Radar Vs MacRep/RefWorks

[~Tan~]

Dear Andy et all,

I am looking for some recent opinions on the differences between
Radar and MacRep/RefWorks. I understand that there will be a certain
degree of discussion amongst the archive files from previous queries
but I believe the MacRep/RefWorks has undergone a recent upgrade. Do
you (or anyone else on list) have time to give a brief outline on
what you consider the most useful in each program and what are the cons?

I know in the past some have said that they like both because they
offer different things but what are those differences? If you had to
choose between one of them which would you keep and why? I am
processing what path to take as my current Radar program is just not
good enough and has caused me some grief.

I have a baseline Radar program that IS a Mac version. Radar used to
make a Mac version about 5-6 yrs ago, just before EH became
available, that included exLibris. However, much to my dismay, Radar
discontinued supporting Mac soon after I made my purchase and I was
no longer able to upgrade it or move up to EH etc. As I already had
the Mac Radar 7 program I didn't wish to go the Virtual PC (VPC)
route and have to change it all at extra expense at that time.

I've also been disatisfied with Radar. I loaded my program the 1st
time with difficulty because of a badly unbalanced CD installer (the
3rd CD of several) and I returned to have replaced. Instead of
issuing me a new copy of the CD, a lable was simply pasted directly
over the existing lable of the original CD that was already off
kilter in exactly the same position, so consequently it came back
even worse. I got the program to install the once with a horribly
wobbling CD but when my hard drive died a few years later and I had
that replaced, I was unable to get my machine to accept that
particular CD again for reinstallation. After my previous experience
(and others), rather than look to Radar for help on this matter for
an outdated program, I managed to find another way to copy enough
files from that CD to the 70% part-loaded program to allow it to run.

I am keen to upgrade now but due to the poor support from Radar I am
quite hesitant. I would also need to upgrade my Mac to the new intel
model so that I can run Windows (rather than VPC) to run Radar more
satisfactorily. I appreciate that Radar has grown over the years and
should run much better now than what I am used to etc but I am
seriously looking at changing to MacRep/RefWorks seeing as I will
probably have to buy the complete program all over again.

So if anyone can offer any thoughts I would GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!!!
Oh...and trying the different demos of different Homoeopathic
programs (except Mac) isn't an option until I can afford to upgrade
my Mac to an intel Mac.

Thanking you Kindly,
Tan.

NB: Email advice is not a substitute for medical or veterinary
treatment!

~Tanya Nolte~
Reg'd Classical Homoeopath & Holistic Animal Practitioner
http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/1971

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Kerry]

Dear Tan

I have only had Radar for a couple of years but the support now is
certainly really good. My computer was recently hit by lightening and
destroyed. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to transfer all
my cases from the old hard drive across to my new computer. I emailed
Archibel and explained my problem; they organised an Assisted Help
session and actually worked long distance on my computer and sorted the
problem for me while I watched. It certainly beat me trying to do it by
following printed instructions.

Kerry

cons?

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[Ellen Madono]

I have also had excellent support. Sometime you catch a technician at
a bad time and they don't give you the ideal support. But generally
Radar has been super. I would go back to them with your story as you
told it to us. I am sure you will get help.
Blessings,
Ellen

[Kerry]

They also ask at the end of the support session what your thoughts were
on it and if you have any complaints or comments.

Kerry
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[Simon King LCPH MARH]

I have MacRep and RFWKS ( v.5..not very latest versions)

My experience has not been good with the customer service

As long as you just want to know HOW to use it they are fine but when
there is a bug or something doesn't work *forget it!*

I gave up with them ages ago. I registered my dissatisfaction with
their customer service at one point and later discovered that I had
been blacklisted because of it. i.e. they stopped sending me upgrade
info and ignored any attempt to communicate. They now have a
different representative in the UK but I know from colleagues who do
have the latest versions that it is still very difficult to get
someone to actually communicate with you.

They are not unpleasant nowadays ( when I first got version 3.9...
and made initial enquiries I was told to "read the fucking manual!")
but they do not understand that not everyone is a computer whiz, and
they say they'll get back to you but don't, so you have to either
keep chasing ( in which case they treat you like you're making a
fuss), or you can just give up (which is what I did a long time ago).

I had forgotten my troubles with them after a year or so, and I was
ready to upgrade, having heard of the new versions via colleagues. I
tried to get the info sent direct to me but it took several attempts
before the new representative explained that for some reason I had
been blacklisted. Suddenly I understood all the unreplied mails and
remembered how infuriating had been a few years ago.

I had thought that they had changed, and perhaps they have a little,
but colleagues experience tells me they still do not do *customer
service* if it requires any real effort on their part. Being reminded
of what it used to be like and that not enough had changed, I decided
not to upgrade as I couldn't be doing with the hassle of being made
to feel like I was at fault for trying to get them to help me with
their programs problems.

What problems do I experience with MR (v 5)? Mostly it just crashes
unexpectedly. Not that often, but you can guarantee it's when you
have a pile of unsaved stuff! lol

Error messages come up which I sent to the makers years ago. Nothing
was ever done to resolve it beyond being told to trash the prefs and
reinstalling, which you can only do so many times before it dawns on
you that the problem ought to have another solution. I got no
meaningful feedback. So I live with it.

I have no grudge, there's nothing I want from them - just telling it
like it happens
Simon King
http://www.Homeopathy-Help.net
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Lynn Cremona]

I whole heartedly agree with Simon's assessment of MacRep's customer
service. There are homeopaths I know who absolutely love Macrep, and
say it's a top notch program (which it is) but if it doesn't work
properly it is of no good use.
Years ago I started with MacRep. It kept crashing. After a year of
numerous re-installations, and many unhelpful suggestions from tech
support, it was suggested that I send "my whole laptop" to them, so
they could check it out. At that point I returned it for a full
refund (to their credit), and switched to Radar. I have never
regretted it. The Radar representatives offer many online as well as
live training classes. They always get back to me, and are very
respectful, no matter how mundane or complicated the question. One
recent problem I was having, was resolved when tech support from
Belgium accessed my computer through an online connection and told me
what needed to be done, end of problem !

I love everything about Radar/EH
Lynn Cremona

At 05:54 AM 6/23/2006, you wrote:
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Shannon Nelson]

Hi Simon,
You poor thing!!! Just for a different slant--my v5.6 has been pretty
reliable, tho every now and then it does something I wish it wouldn't
(mostly an occasional lock-up and lost data, I *think* always from when
I've tried to save over a thousand or so rubrics, e.g. forgetting to
remove results of a rubric extraction before closing a case record).
good--tho I have generally been satisfied with the "how-to", and when
told that something just doesn't work (rare, and can't remember what it
was...), I give it an "oh well"... But the tech support rep here has
been extremely responsive and thorough, and I've really had nothing but
positive experiences with the company. (I just wish it were *cheaper*
so I could get this latest delicious-looking upgrade!!!
books, as EH does?
Shannon
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Dr. Joe Rozencwajg, NMD]

I recently told them that I was not happy after having purchased the
Repetorium Universale as I did not see any real difference with the
upgraded" Complete and that for me it was a waste of money.
Yesterday I received an email telling me they would refund me $176..........
.so I asked them to keep it as a credit for the next upgrade...........
Dr. J. Rozencwajg, MD, PhD, NMD.
"The greatest enemy of any science is a closed mind".

[Brian Garnant]

I purchased the very basic package from MacRep about six months ago. I was surprised that they made several calls (that I did not initially return) to tell me that I had free tutorial and training on the MacRep software. I ran into trouble shortly afterwards because I stepped on the "key" and broke it. Interaction with the sales rep was actually much better than expected, I never have had better service. I ahd to pay for another key (I wanted it for free!) but she reduced the cost for me. Very happy with the customer service.
I am quite content with the basic package (price about $180?) as it has Kent's rep.
I am contemplating getting an upgrade and/or another program in the mid to near future myself. I want one that is more robust, and one that has a lot of "books", etc. I am leaning towards Radar because of their offerings book-wise and information-wise.
On a different note, I was slightly appalled at the graphics. I had somehow imagined much "slicker" quality, but it seems that everyone, including Radar, etc., has the same problem. Oh well, I'm picky. But then again, these programs ain't exactly cheep!

~Tan~ wrote:
Dear Andy et all,

I am looking for some recent opinions on the differences between
Radar and MacRep/RefWorks. I understand that there will be a certain
degree of discussion amongst the archive files from previous queries
but I believe the MacRep/RefWorks has undergone a recent upgrade. Do
you (or anyone else on list) have time to give a brief outline on
what you consider the most useful in each program and what are the cons?

I know in the past some have said that they like both because they
offer different things but what are those differences? If you had to
choose between one of them which would you keep and why? I am
processing what path to take as my current Radar program is just not
good enough and has caused me some grief.

I have a baseline Radar program that IS a Mac version. Radar used to
make a Mac version about 5-6 yrs ago, just before EH became
available, that included exLibris. However, much to my dismay, Radar
discontinued supporting Mac soon after I made my purchase and I was
no longer able to upgrade it or move up to EH etc. As I already had
the Mac Radar 7 program I didn't wish to go the Virtual PC (VPC)
route and have to change it all at extra expense at that time.

I've also been disatisfied with Radar. I loaded my program the 1st
time with difficulty because of a badly unbalanced CD installer (the
3rd CD of several) and I returned to have replaced. Instead of
issuing me a new copy of the CD, a lable was simply pasted directly
over the existing lable of the original CD that was already off
kilter in exactly the same position, so consequently it came back
even worse. I got the program to install the once with a horribly
wobbling CD but when my hard drive died a few years later and I had
that replaced, I was unable to get my machine to accept that
particular CD again for reinstallation. After my previous experience
(and others), rather than look to Radar for help on this matter for
an outdated program, I managed to find another way to copy enough
files from that CD to the 70% part-loaded program to allow it to run.

I am keen to upgrade now but due to the poor support from Radar I am
quite hesitant. I would also need to upgrade my Mac to the new intel
model so that I can run Windows (rather than VPC) to run Radar more
satisfactorily. I appreciate that Radar has grown over the years and
should run much better now than what I am used to etc but I am
seriously looking at changing to MacRep/RefWorks seeing as I will
probably have to buy the complete program all over again.

So if anyone can offer any thoughts I would GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!!!
Oh...and trying the different demos of different Homoeopathic
programs (except Mac) isn't an option until I can afford to upgrade
my Mac to an intel Mac.

Thanking you Kindly,
Tan.

NB: Email advice is not a substitute for medical or veterinary
treatment!

~Tanya Nolte~
Reg'd Classical Homoeopath & Holistic Animal Practitioner
http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/1971
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Shannon Nelson]

Your last line piqued my curiosity--what graphics are you appalled at?
The only graphics my version has are little illustrations for the
repertory chapter headings--Mind, Vertigo, Throat, Bladder, etc--is
that what you're referring to?
Shannon
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]