Surely the real question is, why aren't upgrade versions (in whatever format) full installation versions as well? With other software that I am familiar with, for instance Sage Payroll, the latest "upgrade" is always the latest installation version - it would feel very strange to start back at some earlier version and re-add all the upgrades - what is it about v4 FH that isn't a "full" version? Regards Steve Symes
FH Major Upgrade Versions are a Full Installation, but sold at a reduced price. (We are not talking about minor updates, which are free software downloads.) So how does FH check you have paid for the previous Major Version in order to qualify for the reduced price? Answer: It requires that the previous Major Version is already installed on your PC. The scenario of installing an earlier version only applies to re-installing from scratch on a new PC. Does Sage Payroll have a similar pricing structure with discounted upgrades or is everything the same price? Mike Tate -----Original Message----- From: family-historian-users-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:family-historian-users-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of STEVE SYMES Sent: 04 October 2011 22:47 To: FAMILY-HISTORIAN-USERS@rootsweb.com Subject: [FHU] Reinstalling FH Surely the real question is, why aren't upgrade versions (in whatever format) full installation versions as well? With other software that I am familiar with, for instance Sage Payroll, the latest "upgrade" is always the latest installation version - it would feel very strange to start back at some earlier version and re-add all the upgrades - what is it about v4 FH that isn't a "full" version? Regards Steve Symes
Hi Steve Having worked in the software industry for over 30 years and also been a software development manager and a product manager I feel I can add a comment. Firstly, a lot depends on the physical size of the product. It is sometimes more efficient to send the whole product as an update and just let the customer install it. Due to the size of some products this would not be practical so you send an upgrade or 'patch kit'. At a certain point in the upgrade cycle there becomes a point where the 'sticking plaster' (upgrades) get cumbersome so the supplier arranges for a full release which includes all the updates to that point in time. As you will probably know this is what is supposed to happen with Microsoft, you dont get a full release of Windows 7 each time they 'mend it'. Most software suppliers have 'intelligence' in their version number and with FH change in the first digit (I assume) is a full installable version and increments in the 'dot' numbers are patches or upgrades. This seems to have got a bit confused with FH with the release of Ver 2.3. It has long been a feature of the upgrade scenario with most commercial software suppliers that you have to keep up with your patch releases, if you loose some you will have to back to the latest installable version and reload all the patch kits to bring you back up to the current version. However there are always exceptions to the 'rule' and Payroll systems suppliers, because of legislation and consumer interest in getting paid the right salary each month, have favoured the 'full' release as this is seen as a safe way to ensure the end user doesn't get into a fix in upgrading all the time. Again, it largely depends on the size and complexity of the product - and also the ability of the product manager to manage their product properly! David -----Original Message----- From: family-historian-users-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:family-historian-users-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of STEVE SYMES Sent: 04 October 2011 22:47 To: FAMILY-HISTORIAN-USERS@rootsweb.com Subject: [FHU] Reinstalling FH Surely the real question is, why aren't upgrade versions (in whatever format) full installation versions as well? With other software that I am familiar with, for instance Sage Payroll, the latest "upgrade" is always the latest installation version - it would feel very strange to start back at some earlier version and re-add all the upgrades - what is it about v4 FH that isn't a "full" version? Regards Steve Symes ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FAMILY-HISTORIAN-USERS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message