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MintonMagic Regular user South Lyon, Michigan 131 Posts |
Hello Fellow Magicians!
I am currently designing a software application that is geared toward magicians. This will help control and organize all aspects of your business. I would like your input on the most important features for the program. I would also like the features that you would find nice, but not necessary. I am also going to need some testers when the time comes, if your interested send me a message! Thanks |
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Steven Steele Chief of Staff 1868 Posts |
Roger,
Not to rain on your parade, but what kind of application are you looking to develop? My business is handled fine with the software that is out there. I have contact management, accounting, script writing, idea generation, publishing, inventory, goal setting, and many other areas already covered. And they integrate quite nicely. MagicBase is a software application that was developed for magicians and while I don't use it, I have played around with the demo and it seems to be fairly well designed. I know many users here love it. Given all that, I'm not sure the niche your trying to enter. Or maybe your just trying to determine the need?
Coram Deo
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MintonMagic Regular user South Lyon, Michigan 131 Posts |
Steve,
I do realize that there are a lot of other software applications out there that get the job done. I am not looking to make a big profit, just for myself and some of the magicians in my local club. Mainly I am looking for what other magicians find useful in an application. I know what I like, I was just wondering what everyone else liked. As for MagicBase, I am not a big fan of it, but I know that it has great reviews. Thanks for the help! |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
There's also Ralph Metzler's ShowToolsPro software. Visit his demo ( http://www.showtoolspro.com ) and this should give you some ideas...although, I'd recommend just buying his customizable package and saving yourself a lot of trouble.
Good luck! Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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blink_inc Loyal user Hamilton 278 Posts |
Inventory list (add new, delete, edit)
Routine manager (create new, edit, delete) Effect manager (add move, create move, delete move, edit move, reference move) Scheduler (create appointment, add details, edit, reschedule, routine planned from Routine manager, i.e. drag and drop) Contact database (name, address, type of show booked last, date, notes, send email) Mail merge to Word document from database Envelope wizard Web based option so as to access from anywhere (upgradable option) Website integration (upgradeable option) I will send my invoice to you via PM. Will//
I am a Sankey addict....please, help me!
My name is Will, my company is Blink, an experience in transposition. |
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MintonMagic Regular user South Lyon, Michigan 131 Posts |
Skip,
I will look at ShowToolsPro. As for the trouble, I am experienced in this field so doing it is more of a recreational thing to test my knowledge and so forth. Hopefully it will reach some end users and not just me!! Will - Thanks for the input and looking forward to that invoice! I am thinking about the mail merge and web based options. It would definitely be a plus to have it accessible anywhere! |
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blink_inc Loyal user Hamilton 278 Posts |
Anywhere anytime.
You could name it "Impromptu". Good luck. Will//
I am a Sankey addict....please, help me!
My name is Will, my company is Blink, an experience in transposition. |
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adramindmagic Regular user East St. Louis 106 Posts |
Make sure it works on a Mac.
I love magic!
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MintonMagic Regular user South Lyon, Michigan 131 Posts |
Thanks for all your input!
I have definitely got some new items to think about! |
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bobn3 Special user Wichita, KS 718 Posts |
I echo adramindmagic's comment. I do consulting work on videos for Stevens Magic, so I use a Mac also.
Bob Phillips |
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BobMillerMAGIC! Regular user MN 103 Posts |
Thanks to all of the people who had nice things to say about MagicBase.
My philosophy with MagicBase has been to create a tool that will work for most of the performers out there. You get a program that already has many, many tools that performers need, like what someone has suggested in this thread. Quote:
On 2007-03-02 10:38, blink_inc wrote: As far as mail merge to Word: Well, MagicBase doesn't need to do that because you can print contracts, letters, envelopes, and more right from MB. But as you plan your software, here are some things that I'd like to see in a software package for performers: - The ability to segment my customers into different categories, so that I can print and send newsletters to just that segment. Or also to print up a financial report that shows me income based on just that segment. - Pop-up reminders that tell me when I have to call, email, or write to someone. - A quick way to send and email or connect to a customer's website. - I also need to be able to add an unlimited number of events under each customer for repeat bookings. - And, when they do book me again, I want a record of what routines I did for them. - Speaking of repeating shows, I want a way to automatically create a repeating event for my restaurant performances. Those are all important features that magicians need. And that is why MagicBase already does all of those things! MagicBase isn't for the person who just has to have complete customization of buttons, menus, and look and feel issues. It is for the PERFORMER who just wants to perform, rather than spend months designing software. Best wishes on your goal to create your own software. It's fun to do, but it's a long road... I wish you every success. I understand the desire to create your own software. In the meantime, if anyone needs something now, then find out why hundreds of performers in 10 different countries are using MagicBase. For more info: http://www.MagicBase.biz
PreDate: The NoMem Calendar Trick
http://www.BobMillerMagic.biz |
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MintonMagic Regular user South Lyon, Michigan 131 Posts |
Bob-
Thanks for the input! I appreciate everyone's input in this little "adventure" of mine. |
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benlewis2004 Regular user 150 Posts |
I loved magicbase until it crashed and I lost all of my information. Good thing I still write things down aswell.
I phoned up bob expecting a, oh yes you just have to do this to get it back, but instead heard "oh no!". Oh well, il still use it. |
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MintonMagic Regular user South Lyon, Michigan 131 Posts |
Good Point,
I can see the use of a backup utility.... Thanks! |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Sad to hear about a system crash.
BTW, I backup my ACT! database daily, two sets (in case one gets corrupted) of backup disks. I recommend this habit to others. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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BobMillerMAGIC! Regular user MN 103 Posts |
Well, of course you have to take precautions to backup your data- no matter what database you're using. While MagicBase is a very stable program, the new MagicBase Pro is even better. And it has a very complete import, export, and updating system so that you can bring data in and out of other programs like Excel, etc.
You can get a free demo at http://www.MagicBasePro.com . -best wishes!
PreDate: The NoMem Calendar Trick
http://www.BobMillerMagic.biz |
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jackturk Elite user 463 Posts |
Having spent a long time in the software industry, here's my #1 tip for anyone building an application:
Have a clear idea on what specific problems you're trying to solve. The biggest reason software projects (and most other projects in fact) go awry is because the people doing it don't have a crystal clear focus on what they want to produce. When Microsoft fails to release a version on time, I can affirm that it's not due to malevolence, stupidity, or anything else. More than likely it's because a bunch of really smart people in a room kept tossing good ideas around and everyone said, "Hey cool, let's do that too!" These words should strike fear to your soul. Focus on 3 to 7 specific things you want your application to accomplish and work like a dog to get them done. Finish what you're building and ship it. Then start working on version 2. Winners finish what they start, even if they have to make compromises along the way. Don't go for perfect, go for DONE. --Jack
"59 Ways To Recession Proof Your Entertainment Business -- FREE!"
http://www.GetLeadsLikeCrazy.com "How To Make $25,000 a Year Doing Birthday Parties Part-Time" http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/birthdayPT |
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BobMillerMAGIC! Regular user MN 103 Posts |
FYI, the newest version of MagicBase Pro has just been posted. It is version 3.0.5.
And exporting and backing up is all much easier now. For you marketing people, you may be interested to know that now you can export just names and addresses for a mailing service that you may be using. There is a free demo of the totally redesigned MagicBase Pro at http://www.MagicBasePro.com
PreDate: The NoMem Calendar Trick
http://www.BobMillerMagic.biz |
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Oh, man, does this bring back memories!
Back around 1989, when I thought I was interested in programming, and doing a fair amount of database work for my employer, I started writing an app for magicians and similar entertainers. At the time, its trial name was "Track3" because it was designed to manage three separate things: customers, gigs (the calendar), and show makeup, i.e., the "list of effects" in each show. Everything was tied together, so you could get anywhere from anywhere else easily and quickly, even to punching a button to generate a thank-you note to a customer. This was right around the time Windows was getting known but a lot of people were still using DOS. I decided to stay with DOS, so I wrote the thing in Clipper, which required compiling the code every time you made a change. I used Word 5 as the editor and had a couple of batch files to automate the compiling process. I probably still have a copy somewhere. The thing had drop-down menus and everything. But like Jack said, I didn't go for done, I wanted to go for perfect. Ah, well, the computer field lost a guy and the theatrical design field got him back. Geez, I feel like an old geezer talking about the ancient days: "Sonny, when I was your age, only huge corporations and the government had computers. They took up a huge room, and started at about a million dollars. And you practically had to be a rocket scientist to use them"
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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gadfly3d Special user 963 Posts |
I frankly haven't read anything above that I can't do with ACT
Gil Scott |
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