 for Windows after seeing it ready
for
>release.
>
>Given the inefficiencies buying it direct from Soft-Logik, I finally found
a
>distributor (Haage & Partner, Germany) that offered an online purchase of
>the cross-grade I needed, and paid by credit card.
>
>2 days later I am given access to H&P's secure server to download the
>application while I wait for delivery of the hard copy. Regarding the
>latter, I am told "Good question. We are waiting for the manual which Deron
>has almost finished. Should be soon." OK, at least I have the electronic
>version for the time being.
>
>Except I haven't. My Permanent Password does not unlock the program. Email
>to Deron has brought no response so far.
>
>Now I also hear of wide-spread problems with printing, when I have about
>2000 colour pages to print over the coming weeks.
>
>Out of the frying pan into the fire?
>
>Regards,
>
> Mark

Arrggg. 2000 colour pages.
How many weeks do you have?
Most of the bugs in the Windows version are fixed, but it's still not
perfect. A lot of new features though.

I download from www.softlogik.com, and the password/to get access to that
site is the same as used to setup PageStream. You're not trying to use your
Amiga version UserName/Password are you? Deron has set up a different
combination for each platform.

Does H&P have the same username/password combination as SoftLogik? i.e. 9
digits for user name and 9 letter-digits for the password?

Don't despair yet, but it does take time fore Deron to respond to his email.
After the move, he's had a lot of trouble setting up at his new location.
I just checked and see that you're in Austraila.
It's unfortunate that Deron isn't setup for credit card. I had to write a
check. In the U.S. you can get PageStream through SoftWare Hut
(www.softhut.com) and in England through BlitterSoft. Those are other
options you might have for international purchase.

Deron has always responded to my email, but sometimes it does take several
weeks.

Dave

> -----Original Message-----
> From: David M. McKinstry [mailto:dmckinstry@ewu.edu]
>
> Arrggg. 2000 colour pages.
> How many weeks do you have?

It's overdue. It's my own customers that are waiting on the catalogue and my
sales depend on it.
I calculate 2+ weeks printing virtually continuously from the BJC-6000 as
long as it doesn't overheat or in any other way complain about the workload.
If it does, I'll buy another one (or the BJC-8200).

> Most of the bugs in the Windows version are fixed, but it's still not
> perfect. A lot of new features though.

I bought PGS Amiga v3.0 on it's announcement and waited like everyone else
for the usable and up-to-spec versions to arrive. I know Deron will get
there, and I like his programming very much. However I'm no longer in a
position to wait like I did then. If I can't get PageStream4 Win up and
printing in the next few days I have no choice but to cancel the purchase
and look elsewhere for a solution to my needs.

> I download from www.softlogik.com, and the password/to get access to that
> site is the same as used to setup PageStream. You're not trying
> to use your
> Amiga version UserName/Password are you? Deron has set up a different
> combination for each platform.

I didn't know that. Yes, I'm using my Amiga registration and password
numbers. Until now I knew no different.

> Does H&P have the same username/password combination as SoftLogik? i.e. 9
> digits for user name and 9 letter-digits for the password?

Unknown. I was given direct, browser access to the file download without any
mention of username and passwords that I might need to use the program.

I've emailer Deron twice regarding Passwords, and once a few days prior to
that regarding payment, and have received no response to any of them.

> Don't despair yet, but it does take time fore Deron to respond to
> his email.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time to just sit and wait until he does. I
have a business to run too.

> After the move, he's had a lot of trouble setting up at his new
> location.

I can easily sympathise, I have been running my own businesses for 12 years
too. However none have ever been conducted without someone at the counter
(real or virtual) to respond more or less immediately to customers' needs
and requirements. I need this very same service myself now.

> I just checked and see that you're in Austraila.
> It's unfortunate that Deron isn't setup for credit card.

My assumption is that times have been hard for Soft-Logik. I would like to
think Deron can continue and improve on Soft-Logik's success, since he's
made it this far. His products are very good, but he obviously needs more
resources to service them. I would very much like to support him, but only
if he is going to support me in return.

>I had to write a
> check. In the U.S. you can get PageStream through SoftWare Hut
> (www.softhut.com) and in England through BlitterSoft. Those are other
> options you might have for international purchase.

I tried all listed distributors online, and while I could find PageStream on
them all, only Haage & Partner allowed me to specify and purchase the
Windows crossgrade online.

> Deron has always responded to my email, but sometimes it does take several
> weeks.

Unfortunately, even one week to install a program and get meaningful
feedback regarding obstacles is unacceptable. If there is an appropriate and
effective effort to get me up and running and PGS Windows printing reliably
over the next few days, I'll give Deron the benefit of my support. But if
this is not forthcoming (for whatever reason), then I simply have to go
elsewhere, and soon.

My dilemma right now is exactly when to draw the line. The silence makes it
hard. Once I make the decision to go elsewhere, I won't be back.

Thanks for your supportive comments.

Regards,

Mark

Mark,

While Deron has made considerable progress in the Windows version, I don't
think it's ready for the kind of project you are describing. I downloaded
the latest version yesterday and it is looking good but is still crash prone
and has some other problems. And I don't know about printing. I haven't been
able to try that yet, but others have mentioned that there are still
printing problems. I don't want to recommend someone give up on PageStream
but if you need to do something NOW you may not be able to. Just thought you
ought to know. Admittedly, I have not tried a major project in PageStream
Windows so others who have may be able to give you more precise info.

Judy

judyreese@ibm.net
jereese@compuserve.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Allen" <mpa@iig.com.au>
To: <PageStreamWindowsBeta@egroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2000 6:59 PM
Subject: RE: [PageStreamWindowsBeta] Concerns

> -----Original Message-----
> From: David M. McKinstry [mailto:dmckinstry@ewu.edu]
>
> Arrggg. 2000 colour pages.
> How many weeks do you have?

It's overdue. It's my own customers that are waiting on the catalogue and my
sales depend on it.
I calculate 2+ weeks printing virtually continuously from the BJC-6000 as
long as it doesn't overheat or in any other way complain about the workload.
If it does, I'll buy another one (or the BJC-8200).

> Most of the bugs in the Windows version are fixed, but it's still not
> perfect. A lot of new features though.
--content snipped--

My dilemma right now is exactly when to draw the line. The silence makes it
hard. Once I make the decision to go elsewhere, I won't be back.

Thanks for your supportive comments.

Regards,

Mark

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Judy Reese [mailto:judyreese@ibm.net]
>
> While Deron has made considerable progress in the Windows version, I don't
> think it's ready for the kind of project you are describing. I downloaded

I seem to be getting this impression. The web site gave no real indication
that the program has some serious problems. I can handle relatively minor
niggles and rough edges that I know Deron will address, but being able print
accurately and reliably is (to state the obvious) somewhat fundamental.

My biggest concern is the level of communication. I've paid for the program
yet still haven't received a new registration number and password, or even
really know whether it's Haage & Partner or Deron that I should be asking,
or whether Deron has identified and fixed the printing problem and the
likely timeframe for access to the fix.

Deron? DERON? Anybody home?

Regards,

Mark

Mark,

I would echo your sentiments about communication from SoftLogik, and also
those of Judy concerning the liklihood of being able to get your project
completed with any degree of certainty with this program in the next little
while. Like all good salesmen, Deron has been wildly optimistic with his
ETA's for completion of PageStream For Windows ... I think he originally
estimated 3 months of beta development towards a workable product in mid
1998! One colleague suggested to me that when the betas start getting to
numbers 9 or 10, that perhaps a few liberties are being taken with the term,
beta! Obviously the road has been a little more "long and winding"
since he kicked development off on PageStream For Windows, and it has likely
tried the patience of most of us on this mailing list! But, the light at
the end of the tunnel does seem a little brighter now, notwithstanding the
problems I am having trying to get it to go, and I expect a workable program
is not too far away. Deron would do well to belt out a mail once a week,
just to keep everyone up with how progress is going ... what problem he has
been tackling in the previous few days, etc ... but that is not his style.
Those of us who have been on the mailing list for a while know to get the
1kg bag of salt out of the cupboard when Deron suggests an update is just
around the corner! But, to be fair to him, he is probably developing this
on his own, so there are probably not enough hours in the day for him at the
moment ... obviously, the sooner he gets finished, the sooner he can make a
regular income out of the program, and so it is in his interest to get it
completed. I am only a "part-time Pete" when it comes to this program ... I
am interested in text and graphics, and the minipulation thereof on a
computer screen, for hobby reasons only ... so, I likely don't feel the
sense of urgency you do to see it working fairly soon. I hope you get your
reg + password soon, so you can at least give getting that project printed a
go. Good Luck!

Cheers,

Wayne.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Allen" <mpa@iig.com.au>
To: <PageStreamWindowsBeta@egroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2000 3:16 PM
Subject: RE: [PageStreamWindowsBeta] Concerns

> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Judy Reese [mailto:judyreese@ibm.net]
> >
> > While Deron has made considerable progress in the Windows version, I
don't
> > think it's ready for the kind of project you are describing. I
downloaded
>
> I seem to be getting this impression. The web site gave no real indication
> that the program has some serious problems. I can handle relatively minor
> niggles and rough edges that I know Deron will address, but being able
print
> accurately and reliably is (to state the obvious) somewhat fundamental.
>
> My biggest concern is the level of communication. I've paid for the
program
> yet still haven't received a new registration number and password, or even
> really know whether it's Haage & Partner or Deron that I should be asking,
> or whether Deron has identified and fixed the printing problem and the
> likely timeframe for access to the fix.
>
> Deron? DERON? Anybody home?
>
> Regards,
>
> Mark

I think part of Deron's problem right now is that, as I understand it, he
doesn't have any phone lines set up at his new location yet. (He's
apparently *WAY* out in the boonies ) So he has to go somewhere else to
do email. Plus he's been swamped - he seems to be basically a 'one man show'
at the moment, so not only is he chief programmer and bottle washer, but
help desk person and salesman, too. He DOES answer email, but not as
regularly as even he would like, I imagine. Most of us are just grateful
that he's still holding out and working on the program. It is a slow
process, but progress is being made. Knowing all of this doesn't help your
immediate problem, but at least it may help you understand what's happening.

Judy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Allen" <mpa@iig.com.au>
To: <PageStreamWindowsBeta@egroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2000 10:16 PM
Subject: RE: [PageStreamWindowsBeta] Concerns
> My biggest concern is the level of communication. I've paid for the
program
> yet still haven't received a new registration number and password, or even
> really know whether it's Haage & Partner or Deron that I should be asking,
> or whether Deron has identified and fixed the printing problem and the
> likely timeframe for access to the fix.

judyreese@ibm.net
jereese@compuserve.com>