APDL - Will it ever be fixed, let alone perfected?

[FishandFly]

After paying $65 for APDL (palm pilot logbook) is anyone else annoyed that this program sucks? Not only are the design and features ancient, there has not been a single update for 2 years. Why not address the numerous "simple logical changes" that the program desperately needs.

My new issue came up 6 months ago when I started following my pay closely. APDL's calculated pay is severely flawed, and showed me making continually less money once I go above guarantee.

I filed a ticket, they responded that they were working on it over the course of the next month and ended up saying they can replicate the problem, but don't know how to fix it.

Maybe they will just sell it to another software engineer who cares about his customer base.

If there are any software engineers out there that will design a new palm logbook (even one that just imports to a pc's excel program) I'll be in line to give you my money. Rant done, apdl sucks.

 

[Grey Ghost]

Just wait until you see how much they try to get you to pay when it comes time to print up your logbook! $250 to print and an additional $200 to have it expedited!!!uke:

 

[Mike man]

I just use it like the old paper logbook...just to keep track of flight time. Print off a pay sheet and a month from APDL and compare to figure out your pay.

I looked into them printing my logbook, I went to OfficeMax bought a laser printer and printed my logbook, had OfficeMax bind it...and viola! A nice logbook for less than $100.

 

[sweptback]

My favorite is going from Palm to Windows Mobile.

The old owner didn't charge you since the programs were identical. The Logbook Pro people want to charge you $65 again! Absolutely terrible, because like you said, there hasn't been any updates for over 2 years.

The only update that they've made in the last few years is changing the importer software. Conveniently now it locks you into Logbook Pro to import your data... before you could export it into Excel.

I guess when you can't compete, you just try to lock your users in and hope they don't leave. That only works for so long before somebody discovers an opportunity.

 

[vectorflyer]

What else is better?

 

[BoilerUP]

What else is better?

Taking an hour of your time each month to audit your redbook with your pay report?

 

[labbats]

I've used both Logbook pro and APDL and now I just use a paper logbook.

Too much hassle and on an interview they want a hard copy anyway.

 

[Tarzan]

I just use it like the old paper logbook...just to keep track of flight time. Print off a pay sheet and a month from APDL and compare to figure out your pay.

I looked into them printing my logbook, I went to OfficeMax bought a laser printer and printed my logbook, had OfficeMax bind it...and viola! A nice logbook for less than $100.

I export mine and send it to Kinko's. They print it and bind it. Looks good for $30.

 

[wscrj]

I also submitted a ticket regarding pay rates for specific aircraft. Ex: One can estab. a specific rate of pay in the setup section, but when trying to estab. a specific rate of pay for a variant aircraft (CRJ-200/700/900) the program only allows a TWO digit payrate.

APDL's response to me? Um...yeah...we know, but it does what we said it will do, so there is really no need to fix it.

There are ZERO upgrades planned for this program. None.

I would NOT recommend this program to anyone.

 

[wscrj]

Glad to see this thread. It's about time some negative press came their way. I can only hope it will have a motivating effect on them.

I was much more impressed with the program before LogbookPro bought it.

 

[nyboilermaker]

I left 'em for a Mac program called LogTen Pro.

www.coradine.com/logten-pro

 

[mtsupilot376]

Rather than spending the better half of this thread flaming APDL, we should be proposing changes we'd like to see made in future revisions.

So What would you like to see out of the next APDL?

 

[79%N1]

That is a really cool product.....lots of neat goodies like airport diagrams, charts, etc.

Unfortunately for me, it only sync to mac computers, and as I'm stuck in Windows I can't use it with my iphone.

Looks great though.

 

[scotts]

Rather than spending the better half of this thread flaming APDL, we should be proposing changes we'd like to see made in future revisions.

So What would you like to see out of the next APDL?

Try this thread:

http://www.nc-software.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=32

FWIW, I've used both LBP and APDL for many years now. I still use the importer program instead of the online method. Anyone else do this? I guess I am a control freak...

 

[flyingfool]

I left 'em for a Mac program called LogTen Pro.

www.coradine.com/logten-pro

Logten Pro Rocks!!!! The guy that made it, it's his only source of income and he’s always working on making it better. The forums on his website are great. You just tell him your problem and he works on fixing it ASAP. There is also a spot to make requests for new features. Very Cool. Plus it works with the iPhone. Take a look and you'll never look back.

FF

 

[flyingfool]

That is a really cool product.....lots of neat goodies like airport diagrams, charts, etc.

Unfortunately for me, it only sync to mac computers, and as I'm stuck in Windows I can't use it with my iphone.

Looks great though.

Take a look after June 9th when the new iPhone software comes out. There might be a stand-alone version for the iPhone. Why do you still use windows? Windows sucks! Down with Microsoft!

FF

 

[Booker]

Concur with those who are tired of waiting for an upgrade to APDL. NC's licensing policies are asinine. As they say, I'm free to take my business elsewhere, and when my trusty Palm Zire gives up on me, I will. At this point I'd be happier with a red book and an iPhone than saddled with my current setup.

 

[Hovernut]

Ditto LogTen. I got burned on the switch from Palm to M$ mobile and refused to pay to switch. I used LBP to log everything up to my upgrade and printed it out at Office Depot for $30.

Now sporting a Macbook and iPhone and will do all future logging in LogTen! So long, Neil. You lost another customer to progress.

 

[FishandFly]

Rather than spending the better half of this thread flaming APDL, we should be proposing changes we'd like to see made in future revisions.

So What would you like to see out of the next APDL?

This may have been eluded to by someone else as well, but it is a futile effort.

The owner has absolutely no intention of improving anything. On nc-software forum you will find a forum dedicated just to software suggestions.

Imagine that the owner gets emails like mine where calculated pay is completely incorrect and they won't fix it. Fixing things that would just make the program more user friendly is never going to happen.

 

[Mr Wu]

There will never be an upgrade to LBP or APDL that helps the user out. NC software is more interested in splitting the program and locking it up so you are stuck with their $hitty support. Anyone remember when starting a thread like this would have got you banned?


I believe that Neal lurks over on jetcareers. Would probably be a better place for this thread.