We purchased Links SQL in the fall of this year. We are a group of people who needed a directory for a web site that we were developing. Our experience is chiefly in HTML and Javascript. While this may be cause for amusement amongst CGI and SQL experts, we are at least conversant (hashes versus variables, etc...) in these technologies and we understood that persons with these skills would need to be hired at some point in our site development. Our strengths lie in conceptualization and "front ends" and we have discovered serious interest in our plans based on these skills alone.
We required Links SQL be moved from our former server to a new one. Gossamer Threads insisted that we would be charged (in American funds for a Canadian software firm)to do this. We accepted that cost.
Since that time, Links SQL has not worked properly.
Series of emails were sent, words exchanged, etc etc.
Our version of Links SQL does not work as it was supposed to.
It has been suggested in a number of posts that Gossamer Threads develop better documentation for their software. Forums and FAQ's are all well and good (and cheap "support"), but they do NOT excuse a software company from hiring a technical writer to outline the purpose and usage of their product. (eg: Microsoft Publisher was NOT intended for high end pre-press... but guess what? People still try to make it do that. Microsoft has since then revised its product and manual to reflect this) Gossamer Threads does not supply its customers with a software manual. While there are those who contend that this form of software is too mutable to be standardized like this, Gossamer sells a software PACKAGE called Links SQL. Thats what they sell. Why is there no documentation?
We continue to have issues with Links SQL working the way it did previously on another server. It has NEVER functioned properly since the staff at Gossamer moved it. I have tried to modify the tables and the data to a point that I am comfortable with. I dont touch what I am not comfortable or confident at. We are trying to cobble together a team of software providers and programmers that can help us develop an exceptionally promising idea of a web site into a profitable venture. We don't have any VC money or drive Jags (nor is that the intent behind developing this site); just a very good idea and our own valuable time.
Consider this as a call to programmers and Gossamer for help. We need solutions and explanations, not excuses and bank account numbers. While $75 U.S.(!) might be chump change to Gossamer, it is not to us.
I appreciate the assistance of persons like PugDog, AnthroRules and Eliot Lee within these forums, but they can only help so much.
I am personally tired of having to troubleshoot issues I know little about and frankly were not my responsibility in the first place.
Further details/suggestions/comments/rants/observations/offerings of services or assistance can be sent or asked of me at bushor@telus.net
Derisive comments not welcomed.