[Leaplist] Accouting software -- 6 things to know about Linux (and why to consider Apple)

[Fred Moore]

On Wednesday 15 November 2006 6:54 pm, Bryan J. Smith wrote:
> Ray Brunkow wrote:
> > it is both.  the ONLY reason i now own a MAC is that my wife was not
> > willing to learn Quasar for our accounting.
>
> Quasar forces you into GAAP and other bookkeeping practices.  In
> general, that is a _good_ thing, especially if you do any
> state/federal work (they despise QuickBooks, and for good reasons).
> Unfortunately, most people don't want to deal with GAAP.  ;)

you need GAAP if you are a public company ie you sell stock on the exchange.  
Other wise you account will tell you "YOU need GAAP" the reason it makes 
their life easy.  Othere wise you don't need it.  

>
> > We have been running QB Pro since 1999.  She is not fast to change and
> > Quasar is not as "user friendly" as QB is.  So after only a few months on
> > Quasar my wife tossed a fit, so i told her buy me a MAC or learn Quasar.
> > i know have a iMAC.
>
> William -- take note here.  Another article you should read is my blog
> entry "6 Things to Know About Linux":
> http://thebs413.blogspot.com/2005/10/6-things-to-know-about-linux.html
>
> If you find you are running a lot of Commerceware, consider an Apple.
> It will _not_ help you really any more with Hostageware (even MS
> Office for MacOS X has compatibility issues with MS Office for Win32
> -- which unportability of its original Intel/Win32 codebase being the
> culprit), but it does solve the lack of select "consumer/SOHO"
> Commerceware being on Linux.
>
> > So yes it is hostageware and should be avoided if you can ... cut ...
>
> Actually what I call "Commerceware."
>
> To reguritate what is in my article into 5 bullets ...
> - Freedomware (Open Standard, Open Source)
> - Standardware (Open Standard, Proprietary Source)
> - Sourceware (Proprietary Standard, Open Source)
> - Commerceware (Proprietary Standard, Proprietary Source)
> And ...
> - Hostageware (Unmaintained Standard, Unmaintained Source)
>
> > but if you are in a situation like I am, it is also well worth spending
> > the money on.  the support is great and their service is top notch.
>
> That's not Hostageware, but Commerceware.  Companies that provide
> Hostageware are not interested in service and support, but
> distribution and control.  That's why they care less about customer
> service and support.
>
> > 2.  several reports were missing.
> > well i called Intuit on it a few months back and they said it was my end
> > as we converted from MS QB to QB for Mac.  i didnt think so and called
> > back a little later...  guess what..  it was an issue with 2005 and
> > Tiger.  I now have a full vs of 2006 QB Pro for the MAC for FREE.  yup
> > they paid for shipping and the full program.  saving me about $750
>
> Intuit has some "troubling years" a few years back.  They forced
> activation.  They nickle'n dime'd you.  They did several things that
> cost them customers.  And they learned _not_ to do them anymore.

They still have the same problems.  They change the format of their db almost 
every new release.  If you don't purchase every release you get screwed.. 
If you ever use their payroll you are screwed every year.. 

>
> That very fact put them back into my classification of "Commerceware."
>  For awhile, they were headed into the "Hostageware" category.

My opinion is they are still in the hostageware business..   And worse yet, 
they force your accounting computer to be hooked to the net..