Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software
bchacc at san.rr.com
Wed Mar 31 10:53:11 CST 2004
Drew:
Just tried to send you The Sleep Doctor and got rejected. Is there a better
address? The attachment is <1.5MB
Rocky Smolin
Beach Access Software
http://www.e-z-mrp.com
----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
<DWUTKA at marlow.com>
(reason: 554 <bchacc at san.rr.com>: Sender address rejected: Access
denied)
----- Transcript of session follows -----
... while talking to main2.marlow.com.:
>>> DATA
<<< 554 <bchacc at san.rr.com>: Sender address rejected: Access denied
554 5.0.0 Service unavailable
<<< 554 Error: no valid recipients
----- Original Message -----
From: <DWUTKA at marlow.com>
To: <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:22 AM
Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as
JC
> LOL. Rocky, Life has been nothing short of hectic for the last few
months.
> I KNOW you sent me a test to run, but quite frankly, I know I've rebuilt
my
> machine since then, and can't find it.
>
> Any way you'll give me another chance to be a beta tester?
>
> By the way, and I know this is off topic, but I have an odd 'symptom' I
> discovered. I've noticed that when I sleep with my CPAP machine, I don't
> remember my dreams when I wake up. However, when I don't sleep with it,
> then I can vividly remember my dreams for as long as I want (I can think
> about them the whole day if I want too).
>
> Drew
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Rocky Smolin -
> Beach Access Software
> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 12:07 AM
> To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected
> as JC
>
>
> John:
>
> Do you snore? Loudly? Are you very tired upon waking up in the morning?
> Is you neck circumference over 16 inches? Might you fall asleep while
> watching TV? Does your wife say you stop breathing or gasp for air while
> you sleep? Is you body mass index over 26?
>
> If you answered yes to any of the above questions you need to be a Sleep
> Doctor beta tester. Let The Sleep Doctor help. Simply reply to
> bchacc at san.rr.com and say 'I wanna be a beta tester!'. Operators are
> standing by...
>
> Rocky Smolin
> Beach Access Software
> http://www.e-z-mrp.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Bartow" <john at winhaven.net>
> To: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving"
> <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 8:55 PM
> Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as
> JC
>
>
> > Good thing my wife doesn't read this or she'd order a copy to analyze me
> > right now :o)
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Rocky Smolin -
> > Beach Access Software
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 10:39 PM
> > To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> > Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected
> > as JC
> >
> >
> > Sure. I estimate it will take to the end of the year before I see any
> real
> > results.
> >
> > I've got another product cooking as well - analyzes sleep disorders.
Been
> > working on it with an expert in the field for 4-5 years (not
continuously,
> > of course). Might be able to launch it this year.
> >
> > Do you want to be a beta tester?
> >
> > Rocky
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Kath Pelletti" <SDSSoftware at optusnet.com.au>
> > To: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving"
> > <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 8:23 PM
> > Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected
as
> > JC
> >
> >
> > Well I wish you the very best of luck...can you let us know how the
sales
> > go?
> >
> > Kath
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software
> > To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 9:42 AM
> > Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
well-connected
> as
> > JC
> >
> >
> > Kath:
> >
> > In the 'old' days when I was flogging this package in DOS, I thought
> that
> > some of them would be sold by word of mouth, people seeing it, or the
> > reports that got passed around (which all had my company name in the
> > footer). So I always wanted everyone to have the latest version. So
I
> > didn't charge for it. It was in my self-interest to have them use the
> > most
> > recent release. And I'm still going to keep to that policy for this
new
> > version.
> >
> > If I add a module, like Order Entry, everybody will get it at no cost.
> > With
> > distribution by web, there really is no overhead cost to me to
> distribute
> > it. And good product sells more product.
> >
> > I promote the product support as a 'free phone in consulting service
on
> > any
> > question related to the software OR manufacturing systems' for the
first
> > year, and $300 a year after that (about 10% of the purchase price).
> >
> > In the past I had a lot of conversations with people about
manufacturing
> > issues - how to structure a bill of materials, how to make up a part
> > numbering scheme, how to solve a particular work order problem, etc -
> and
> > very few questions about how to actually run the software. This added
a
> > LOT
> > of value to the product and didn't really take very much time.
> >
> > The key is to make a product which is so user stupid that anybody who
> can
> > read and count to 20 can run it. Then you don't get the same question
> 20
> > times a day, like 'how do I run a costed inventory report?'.
> >
> > If a user doesn't want to pay the yearly maintenance then they don't
get
> > the
> > phone support. I could tell them they don't get the new releases as
> well
> > but that works against me salewise. Many people didn't pay for the
> > support
> > after the first couple of years because they never called me for
> anything.
> >
> > The other key, of course, it goes without saying, is to make the
product
> > so
> > solid that it doesn't generate bugs and errors. Then you don't get
any
> > support calls.
> >
> > BTW - I'm not a marketer or salesy type person, either. But if you
have
> > something you believe in it's not really selling. And I really
believe
> in
> > this product (why not, I invented it?). I just present the product
and
> if
> > they like it fine. They buy it. If not, it's like pushing on a
string.
> >
> > I always wanted people to feel like they got more than they expected
and
> > when you sell hard you overhype, raise expectations, and end up with
> > customers who expect more than you have to give.
> >
> > When people buy E-Z-MRP they feel like they just bought a dollar for
> fifty
> > cents. That makes selling a lot easier, too.
> >
> > I suppose that's why I'm successful but not rich. :)
> >
> > HTH
> >
> > Rocky Smolin
> > Beach Access Software
> > http://www.e-z-mrp.com
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Kath Pelletti" <SDSSoftware at optusnet.com.au>
> > To: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving"
> > <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 2:59 PM
> > Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
well-connected
> as
> > JC
> >
> >
> > Rocky - out of interest - what support arrangements / fees are you
> > offering?
> >
> > Kath
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software
> > To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:48 AM
> > Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
> well-connected
> > as
> > JC
> >
> >
> > Andy:
> >
> > Don't envy me. They jury's still out. I've got a bit of a buffer so
> we
> > won't miss any meals, but that can't go on forever. I've had two
good
> > products and several bad ones. At least this time I'm starting in
an
> > economy that's on the upswing.
> >
> > But I've always been a bootstrap kind of guy - we're doing a mailing
> in
> > San
> > Diego county this month. Hopefully snag two or three systems. Then
> use
> > that money to mail again in another county. Build it up slowly.
> > Instead
> > of
> > mortgaging the house.
> >
> > I'm still doing some fee-for-service as well. So that keeps some of
> the
> > lights on.
> >
> > It's a high wire act for sure. But when it does work, it's a thing
of
> > beauty.
> >
> > Rocky
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> > > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Andy
Lacey
> > > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 1:18 PM
> > > To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> > > Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
> > well-connected
> > > as JC
> > >
> > >
> > > I envy Rocky (sort of) but won't be trying to emulate him. Been
> there,
> > tried
> > > that, and failed. Problem with the product thing is that you have
to
> > > metamorphose from developer into marketer, and I couldn't. Not my
> > thing
> > at
> > > all. Plus IME it involves sinking money into advertising, mailing,
> > > brochures, websites nd so on. You have to be prepared to risk big
> > outlay
> > > against no guarantee of return. Done that 2 or 3 times to great
cost
> > and
> > no
> > > great return. Won't be doing it again.
> > >
> > > -- Andy Lacey
> > > http://www.minstersystems.co.uk
> > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> > > > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of
> > > > Steven W. Erbach
> > > > Sent: 30 March 2004 04:16
> > > > To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> > > > Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
> > > > well-connected as JC
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > William,
> > > >
> > > > >> ...don't take this the wrong way <<
> > > >
> > > > I won't. I appreciate your point of view. I have gotten
> > > > caught up in the tools as if owning the right brand of socket
> > > > wrench will guarantee me a living.
> > > >
> > > > But I hear you on the client-centered approach. I've worked
> > > > on lots of things that were outside of my skill-set comfort
zone.
> > > >
> > > > I talked with a friend recently about my business and he
> > > > asked if there was anything I specialized in. I told him no;
> > > > my business is producing custom solutions to solve customer
> > > > problems. He recommended a product-centered approach, like
> > > > what Rocky is aiming for. I have a long-term care facility
> > > > marketing and donations program I wrote that might fill the
> > > > bill. We'll see.
> > > >
> > > > >> ...but I'm just me and don't have any intention of ever
> > > > working hard
> > > > >> again <<
> > > >
> > > > Not really an option for me as we're having some tough times
> > > > financially. I can dig the varietal nature of your work,
> > > > though. Thanks.
> > > >
> > > > Regards,
> > > >
> > > > Steve Erbach
> > > > Scientific Marketing
> > > > Neenah, WI
> > > >
> > > > "You must be an intellectual. No normal person would say a
> > > > thing like that." - George Orwell
> > > >
> > > > --
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> > > > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com
> > > > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/a> ccessd
> > > > Website:
> > > > http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > --
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> > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> > >
> > >
> > > --
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> > > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> > >
> >
> > --
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> > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> > --
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> > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> >
> > --
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> > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> > --
> > _______________________________________________
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> > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com
> > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd
> > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> >
> > --
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> > AccessD mailing list
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> > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd
> > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> >
> >
> >
> > --
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> > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd
> > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> >
>
> --
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>