Mike, I agree with your comments regarding M$. Much of the software industry is adopting what I think of as the "Exploding Menu" school of software design. I don't _want_ an animated desktop. Like you, I have a service bureau. My machine is a tool, not a gameboy, and anything that distracts from the job at hand costs me money. I need bullet-proof file management and security tools, and I'm being asked to fund eye-candy.
I have the feeling that Protel is headed down the same road, and for the same reasons. Once the basic OS or App is fairly well developed, it becomes hard to entice users to upgrade. The only options they have are to add inconsequential but visually exciting frills, or to create the necessity to purchase upgrades to cure bugs. 99SE was a great tool at $3900 for small shops and service bureaus, and was very cost effective. None of the new Protel features I've heard discussed seem to justify the doubling in price. Protel is just now getting around to dimensioning tools after 10 years. I already have to maintain Autocad to cover Protel's shortcomings in DXF/DWG. If I have to budget $1600/Yr for software, I'm opting for Eagleware, something much more useful for me than a new router....I doubt I'll live long enough to see RF tools even at the maintenance price they're asking. Brian * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
