Review of PHPRunner 4.0 beta

Sure, will be glad to answer

1. When Building a Web Application, is it possible to select which Pages to build or is the whole Web Application always built?
   No, we don't have this option. We might add this feature in some later version.
   
2. Is it possible to choose which Template to build the Web Application with, or are those in 'source' directory always used?
   Wait for PHPRunner 4.0 beta 2 to be released on Monday. This update introduces business templates and layoutes as well as 12 stylesheets. You will be able to add more templates and styles.
   
3. Is it only possible to setup User Security in PHPRunner, or can it be setup so that Users can Add Security Groups, change Access etc via the web Application?
   No. Planned to be implemnted later this year
   
4. It is possible to setup Security so Users can only see their own Data. Is it possible for Superiors to see all their subordinates data?
   Yes
   
5. Menus appear to be hard coded in HTML Files. Why not use an include File? Are all Menu options available even if the User does not have sufficient security?
   Incorrect. If you use User Group Security menu page only displays tables available to current user.
   
6. What happens if fields/tables are added/changed/removed from the Database. Does PHPRunner automatically update the Project?
   Yes
   
7. Are Compound Primary Keys supported for Master/Details and Links?
   Not yet. Will be added summer 2007.
   
8. Are Stored Procedures supported?
   No.
   
9. If a Web Application is developed in PHP using PHPRunner, can the Project easily be converted to ASPRunner or ASPRunner.NET?
   Yes. You'll need to change connection string in project file.
   
10. On List Pages, is clicking on column headers always enabled? Where the column is a code value and is linked by a foreign key to a lookup table, the sorting is done on the code value rather than the lookup value, and results in an incorrect sort order. How should this be resolved?
    Disabling column sorting is not what the user wants. We are looking for way to implement correct sorting on lookup columns.
    
11. It is possible to change the Format of Dates in List/View Pages?
    Yes
    
12. PHPMaker has Inline Edits, Multi-Page Add/Edits. Are these available or planned?
    Yes, planned for summer 2007.

Gordon
I've done several testings with several programs after struggling with a particular one about 9 months ago. Of all - about 10 of them- PHPRunner came out tops with ease.
There are some features (like the Visual Editor) thet can do with some improvement, but Sergey and his team is working hard on it and it's about 100% better than it was a few months ago.
Tha major plus point, however, is the GREAT support. Both on this forum and personal.
I'm very glad that I came across PHPRunner. It's value for money, and the support team always has a solution to solve more advanced features.
I'm happy that I made this business decision.
Stephan

In response to question3, it may not be in php runner but it's not hard to put this feature into the standard version, it just means adding a few more tables to control the groups and the permissions that the group has. You then write a page that pulls the menu items from the permissions table.

12) PHPMaker has Inline Edits, Multi-Page Add/Edits. Are these available or planned?

When is planned the new release of phprunner? Is there a date? We are waiting so curious <img src='https://asprunner.com/forums/file.php?topicimage=1&fieldname=reply&id=19631&image=1&table=forumreplies' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />

UP

New PHPRunner beta version will be ready in a day or two.

But don't hold your breath.
PHPR might be a work of genius, but the steady implementation of features is something quite different. Consider those:

1. 1. The No. 1 annoying bug ("No input file specified" ) seems will stay with PHPR forever
      
   
   
   
   
2. 2. I was told in May 2006 that "visual query editor" (for writing join queries) should be ready before the end of 2006
      
   
   
   
   
3. 3. I was told in April 2007 that the full range of Flash charts would be added in a month, but still the actual files included with 265 are a crippled "trial version" of AnyChart.
      
   
   
   
   

Sounds familiar?

Samo.
I'm sorry to tell you that "No.1 bug" is your error in fact. Check the email sent to you on June 11, 2006.
Q: What does it mean the error message "No input file specified"
A: This means one or more files were not found. Make sure you upload all files generated by PHPRunner to the web server. Do not forget to upload all subfolders as well.
Visual SQL editor is still in works as we found that our users are more interested in getting Inline Add/Edit functionality first.
If you are getting "Evaluation version" message when using charts just installed the registered version of charts.

Sergey,
First of all, as a paying customer I do not expect this sort of answers.
Secondly, if I were you I would take a serious look at the number of visits of this posting: 520 so far and the largest ever in the forum. It seems your customers are trying to tell you something, aren't they?
Speaking about customers, PHPR is a pricey product and once an implementation schedule or new feature is announced, they must be honored. What is the point to announce on July 20 "New PHPRunner beta version will be ready in a day or two", and a week later no release at sight?
Regarding my numerous "mistakes":

1. "No input file specified" is a well-documented error - just search Internet. There is a minimal effort to fix this problem (http://www.xlinesoft.com/articles/session_expired.htm), but the solution should be fuller.
   
2. If you do a poll among the registered users you would find what features they want most - very likely about join queries, as the number of relevant postings in this forum suggest.
   I am sure that most of the paying users are using PHPR for commercial purposes, so they are looking for improved IP protection, better users management, search across multiple tables, visualization of queries and capability to connect to resources outside the database in use.
   
3. AnyChart assured me that they have licensed the full range of Flash charts to XlineSoft - so I can not figure out why we are getting still the trial version.
   I would love to hear from other registered customers, but I'd rather pay a premium to have PHPR packed with more features and released ON SCHEDULE. Perhaps, PHPR should be split into two versions: Standard (for those who are selling cars:) and Professional for more sophisticated use.
   Regards.
   Samo

Samo
I don't like to get involved in disputes, but I need to come up for PHPRunner's people.
I really don't understand your attacks on them. Here is just some of my reasons why I'll stick with PHPRunner, no matter what.

1. I've bought PHPRunner about a year ago due to the ease of use and features after searhing and testing about 10 different apps.
   
2. Support (That's now Jane, Sergey, Alexey) was the only company that came back to me the same day (over a weekend) with my huge shopping list of questions that convinced me that PHPRunner is the one.
   
3. Since buying, there was severeal updates and upgrades to the program, with GREAT new features.
   
4. Most deadlines were kept. The current promise might be overdue, but I'll rather wait an extra week for a proper upgrade rather than a release that is not stable at all. I once bought a new video editing release that was very unstable and cost me a lot of time and money. It took about 2 months for the service pack to arrive. It was clear that we as users was used as Beta testers. I'm sure you dont want that from PHPRunner!
   
5. There is little (maybe none) companies that would ask the users what they want (see poll) and then produce that within a few months.
   
6. If developing and upgrading products seems so easy, whay don't you develop something and take over the market?
   
7. LASTLY but sureley the most important! Look at the forum and see how active support is on answering questions, giving tips, evaluating problems, etc. And their RESPONSE time is GREAT! I wait up to 60 hours on some of my products to get a feedback, and then it's normally something like: Please re-install the program and contact us if the problem still exsists. Then, another 60 hours of waiting. If you correspond with support directly, the answer is always speedy. When do these guys sleep?
   Getting new features are great, getting them working even better. I'm checking the forum everyday for the GOOD NEWS of an update, but still keep in mind that the features I received (free) since buying, was worth my original investment.
   I'm sure the new upgrade will be great! Thanks SUPPORT for a great program and even better support!

Samo,
PHPR 4.0 vs PHPmaker 4.3...
As longstanding registered user of PHPmaker since 3.0 version, I must say:
I´m proud of my decision to book on PHPR 4.0 on April 16th this year as PHPR 4.0 is providing:

• Multilingual handling menue
  
• Event related programming
  
• Template management (saving even the DB)
  
• Visual Editor (say, DRAG and DROP of formatted text out of WORD or else without any loss or need of text re-formatting)
  
• Reports and Charting (already included in the product)
  
• Built-in FTP (hence no need to gamble with third party tools on upload issues)
  
• Built-in MD5 encryption (see HKVSTORE forum on threads, desperately seeking solutions)
  
• Built-in MySQL database creator
  All above is resulting in a TIME SAVER (or say LIFE SAVER) under "time is money" conditions, in my eyes , PHPR 4.0 is the most rapid and flexible RAD tool (say, a SWISS KNIFE with all aboard) on the market and I´m sure, things shall even be better in the very near future.
  Sure, even Bill Gates and his thousands of Redmond based people could not achieve to bring "bug free" softwares over the years, hence I do not see any reason to bother hard working Sergey and his team on yet unsolved issues at all, it´s normal procedure with software development that you need to be patient.
  Sergey, Alexey and Jane, stay tuned..., there are still some sharp-eyed falcons flying through the web who had been well recognizing of what PHPR 4.0 is all about.
  And I am absolutely sure..., next PHPR Beta shall reveal true "NEVER COMPARE, NEVER COMPETE" content to drag SAMO´s lines here direct to the wall...
  Best - Hajo

Hello,
Firstly, I do appreciate all replies I received on- and off-forum and...thank you for the honest feelings.
On the other hand, I was surprised to see the discussion became so emotional as to mention Bill Gates and putting somebody against the wall!?!
Hojo, I have to correct you: it is not a conflict. Conflict is when the two sides have the means to influence each other, but in this case I (and to this end all users) have no means whatsoever to influence the PHPR development. Last year, due to the unmet promise to introduce join queries visual editor my own job suffered, but what I could do - except kicking the desk?
Stephan, there has never been a poll regarding PHPR. Poll means a questionnaire to be sent to all registered users while asking to respond within specified time. Myself, I haven't been asked for anything, so it is difficult to see how the conclusion that users are asking for "Inline Add/Edit functionality first" has been made.
Regards.
Samo

Yah i am working with the phprunner and i feel confotable with it and especially the support team thanks every body

Hi there,
With the risk of irking all forum geeks, I do admire Microsoft. Here is why:
Fairly soon the Windows installed base is projected to exceed 1 BILLION. I do not know any other organization - even by a magnitude of -100, to be able to handle such a customer base. Hence, I presume any Windows developer must measure up with such a scale, before claiming any credits about "customer service".
Regarding the customer support, I have never ever got from MS a canned reply such as: " I was not able to reproduce your error. Zip your files and send them over".
I am just curious, is there any commercial developer who has sent its files to an anonymous company?
Kind regards.
Samo

Samo, I really think you are off on some kind of tangent here. I originally downloaded the trial and had EVERY question or problem I had answered quickly, many of which were conceptual PHP issues and not software issues specifically.
I buy a lot of software (Microsoft and Adobe as well as myriad smaller apps) and this is the best darn support I have ever gotten. And yes, I did send my files off (to this "anonymous" company) and got help right away.

Yah i am working with the phprunner and i feel confotable with it and especially the support team thanks every body

It is hard to find such good support, such as we have here. Every time I have had a problem, I have had an answer in very short time. Try to find that with others, you very likely won't.

Hi there,
No, I am not off for on some kind of tangent - just opposite I feel I am on the target. And the target is the future of PHPR. I have been really puzzled when after posting some pointed questions about feature implementationｓ, all what I got was a feedback chorusing about the great support.
Like everybody else I feel a deep contempt to the ruthless and non-responsive software vendors, but could few prompt polite words substitute for real technical assistance?
I don't think so and am ready to defend it：after 17 postings and nearly thousands views, still no reply in sight on when the join query - promised 16 months ago would be materialized. Sorry, but non-delivery can not be replaced with any amount of "great support".
Samo

dude, its pretty good support and nice community.
it's a "noobie" software that has enough customisation to allow u to add more complex stuff....really you should be able to do the join query on your own ?? <img src='https://asprunner.com/forums/file.php?topicimage=1&fieldname=reply&id=20083&image=1&table=forumreplies' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />
i think i have only seen one mysql GUI that properly implemented the visual query editor.
anyways cheerios