posted 08-30-2000 10:11 AM         

We have asked for "feedback" and "comments" about what you think of EZGUI before and a few of you have responded and it is appreciated.

If you don't mind, could you "again" make some comments here about what you think of EZGUI here , please ?

The reason I am asking for your comments again, is because I just read the "draft" for the review of EZGUI 1.0 in the upcoming "Basically Speaking" newsletter and the review is a "bit negative" (thats all I'll say) and I would like to get our customers opinion of the product. Please be honest !

I know EZGUI has weaknesses and I am working hard on improving version 2.0 in response to much of your feedback.
Please give your own "mini-review" of EZGUI here for the benefit of "others" interested in EZGUI who visit this web site.

posted 08-30-2000 02:55 PM         

Well, let me tell you, this application is GOOD, it had helped me a lot, quite frankly I'm a very busy guy and need a tool that allows me to write utilities or small/medium applications in a short period of time, so far, EZGUI fills that slot.
As any other piece of software, EZGUI has weakneses of course, but if you want my opinion, I would say a better DOCUMENTATION and more examples definetly will help a great deal, something like explaining the statement/function, etc and following that, an example, also the samples for the most common functions such as loading a combobox, using slide bars, progress bars, menus, etc, that in my opinion save a lot of time trying to figure it out, a small .BAS explaining that I know would be very welcome, specially for beginners or people that is still learning how to use EZGUI.
I also have a WISH LIST, but I'll post it later (I'd like to read others' first to avoid DUPES)
Keep up the good work Chris!!

posted 08-30-2000 05:37 PM         

The quality of documention relates directly to the quality of a library/application normally I've found. It was only because of the good comments on the PowerBasic BBS that I stuck it out with EZGUI beyond the couple of minutes that I'd normally look at something new.

posted 08-30-2000 05:59 PM         

Learning EZGUI does require a bit of effort and time. It will be my task to find ways to make new users more productive in future versions. I have considered a variety of things, even the possibility of a "multimedia tutorial" on CD.

Now, for those of you who are new to EZGUI or haven't tried it yet, EZGUI is downright easy compared to the API.

It tooks me over 8 months to learn the API well enough to write EZGUI. I don't think most of you are ready to devote 8 months to get up to speed learning the API. To learn EZGUI requires at least a few good full days to get up to speed, but that is short in comparision to learning the API.

Now, EZGUI does many things that even experienced API programmers don't do, like keyboard accelerators and layers.

With a product as complex as EZGUI (meaning it handles a great deal), it is very difficult to produce a perfect sets of docs the first time around. This is why we created the online forum. The forum would make up for the weaknesses in the docs and it would also be the basis of for producing better docs for future versions. I plan to use many of the discussions on this forum to help me make the docs for EZGUI 2.0 much better.

Another possibility to make EZGUI better is to add my "Code generator" tool to version 2.0 and to create a bunch of templates for faster generation of code using EZGUI functions. It is kind of like "SoftCode" for Windows.

This much I can say, is that the more you use EZGUI the more you will like it and the more you will find it is very powerful in the right hands.

posted 08-31-2000 05:04 PM         

I bought PBDLL2 and messed about for a long time without doing any good. I bought PBDLL6 and still had difficulty and was really just playing games, not producing any worthwhile programmes.

Then early this year I started to use EZGUI and after a few tips on the forum, plus help from the PB Forum, I found I could write quite sophisticated programmes for Windows.

Here in Australia we have just had a Goods and Services Tax (GST) introduced and instead of converting my company's former DOS accounts programme, I have completely rewritten it for Windows. Being for myself, I beta test the programme as staff use it (probably not very professional) and have not only ironed out minor problems but added new features as I do the "testing" and as suggestions are put forward.

I always found a DOS programme difficult to change once I have written the basic programme but using PB and EZGUI I find it relatively simple.

I hope the review of EZGUI is not too negative. Put simply, I would not be writing programmes for Windows had I relied solely on PBDLL, though it is a great system. It was my introduction to EZGUI that made the whole thing relatively simple.

Despite any negative comment, I think Chris would have a lot of supporters for his development.

There are some things I would like to see added or changed but as I'm still trying to come to grips with Windows API I may be simply missing things here and there.

I agree that better documentation is important. It is not just Chris' EZGUI documentation that lacks information. There seems to be a tendency for people who write manuals to produce material on the assumption everyone already knows what they're talking about and this is usually not the case.

Nevertheless, I am very happy with EZGUI. Whereas I would once write a simple DOS programme to do odd jobs (I mainly write text manipulation programmes for the newspaper industry) I now start with EZGUI and fill in the code in PBDLL.

As I said, I'm no expert but I'd like to add my two cents worth (plus GST) in support of Chris and what, to me, become an essential part of producing my code.

Brian.

posted 11-15-2000 04:33 PM         

I just started working with EZGUI and find it very easy to develop the forms and controls using the simple interface. It took me a day or two to get the concept of how the events are processed which didn't suprise me since I am a DOS programmer at heart. But the transition to GUI Windows was inevitable and I beleive EZGUI made that transition easier. I do have to say that I spend alot of time trying to figure out what EZGUI is doing and how form controls are passing among includes and how to process certain events. I think it's just a matter of better documentation which I believe all applications are lacking not just EZGUI. Better examples would be great. Not so much the high end TCPIP stuff but more basic
concepts to give the users a better idea of concepts. All in all I have to say I'd rather spend a week or so figuring out EZGUI than month's of frustration on API. Looking forward to 2.0 (As if Mr. Gates doesn't frustate me enough!!!)

posted 11-16-2000 02:17 PM         

Don't let the review discourage you. (I'd be ineterested in reading it, but my sample issue of BS didn't impress me.)

I know the API well enough to get most jobs done that I'd try with EZGUI, but it sure is nice to have EZGUI taking care of the bookkeeping. I can't wait for 2.0. EZGUI is tons easier than bare Win32, and it's also way easier (not to mention slimmer) than MFC or OWL. Those OOP frameworks are nice for some things, but they are a whole new interface to learn, and a fairly complex one at that.

Also, just my two cents worth on a code-generator approach: I'v done a lot of work in TopSpeed's Clarion which, IMHO, has about the only cradle-to-grave code-generator and manager. It's a BIG app. It's a LOT of man hours. And it's complex to learn (alsmost as complex as another API). I'd rather have features that cater to coders...I haven't met many PB users who don't prefer to code when you really press them. Do what you must--you're the one who has to market it--but I like the flavor of 1.0 just great. it doesn't copy anything else. It is it's own niche. I'm surprised the BS people didn't appreciate that.

posted 11-16-2000 04:50 PM         

My Code generator was designed not for "BIG" blocks of code, but smaller to medium size ones that do very specific things. For example, the product that currently uses it (MediaForge 4.1) uses it to speed up the learning curve on the MediaBasic scripting language that comes with MediaForge. There are bunch of "special" multimedia commands added to the Basic language which requires some time to learn. My code generator has acomplete Template with "all" the special commands so when you want to use one, you simply select the command and fill in the blanks (in the parameter input Dialog) and the code generator writes to code with the proper syntax.

It helps a programmer get up to speed with learning all the new commands.

I am familiar with Clarion (I have the personal edition (older one)) and it is very powerful and writes "tons" of code, but I found it too complex for my tastes and so I never used it. I think I understand what you mean.

posted 11-16-2000 05:52 PM         

Not only does EZGUI make program development faster, it is also a "teaching tool". By experimenting, I've learned what works (and what doesn't) and my programming abilities have increased. I've tried other utilities and apps that are supposed to help make writing Windows programs easier and none of them has measured up to EZGUI.

Unfortunately, my subscription to BS expired and I have chosen not to renew it because of the extremely long delays in delivery of the publication. Since I have not had a chance to read the review, I cannot speak to its accuracy or objectivity. But I can attest that the longer you use EZGUI, the better (and easier) it gets!

posted 11-19-2000 09:16 AM         

I have being involved with developing Windows applications from the introduction
of Visual Basic through to Version 6. I have also used PB/DLL since version 1
mainly for the occasional DLL and the most simple applications, mostly backup,
restore and installation programs.

Throughout this time I have dabbled with writing Windows.EXE applications using
PB/DLL but found the transition from VB too difficult, due mainly to the
complexities of the Windows API and not really needing to learn due to being
shielded from the API by Visual Basic.

Then along came Chris Boss with this idea for a RAD tool for use with PB/DLL
and EZGUI was born.

Quite frankly, in my opinion EZGUI is an excellent development tool, and unlike
some tools I have bought over the years I have never regretted buying it or
thought that I had wasted some of my money. It is to me the missing part of PB/DLL
Also I think the help and support you give its users is quite outstanding. If you
are a competent SDK style developer using PB/DLL then you probably have little or
no use for it, but if you don't understand anything other than VB or DOS applications
and would like to make the break then this is the tool for you.

This one tool has succeeded in making me abandon VB 100%, I purchased EZGUI as
soon as it was released, realised that this offered me my escape from VB Bloat Ware
and decided it was time to learn about Windows API programming. Without EZGUI I
would not have made this decision and would be still be using VB. I am of course
not trying to compare developing an application using EZGUI/PBDLL with Visual Basic
but it certainly works for me.

Of course EZGUI has some shortcomings, it is still in its infancy, but from what you
say is in version two it is growing up fast. In conjunction with other third party
tools such as Chris Bristow's SIGrid, and Lance Edmonds' DLLPrint (and a little help
from my friends)I find that I can rapidly develop any application I like.
I feel that apart from what you are telling us is already in version 2 that some
form of Grid and Print functions would tempt more potential users. More documentation
and samples would also help, but I think I recall that you have promised these
already for version 2.

I will be unlikly to read the review in BS as I do not subscribe to it but hope it
is not too negative, it would be a great shame if potential users were to be put off
by reading this article, they would be missing out on a great development tool.

I have only one thing to say to anyone who is thinking of buying EZGUI, stop
thinking about it and get it bought, you will not regret it.

Michael

posted 11-19-2000 09:12 PM         

Thanks for the compliments !

I designed EZGUI so I could also get away from using VB. I have owned VB 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0. VB 2.0 isn't bad with a 375 KB runtime, but VB 5.0 is a bit too much with a 1.3 meg runtime. Also VB depends too much on OCX's and if you use some common controls, common dialogs, etc. the VB app can get quiet large.

EZGUI on the otherhand is "tiny" in comparison to even VB 1.0's runtime and it has many features (Toolbars, Progress bars, Tab controls, Common Dialogs) that would require a bunch of OCX's in VB 5/6.

Version 2.0 will bring EZGUI a great leap forward. EZGUI 2.0 will introduce new "custom" controls, not found in VB.

I don't plan to use VB anymore and EZGUI is my own main development tool. EZGUI 2.0 will "be targeted" towards the VB market. Such things as native VB Form Import into the Visual Designer will help get VB programmers up to speed in converting apps.

posted 11-22-2000 11:45 AM         

You've got a great product here. Like a lot of your customers, I'm an old Dos guy. All of our products were written in PDQ and assembler or Powerbasic for Dos. I too messed about with VB and the earlier PBDll compilers and didn't much like what I saw. With Ezgui and PBdll 6.0 it now makes a lot more sense. I'm looking forward to 2.0 (consider this an order). What I'd love to see is some form of integration with Kev Peels IDE. He is really onto something there. He needs to make it work in NT and 2000, which the version I have does not. Forget the reviews, you're doing fine.

posted 11-22-2000 01:18 PM         

I am working close with Kev Peel. I am the one who created the PowerAddOn specification so it would be possible to "Integrate" some of my Visual Designers right into his IDE. I haven't gotten the latest version of his IDE, with PowerAddOn support, yet, but when I do, I will likely convert my Freeware DDT Designer to an AddON. If that works well, then likely I can consider making some commercial AddOns for his IDE.

posted 11-22-2000 10:47 PM         

I am working on a new, much improved version of PowerIDE, but unfortunately, due to personal problems it may not be ready until early next year, by then MDI and Power-AddOn support will be available - the editor will also use the 'CodeMax' custom control for greater flexibility, As well as many great editor improvements!

Just stay tuned!!!

Regards,