A REAL Filepro manual or just charge my ass and help me out with this memo exporting please
Richard Kreiss
rkreiss at verizon.net
Fri Apr 9 12:41:59 PDT 2021
Nancy,
The problem with the license is that the service on windows points to the license and when one upgrades on needs to install the new license file. That make sense from FP Techs standpoint in that it keeps users from downloading a Subscription version and installing it on a machine which is running a regular version.
I have 2 subscription licenses which requires me to update the service on 2 computers. I ran into an issue at on clients site when the security on the system would not allow for the new license installation. This kept the filePro service from being installed and run. I had to reinstall the old license which apparently was running prior to the install of the security program as I was able to reinstall the previous license.
It is a good thing that the upgrade was not installed on the production side as the old license was for an older version 5.8 rather then 6.0. It took FP Tech sup[port to sort out the issue with the security to get the new license in. Until I complete all of the testing required, they are still running on 5.8. This user had issues with older versions of FilePro causing issues with code that had been running. I also had issue with a maintenance release which slowed down *report. It took Ken Brody actually seeing what was happening on my clients server for a correction to be made. They had tested the release and not observed this issue. I was given a version of the program which they could use with a debugger so that they could see what was causing the issue. I used an older version o rreport on their system to avoid the issue until the corrected version was delivered and tested.
I run the latest versions of filePro on my system to insure that most of the programs work as written. Tis involves a lot of testing on my part. I also test out the new functions that were added and have made suggestion or pointed out issues with the new function. Most of the time these issues were corrected almost immediately.
Lately FP Tech has advise that the correction would come in the next maintenance release. They are most likely accumulating corrections and putting out one maintenance release with the fix for the subscription version and making any fix to the general release version.
I agree that the install can be somewhat confusing. I would like to see an option to Upgrade or Update that only adds newer files not the complete install as this is misleading when space on the drive is limited. The install procedure does not take into account that it will be overwriting most of the files when doing an update and not a new install.
Richard
----Original Message-----
> From: Filepro-list <filepro-list-bounces+rkreiss=verizon.net at lists.celestial.com>
> On Behalf Of Nancy Palmquist via Filepro-list
> Sent: Friday, April 9, 2021 2:42 PM
> To: filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> Subject: Re: A REAL Filepro manual or just charge my ass and help me out with
> this memo exporting please
>
> Mark,
>
> I have long complained about the filePro chosen licensing scheme, especially for
> windows which is a windows count and not a butt/CPU count.
> Seems to me they should license CPU's not windows but that argument is long
> lost.
>
> I have also tried to get a license that would not need to download a file. This
> makes it very difficult to distribute a licensed version as a runtime for a vertical
> package.
>
>
> But they do not see filepro as an engine to use to develop vertical packages for
> distribution, they see filePro as a custom development package.
> You know I think filePro is a great tool and I will continue to use it but I have had
> two long standing complaints.
> 1) the licensing model
> 2) the install procedures - I have yet to install filepro right the first time - even on
> my own machines. I seem to be deficient in this one area and have never been
> able to overcome it.
>
> But this is just my two cents.
>
> Have a great weekend all.
>
> Bye,
>
> Nancy
>
>
>
> On 8/16/2017 2:17 PM, Fairlight via Filepro-list wrote:
> > Richard,
> >
> > Most of the software today come with licensing schemes which do one of
> > the
> > following:
> >
> > 1) Activate with a simple code, and don't care about hardware changes.
> >
> > 2) Activate with a simple code, care about hardware changes, and give
> > you a grace period to reactivate. (Windows follows this, I believe.)
> >
> > 3) Activate with a simple code, care about hardware changes, and give
> > you
> > -no- grace period. (Office 2010 definitely falls into this category,
> > as to PopCap Games' games.)
> >
> > 4) Activate with a dongle-based license, against an eLicenser, iLok,
> > or similar USB dongle or HDD-based key store. The dongle-based
> > solutions allow you to switch which computer you're using,
> > irrespective of hardware configuration; if you have a dongle with a valid
> license, you're golden.
> >
> > Of the software which cares about hardware changes, -most- only track
> > cumulative changes before bitching. Windows doesn't care until you
> > replace
> > 2-3 components at once, typically.
> >
> > Then there's filePro. It cares if you change the two pieces of
> > hardware
> > -most- likely to change, which are your HDD and your NIC. Hell, I
> > preemptively upgrade hard drives before they start dropping sectors,
> > both to make sure I don't have data loss issues, and to upgrade
> > capacity. I upgraded three hard drives last year, from 2TB to 6TB
> > each, plus my SSD from 512MB to 1TB. There were about five pieces of
> > software which even cared, and the only one which was problematic was
> > Office 2010, which required a 3hr-long argument with Microsoft before
> > they finally relented and gave me a new license. [This is one reason
> > I'm so reticent to move from Win7 to Win10, as it's documented that
> > it'll do it again.] The only reason it tripped some software was
> > because I replaced so four pieces at once. Aside from Office, I was
> > pain-free within an hour, and you have no idea how much software I
> > have installed, from games, to VSTs, to productivity software.
> >
> > As far as NICs, I've seen too many blown NICs at client sites to want
> > to rely on that. That's insane.
> >
> > Not only that, you're at the mercy of the company to get the new code.
> > It's not like they have a simple and automated challenge/response
> > client built into anything, as iZotope does. Oh, and when you need to
> > do an emergency reinstall because your box blew out at 1am on a
> > weekend? No, thank you very much.
> >
> > This draconian kind of scheme does not belong in what would purport to
> > be enterprise-grade software. Even AutoCAD, dicks though they are,
> > were at least dongle-based.
> >
> > ***NO*** software company should have the right to dictate that your
> > legitimately licensed software immediately stops working properly the
> > second you dare exercise -your right- to freely upgrade your hardware,
> > for whatever reason you choose to upgrade. Compounding the issue is
> > the general consensus from people I speak with who say that fP-Tech is
> > notoriously hard to reach in a timely fashion.
> >
> > It's a matter of principle. When allegedly business-class software
> > has worse user protection than artistic/creativity-based software like
> > music VSTs, there's an issue.
> >
> > I'll say this: As a developer myself, I accept piracy as a cost of
> > doing business. That is the price of playing in the software sandbox, full stop.
> > Piracy is going nowhere, ever. My products are not inexpensive
> > (OneGate is $1k, as are a few others). If someone needs to steal from
> > me that badly, they need the money more than I do, apparently. I
> > could use the money, but so be it. (God help them if I catch them,
> > but I'm not going to penalise people with a horrible UX or borderline
> > spyware up-front. No.)
> >
> > I would rather sink R&D time/money into features which cause users to
> > -want- to purchase my quality software, rather than punish paying
> > customers with draconian DRM. If you're making software which is good
> > enough that people -want- to pay you for quality goods, and you can
> > survive in a meritocracy, then you know you're doing it correctly. If
> > you have to force them to do it, it's time to re-evaluate your offerings.
> >
> > I would rather every software company followed suit, and did business
> > decently, rather than screwing their paying customers. A lot of
> > people are dropping companies who play ball like this, because the
> > -only- thing a lock does is keep an honest man out. People have also
> > been known to pay for licenses of software, then pirate a copy with
> > the DRM bypassed, strictly for the better UX. It is not an uncommon practise.
> >
> > mark->
> >
> >
> > On Wed, Aug 16, 2017 at 01:35:39PM -0400, Richard Kreiss thus spoke:
> >> Top Post:
> >>
> >> I don't know why everyone is bitching. Most of the software one
> >> purchases today comes with some sort of licensing scheme. All of
> >> the paid Anti-virus programs and the various tool programs come with
> >> licensing and will not function if the registration code or license code is not
> entered.
> >>
> >> My Microsoft Action Pack comes with licensing and the user count
> >> available with that software. If it comes with a single user count,
> >> it only allows for the software to be installed and registered on one
> >> computer. If you try to install it a second time, you will get an error message.
> >>
> >> Keep in mind that the *nix version of filePro always had user
> >> restrictions, the Windows version on the other hand did not. One
> >> could purchase a 5 user network version and have 250 users access it.
> >> Or an employer (direct
> >> purchase) could purchase a 20 user license and not have any issues as
> >> the business grew and added more users without paying for additional
> licenses.
> >>
> >> Yes, I wish there was an easier way to implement filePro's license manager.
> >> However, I and my clients have not had issues with it. The only
> >> issue is when a session does not end properly and the license manager
> >> needs to be stopped and restarted to release that session. This
> >> happens mostly with remote sessions.
> >>
> >> Also, at least with the Windows version, a batch file for adding the
> >> license is supplied in case there is a problem installing the service
> >> at installation time. With a minor modification this batch file can
> >> also stop and the restart the license service. This could also most
> >> likely be re-written using Windows PowerShell scripting.
> >>
> >> If you are referring to the complaint about sessions vs. seats, that
> >> is something else. Intuits' QuickBooks also has a per session license.
> >>
> >> I have a client who used the Xenix version of filePro many years ago
> >> and was familiar with that licensing. When we moved to the Windows
> >> licensing, he was not happy with the per session licensing as a
> >> number of his employees opened multiple windows, including himself. The
> trade-off was he did not
> >> have to consider system command outputs as part of his user count. After
> >> analyzing his usage, he only had to purchase an extra 5 user runtime
> >> to handle the additional sessions.
> >>
> >> Although I am one person programming, I can have open 4 to 5 sessions
> >> on my computer or 2 sessions on my laptop(tablet). I therefore have
> >> a 5 user license for my office and a 2 user license for my tablet.
> >>
> >> What I find interesting is that those who have not upgraded are
> >> missing out on all of the new features and functions that have been
> >> added since the older version you are running. fP Tech has made
> >> upgrading rather cost effective with their subscription plan. Keep
> >> in mind that they need to be selling(have cash flow) to stay in
> >> business and their primary product has to have new features and functions to
> keep up with client needs.
> >>
> >> Some of these features many would consider minor such as the ability
> >> to have a scrolling screen field or the ability to apply a selection
> >> set to an automatic index( making an auto index into an automatic
> >> demand index). Some major changes are the ability to encrypt a field and
> now a complete file.
> >> Visually the new selectbox() function which is similar to a listbox()
> >> except one can prompt the user to type in characters to get to the item
> wanted.
> >> Also added, although not as easy as PrintWizard, is the ability to
> >> output PDF files. This breaks the dependency on PCL 3 and 5 compatible
> printers.
> >>
> >> For use developers, this can be an added income source in converting
> >> existing outputs to PDF. I already did this for one client from and
> >> @key which listed 3 letters which one could be selected. It then
> >> asked printed or PDF. The print option the allowed for the selection of a
> printer.
> >>
> >> I had wanted to allow the user to select one of two
> >> directories(folders) to send the PDF but that was nixed. It is dent to the user's
> "My Documents"
> >> folder on their local machine.
> >>
> >> Mark, You develop tools to be used to handle issues that the primary
> >> program cannot handle or cannot or does not handle well. You also
> >> have a licensing mechanism to insure that your software is not pirated.
> >>
> >> Sans the license manager, isn't there new functionality that can be
> >> added to an existing application that will entice your clients(
> >> developer or in-house
> >> programmer) to want to upgrade? They do offer a free 30 day license
> >> to test the new version. It is worth a look and the time spent.
> >>
> >> I have been developing with filePro since it was owned by Small
> >> Computer Company at 230 W 41st street. I mention this as my offices
> >> were at 140 W 40th. I started with Tandy's proFile and moved to FilePro 16
> (Xenix) 1983.
> >> I have been doing this for a lot of year now and am still learning.
> >> I have received much help for others on the list when I have had problems.
> >> However, there is nothing like being able to "play" with new
> >> functionality to see what it can or can't do. One of the wish-list
> >> items was the ability to size a browse window to fit the number of
> >> records selected, This was especially true when only 2 or four
> >> records were selected when programmed for 12. I took up this
> >> challenge one day and found a way to accomplish this. I do use that
> >> programming when appropriate. Ken Brody demonstrated a way to make a
> memo window dynamic at a filePro conference.
> >>
> >> Yes, filePro has shortcomings but how many programs can run software
> >> developed on their early iterations? I can run programs I wrote in
> >> versions 3,4, 4.1,4.5,4.8,5.0, etc. that goes back to programs I
> >> wrote in the late 80's and 90's. I have clients who are still
> >> running by textile brokerage program in versions earlier then 5.0 and
> >> only call when they need a new printer or need to move the program to
> >> a new computer. The just don't have problems. If they do, it is
> >> usually just a matter of rebuilding the automatic indexes.
> >>
> >> Many years ago I had my primary application lifted by an employee who
> >> left a client.
> >>
> >> After that, I had to write programming that in effect locked that
> >> application to my client's equipment. The programming is similar for
> >> fP Tech's licensing but without the user count. I also added
> >> programming to insure that I received any payments where a client
> >> owed me monthly. No payment, They could see and print out reports on
> >> what was already there but could not add any new records.
> >>
> >> The interesting thing about this was the fellow who stole my software
> >> had hired a bookkeeper who had worked for another client and when
> >> they finally had an issue called me do come in a fix it. That was
> >> some 6 years after pirating my program. I politely explained to the
> >> bookkeeper that I wouldn't be available except if they paid the
> >> current price of the software plus a rental fee for 6 years of prior
> >> use by certified check. An appointment would be made after the check
> >> cleared my bank. They of course never paid and the program became
> >> useless to them. By the way, this company is no longer in business.
> >>
> >> So, the question is, how much pirating of filePro has been reduced
> >> and how much income have they gotten from this licensing model?
> >> Everyone, keep in mind the original owner's Small Computer Co. sued
> >> there largest outside developer for thousands of dollars in lost
> >> revenue by that developer giving away versions of filePro. I don't
> >> remember the name of the company but I think it was in Pennsylvania. Small
> Computer won that case.
> >>
> >> Richard Kreiss
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: Filepro-list [mailto:filepro-list-
> >>> bounces+rkreiss=verizon.net at lists.celestial.com] On
> Behalf Of
> >>> bounces+Fairlight
> >> via
> >>> Filepro-list
> >>> Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 9:01 AM
> >>> To: filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> >>> Subject: Re: A REAL Filepro manual or just charge my ass and help me
> >>> out
> >> with
> >>> this memo exporting please
> >>>
> >>> On Wed, Aug 16, 2017 at 12:53:59PM +0000, Henry Melancon via
> >>> Filepro-list thus spoke:
> >>>> Do they not realize they are losing money because of the licensing????
> >>> Well, I see two possible options:
> >>>
> >>> 1) They've only heard it from third party consultants/programmers
> >>> rather
> >> than
> >>> direct customers (although I know Brian White has said it, and is an
> >> employee of
> >>> a direct customer), or
> >>>
> >>> 2) They've heard it from customers, and simply don't care. That's
> >>> an
> >> approach
> >>> big companies like Adobe can afford to take, as people are always
> >>> going to
> >> want
> >>> Adobe products. I wasn't under the impression that fP-Tech was in
> >>> that
> >> league.
> >>> mark->
> >>> --
> >>> 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
> >>
>
> --
> Nancy Palmquist MOS & filePro Training Available
> Virtual Software Systems Web Based Training and Consulting
> PHONE: (412) 835-9417 Web site: http://www.vss3.com
>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://mailman.celestial.com/pipermail/filepro-list/attachments/20210409/903b3c7a/attachment.html>
> _______________________________________________
> Filepro-list mailing list
> Filepro-list at lists.celestial.com
> Subscribe/Unsubscribe/Subscription Changes http://mailman.celestial.com/mailman/listinfo/filepro-list
More information about the Filepro-list
mailing list