--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 184 HOME OFFICE Ref: E5P00003 Date: 05/15/97 From: LAURIE CAMPBELL Time: 11:27am \/To: FRED SPEIR (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: Accounting software LC> I find MYOB quite frustrating. I would not recommend it, and LC> will not get it again myself. FS> Ditto! FS> I made the mistake of getting this software and will for the FS> immediate future be stuck with it. Unfortunately, we're stuck with it too. In a vain effort to get what we need from it, we've bought upgrades, but all that really did was mean we're stuck with a bigger waste of money than we were in the first place. FS> The documentation is the worst that I have ever seen, and the FS> software itself is hard to get around. There have been plenty of FS> times that the program would not do what I would like it to do. Obviously whoever programmed this has no idea of what the word "statement" really means in accounting. Just try to get a statement of a customer's account that has the information on it that the customer wants - what was purchased, when, and what payments have been made, when, and the total still remaining. Why is that a mystery? One would think that would be one of the most basic, easy to obtain, documents from a business accounting programme. Another thing it won't do is running invoices - the customer bought this a month ago, this last week, this today. Why can you not put them all on one invoice with a running total, showing applied payments with the tax broken out? FS> Worst purchase I have ever made. I wouldn't go that far, but it's certainly not a programme I would recommend, or *ever* use again. When we were audited, the tax assessor nearly cried when she saw what we were using. "OH, no! MYOB!" she said, which made me feel better to know it wasn't just me. I made her a cup of tea and we sat and whined at one another before she tackled it. She sees many different accounting programmes in her work and had no good things to say about MYOB at all. --- Maximus 2.01wb * Origin: Applied Technology BBS [604] 946-5814 (1:153/951) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 184 HOME OFFICE Ref: E5P00004 Date: 05/15/97 From: LAURIE CAMPBELL Time: 11:35am \/To: ROGER ROBERTS (Read 2 times) Subj: SELF EMPLOYED RR> I did not see this as Kit preaching at us, though Sue certainly is. I disagree. Sue didn't preach at all. She simply asked that any reference to religious beliefs be left off this echo. It's been my experience that the mildest, most innocuous of religious tag lines or comments can disrupt any echo in no time at all, and the only way to avoid that is to keep them out of echos that are not specifically intended for religion. It's the same reason as keeping MLMs at bay - no matter what your beliefs are, no matter how reasonable you are, the mere entry of something so close to people's trigger points sets them off. We can only remain businesslike by avoiding the whole subject. --- Maximus 2.01wb * Origin: Applied Technology BBS [604] 946-5814 (1:153/951) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 184 HOME OFFICE Ref: E5P00005 Date: 05/16/97 From: ROBERT CLARKE Time: 11:33am \/To: AUGUST ABOLINS (Read 2 times) Subj: Bookkeeping Hi August, AA> Is MyInvoices shareware? I went to a place here called Office Depot, and picked it up for $25. Are you in Email? If so, drop me a line, and we;'ll talk more:-))) AA> Sounds like it would be worth a try. Meanwhile I "found" that AA> MS-Works has a readymade template for an invoice; not bad. It does, and Excel will take care of a lot of the stuff, but what I like about MyInvoices (aside from the price) is the tracking abilities. Right on the invoice, it tracks the 30-60-90-120+ backlog (if it exists for an on-going client. It also allows you to "pay" an invoice thus it tracks Tax and other "accountant" type checks and balances that my accountant loves at tax time:-))) :-)) AA> ../|ug august@etc.mn.pubnix.net Is this your Email address? Bob Panthers Play Possom Periodically ...on Email: panther@cbbs.org web: http://members.aol.com/USmile2743/index.BOBs.html --- Maximus 2.01wb * Origin: http://www.wp.com/dolphin/writers.html (1:153/840) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 184 HOME OFFICE Ref: E5P00006 Date: 05/16/97 From: ROBERT CLARKE Time: 11:37am \/To: FRED REICH (Read 2 times) Subj: Bookkeeping -=> Quoting Robert Clarke to Fred Reich <=- Hi Fred, FR> Hi Robert, FR> Are you the same person who posts in the Cancer conference? I are the one:-)))) FR> I run a small drafting business at home, and would like to buy a FR> software program that would help me keep track of my time and print FR> out invoices. Nothing fancy, mind you; just a bare bones program. FR> At present I keep track of my time with Excel, and do the invoices FR> manually. RC> I use MyInvoices IBM/Tandy version 1.1.6 Copyright (c) 1990 RC> MySoftware Co. RC> I like MyInvoices, especially the one for WimpyDoz, but the DOS RC> version is the one I use most oftem. It has a great reporting ability, RC> really keeps me on top of my receivables and payables.....klike that's RC> what we use them for, right?:-))))) FR> So how much does MyInvoices cost? Of course, my business has been FR> so slow lately, that I may not need any special program. It cost me $25 at Office Depot for a fully licenced copy. Of course they trya nd sell you the fancy invoice templates etc., but hey, plain paper gets the job done too:-))) and they look good too. I have a laser printer, so I pre-printed my name and address and all that using WimpyDoze Write (I don't run Office), then when I run MyInvoice it comes out looking just fine:-)))) RC> I also use Quicken to track stuff by chart of accounts. FR> I use Managing Your Money to keep track of my investments. Hmmmnnn, that's a new one on me:-)) Of course, I don't have investments at this time, i sink all my money into my bsuiness and hobbies:-))) RC> Also, there's a lot of them out there on the internet in shareware too RC> Do you have Email access? If you do, let me know and I'll show you how RC> to go after them. (at least I'll try to do that:-))) FR> I have access to at least one local BBS, I will have to check it out. You're on Bandmaster, aren't you? FR> Thanks for your interest, You're welcome, Bob Panthers Play Possom Periodically ...on Email: panther@cbbs.org web: http://members.aol.com/USmile2743/index.BOBs.html --- Maximus 2.01wb * Origin: http://www.wp.com/dolphin/writers.html (1:153/840) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 184 HOME OFFICE Ref: E5P00007 Date: 05/17/97 From: FRED SPEIR Time: 03:39pm \/To: AUGUST ABOLINS (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: Accounting software -=> Quoting August Abolins to Fred Speir <=- LC> I find MYOB quite frustrating. I would not recommend it, and LC> will not get it again myself. FS> Ditto! Worst purchase I have ever made. AA> Is that the Windows version? Yes it is. Microsoft Money has a better interface than this product. TTYL, Fred FSpeir@juno.com ... "It compiled? The first screen came up? Ship it!" -- Bill Gates --- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 * Origin: The Logical Positivism BBS * Lawton, OK * (1:385/44) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 184 HOME OFFICE Ref: E5P00008 Date: 05/18/97 From: RT POLLOCK Time: 09:58am \/To: SUE MATTHEWS (Read 2 times) Subj: self employed > I wouldn't know. God is my Employer. Good thing He lets me work > out of my home... SM> 8. No religious or political discussions, taglines or signoff SM> sentiments here. Please! There are other echos better suited for SM> that. * OUCH ! * I rather thought what the guy had written was cute...and much to the point, if anything. Sentiments like this shouldn't be deemed as "punishable ffenses" by any Moderator, Sue. Anyways, where's your sense of humour these days ? RTP ~~~ PGPBLUE 3.0 --- * Origin: Alpha City BBS, Oshawa, Ontario (905)579-6302 (1:2424/1420) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 184 HOME OFFICE Ref: E5P00009 Date: 05/18/97 From: RT POLLOCK Time: 09:58am \/To: JEFF HORN (Read 2 times) Subj: self employed SM> Kit... this is not an echo where preaching is a focus... as a matter SM> of fact: JH> I didn't see anything wrong with. Just be she used the word God. * I * thought Kit's "line" was kinda "cute"...and humorous, to boot ! When I first read the "offending" message, I didn't know quite what to think...so I re-read it and figured it for a very astute observation; you know, one of those "hidden" commentaries on our times... However, Kit _did_ cross the line in his response to Sue's message: he literally threatened not to come back to the Conference, and - as if to give this "added emphasis" - appears to have moved, unilaterally, to have removed this particular Conference from his BBS. How many people at his end he deprived, I haven't a clue ! Strange attitude from a SysOp, I say ! All Sue had done was to point-out the applicable Rule item and to render guidance from there: I did NOT see any evidence of "heavy-handedness" from/by Sue in terms of a "...do it once more and you're history, baby..." sense. The way I figure it, Sue maintained her trademark even-handed approach right from "square one". Maybe she was having a "bad hair day" at the time, who knows ? Sue interpreted Kit's original message one way; you in another, and I in yet another way. Still, the Moderator is (always ?) right...and so I defer to Sue's judgement of the matter. The rest of us can - and likely - do have our opinions, but if FIDO is to continue to work without too many hiccups, then we _must_ defer to the Moderator's ruling. Now then...just to spin all of this around to a more appropriate viewpoint - one commensurate with the dedication of the Conference - if I had to choose between Sue and Kit in terms of choice for employee, I'd honestly choose Sue. You see, I've been watching Sue conduct the Moderation of this Conference for quite a long time now, and I must say that I * like * how how she handles herself at times of "crisis". I just wish there were more folks around like her !! I don't suppose Sue would (seriously) consider moving up to the Great White North, huh ? RTP ~~~ PGPBLUE 3.0 --- * Origin: Alpha City BBS, Oshawa, Ontario (905)579-6302 (1:2424/1420) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 184 HOME OFFICE Ref: E5P00010 Date: 05/18/97 From: RT POLLOCK Time: 09:58am \/To: AUGUST ABOLINS (Read 2 times) Subj: self employed AA> Hi Rt! How ya doing, August ? RP> Being `Self-Employed is NICE but only IF... RP> You've got something that's truly _unique_ to offer... RP> You can provide a service that's _needed_ in the Community... AA> A nice find. But you don't *really* believe /all/ that stuff do you? Weeeelllllllllll...I _did_ write the message, sooooo there must be something to it...... "Believe all" ? Nah ! The only true maxim about business that I truly _do_ believe is the one that goes: Business exists to make money. THAT "my" Bottom Line over here. Has been for years now. Anything else is purely coincidental in nature. I'll tell this much about being self-employed as well: when you screw- up, there's nobody else to pass the buck to...most f us self-employed types _might_ try "the wife", or "the kids" or "the dog", ut even they aren't guaranteed to net maximum sympathies from poorly-served clients for very long. As for the enjoyment aspects that a successful business can bring about, ell, I tend to keep it simple. No big lake cabin cruiser, no fancy-dancy car, and certainly no mansion of a house on some super prime piece of realty. Instead, I prefer a well-constructed cedar strip canoe, a decently-running (but dependable) car (and not necessarily of the current year type) and a comfortable home located within a low-crime area of the city (and that has easy-to-mow front and back yards). When I was a younger man, I had the cars...and the _time_ to play with them. I've also been fortunate enough to have travelled this world to some extent, alas, but these days I'm lucky if I'm able to break-out north of Number 7. ut the Numero Uno reason that I'm still even working regularly is because of the Taxman in this country...!!! I guess I'm just another typical Johnny Canuck'... Semper Fi RTP ~~~ PGPBLUE 3.0 ... I'll never go to Hell; Satan doesn't allow such competition. --- * Origin: Alpha City BBS, Oshawa, Ontario (905)579-6302 (1:2424/1420) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 184 HOME OFFICE Ref: E5P00011 Date: 05/17/97 From: MIKE FELLHAUER Time: 01:29pm \/To: GARY KOPYCINSKI (Read 2 times) Subj: Starting Out for the Sum GK> Advertise in the local papers? Prepare fliers and send GK> them door to door? I can do this relatively cheap in the GK> apartment complex where I live (app. 700 units). MF> Some apartments have rules against that. You might be making MF> more enemies than friends. GK> Actually, the complex wants enough copies for every unit, GK> and they charge something like $25 to stuff them in the GK> monthly bulletin. GK> IOW, no problem with the management. GK> So, that being said, does it sound like a good idea? A start GK> for advertising? Sounds good. It's a reasonable price. It's OK with the management. You reach out to those in your community (your apartment complex). You could be reaching others who work out of their apartments who need your service. Of course, don't forget there's your printing costs too on top of the delivery charge, and ask them to make sure about document size requirements (to fit in the bulletin), and any other requirements that may have to be followed (content approval). You don't want to print out 700 copies and find out that they don't meet requirements. --- Maximus 2.02 * Origin: The House of Comments (1:250/620) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 184 HOME OFFICE Ref: E5S00000 Date: 05/19/97 From: BOB F HOWARD Time: 01:35am \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: Media People One a business has a unique service or product, sufficient enough to attract attention, the media may contact you. This can happen to any home office, which can be a blessing, predicament, or embarrassment. They have ways of working with mics, cameras, video, and protocols, or no protocols which can make one worry, fret, and confused. My exposure with media is very limited, some small paper news journalists, and disc jocky for a horse racing voice mail system, and that is about it, I classify they them by ciirculation, readership or listening audience, and most are under 30K, the smallest, maybe a few thousand. Now I am eoncountering a media possible interface, with about 1 million listeners over a 150 sq. mile area. This is getting too big for me. Here are a few questions: 1. They want some of my customers for interviews. 2. They want to work up a plan so that they can participate in the sales, and profit, do infomericials. 3. They have a desire to move 1.5 million units in 1.5 years. Each of these questions can be quickly answered with a Yes, but I know that nothing is that simple. Do we have anyone that has worked with media people before, and in such a manner? Rgds, Bob --- VFIDO 6.20.00 Gamma Candidate 1 * Origin: Asia America BBS (1:102/774)