PBSW version 2 and the pbsw appointment scheduler are now available. If you wish to purchase pbsw, please first download the demo installation setup program, and install it as described below; then test it, particularly to make sure that the printing routines work on your printer. To purchase the program, email me to get the password for the update (pbsw2upp.exe). The full program consists of the demo installation plus the update. If you want or need a disk, you can place the demo installation file and the pbsw2upp upgrade file onto a cd; if you wish me to do it, I charge $15.
Using the demo: Once you have installed the demo, you can click the desktop icon to run the program. Please make sure to look at the help file's Overview topic, and then to browse through other sections of the help file.
Demo limitations: Both PBSW and PBSW Appts will save data only for even numbered months. PBSW has a menuitem (Files; Change Date) which will change the date the program "thinks" is today's date; to work with the demo in an odd numbered month, you can use that menuitem to change the date to a different (even-numbered) month. In addition, PBSW version 2 demo will not produce autoruns of printouts.
PBSW1 versus PBSW2: Version 1 of pbsw used Paradox and the Borland Database Engine (BDE). Paradox was an inexpensive technology: it came free with my Delphi compiler, so I did not have to charge more for pbsw. Unfortunately, Paradox has not proven to be as robust as I would wish, most especially in a networked system, where it depends critically on the system being configured exactly correctly. I purchased another database library, DBIsam, and have converted version 1 to version 2. The main result of the new database should be improved speed and safety in the event of a data or hardware problem. Also, DBIsam provides much better performance on a network (i.e. fewer to no errors or confusing problems, etc.). There are several other advantages, mostly having to do with improved file handling, less data corruption for other causes, better recovery after power failure, easier installation, better handling of multiple data sets, etc.
PBSW2 versus PBS3 (DOS): My usual advice is to stick with what is working for you and do not upgrade until or unless it becomes necessary. Against that, however, you will have to weigh the increasing difficulty of running DOS programs; some printers will not work with DOS; the newer Microsoft operating systems have more problems with DOS, especially with printing. The tools I use to create and modifiy the DOS program are no longer being updated by their authors to run with today's hardware and operating systems. PBSW2 has improved file handling, far better methods for assigning payments to charges, memo fields in each charge and payment item, and many automated features. One example of the latter: often you will enter a new account and an initial visit and only later enter a diagnosis or an authorization; PBSW will notice that the charge's diagnosis or authorization field is blank and offer to fill it in for you. Try the PBSW2 demo; it's not the same as the DOS program, but you will recognize the similarities. I strongly advise you to familiarize yourself with PBSW2; one day you may want or need to make the change in a hurry and it would be nice to be able to avoid any learning delays.
Installation: Installation consists only of downloading and executing the demo installation program. The installation will automatically create a new folder for pbsw2, create Start button entries, and an icon on the desktop. After installing, you will be able to click that icon and run the program. Version 2 installs very easily, especially since it does not use the BDE (Borland Database Manager) as version 1 did. Since v2 does not use the BDE, you do not have to configure the BDE, and you do not have to define aliases. Instead, the location of datafiles is stored in a datatable (named fileloc.dat) which is placed in your pbsw2 folder, along with the pbsw2.exe program by the installation program. If you use the standard installation and change nothing, then fileloc.dat will have an entry for the "Default" data tables which locates those tables in the c:\pbsw2\data folder. For further information on installing and on importing the data from your current program, click here.
Appointments: The appointment scheduler has been upgraded as of August 16, 2002. For more information, click here.
Download pbsw2demo. Filename is pbsw2dem.exe; size is 4.9 MB.
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please send email to info@blumenthalsoftware.com