Ot; Old Wish list requests
Richard Kreiss
rkreiss at verizon.net
Mon Mar 26 15:22:50 PDT 2018
Just a word here. I have worked with Mark on client projects and have always found him easy to work with and I appreciate his comments about software security.
Keep in mind that all of us are exposed to the issues Mark has often mentioned. Not just about issues with filePro but other software for which we have no control.
I'll bet many of those on this list just click on the User agreement on their smart device. One needs to be careful of what you are agreeing to. Southwest Airlines User Agreement for their in-flight internet application, a while back, said that it can access everything on you device. A Maryland hospital system User agreement for the patient portal had a paragraph that said "you are responsible for your own data security". This paragraph was just after a paragraph on a user ID and password. I clicked off as I would not agree to this. I think if I called their IT department and asked about what type of firewall they were using, the firmware version and when what other anti-virus software they were using, I would have had the FBI at my front door.
Have any of you considered the level of security offered by those home systems that connect to the internet and give you a live feed? I bet not. But without knowing this, you may be opening your home to worse problems then the system can protect against. Think of a thief being able to hack your home security system and shut off you alarm and open the front door.
Mark is always harping about security level in our programming. He is not wrong weather or not you like this, his points are correct.
He has pointed out that many software applications written in more "modern" languages are written poorly and have a lot of security holes. This is not just a filePro issue. His problem is that FP Tech most times does not listen and take steps to close or correct the problem areas.
Richard Kreiss
GCC Consulting
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Filepro-list [mailto:filepro-list-
> bounces+rkreiss=verizon.net at lists.celestial.com] On Behalf Of Wayne Smith via
> Filepro-list
> Sent: Monday, March 26, 2018 5:38 PM
> To: filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> Subject: Re: Ot; Old Wish list requests
>
> Good point Richard, you sir are somebody who has repeatedly helped many of
> us who like and tell filePro’s story to those who are able to and can listen. Add
> to it that we make it work everyday for a number of clients.
>
> Mark is operating in and on a cloud of his own ....his child-like insults mean
> nothing to me. His link didn’t even work trying to show something Antique he
> has written in FP.
>
> Wayne Smith
> Port Orange, Florida
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On Mar 26, 2018, at 5:14 PM, Richard D. Williams via Filepro-list <filepro-
> list at lists.celestial.com> wrote:
> >
> > Mark,
> >
> > I think everyone on this thread knows who is the "dick" here.
> >
> > Why don't you just grow up a little and understand that know one really wants
> to know what you think.
> > It is never helpful, except to feed your over blown ego.
> > You are just a mean person and you can not help yourself.
> >
> > I would think in your 43 years you have learned so manners.
> > Oh that's right, this is the internet. You don't need manners.
> >
> > Perfect for you.
> >
> > Richard D. Williams
> >
> > BTW The way for those of you who think this is too personal, well Mark
> always goes for the personal insults.
> >
> >
> >> On 3/26/2018 10:45 AM, Fairlight via Filepro-list wrote:
> >> Oh, you never saw the source in the past when I posted it in...2004? Huh.
> >> You must have been too busy being a dick, I guess. Here, let me
> >> remedy that (the lack of seeing -any- of my code, -not- the 'you
> >> being a dick', which I doubt can be rectified no matter how much source code
> I produce):
> >>
> >> https://members.iglou.com/fairlite/wayne_can_stfu_now.tar.gz
> >>
> >> That's the Fairlight File Sharing System, written in filePro against
> >> my OneGate CGI software. Ancient code, but it worked fine the last
> >> time it was actually in use.
> >>
> >> </waynes_leg_to_stand_on>
> >>
> >> Never come at me that way with a personal attack unless you are ready
> >> for the consequences, Wayne. In the immortal words of Illidan Stormrage:
> >> "YOU ARE NOT PREPARED!"
> >>
> >> Far better and brighter people than you have had a go, and lost. You
> >> don't intimidate me in the slightest, little man.
> >>
> >> (Preemptively, because -someone- will undoubtedly whine about how
> >> 'poor Wayne' was treated: "He blatantly -asked- for it, pretty much literally."
> >> I feel zero remorse over this one, nor can/will I be made to, so
> >> don't bother trying.)
> >>
> >> Cheers! :)
> >>
> >> mark->
> >>
> >>
> >> On Mon, Mar 26, 2018 at 10:05:22AM -0500, Wayne Smith via Filepro-list
> thus spoke:
> >>> In all the years I have seen you try to berate filePro I have yet to
> >>> see any examples of what you have written. Why don't you just shut
> >>> that clap trap of yours and let us fp programmers from level novice
> >>> to expert, get our work done in peace without your criticism of
> >>> which has never been welcome or useful in any way.
> >>>
> >>> Wayne Smith
> >>> Port Orange. Florida
> >>>
> >>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
> >>>
> >>> On Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 11:04 PM, Fairlight via Filepro-list <
> >>> filepro-list at lists.celestial.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> In the days when your alternatives were assembly, BASIC, or COBOL,
> >>>> I suppose it made sense as a low barrier-to-entry language.
> >>>>
> >>>> These days, it's a bad time investment. You'd be better off taking
> >>>> the time to learn something proper like Perl or Python, and develop
> >>>> skills which are more or less transferrable to other languages.
> >>>>
> >>>> I've lost track of the times something went wrong in fP because
> >>>> either the engine itself was flaky (record locking comes to mind),
> >>>> or because some obscure part of the language bit someone squarely
> >>>> in the arse. I'm -not- a fan of strongly typed languages, but fP
> >>>> takes it too far in the other direction. Combined with the
> >>>> piss-poor syntax checker and abysmal error reporting, which
> >>>> mis-report your actual issues more often than they illustrate it correctly,
> the entire combo is just plain aggravating.
> >>>>
> >>>> In all the time I've used filePro, I don't think an error on
> >>>> Index.A has
> >>>> -ever- ACTUALLY been an error on Index.A. Seriously.
> >>>>
> >>>> m->
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 11:20:11PM -0400, Richard Kreiss thus spoke:
> >>>>> Mark,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> What I posted was written in 1993 well before PCL6.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I think that the new PDF printing option is their way of
> >>>>> compensating for the inability of their output program to handle
> >>>>> anything but PCL 3 or 5
> >>>> on
> >>>>> the Windows platform.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> It is not a perfect answer but it does work. I think that
> >>>>> PrintWizard
> >>>> is a
> >>>>> much better solution as it doesn't need a lot of rewriting and can
> >>>>> be
> >>>> made
> >>>>> transparent to the user. It also has a lot for flexibility once
> >>>>> one
> >>>> learns
> >>>>> how to use it.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Again, PDF etc. were not options in 1993.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Also, keep in mind that some of the functions which were added may
> >>>>> be functions that FP Tech needed to maintain their primary client.
> >>>>> I have discussed the implementing the Spell Checker with a few of
> >>>>> my clients who are running versions that have it. None of them wanted it
> implemented.
> >>>>> However, I did implement the PDF printing for one client who is
> >>>>> also
> >>>> using
> >>>>> PrintWizard. They want to be able to have some form letters (with
> >>>>> logo) either printed or a PDF created from input processing with
> >>>>> the ability to select the printer. This seemed to be a good place
> >>>>> to use filePro's PDF creation option.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I know that filePro is not perfect as it is missing a lot of
> >>>> functionality
> >>>>> that other databases have but it is still a programming language
> >>>>> that
> >>>> can be
> >>>>> learned fairly quickly, for doing basic applications. But is
> >>>>> capable of handling a lot of sophisticated programming. The tools
> >>>>> are there, one
> >>>> just
> >>>>> needs to work out how to use them properly and when necessary make
> >>>>> use of other programming languages to fill the gaps.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Richard Kreiss
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>>> From: Filepro-list [mailto:filepro-list-
> >>>>>> bounces+rkreiss=verizon.net at lists.celestial.com] On Behalf Of
> >>>> Fairlight
> >>>>> via
> >>>>>> Filepro-list
> >>>>>> Sent: Friday, March 23, 2018 12:42 PM
> >>>>>> To: filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> >>>>>> Subject: Re: Ot; Old Wish list requests
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Hell, how about emulation of PCL5 -> PCL6, so people can buy any
> >>>>>> old
> >>>>> printer
> >>>>>> they want. Finding affordable PCL5 printers has become a
> >>>>>> challenge in
> >>>> the
> >>>>> last
> >>>>>> decade or so.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> You'd think that would take precedence over things like...spell
> >>>> checkers.
> >>>>>> Also...regex implementation for processing.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Of course, most of this is moot except for a few select clients
> >>>>>> who
> >>>>> upgraded.
> >>>>>> The majority of of my clients haven't moved past 5.0.14, nor do
> >>>>>> they
> >>>> plan
> >>>>> to.
> >>>>>> m->
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> On Thu, Mar 22, 2018 at 06:22:19PM +0000, Richard Kreiss via
> >>>> Filepro-list
> >>>>> thus
> >>>>>> spoke:
> >>>>>>> I came across this letter to Small Computer from 1993. I think
> >>>>>>> that
> >>>>> some of
> >>>>>> the items are still viable requests.
> >>>>>>> Although some of these have been addressed or are obsolete such
> >>>>>>> as
> >>>> using
> >>>>>> WordPerfect print drivers.
> >>>>>>> One Item - having one key and many data records making header
> >>>>>>> and
> >>>> detail
> >>>>>> files easier to handle. I was asked, if memory serves, by Howie
> >>>>>> how do
> >>>>> this. My
> >>>>>> answer was, "you're the programmers".
> >>>>>>> It might be convenient to have a way of linking a header file to
> >>>>>>> a
> >>>> data
> >>>>> file
> >>>>>> through filePro rather than linking them in programming and
> >>>>>> using an
> >>>>> index.
> >>>>>> Also, it would be convenient to be able to define an output by
> >>>> assigning
> >>>>> the each
> >>>>>> section to a file. As an example the header could be linked
> >>>>>> directly
> >>>> to
> >>>>> the
> >>>>>> necessary fields in the header file. The detail section could be
> >>>> linked
> >>>>> to the data
> >>>>>> file thereby allow real fields to be used rather than using
> >>>>>> temporary
> >>>>> fields or
> >>>>>> vice-versa.
> >>>>>>> Most of us would like to have the ability to update records from
> >>>>>>> a
> >>>>> browse
> >>>>>> lookup. Yes, I have done this through programming but is a pain
> >>>>>> to do
> >>>>> especially
> >>>>>> getting the popup screen to overlay the browse line properly.
> >>>>>>> I still would like to have the ability to define a multi-level
> >>>>>>> array
> >>>>> similar to what
> >>>>>> one can do in Basic.
> >>>>>>> Most of these Wishlist items have not been added.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> See letter below:
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Richard Kreiss
> >>>>>>> 539 Fairway Drive
> >>>>>>> Woodmere, New York 11598
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> March 24, 1993
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Small Computer Company
> >>>>>>> 41 Saw Mill River Road.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Hawthorne, New York 10532
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Attention: filePro Wish List
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> PRODUCE A MORE COHESIVE MANUAL.
> >>>>>>> Print one index for all versions 3, 4 and 4.1. It
> >>>>>>> is
> >>>> almost
> >>>>> impossible to
> >>>>>> find anything if you don't recall what version it comes from.
> >>>>>>> When new commands are added, give more examples of
> >>>>>>> how
> >>>> to
> >>>>> use
> >>>>>> the command.
> >>>>>>> 1. FilePro's Menu: (@once appears to answer this request)
> >>>>>>> Allow for passing parameters to @pm field by
> >>>>>>> prompting
> >>>> the
> >>>>>>> user for a response. This would be similar to prompting for a
> >>>>>>> qualifier using the -qm option. You might define this a -rm. (I
> >>>>>>> realize this may conflict with -rm command on Unix/Xenix
> >>>>>>> systems)
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> 2. Define output:
> >>>>>>> A. Allow for "Delete Blank Line" control for each
> >>>> section
> >>>>> of an output
> >>>>>> (ie. Header, and each break section).
> >>>>>>> B. Allow for the defining an absolute line(s) for a
> >>>> break
> >>>>> field(s) to begin
> >>>>>> printing when defining the output rather the in output processing.
> >>>> This
> >>>>> is
> >>>>>> especially true when creating a multi-lines form, such as an
> >>>>>> invoice,
> >>>> from
> >>>>> a
> >>>>>> header file and a detail files or printing checks.
> >>>>>>> C. Allow for break fields to be defined in sort/select
> >>>>> processing.
> >>>>>>> D. Better control of printers when printing boxes and
> >>>>> lines on a report
> >>>>>> or form.
> >>>>>>> E. Allow for the importing of graphics when printing
> >>>>> reports and
> >>>>>> forms. (can be done using print codes)
> >>>>>>> i.e. Logo's etc
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> 3. Processing
> >>>>>>> A. Allow for the defining a specific line for data to
> >>>> be
> >>>>> printed at using a
> >>>>>> print command - @print("47") which would advance the printer to
> >>>>>> line 47
> >>>>> and
> >>>>>> print out the information to be printed. (This command would be
> >>>> instead of
> >>>>> or in
> >>>>>> addition to 2.B).
> >>>>>>> B. With filePro 4.X's ability to enter 121 character
> >>>> per
> >>>>> line, need the
> >>>>>> ability to send print control code(s) to the printer when
> >>>>>> printing
> >>>>> processing
> >>>>>> tables. This is especially true if one wants to continue to
> >>>>>> print
> >>>>> processing tables
> >>>>>> using 8½x11 paper by using condensed type. Yes, many new
> >>>>>> printers will
> >>>>> allow
> >>>>>> for controlling this function at the printer. However, older
> >>>>>> printers
> >>>>> don't make
> >>>>>> this that easy and some of us are not necessarily sitting at or
> >>>>>> near
> >>>> our
> >>>>> printer.
> >>>>>> (Without going to the Printer Definition and initialize in
> >>>>>> condensed
> >>>> mode
> >>>>> each
> >>>>>> time)
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> 4. Define Files:
> >>>>>>> A. Allow for the creation of a file which allows for 1
> >>>>> KEY RECORD to
> >>>>>> have multiple DATA RECORDS associated with it. This would make it
> >>>>>> much simpler to handle programs which now require a header file
> >>>>>> and a detail
> >>>>> file,
> >>>>>> which contains multiple records associated with a key field in
> >>>>>> the
> >>>> header
> >>>>> file.
> >>>>>>> Such programs as order entry and/or
> >>>>>>> invoicing,
> >>>> which
> >>>>> may have a
> >>>>>> large number of line items associated with them would be easier
> >>>>>> to work
> >>>>> with.
> >>>>>>> B. Have a memo field edit which can be used to add
> >>>>> comments to a
> >>>>>> record. (Finally available)
> >>>>>>> C. Add binary field type for graphics display on
> >>>> screen
> >>>>> (and outputs).
> >>>>>> (available but doesn't allow for display)
> >>>>>>> 5. Updating Records:
> >>>>>>> A. Allow for the updating of multiple records while
> >>>> using
> >>>>> browse. This
> >>>>>> function is available in dBase and some other data base managers
> >>>>>> and
> >>>> makes
> >>>>> it
> >>>>>> very simple to handle the updating of multiple line items such as
> >>>> during
> >>>>> Accounts
> >>>>>> Payable or Accounts Receivable data payment entry. This would
> >>>>>> include
> >>>>> doing
> >>>>>> processing on each record updated.
> >>>>>>> B. Allow for full program control of function keys at
> >>>> the
> >>>>> field level
> >>>>>> when using when processing.
> >>>>>>> C. Allow for the redefining of the function keys
> >>>>>>> when in
> >>>>> input processing
> >>>>>> so that when a specific function key is pressed, no matter what
> >>>>>> field
> >>>> the
> >>>>> cursor is
> >>>>>> in, the action takes place.
> >>>>>>> D. Allow for multi-level arrays
> >>>>>>> i.e. dim array ("1","50") = array(1) to
> >>>>>>> array(50)
> >>>>> defined once or dim
> >>>>>> array ("1", ct) = array(1) to whatever variable "ct" equals,
> >>>>>> allowing
> >>>> for
> >>>>> variable
> >>>>>> number of array elements depending on requirements. This would be
> >>>>>> very
> >>>>> useful
> >>>>>> when a header an detail files have been defined and the details
> >>>>>> are
> >>>>> entered from
> >>>>>> the header file and posted to the detail file after all details
> >>>>>> are
> >>>>> entered as on
> >>>>>> order entry.
> >>>>>>> 6. DEFINE PRINTERS
> >>>>>>> Allow for the entry in the printer definition table,
> >>>>>>> the
> >>>>> number of
> >>>>>> characters/inch for the defined font. This information would be
> >>>>>> used
> >>>> when
> >>>>>> "RESOLVING" fields. this would allow for easier alignment of
> >>>>>> fields
> >>>> when
> >>>>> using
> >>>>>> other than a 10 pitch font.
> >>>>>>> Make a deal with WordPerfect Corporation to use
> >>>>>>> their
> >>>>> Printer Drivers.
> >>>>>>> Modify output programs to use WordPerfect printer drivers. This
> >>>>>>> is
> >>>>> possible as
> >>>>>> they have drivers for their programs running all the platforms
> >>>>>> that
> >>>>> filePro runs
> >>>>>> on.
> >>>>>>> This will allow for the most flexible report
> >>>>>>> generator
> >>>> for
> >>>>> any database
> >>>>>> program. Full use of all printer functions including printing
> >>>>>> graphics
> >>>>> would be
> >>>>>> possible. This is especially true of laser and inkjet printers
> >>>>>> which
> >>>> are
> >>>>> awkward to
> >>>>>> handle now.
> >>>>>>> 7. Create a "PACK" command option which would look through a
> >>>>> file and
> >>>>>> remove blank records. This would be much easier the present
> >>>>>> multiple
> >>>>> steps and
> >>>>>> large amount of disk space which may be necessary currently.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Very truly yours,
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Richard Kreiss
> >>>>>>> -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment
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> >>>>>>> <http://mailman.celestial.com/pipermail/filepro-list/
> >>>> attachments/20180
> >>>>>>> 322/eda324fb/attachment.bin>
> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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> >>>>>>> Filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> >>>>>>> Subscribe/Unsubscribe/Subscription Changes
> >>>>>>> http://mailman.celestial.com/mailman/listinfo/filepro-list
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>> --
> >>>>>> Audio panton, cogito singularis.
> >>>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>> Filepro-list mailing list
> >>>>>> Filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> >>>>>> Subscribe/Unsubscribe/Subscription Changes
> >>>>>> http://mailman.celestial.com/mailman/listinfo/filepro-list
> >>>>>
> >>>> --
> >>>> Audio panton, cogito singularis.
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> Filepro-list mailing list
> >>>> Filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> >>>> Subscribe/Unsubscribe/Subscription Changes
> >>>> http://mailman.celestial.com/mailman/listinfo/filepro-list
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Wayne Smith
> >>> Port Orange, Florida
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