. The Alpha Five Update records genie got me started; I am so amazed by what is done in seconds by this Update that I call it the Bell Ringer! I am using Importing and Exporting more and more frequently. I believe we should not reinvent the wheel - that sometimes means using Alpha Five in conjunction with other programs.
Q: What is your background? Do you have any formal training in computers? Database Management Systems are generally considered to be among the most difficult software programs to master.
I come from a design background and am self-taught in computers. In 1985, my father gave us his first Apple - I or II - I'm not sure which. I then purchased the state-of-the-art IBM XT with a whopping 10 mg hard drive. In selecting programs, I came upon a flat database called Nutshell, put out by Leading Edge. I immediately fell in love with databases, probably because I love to put things in order. I am not a programmer, so the other options available - dBase, Paradox, etc., were way beyond my interest or skill level - sort of like Access would be for me today.
Q: How did you come to use Alpha Four?
In the 80's, software technology was moving by leaps and bounds. When I found that Nutshell was no longer supported, I looked around for a more advanced program. I'm a software junkie, so, I'll try anything I think might do the job. I do have one requirement, however. I am a firm believer that software should be designed for the user, not to feed the programmer's ego. It should be reasonably easy-to-use for the non-initiated. Alpha Four fit into that category.
Q: When did you move to Alpha Five? How did you find the transition? What were some of the pitfalls for you and your company?
My transition to Alpha Five v.1 was a disaster. In the midst of the development, my laptop - with the only copy of my new application - was stolen. (Backup lesson learned big time!) I was so discouraged that by the time I restarted, version 3 was out. I was delighted to discover that Alpha had made significant advances. Much easier to use, it became a pleasure to restart the development in the windows environment.
I was lucky in another respect. For more than 30 years, my father, his secretary, Marge, and her IBM Selectric ran our office. It was not until he died in 1995 that the need to switch to computers became essential. My Alpha Five development for this business began in earnest at that time. We had used Alpha Four in a very limited manner, so the transition was not a problem.
Today, Alpha Five allows us to remain a small, tightly run business. Dave and our office manager, Clorinda Zielinski, do the work of many more, thanks to the efforts of the Alpha Software team.
Q: How important is Alpha Five to your business?
Without Alpha Five we would not be in business today. As the government moved to computers, 3-line bids that were easily executed on a typewriter have developed into as many as 700 lines with multiple destinations. In addition, lead times have become shorter and shorter. I look back in gratitude today, realizing that my penchant for databases was more fortuitous than I could ever have foreseen. Alpha Five runs all sales for Liberty Food Marketers Co. From the time the bid first hits the street through the final awards, Alpha Five is the engine that moves us and our customers to a successful conclusion.
Q: How would you characterize the skill level needed to create and implement the type of Alpha Five application that you have running your business?
A beginner looking at our application might think it took a lot of skill. The important thing to remember is that it was built one table, one set and one report at a time. The tricky thing for us is that we are in the middle between inflexible government agencies - they want what they want when they want it - and our customers whom, we want to please - they pay our bills. My belief is that Alpha Five can do whatever I need - my task is only to figure out how to make that happen.
Q: You and Frances Peake have been working together lately. Tell us how this enterprise came about, and what you are doing.
Jim, that 's a topic for another interview! Briefly, Francie and I are running "Get Outta DOS" seminars, teaching Alpha Four users how to make the transition to Alpha Five. It's a hard decision for many, since their Alpha Four applications are running so successfully. Their users and customers, however, are clamoring for the more advanced features available in a Windows environment.
Q: Was this the fertile ground you needed to write your book?
Yes! I've always known there was a book in my head - I just needed a topic. Remember, I said earlier that I had no tolerance for software programs that only flatter the developer's expertise. I feel the same way about the learning experience. Francie and I decided that since we had so much material to cover in such a short time, we needed to give the seminar attendees a method for repeating the material we covered in class when they returned home. Those exercises were the springboard for Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 4.5. While the book is more comprehensive, it does contain a special section by Frances Peake on the transition from Alpha Four to Alpha Five.
Q: How does one go about getting your new book?
Alpha Five Made Easy, The Basics and More for Version 4.5 is now available on the Alpha Software web site, www.alphasoftware.com. An Introductory Special is running right now.
Q: We just returned from Ira Perlow's Alpha Five Developers Conference. Give us your reactions to the conference in general and specifically, the new Alpha Five version 5 about to be released.
The conference was fabulous. It is always exciting to be surrounded by people who speak the Alpha language. I've attended many business conferences by myself and wind up having breakfast alone with only a book for company. Not so at an Alpha event. Last year when I was very much unknown in the Alpha community, Steve Workings asked me to join his breakfast table on the first morning. Francie and I met that same weekend. I keep reflecting on what has happened to me in the past year: the "Get Outta DOS" seminars, a new book and this year I was a presenter at the conference. Thanks, Ira, for starting a new ball rolling for me!
About Alpha Five v. 5 - WOW is all I can say. The new genies will make this an even more wonderful program for non-programmers like me. Writing the book gave me empathy for Selwyn and his crew. In October, at our first seminar, I said my book would be ready in a couple of weeks. Wrong! I came to realize that a good idea and a bad product would be a disaster. It was essential that I take the necessary time to get it right. I also came to realize that it would probably never be perfect, so we have developed a "Fix-It Here" space on our web site - www.LibertyManuals.com - for any improvements that need to be added.
Q:Do you plan to update the book for version 5?
I do, but not until after the software is actually released because the screen shots and steps in the book must match what the user sees and does. The good news is that, since the principles of the program remain the same, most of my changes will be cosmetic - screen shots, etc. The feature that really changes is the Expression Builder and, once the current version is understood, the new one will just make the job easier.
Q: Susan, four of us shared a ride to Logan airport after the conference was over. Did you enjoy it as much as I did?
That experience, too, was a tribute to Ira, the hotel he chose and the friendliness of the Alpha Community. Ira took the time to compile a list of airport departure times for the attendees. I hooked up with you, Tom Patten and Ken Nordin. Minnesota bound Tom really, really, really wanted to see Boston. The hotel recommended Dan (our new best friend) to take us on a whirlwind 2-hour pre-airport tour, with Dan grabbing the cameras to photograph us in front of every landmark. We're all still laughing - it was such fun!
Q: What do you hope the future holds for Liberty Food Marketers and how do you see Alpha Five helping you to get there?
Last year was our best year ever. This year is off to a booming start. I have been, however, the only one in our company with knowledge of Alpha Five at the development level. The good news is that my son is now getting involved with Alpha Five, writing an application to handle his investments. This is important for the future of the company since tweaks, additions and fixes are part of ongoing application maintenance. An option, of course, would be to contact a professional developer, which is easy to do at
www.alphasoftware.com/services/default.asp
As long as there is an Alpha Five (or Alpha Six or Alpha Seven or wherever Selwyn decides to travel) we'll be along for the ride. It is so exciting to see the continued Alpha commitment to a powerful database that will satisfy the needs of programmer and non-programmer alike.
