Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: carlfoster on December 12, 2006, 04:32:35 pm
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Hi all
As you may know I have started developing a new window cleaning program, which will be available to a wider range of people, and be free to use.
Here is a screenshot of the main display.
(http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/carljfoster/NewRoundOrganiser.jpg)
I would like your opinion on the user interface. Is it aesthetically pleasing? Does it look professional and hopefully it will still be easy to use.
Any suggestions are of course welcome.
thanks
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lt looks good to me carl
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Hi all
As you may know I have started developing a new window cleaning program, which will be available to a wider range of people, and be free to use.
Here is a screenshot of the main display.
(http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/carljfoster/NewRoundOrganiser.jpg)
I would like your opinion on the user interface. Is it aesthetically pleasing? Does it look professional and hopefully it will still be easy to use.
Any suggestions are of course welcome.
thanks
It is aesthetically pleasing Carl. It looks like it was written for Windows XP. OK, so I know there is a lot more to a program than eye candy but if it looks nice, is functional, and isn't too steep a learning curve then you're well on the way.
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Carl
I am was going to buy George in the new year. It has everything that a window cleaner needs !
Personaly i would be looking for-
1) weekly clean schedule.
2) fortnightly clean.
3) four weekly clean.
4) eight weekly clean.
Plus each Sunday night you should be able to print your whole weeks work out at the touch of a button.
Hope that helps.
Marcus
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Looks good Like the information top left (can this be changed to weeks totals ?
also can the days/weeks work be loaded onto a palm?
I have used a self designed data base for 10 years now but I am always on the look out for better systems.
Alan
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Glad you like the look so far :)
Marcus: This system will allow you to create your own frequencies, weekly, fortnightly, monthly even annually if you want. You will also have various options for printing your work. It can be according to rounds, next so many houses, or a weeks work is a good idea too.
Alan: The little summary at the top corner will have 3 settings which you will be able to choose. Either monthly summary, weekly or annual. I plan to have a way of using a palm or hand held computer.
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looks good carl. looks like it would be straight forward to use etc. i like it when you dont need to mess about too much. one click and its done type thing with not too many options to add confusion or at least have the basic functions in front of you and have a seperate bit for advanced features etc.
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looks good carl. looks like it would be straight forward to use etc. i like it when you dont need to mess about too much. one click and its done type thing with not too many options to add confusion or at least have the basic functions in front of you and have a seperate bit for advanced features etc.
Yes, that is the plan. There will be basic features accessed at the click of a button and then more advanced features for those who want.
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I am using carls original version of round organiser, and I must admit is very good, and I do like the look of the new one, well done Carl, looking forward to its release.
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Carl you have said this is going to be free to use, are you planning on charging for it in the future, this looks like a nice program and I recon will be very popular, if you dont want to sell the program how about putting it out as a shareware program where you leave it down to the user if he likes it and uses it to make a donation into a paypal account.
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is this it?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/The-Best-Window-Cleaning-Software-for-Window-Cleaners_W0QQitemZ260064117032QQihZ016QQcategoryZ3769QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
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Hi I think the old style was good and this is even better!!
COOL! :D
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Think I missed the boat on this one!!
Can you tell me how the rounds are organised i.e. weekly/monthly? The reports facility, what reports can you run?
Looks good though ;)
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Carl you have said this is going to be free to use, are you planning on charging for it in the future, this looks like a nice program and I recon will be very popular, if you dont want to sell the program how about putting it out as a shareware program where you leave it down to the user if he likes it and uses it to make a donation into a paypal account.
Yes Dave, the program will be free to download and use for an unlimited time. I will consider shareware. Thanks for the suggestion. ;)
is this it?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/The-Best-Window-Cleaning-Software-for-Window-Cleaners_W0QQitemZ260064117032QQihZ016QQcategoryZ3769QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
No Sean, that is a completely different program. That one isn't free either.
Think I missed the boat on this one!!
Can you tell me how the rounds are organised i.e. weekly/monthly? The reports facility, what reports can you run?
Looks good though ;)
Trevor, I have organised it so that it's as versatile as possible. So, you can create your own frequency for the rounds, anything from daily to annually to infinity (not quite ;) ) You could also have one round for domestic and one for commercial. For those who don't divide their work into rounds, you would only need one round which would contain all your work.
The reporting will be quite versatile too. You can view and print your work list for the day, and set it to only show those houses which are due to be done, so the 2 monthly ones don't show. You can print all the rounds, or select certain ones. You can also do something similar with debt reports. Other reporting include financial ones to help with your book keeping. You will be able to keep a record of expenses too.
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Hi Carl
I have been using George for 3 years now and I am very impressed however I would love to trial it to see how it compares. I am always open to new ways.
regards
Lee
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Thanks for that Carl,
Look forward to trying it out.
Regards,
Trev
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Carl,
Looks excellent to me. I think I saw one of your old posts a while back, but is a version of your programme already available to use ? If not, when will your new one be ready to download and try out ? I'd be very interested to try it as I'm looking at better ways to organise things at the moment.
Cheers
Matt
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Hi Matt
This is the original version of Round Organiser.
http://www.freewebs.com/matthiasdete/Round%20Organiser%20Setup.exe
I have been running it for a few months now. This version requires you to have Microsoft Access installed on your computer, and as many don't have that, I am making the new version.
You can still use this one if you want and when the new one comes out the data stored will be compatible.
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Carl,
I look forward to the New Look. Keep up the good work :D :D
David Salkeld
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Thanks Carl - there was a message saying the files were corrupted, but I've just found out I don't have Access anyway. Do you have an idea of when your new version might be ready ?
Cheers
Matt
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That looks good carl.
I see it says accounts.
Is this something like commercial accounts or is there somewhere to put your expenditures in.
Also will it have a diary view so you could see what work for each day of that week.
Paul
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Looks good and professional. Give me a shout when it is live and I will be more than happy to give it a whirl.
wrightcraigw@blueyonder.co.uk
Regards,
Craig
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Thanks Carl - there was a message saying the files were corrupted, but I've just found out I don't have Access anyway. Do you have an idea of when your new version might be ready ?
Cheers
Matt
I don't have a release date yet Matt, sorry. Hopefully sometime during the first quarter of the new year I can have a release out for testing.
That looks good carl.
I see it says accounts.
Is this something like commercial accounts or is there somewhere to put your expenditures in.
Also will it have a diary view so you could see what work for each day of that week.
Paul
Paul, the accounts section will be an area where you can enter expenses and get reports on various things like total earnings over specific periods, gross and net, I might look at adding projected earnings. The main focus will be on providing statistics that will help us fill in end of year tax.
A diary view is an excellent idea and is something I will be working on. I don't have any specifics on that yet though.
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Hi all, i have been working hard on the program and have finally got a working UI. I've got 2 minds as to whether I should post a link to download it so you can test out how easy the navigation is.
I thought I would just update you on the features that the program will have.
The program will have 4 main areas:
1) Workgroups
2) Jobs
3) Employees
4) Accounts
The Workgroups section will display your list of rounds, with a summary as to how many jobs there are in each and the average monthly value. You will be able to edit the Workgroup info here too. I also plan to have a diary view where you'll see a full calendar month showing each day of the month and what work is due on those days. This will make planning your months work a bit easier.
The Jobs section will contain a list of all the work that you have. You will be able to select from a variety of views, such as from particular Workgroups or from all of them. You can also do a search here to find specific customers. You will be able to select specific views to print out work lists and debt lists too, such as only customers who owe for more than 2 months etc.
This section will also contain a specific view for updating your work that's done and paid. This will be easily done using check boxes to mark work done and paid. I have introduced an optional feature where you will be able to keep a record of cheques paid in as well.
There will also be a way to set your work list in a specific order and also easily transfer customers from one workgroup to another.
The Employees section will help you keep track of your employees and how much work they do. You will be able to view various statistics etc.
In the Accounts section, you will be able to enter expenses and view income/expenditure reports. i know how we all hate doing our tax returns, so there will be a feature included where you'll be able to print out a report for the tax year outlining all your expenses and income, making it so much easier to fill in the tax forms.
Well, hopefully this gives you a better view of what to expect in the program.
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Carl
I Woul be interested in trying the above item as i was going to Trial George in the new year.
Marcus
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Where can I get George or window cleaner professional and the like from?
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Where can I get George or window cleaner professional and the like from?
Hi Davew
You are welcome to use this version of Round Organiser here.
http://www.freewebs.com/matthiasdete/Round%20Organiser%20Setup.exe
Thanks
Carl
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Thanks Carl but unable to execute file on my laptop :-\ Do I need microsoft office?
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Sorry, but yes Dave, you do need MS Access on your computer.:( That's the main reason why I'm creating a new version which won't need Access.
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i've downloaded it and i have access of my pc but it doesnt seem to work for me.
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When will the non- access version be ready Carl? I dont have access or MS Office and dont plan to!
JohnL
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i've downloaded it and i have access of my pc but it doesnt seem to work for me.
Sorry Mark, what happens when you try to run it?
When will the non- access version be ready Carl? I dont have access or MS Office and dont plan to!
JohnL
It will likely take me a month or 2 to get it up and running as this is not a full time job for me. I plan to make it possible to transfer your customers from an excel spreadsheet too, just to make moving over that bit easier :)
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Hi Carl
For a full time window cleaner to give up his spare time, to create an excellent Programme free of charge for his fellow window cleaners, in my eye's deserves a big round of applause. Well done carl and thank you!
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Hows it going carl, havnt heard anything for a while ?
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Carl,
This is the first I knew of your software! :-[
How much is it?
How can I download it?
Cheers
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Hi there
I am making steady progress with the program so far. I have created the basic functions and am now working on some internal configurations and calculations which are necessary for the various info displays and functions to work.
Carl,
This is the first I knew of your software! :-[
How much is it?
How can I download it?
Cheers
Matt, I have a free version of Round Organiser which requires you to have Microsoft Access on your computer. There is a link to this further back on this thread. I am currently working on a new version which will be a standalone program, requiring only windows to work.
I can reveal that there will be 2 final versions: Round Organiser basic and Round Organiser professional. Round Organiser basic will be free and will have ALL the basic functions that you would need to keep track of your work.
I'm hoping to have at least the basic version ready for trial within the next 2 months.
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Carl,
This is the first I knew of your software! :-[
How much is it?
How can I download it?
Cheers
Its a free software prog, and you can download it from the T/A forum, its under carls section.
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. . . I plan to have a way of using a palm or hand held computer.
Any idea on timescale for the PDA version, Carl. How long after the "basic software" trial? I'd be interested in the "professional" version for Palm.
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I am still deciding which route to take on this, whether to have a complete standalone program for the PDA or whether to use a note program within the PDA to open a file containing the work list for the day.
I have been concentrating more on the other aspects of the program so this hasn't got any kind of time scale plan. I suppose it depends how difficult it is once I get started.
If anyone has any suggestions as to the best way to do it, i'm always open to this. :)