Hi Craig
I too started writing in MV in 1988, using Pick R83. It was only supposed to be an experiment. A friend had given me a 3-user license to see what I could do with it. At the time, I was writing the core of a financial management package with specialised features for managing credit contracts. I was using Quick Basic.
I spent only a few days of converting my existing Quick Basic code to R83 before I realised that I could write the same functionality with pretty close to one tenth of the number of lines. I reasoned that it would quite likely mean that I would be ten times more efficient developing a system in R83! Two weeks later I had a fully functional system to show my existing clients who were using Sybiz at the time. Although it lacked most of the features my clients needed, they became excited and told me that they would support me financially and use the product if I developed something with the features they needed. That took only 6 weeks or so, and I was on my way!
I had developed methods that allowed the dictionary of each file to fully specify the functionality of data held in the file - not just for reports, but also for maintenance screens, and even some feature definitions. That meant I could quickly build new "views" into data for clients. I took that even further and by adding a few files containing configuration items, I built a system that could be configured into anything a client wanted without changing any code. Even the modules that performed calculations scaled the data according to dictionary specifications, meaning that any desired changes in decimal point position were relatively easy. All numeric data was stored as integers ("internal" format) in the database. This approach also meant that I could regularly and incrementally upgrade all aspects of the system without affecting any customisations made for each client.
The system was given the name "Crusader". (A Colleague said I was on a crusade!) Over the first few years it gradually became a fully-featured mature FMIS / ERP and many of the original clients used the system for 25 to 30 years to run their entire businesses. I still have two committed clients running their businesses using Crusader, and they still request modifications and additions from time to time.
My "problem" with this approach was that this was so unconventional that apart from some clients who modified their own systems, I had problems getting others involved in the business. So I was essentially a "one man band", and never built the business up to a point where I could exit if I wanted to, and always lacked the resource necessary to transform Crusader into being a modern system. All the D3 upgrade paths assumed use of statements such as INPUT. My 250,000 lines of code lack a single INPUT statement! That's because even my input routines referred to dictionaries for their function. I had similar differences with every display function. ALL were multi-functional! (I outlawed "GOTO" as well.)
But I have loved working with R83 Pick, Advanced Pick and D3. I still do when I get the opportunity. Just this year I have learned C# and returned to Visual Studio after nearly 20 years of avoiding it! 10,000 lines of code later, I have a new product emerging that will offer an affordable Business Process Automation system. I am incorporating many of the features I developed in Crusader, including use of dictionaries to define data and control function. Once again, it is unconventional. I have not used a single stored procedure in SQL, meaning that the system is operating system agnostic, and also database agnostic. I have a version written for D3, using D3 code, and the new C# product can also use D3 as its database. This time I already have others involved and look forward to the intended release target of February 2021.
I too have enjoyed the Pick User Groups that were held in New Zealand, and welcome this initiative to build and support a community of MV developers and users generally.
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Alan Miles
Business and IT Consultant
Amba Limited
Whanganui
+64 27 220 9745
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-20-2020 07:55
From: Craig Willcocks
Subject: Meet your fellow members and introduce yourself!
Hi,
Craig Willcocks, a mv analyst and developer in the UK specialising in ERP systems.
I first started in MV in 1988 with schools admin software in Pick on GA kit, and in 1990 moved to R83, Unidata and Reality on McDonnel Douglas, ADDS Mentor, and GA servers, and fleet management software This was where i was first introduced to the early stages of System Builder and later on SB+. The company i worked for merged with Sandersons, and i moved to an ERP startup software company in 1997, working with Universe and SB+, and moving into end user development and support in 2001, using Universe and now SBXA.
Typing all that above has just made me realise that ive been working with pick for more than 32 years!!
I have happy memories of Spectrum meetings, Pick User Groups and System Builder User Group meetings!
In my spare time i am heavily involved with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets as a volunteer, I cook, I parent (or try to), I walk my dog Winston, and I alpha/beta test computer games!
Looking forward to being part of this community
Craig
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Craig Willcocks
Nycomm Group Ltd
Original Message:
Sent: 07-01-2020 14:02
From: Community Manager
Subject: Meet your fellow members and introduce yourself!
Welcome Rocket Forum members!
I'd like to formally introduce myself, and give members an opportunity to make their introductions. I'm Charles Dane, the Community Manager and Admin for the Rocket Forum. I've been involved in or managed online communities going back to the late 90s, in both the video games and technology fields. I'm looking forward to making connections between members, sharing news and information, and guiding the Forum through its growth.
As my bio states, I study and train in historical fencing, practice and teach Yoga, and will take my road bike out for random rides. I'm a bit of a nerd, my games collection is in steady competition with Lego builds and an expanding hat collection.
Now, on to you. Make an introduction, share a bit about yourself, and connect with one another!
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Charles Dane
Rocket Software
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