RandyFocht
Programmer
I was a professional foxpro programmer 9 years ago, and haven't used it since. I have written some fairly large programs, including my first, which was the tax collection system for Samoa.
My last version was the first windows version. Unfortunately, that version, will no longer run on the current XP operating system.
I now own a wedding photography business, and need to track leads, and send emails, write invoices, and keep track of services and products for the client.
Which software would be better for my needs? Foxpro, or Access, or Filemaker?
I need a relational system, and if I could program some of it myself, I would prefer hands on approach, although I wouldn't mind paying someone to help me out as needed.
I would need 6 or more related databases, input screen with an indexed search on 5 fields (brides first name, brides last name, wedding date, grooms first name, last name) which would bring up a browse type table to select from, Hit <enter> and it would bring up all the personal info.
Half screen down would be tabs from left to right, each tab to a related database and it's info.
I need to keep track of all the emails/calls I make to each lead. I need to send an automated "how things going" type email every week to each potential customer over a long period of time, until their wedding date passes.
I also need to track new sales per week, how much I sold, with cost, and profit.
I need to keep track of vendors assignments . ie. photographers, videographers, musicians, flowers, cakes, etc., how much I owe them, and paid them.
Once this program is complete, I will be able to run my business much better.
If the latest Visual foxpro will still read the old commands from the command window, I could write most of the program myself.
QUESTION? Does the command window still work? Does browse still work? Do the old commands still work? Or is it now easier to create relationships using only the mouse. etc. as Object Oriented in place of programming commands?
Is Access easier to use than Foxpro? Is it now fully relational? Can I select certain records based on a "next email date" and do batch emails? If so, does it send them through Outlook?
I got the trial version of Filemaker, and was able to create a few databases, and create the relationship, and the input screen/form. But, I have no idea how to control anything.
I can't seem to find anyway to talk to Microsoft sales people as to what the latest program can and can't do programming wise.
Essentially, once Microsoft took over the program, and started charging the enormous fees for support, MS essentially put me out of business. (along with thousands of other fox programmers I hear).
It's hard to see how Microsoft can continue its total monopoly taking over and dominating one software area and another, one by one. Obviously, MS has more power than the courts now.
So, which software do I choose? Any suggestions would really be appreciated
Thanks,
Randy Focht
ILoveSax@hawaii.rr.com
My last version was the first windows version. Unfortunately, that version, will no longer run on the current XP operating system.
I now own a wedding photography business, and need to track leads, and send emails, write invoices, and keep track of services and products for the client.
Which software would be better for my needs? Foxpro, or Access, or Filemaker?
I need a relational system, and if I could program some of it myself, I would prefer hands on approach, although I wouldn't mind paying someone to help me out as needed.
I would need 6 or more related databases, input screen with an indexed search on 5 fields (brides first name, brides last name, wedding date, grooms first name, last name) which would bring up a browse type table to select from, Hit <enter> and it would bring up all the personal info.
Half screen down would be tabs from left to right, each tab to a related database and it's info.
I need to keep track of all the emails/calls I make to each lead. I need to send an automated "how things going" type email every week to each potential customer over a long period of time, until their wedding date passes.
I also need to track new sales per week, how much I sold, with cost, and profit.
I need to keep track of vendors assignments . ie. photographers, videographers, musicians, flowers, cakes, etc., how much I owe them, and paid them.
Once this program is complete, I will be able to run my business much better.
If the latest Visual foxpro will still read the old commands from the command window, I could write most of the program myself.
QUESTION? Does the command window still work? Does browse still work? Do the old commands still work? Or is it now easier to create relationships using only the mouse. etc. as Object Oriented in place of programming commands?
Is Access easier to use than Foxpro? Is it now fully relational? Can I select certain records based on a "next email date" and do batch emails? If so, does it send them through Outlook?
I got the trial version of Filemaker, and was able to create a few databases, and create the relationship, and the input screen/form. But, I have no idea how to control anything.
I can't seem to find anyway to talk to Microsoft sales people as to what the latest program can and can't do programming wise.
Essentially, once Microsoft took over the program, and started charging the enormous fees for support, MS essentially put me out of business. (along with thousands of other fox programmers I hear).
It's hard to see how Microsoft can continue its total monopoly taking over and dominating one software area and another, one by one. Obviously, MS has more power than the courts now.
So, which software do I choose? Any suggestions would really be appreciated
Thanks,
Randy Focht
ILoveSax@hawaii.rr.com
![[wink]](/data/assets/smilies/wink.gif "[wink] [wink]")
