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Major software vendor uses update process to disable features, force upgrade
By Andrew Pollack on 01/30/2005 at 09:01 AM ESTAccording to this article, Intuit Software has disabled some working functionality in its QuickBooks 2002 software in order to push users to upgrade to newer versions. I'm a user of their 2003 product, and I was a user of many previous versions. I've found them to be great software, but more and more it has been putting advertising in front of me and relying on embedded IE to display things or connect to its home site for things. Given these things, and now the recent astonishingly stupid move of punishing users for not upgrading -- its time for me to find new accounting software.
I'm not happy about that at all, but it looks like its going to have to happen.
Time for OpenSource?By NotesSensei on 01/31/2005 at 12:01 AM EST
Looks to big for me.By Andrew Pollack on 01/31/2005 at 07:43 AM EST
It looks too big for my needs. I'm a terrible accountant, and Quickbooks was
always useful because it was so flexible. They've pushed too far, however.
always useful because it was so flexible. They've pushed too far, however.
Seems to me they have had issues in the past...By Alex Wilson on 01/31/2005 at 01:16 PM EST
with their tax software. I don't recall the flap but I think it occurred last
year or so. I think it was a spyware issue.
I have used QuickBooks since around 1996. It took me until this past year to
really master it. Although I am using 2004, I don't see a need to keep
upgrading each year - they don't add enough to cause a need.
If what you say is true, they are really stepping on the toes of their users. I
can see not supporting a product after a certain point, but not killing it
because I don't upgrade.
If you want to go that route, then you need to change the licensing model to
one of yearly rental (and reduce the cost). The product is expensive as it
is... I don't see a need to spend over $100 each year to maintain a "basic"
package like this.
year or so. I think it was a spyware issue.
I have used QuickBooks since around 1996. It took me until this past year to
really master it. Although I am using 2004, I don't see a need to keep
upgrading each year - they don't add enough to cause a need.
If what you say is true, they are really stepping on the toes of their users. I
can see not supporting a product after a certain point, but not killing it
because I don't upgrade.
If you want to go that route, then you need to change the licensing model to
one of yearly rental (and reduce the cost). The product is expensive as it
is... I don't see a need to spend over $100 each year to maintain a "basic"
package like this.
My own thoughts on this are...By Bob Balaban on 02/25/2005 at 12:02 AM EST
I'm using QB2003. I will now stop doing the regular software updates. What I
have works fine (with minor annoyances), so who cares?
have works fine (with minor annoyances), so who cares?
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to make things worse:
a) I went to a seminar about QB here (note QB Asia runs off a different code
base maintained in Australia). To upgrade from an older version you have to
convert every single format inbetween. Means from 2002-2003-2004-2005. Well....
b) They bind the licence to a machine and you can't unregister/move. I had to
upgrade my PC only to find QB not running any more and I was chared $10 for a
new key.
I like QB (despite some flaws in the ease of use), but I'm also thinking to
move on. I had a look at http://www.compiere.org/ but I'm undecided right now.
Would love to hear your verdict.
;-) stw