[support] Re: honest opinion about ebase?

[Ceffect]

When I'm consulting with clients on developing fundraising programs, I
usually advise them to move away from creating their own software and instead
consider an off the shelf package. Why - because they were paid to be
fundraisers not computer programmers, because within a very few years their
custom made system will be completely corrupted, lack any retrievable
documentation, and put them right back into the fundraising management hole
that they started out in.

Now, because I work with a lot of small and medium sized organizations, they
can't spring up front for a $3000 package such as Giftmaker Pro or Paradigm
(both of which I like a lot - I was wondering why the person who didn't like
paradigm didn't like it). So, I've been asking them to consider looking at
ebase because based on my very quick review, it seemed that the package was
at least useable and would meet basic needs.

Now that I'm on the listserve, I'm beginning to question my referrals. If
they have to buy Filemaker Pro and spend half their life customizing the
package, scrolling through archives from online support, and participating on
this listserv to get help because the package just doesn't work, in my
opinion, they may be better off with their homegrown customized software and
devoting all the time they are spending trying to make ebase work well for
them raising money instead so that they can purchase an off the shelf system
that works and has 800 telesupport and strong product development. (or spend
the $600 for etapestry training). (By the way, I saw a fabulous prototype
from Campagne called Alchemy which finally does what computer software is
supposed to do - provide people with the tools to be fundraising managers,
not database slaves.

So ... am I right?
Gayle

**********************************************
Gayle L. Gifford, CFRE
General Partner
Cause & Effect, LLC
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