ala mode tech support

[jim farrelly]

every time i deal with tech support, i want to blow my brains out when i,m done. my issue today is with updates to the idc mapping. i can no longer get flood map panels w/o updates 56-59. the last update bunch up to #52 caused all sorts of crashes and issues with my system; that quite frankly still havent been completely sorted out. so, im skittish in regards to updates. so here's what ***honked me off.

i must take updates up to and including #59. i dont want pocket total updates, value it crap, etc. but, i must take 53-59. according to tech support, no way around it. problem 2, those downloads are around 2-3 hours and i complain to pam @ alamode about the length of time it will take. her smart*** remark is that i should have DSL. nice solution dave. smart answer. I CANT GET DSL IN MY MARKET. what a brilliant solution to my problem get dsl. i got it, have tech support hop a plane and deliver the cd rom update in person. why cant i get the updates i want??? and as a platinum customer i expect a better answer than get dsl. get day one, get polaroid, get bradford, get..... see where im going with this mr biggers?? thanks for the help..

 

[Larry Lyke]

jim --

Ask them if they will put them on a cd for you and mail them.

There's plenty of appraisers using non-DSL that download the stuff by hooking their computers up at midnight and it's done by 6 o'clock in the morning when they return to work again.

 

[jim farrelly]

larry,

i could do the update at midnight and understand the process. but, my problem yesterday was alamode changed the mapping provider and i had several reports to submit this morning. if i could have downloaded the mapping updates, i could resume working in under an hour. instead i had to wait several hours on a nice sunday afternoon. had several coktails while waiting and at 8pm, i was finally able to get my maps. the ability to pick and choose updates would be helpful. and, tech support telling me to get dsl to speed up my download really p***ed me off. that is not a solution

the point of my thread was and remains, that alamode's updates aren't always well thought out and are rushed into service. causing an already unstable windows o/s to become more so. as a result, i tend to avoid updates when my system is running smoothly. also, i dont do valueit, have no need for canadian forms, and dont plan on ever using pocket total. so, why cant i just update system/programming issues??

 

[Larry Lyke]

Jim --

Ihear you more clearly.

Unfortunately, I would guess, the way the a la mode downloads work integrally, leaving one or some out of sequence might hinder your system's operation somewhere else down the road. Hey I'm at my first anniversary with them and have received 56 downloads.

Make you feel like you are really getting your money's worth. At least, they've quit coming into the chat rooms and quashing everybody who criticizes them.

Maybe not, I could find out! Nothing like being wrong to keep me humble!

 

[Caterina Platt]

Jim,

I agree and concur. I am a truly happy alamode customer for the most part. My software rarely gives me issues, but I too take exception to having to download Canadian forms, Pocket Total..... I don't plan on getting Pocket Total, sorry guys. I know you're hoping every appraiser on the planet thinks it's a must have and too cool, etc., but this kid is perfectly happy with her clunky old clip board for the time being. If one day, I do decide I want Pocket Total, I could just go to the site and pick up the updates.

Dave Biggers is good about listening to our whining and rants, wish list, etc. and giving the masses what they desire. Maybe down the line we can hope for 'ala carte' updates.

 

[Roger]

I download the Wintotal updates via a dial up modem to my notebook.

(Have cable connection on my desktop)

The dial up downloads have never taken over 20 minuites, usually less, you may want to check the speed of your modem, check if you have other programs running in the background, etc.

I am far from an expert, but 2-3 hours for a download seems way to long to me.

 

[jim farrelly]

roger,

not if u must download 1o updates.

 

[Bemis Pownall]

still use Olympus
I dont need no stinkin updates

 

[Em Tee]

And I use a different software provider that doesn't shove updates down your throat. Come to think of it, our software is so good, we don't need no stinkin updates!

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Mary,

That reply is lame. The appraisal software companies are always evolving, forms are changing and appraisers are demanding different things. Alamode's updates are fixes that are made from confilct with many different users, software conflicts and appraiser suggestions. Plus, they always have the most current forms available. Plus, they provide functions for appraisers that demand some things that others do not (ex. Some appraisers want to use theit PDA in the field, thus Pocket Total and Apex). Alamode is a software company and trying to provide a service for all their customers, not just one. The comment "my software doesn't need no stinking updates" is pretty short sighted. What are you going to do when the URAR changes again or the VC Sheets are changed or you need a manufactured home addendum. I take it whatever software you use never has updates and if conflicts turn up, you are just out of luck. Or, are you sure you are using all the current forms? Nobody really cares what software you use, I don't, but your excuse is really silly and baseless, because sooner or later you will need an update. The fact that they give constant updates is a plus, not a minus. Maybe your software company is only concerned about your money. Alamode tries to keep "cutting edge" technology. They should be penalized for this? If you don't want it, don't buy it, but don't make shortsighted remarks fall apart under simple questions. I am an alamode user, one of their harshest critics, but I can appreciate their intentions, business sense and forward thinking.