VB & Database, Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS!

Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS!

Author	Message
Manish Gupt #1 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! Why do users want reports? I mean, isn't it enough for them to see their information on the screen? Why waste paper, toner, printheads, time, money, etc.? If they really want to distribute information to their clients, can't they just send them a cheap computer with a replicated copy of the database? Wouldn't that just be much simpler for everyone involved (especially me)? I can't figure it out. I try and try to tell them that reports are really unnecessary. It's all in their mind. It's a myth. Paper reports are like...like...dinosaurs...just waiting for the next meteorite. But, alas, they pay me no heed and continue to insist on reports. So, here we are. Currently, we're using Crystal Reports 7.0. But, I find I ABSOLUTELY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY DO NOT LIKE IT. It's not that there's anything wrong, per se, with the product. Just a preference. Has anyone out there used both Crystal and Active Reports and have some opinion or comparison they can offer? Manish
Mon, 14 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Scott Michel #2 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! Quote: >Why do users want reports? >I mean, isn't it enough for them to see their information on the screen? >Why waste paper, toner, printheads, time, money, etc.? If they really >want to distribute information to their clients, can't they just send them a >cheap computer with a replicated copy of the database? Wouldn't that just >be much simpler for everyone involved (especially me)? >I can't figure it out. I try and try to tell them that reports are >really unnecessary. It's all in their mind. It's a myth. Paper reports >are like...like...dinosaurs...just waiting for the next meteorite. >But, alas, they pay me no heed and continue to insist on reports. So, here >we are. >Currently, we're using Crystal Reports 7.0. But, I find I ABSOLUTELY AND >UNEQUIVOCALLY DO NOT LIKE IT. It's not that there's anything wrong, per >se, with the product. Just a preference. >Has anyone out there used both Crystal and Active Reports and have some >opinion or comparison they can offer? >Manish I'm pretty much of the opinion that the idea of a paperless office, with only a few exceptions, is only a myth. People like the idea of being able to hold a report in their hands. They like to scrutinize the results and scribble all over the reports as they do. So, all you can do is learn to live with it. As to what reporting tool do I like. Well, Crystal is definitely not my favorite. I personally think Crystal is one of the worst programs I've ever seen. What I can't figure out is why its so popular. We're currently using 6.0 and I'd rather switch to something else. I tried out a demo of Active Reports a while back and it seemed to be nice. Since I'm in the middle of a large project I can't even think of switching right now. Scott
Mon, 14 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Denis Gorshko #3 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! I used Crystal for the last 5 years. It is not the best tool, but it seems to be very popular. There is lot's of organizations using it. It has momentum. After a while one learns how to workaround Crystal's shortcomings. I would suggest: use Crystal for simple reports that do not require complicated formatting. For complex reports where you do not want to be in full control explore other tools. Denis Gorshkov Mobi-Sys Software Group Inc. Try VMake - our VB multiproject build tool at: www.mobi-sys.com Quote: >Why do users want reports? >I mean, isn't it enough for them to see their information on the screen? >Why waste paper, toner, printheads, time, money, etc.? If they really >want to distribute information to their clients, can't they just send them a >cheap computer with a replicated copy of the database? Wouldn't that just >be much simpler for everyone involved (especially me)? >I can't figure it out. I try and try to tell them that reports are >really unnecessary. It's all in their mind. It's a myth. Paper reports >are like...like...dinosaurs...just waiting for the next meteorite. >But, alas, they pay me no heed and continue to insist on reports. So, here >we are. >Currently, we're using Crystal Reports 7.0. But, I find I ABSOLUTELY AND >UNEQUIVOCALLY DO NOT LIKE IT. It's not that there's anything wrong, per >se, with the product. Just a preference. >Has anyone out there used both Crystal and Active Reports and have some >opinion or comparison they can offer? >Manish
Mon, 14 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Rodolfo Gonzale #4 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! I've been using Crystal for the last year and a half, but before that, I was programming on Visual Fox... and all I can tell you is that I'VE EVEN TRIED TO CREAT REPORTS ON VFP TO SIMPLIFY MY WORK. Its VERY MUCH intresting why Microsoft hasn't put a bit of an effort to come out with a descent Reporting tool for VB.. I love programming on VB, but definatley, I'd better stay with VFP's Report designer.... But what to do?????????? THAT is the question... what's the point of crying out loud all this stuff if we don't get REALLY heard.... And the worst part of it is that there's only ActiveReports and Crystal Reports to which we can turn to... And you know what's the biggest problem of all???? They don't com with full Access 2000 support (I mean Jet 4 / DAO 3.6). Quote: > Why do users want reports? > I mean, isn't it enough for them to see their information on the screen? > Why waste paper, toner, printheads, time, money, etc.? If they really > want to distribute information to their clients, can't they just send them a > cheap computer with a replicated copy of the database? Wouldn't that just > be much simpler for everyone involved (especially me)? > I can't figure it out. I try and try to tell them that reports are > really unnecessary. It's all in their mind. It's a myth. Paper reports > are like...like...dinosaurs...just waiting for the next meteorite. > But, alas, they pay me no heed and continue to insist on reports. So, here > we are. > Currently, we're using Crystal Reports 7.0. But, I find I ABSOLUTELY AND > UNEQUIVOCALLY DO NOT LIKE IT. It's not that there's anything wrong, per > se, with the product. Just a preference. > Has anyone out there used both Crystal and Active Reports and have some > opinion or comparison they can offer? > Manish
Tue, 15 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Shaun Taylo #5 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! Quote: >Why do users want reports? >I mean, isn't it enough for them to see their information on the screen? >Why waste paper, toner, printheads, time, money, etc.? If they really >want to distribute information to their clients, can't they just send them a >cheap computer with a replicated copy of the database? Wouldn't that just >be much simpler for everyone involved (especially me)? >I can't figure it out. I try and try to tell them that reports are >really unnecessary. It's all in their mind. It's a myth. Paper reports >are like...like...dinosaurs...just waiting for the next meteorite. >But, alas, they pay me no heed and continue to insist on reports. So, here >we are. >Currently, we're using Crystal Reports 7.0. But, I find I ABSOLUTELY AND >UNEQUIVOCALLY DO NOT LIKE IT. It's not that there's anything wrong, per >se, with the product. Just a preference. >Has anyone out there used both Crystal and Active Reports and have some >opinion or comparison they can offer? >Manish I personally hate crystal, but I am probably in a group of 1. I find that compared to the graphing and reporting available in Access all the VB equivalents are really poor. As far as the customer is concerned they can have what they they pay for! Understand what it is they require and you will understand that they are not stupid, they always have a real need. regards Shaun
Tue, 15 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Manish Gupt #6 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! Ok, I think that in the midst of all the coding, debugging, testing, etc. of your applications, many of you may have completely missed the --->humor<--- that was [supposed to be] apparent in my original message. Obviously people need reports. Geez... In any case, now that that's cleared up, any feedback on Active Reports? Manish Quote: > >Why do users want reports? > >I mean, isn't it enough for them to see their information on the screen? > >Why waste paper, toner, printheads, time, money, etc.? If they really > >want to distribute information to their clients, can't they just send them > a > >cheap computer with a replicated copy of the database? Wouldn't that just > >be much simpler for everyone involved (especially me)? > >I can't figure it out. I try and try to tell them that reports are > >really unnecessary. It's all in their mind. It's a myth. Paper reports > >are like...like...dinosaurs...just waiting for the next meteorite. > >But, alas, they pay me no heed and continue to insist on reports. So, here > >we are. > >Currently, we're using Crystal Reports 7.0. But, I find I ABSOLUTELY AND > >UNEQUIVOCALLY DO NOT LIKE IT. It's not that there's anything wrong, per > >se, with the product. Just a preference. > >Has anyone out there used both Crystal and Active Reports and have some > >opinion or comparison they can offer? > >Manish > I personally hate crystal, but I am probably in a group of 1. I find that > compared to the graphing and reporting available in Access all the VB > equivalents are really poor. As far as the customer is concerned they can > have what they they pay for! Understand what it is they require and you will > understand that they are not stupid, they always have a real need. > regards > Shaun
Tue, 15 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Mark Fawcet #7 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! Active Reports!! Quote: >Why do users want reports? >I mean, isn't it enough for them to see their information on the screen? >Why waste paper, toner, printheads, time, money, etc.? If they really >want to distribute information to their clients, can't they just send them a >cheap computer with a replicated copy of the database? Wouldn't that just >be much simpler for everyone involved (especially me)? >I can't figure it out. I try and try to tell them that reports are >really unnecessary. It's all in their mind. It's a myth. Paper reports >are like...like...dinosaurs...just waiting for the next meteorite. >But, alas, they pay me no heed and continue to insist on reports. So, here >we are. >Currently, we're using Crystal Reports 7.0. But, I find I ABSOLUTELY AND >UNEQUIVOCALLY DO NOT LIKE IT. It's not that there's anything wrong, per >se, with the product. Just a preference. >Has anyone out there used both Crystal and Active Reports and have some >opinion or comparison they can offer? >Manish
Tue, 15 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Jack #8 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! I really hate Crystal Reports. I tried using it to connect to a hierarchical recordset created in the DataEnvironment and I found myself pulling my hair trying to get it to work! Finally, I decided to trash Crystal Reports and just use the Microsoft Data Report designer. I know that it lacks many features but its simplicity is what I enjoy most about it. No more beating around the bush trying to get it to work with other Microsoft technologies. Quote: > Why do users want reports? > I mean, isn't it enough for them to see their information on the screen? > Why waste paper, toner, printheads, time, money, etc.? If they really > want to distribute information to their clients, can't they just send them a > cheap computer with a replicated copy of the database? Wouldn't that just > be much simpler for everyone involved (especially me)? > I can't figure it out. I try and try to tell them that reports are > really unnecessary. It's all in their mind. It's a myth. Paper reports > are like...like...dinosaurs...just waiting for the next meteorite. > But, alas, they pay me no heed and continue to insist on reports. So, here > we are. > Currently, we're using Crystal Reports 7.0. But, I find I ABSOLUTELY AND > UNEQUIVOCALLY DO NOT LIKE IT. It's not that there's anything wrong, per > se, with the product. Just a preference. > Has anyone out there used both Crystal and Active Reports and have some > opinion or comparison they can offer? > Manish
Wed, 16 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

William R Highfie #9 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! On Thu, 29 Jul 1999 12:04:36 -0700, "Manish Gupta" microsoft.public.vb.database: Quote: >Why do users want reports? <snip> They are funny that way. Quote: >Manish Man all the negativity with Crystal Reports. You all must be using Access and CR right? I have only been using CR 6 for about 5 months and I find it's not the reporting tool that's the problem it's that data source. I use it with SQL Server 6.5/7.0 and have created some weekly production analysis reports for this very report intensive company. All of the calculations are done by the server and only the raw data comes back. I will admit that some features suck but I have always have found ways of getting around them.
Wed, 16 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Jack #10 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! Check out the latest Maintenance Release. Quote: > Crystal Reports frustration #483948294 > Support for Jet 4 / ADO 3.6? Myth? Reality? > Or quite simply... > Pipe dream? > Manish
Wed, 16 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Manish Gupt #11 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! Crystal Reports frustration #483948294 Support for Jet 4 / ADO 3.6? Myth? Reality? Or quite simply... Pipe dream? Manish Quote: > Why do users want reports? > I mean, isn't it enough for them to see their information on the screen? > Why waste paper, toner, printheads, time, money, etc.? If they really > want to distribute information to their clients, can't they just send them a > cheap computer with a replicated copy of the database? Wouldn't that just > be much simpler for everyone involved (especially me)? > I can't figure it out. I try and try to tell them that reports are > really unnecessary. It's all in their mind. It's a myth. Paper reports > are like...like...dinosaurs...just waiting for the next meteorite. > But, alas, they pay me no heed and continue to insist on reports. So, here > we are. > Currently, we're using Crystal Reports 7.0. But, I find I ABSOLUTELY AND > UNEQUIVOCALLY DO NOT LIKE IT. It's not that there's anything wrong, per > se, with the product. Just a preference. > Has anyone out there used both Crystal and Active Reports and have some > opinion or comparison they can offer? > Manish
Wed, 16 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

André Poisso #12 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! Go with Active Reports, it is great. ( I have it)
Wed, 16 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Manish Gupt #13 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! Jack, I spent considerable time on their website looking for exactly that. I am using Crystal Reports 7. On their website, I can find nothing that relates to DAO 3.6 support for Crystal 7. In fact there's no maintenance release at all for Crystal 7 -- only a bunch of Delphi/Borland VCL's and some other miscellaneous stuff. Do you know what the name (or link address) of the file is? Manish Quote: > Check out the latest Maintenance Release. > > Crystal Reports frustration #483948294 > > Support for Jet 4 / ADO 3.6? Myth? Reality? > > Or quite simply... > > Pipe dream? > > Manish
Wed, 16 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

Manish Gupt #14 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! Jack, Nevermind...I found 'em under the "Database drivers" section...duh! Thanks...I'll give it a try... Manish Quote: > Jack, > I spent considerable time on their website looking for exactly that. I am > using Crystal Reports 7. On their website, I can find nothing that relates > to DAO 3.6 support for Crystal 7. In fact there's no maintenance release at > all for Crystal 7 -- only a bunch of Delphi/Borland VCL's and some other > miscellaneous stuff. Do you know what the name (or link address) of the file > is? > Manish > > Check out the latest Maintenance Release. > > > Crystal Reports frustration #483948294 > > > Support for Jet 4 / ADO 3.6? Myth? Reality? > > > Or quite simply... > > > Pipe dream? > > > Manish
Wed, 16 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

John Rychte #15 / 20	Reports, reports, reports, reports.....REPORTS! I used CR with VB 4.0 and shortly after DataDymanic released Active Reports I purchased it. The main 2 reasons: - Speed - VB syntax The only thing I'm missing from CR is variety of export filter. AR Reports support only PDF, RTF and Text formats. According to Technical Support, Excel export filter will be available soon. AR bundle itself very nicely with VB development environment, support ADO, RDO, DAO, Unbound mode, subreport, multicolumn report, ASP support. You can place ActiveX controls such as MSChart, MSGrid etc on the report. Number VB samples and printed manual really allows you to use this product immediately after installation. But to really appreciate what this tool can do, you will need to accustom yourself with this Object structure, methods, events and properties, something you have to do with every ActiveX control you use no matter if it is DAO, DBGrid or AR. I mentioned about 2 reasons I bought AR but there is one more reason I would recommend this product and that is Technical Support. They are very good and very FAST, never had to wait more then day for a working solution to my problems. Up to now, I developed number of projects (VB5 & VB 6) with AR reports as well as DLL modules. All works great and fast. BTW, those DLL modules replaced all CR in one of my client program and since implementation about 6 months ago there were no reports of any problems. I also like to say that I'm not in any way affiliated with DataDymanic, I am a user who purchase this product, paid over $500 CAN but in my opinion, money well spent. Regards John Rychter Ok, I think that in the midst of all the coding, debugging, testing, etc. of your applications, many of you may have completely missed the --->humor<--- that was [supposed to be] apparent in my original message. Obviously people need reports. Geez... In any case, now that that's cleared up, any feedback on Active Reports? Manish Quote: > >Why do users want reports? > >I mean, isn't it enough for them to see their information on the screen? > >Why waste paper, toner, printheads, time, money, etc.? If they really > >want to distribute information to their clients, can't they just send them > a > >cheap computer with a replicated copy of the database? Wouldn't that just > >be much simpler for everyone involved (especially me)? > >I can't figure it out. I try and try to tell them that reports are > >really unnecessary. It's all in their mind. It's a myth. Paper reports > >are like...like...dinosaurs...just waiting for the next meteorite. > >But, alas, they pay me no heed and continue to insist on reports. So, here > >we are. > >Currently, we're using Crystal Reports 7.0. But, I find I ABSOLUTELY AND > >UNEQUIVOCALLY DO NOT LIKE IT. It's not that there's anything wrong, per > >se, with the product. Just a preference. > >Has anyone out there used both Crystal and Active Reports and have some > >opinion or comparison they can offer? > >Manish > I personally hate crystal, but I am probably in a group of 1. I find that > compared to the graphing and reporting available in Access all the VB > equivalents are really poor. As far as the customer is concerned they can > have what they they pay for! Understand what it is they require and you will > understand that they are not stupid, they always have a real need. > regards > Shaun
Wed, 16 Jan 2002 03:00:00 GMT

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