Re: TZF - tzListBox - 3rd Party Components

I am a little behind the times with InfoPower 3000 (I'm also using Delphi 5). I think 1st Class is a great looking product, however I like to keep the appearance of my apps very traditional. I find that using the standards set my Microsoft makes a quicker learning curve for my users. That equates to lower support effort on my part. 

I have not used ExpressQuantum, but one of my associates has. He claims they are better than InfoPower, but I don't need more than what I already have. A member of our local Delphi User Group demonstrated (briefly) the Orpheus components that are now available from SourceForge. I understand they are very good as well. My only problem with open source products is with the availability of support. Naturally, there are news groups such as this but I feel more comfortable knowing there is a phone number if I get into dire straights. 

Product support is a big deal with me. I have had great support from Woll2Woll. It is not quite as good as it was 3 or 4 years ago, but still very good. My only experience with Quantum was several years ago and was not good. I had downloaded a trial version of one of their products and was having trouble getting it to work. My emails were never answered. I'm sure that has been fixed by now. BTW, that is when I first purchased InfoPower.



Agency Business Systems, Inc.
(503) 659 6752
www.AgencyBusinessSystems.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
"If you want a better answer, 
  ask a better question." -- Unknown.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: [email protected] 
  To: [email protected] 
  Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 11:50 AM
  Subject: Re: TZF - tzListBox - 3rd Party Components


  In a message dated 11/07/2003 1:51:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes:



    I couldn't resist putting in my humble observation. While the Topaz components are great, there are standard Delphi equivalents of most. Over the years many standard components have evolved to the point where they have more features than their Topaz counter parts. Additionally, there are many 3rd part components that far outperform both Topaz and Delphi components. Because you can now use a TDataSource, you don't need to rely only on the Topaz grids, list boxes, etc. For example, I use Woll2Woll components. Their grid component can color the active row, and use a separate color for the active field by setting a couple of properties. You can also alternate row colors by setting a property. In addition to more properties, there are more events. For example, in the Woll2Woll grids I use with Topaz, I set the property that makes the column headers perform like a button (it actually goes down when you click it). Then I use the event to sort the data. Naturally, this requires a
  little code to change the index based on the column that was clicked. 

    I love Topaz for data access, but I have always found other VCL components easier to get professional results with less code. Admittedly the third party components are an additional expense, however they have saved me many hours of coding, and my time is worth just enough to justify the expense.



    Agency Business Systems, Inc.
    (503) 659 6752
    www.AgencyBusinessSystems.com


  ________________________________________________________

  I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments about the
  value of your time.

  Which Woll2Woll product do you have?

  From their web site, prices are as follows:

      InfoPower 4000 Standard        $279
      InfoPower 4000 Professional    $349
      1stClass 4000 Standard          $199
      1stClass 400 Professional       $299

  I note in the recent Delphi Informant that ExpressQuantum
  was the readers choice of  3rd party components.  The price
  seems to be about twice that of InfoPower.

  Having said all of the above ... with the experience you
  have with Woll2Woll and the knowledge you might have
  about other components ... if you were purchasing today,
  which one would you buy??  I am not trying to "go cheap",
  but I hate to spent $200 extra for essentially no additional
  value.

  Thanks for any info,
  Bob Watson

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