markgr
December 2nd, 2003, 08:19 PM
Per my previous message, I preface my comments about Alltime by noting that I have been a happy Iambic customer for over four years. Alltime version 3.21 was and is, hands down, the best time capture application I've seen. I've recently begun using version 4 and am disappointed. My other post describes a serious data loss problem. I have three other issues with the software.
I'm glad that Alltime is now compatible with Palm OS 5. However, these problems suggests that the version 4 is one step forward, two steps back.
Here are my other concerns:
1. Inflexible validation lists. One can no longer create a new time entry on the fly for the purpose of a one-shot time entry, unless one uses data (such as client name, matter name and number) from separate validation lists. All data that is used (clients, matters, billing numbers) must be located in separate validation lists.
I work in a large firm and don't keep our hundreds of client names in the validation lists. Becuase I can no longer simply create a one-time project time entry for a client that I won't work with again, I'm frequently forced to add and edit the separate validation lists. This is a pain in the neck, and a step backward from the flexiblity in version 3.21. Given that this is a software design issue, I'm not expecting to see a fix. I just think this was a major mistake I have found to be extremely frustrating.
2. Inabilty to view stored client numbers outside of validation lists. In version 3.21, one could view numbers assigned for clients and matters in the time entry screen. I could determine the appropriate billing code for a project based on that information. In version 4, this data is only available through the validation lists, which means switching screens from the time entry window. As a result, determining the appropriate billing code now requires switching between at least three screens (time entry, then determining the client number, then determining the matter number). Sadly, this is another example of a nice feature that has been hamstrung in the new release.
3. Inability to tab between data fields using a Palm keyboard. I use a Palm T3 and a Palm Portable Keyboard. Other applications enable the keyboard's tab key to switch between data fields. Alltime version 4 does not. I would hope that this issue is addressed in a future release.
As I mentioned, Iambic has done great work with previous versions of Alltime. I hope we see these issues addressed so I can continue to recommend Alltime to other lawyers as I have in the past. I can't recommend Alltime version 4 in its current state.
I'm glad that Alltime is now compatible with Palm OS 5. However, these problems suggests that the version 4 is one step forward, two steps back.
Here are my other concerns:
1. Inflexible validation lists. One can no longer create a new time entry on the fly for the purpose of a one-shot time entry, unless one uses data (such as client name, matter name and number) from separate validation lists. All data that is used (clients, matters, billing numbers) must be located in separate validation lists.
I work in a large firm and don't keep our hundreds of client names in the validation lists. Becuase I can no longer simply create a one-time project time entry for a client that I won't work with again, I'm frequently forced to add and edit the separate validation lists. This is a pain in the neck, and a step backward from the flexiblity in version 3.21. Given that this is a software design issue, I'm not expecting to see a fix. I just think this was a major mistake I have found to be extremely frustrating.
2. Inabilty to view stored client numbers outside of validation lists. In version 3.21, one could view numbers assigned for clients and matters in the time entry screen. I could determine the appropriate billing code for a project based on that information. In version 4, this data is only available through the validation lists, which means switching screens from the time entry window. As a result, determining the appropriate billing code now requires switching between at least three screens (time entry, then determining the client number, then determining the matter number). Sadly, this is another example of a nice feature that has been hamstrung in the new release.
3. Inability to tab between data fields using a Palm keyboard. I use a Palm T3 and a Palm Portable Keyboard. Other applications enable the keyboard's tab key to switch between data fields. Alltime version 4 does not. I would hope that this issue is addressed in a future release.
As I mentioned, Iambic has done great work with previous versions of Alltime. I hope we see these issues addressed so I can continue to recommend Alltime to other lawyers as I have in the past. I can't recommend Alltime version 4 in its current state.