PLEASE READ BEFORE BUYING WINSTAR
Barbara A. Finch
Dear friends,
Before you spend your hard-earned money on Matrix's Winstar or Winstar
Plus program, please read what happened to me.
I purchased Winstar Plus - it is LOADED with bugs. You try to print a
chart or a help screen or hit the minimizer key, you get thrown out of
the program, frozen, etc. (I use a Gateway - no obscure computer). I
found a very long list of problems. This is a $295 program and should
not have such basic problems.
After trying a few things with a rep, Jeff Jawer, at Matrix (which made
the program work even worse), they offered me an exchange for
Astrolabe's Solar Fire 3 (they are a distributor). I told Jeff that
that was fine but that I also wanted a refund for the difference
between the 2 programs ($45). He agreed. I returned the Winstar Plus
promptly and received Solar Fire 3 some weeks later.
However, I still have received no refund after THREE promises that I
would receive it "that day". Each time Jeff Jawer tells me that there
was a clerical "error". Not only that, but now they claim that the
refund will be $35 instead of $45 because they are charging ME $10 for
shipping and handling of the Solar Fire 3. Never mind that the reason
I got the Solar Fire 3 was because Matrix's program is unusable on my
computer! A rep from Astrolabe, Madalyn Hillis, also contacted Matrix
to encourage them to send my refund, to no avail. A friend put me in
contact with another customer who is having the exact same problems on
a different computer. It is pretty clear that Matrix has no intention
of refunding me. I am sending a complaint to the BBB of Michigan.
Obviously the money is not the issue. It is the fact that Matrix sells
a very faulty program and does not honor its promises. Astrology still
has a way to go to earn respect in this country and it is a shame that
Matrix does not help by not keeping its promises to its customers.
Kevin Burk
Barbara,
I share your feelings about Matrix - here's my suggestion: if you
ordered using a credit card, complain to your credit card company and
dispute the charge - they will credit you back, and Matrix can try and
justify their actions with your bank, not with you.
That's what I had to do when I received Mercury - a program that they
are advertising for the Macintosh, which costs $200 and has less than
1/3 of the features of Win*Star, and that's assuming that they all work,
which they don't (I never /could/ get any of the uranian planets to
display or print in the charts, even when they were selected). I kept
the program for all of 4 hours - realized how awful it was, and returned
it. I was given the same b.s. about not getting a refund for the
shipping, and informed them that they would either refund the shipping
or I would dispute the charge. They didn't refund the shipping, but I
received the refund with a simple call to my credit card company.
I think you'll be far happier with Solar Fire - and with Astrolabe's
customer service, as well.
Peace,
Kevin
Barbara A. Finch wrote:
>
--
*****************************************************************
mailto:kb...@astro-horoscopes.com
http://www.astro-horoscopes.com/~kburk
Astrological Horoscopes & Forecasts
P. O. Box 16098 San Diego, CA 92176 (619) 221-5534
*****************************************************************
sun...@gulf.net
Thanks for telling us about Matrix. Maybe soon these big companies will
realize what big mouths us little people have on the net.
It's Sunny in Pensacola
Graeme Latch
Barbara A. Finch wrote:
>
> Dear friends,
>
> Before you spend your hard-earned money on Matrix's Winstar or Winstar
> Plus program, please read what happened to me.
>
I also use WinStar and find it a very versatile and reliable piece of
software. Have you ever read the MANUAL? Have you taken the time to
throughly familiarize yourself with the program? - or don't you have the
patience to actually learn anything?
> I purchased Winstar Plus - it is LOADED with bugs.
>
your faulty attitude is. Astrology is full of spiteful people with BIG
MOUTHS and BIG EGO's to match. Have you ever created anything that is
even .00001% as useful as WinStar? I doubt it! People who talk and do as
you do are usually the most UN-creative and pitiful creatures on this
planet.
> After trying a few things with a rep, Jeff Jawer, at Matrix (which made
> the program work even worse), they offered me an exchange for
> Astrolabe's Solar Fire 3 (they are a distributor). I told Jeff that
> that was fine but that I also wanted a refund for the difference
> between the 2 programs ($45). He agreed. I returned the Winstar Plus
> promptly and received Solar Fire 3 some weeks later.
>
Jeff is a good, intelligent and honest person - who does not deserve to
be publicly libelled by the likes of YOU lady! Why don't you get a
life instead of vomiting up your nonsense globally over the Internet?
> Not only that, but now they claim that the
> refund will be $35 instead of $45 because they are charging ME $10 for
> shipping and handling of the Solar Fire 3. Never mind that the reason
It's certainly consistent of you to capitalize yourself as ME!
> A friend put me in
> contact with another customer who is having the exact same problems on
The EXACT SAME PROBLEMS? Why don't you specify them - or don't you have
the honesty or sincerity to allow the rest of us to either verify or
deny your stupid claims?
> a different computer. It is pretty clear that Matrix has no intention
> of refunding me. I am sending a complaint to the BBB of Michigan.
>
> Obviously the money is not the issue. It is the fact that Matrix sells
If the money is not the problem then why do you make such a BIG DEAL
about it? Tell me, where can I go to complain about YOU?
> a very faulty program and does not honor its promises. Astrology still
> has a way to go to earn respect in this country and it is a shame that
> Matrix does not help by not keeping its promises to its customers.
MATRIX has done more than any other organization in your country, or any
other for that matter, to advance both astrology and astrologers -
through their multitude of fine software - their conferences - magazines
and journals - even their online presence. Did you know that Matrix were
the first to offer astrology software to the general public, and that
every other astrology programmer in existence owes them a great debt of
gratitude for publishing their early planetary routines from as long ago
as 1978? Why don't you tell us all what your contribution is?
tony_reves
Graeme Latch <g...@netspace.net.au> wrote:
Hmmm...methinks thou dost protest as JEFF would
under another name....
William Blakistone
Barbara,
PMFJI, but I had a problem with Winstar - until I found out it is very
sensitive to anything running in the background. It seems some Windows
programs, particularly those that use Visual Basic libraries, don't
always exit properly, for whatever reason. As soon as I started running
WinStar after rebooting, all problems went away.
Other than that, get AstroLab's software - you'll never have a problem.
Regards,
William
> Barbara A. Finch wrote:
> >
>
> > Dear friends,
> >
> > Before you spend your hard-earned money on Matrix's Winstar or Winstar
> > Plus program, please read what happened to me.
> >
> > I purchased Winstar Plus - it is LOADED with bugs. You try to print a
> > chart or a help screen or hit the minimizer key, you get thrown out of
> > the program, frozen, etc. (I use a Gateway - no obscure computer). I
> > found a very long list of problems. This is a $295 program and should
> > not have such basic problems.
>
> After trying a few things with a rep, Jeff Jawer, at Matrix (which made
> the program work even worse), they offered me an exchange for
> Astrolabe's Solar Fire 3 (they are a distributor). I told Jeff that
> that was fine but that I also wanted a refund for the difference
> between the 2 programs ($45). He agreed. I returned the Winstar Plus
> promptly and received Solar Fire 3 some weeks later.
>
> However, I still have received no refund after THREE promises that I
> would receive it "that day". Each time Jeff Jawer tells me that there
> was a clerical "error". Not only that, but now they claim that the
> refund will be $35 instead of $45 because they are charging ME $10 for
> shipping and handling of the Solar Fire 3. Never mind that the reason
> I got the Solar Fire 3 was because Matrix's program is unusable on my
> computer! A rep from Astrolabe, Madalyn Hillis, also contacted Matrix
> to encourage them to send my refund, to no avail. A friend put me in
> contact with another customer who is having the exact same problems on
> a different computer. It is pretty clear that Matrix has no intention
> of refunding me. I am sending a complaint to the BBB of Michigan.
>
> Obviously the money is not the issue. It is the fact that Matrix sells
> a very faulty program and does not honor its promises. Astrology still
> has a way to go to earn respect in this country and it is a shame that
> Matrix does not help by not keeping its promises to its customers.
>
Alois Treindl
Tony, Reves quoted:
> Graeme Latch <g...@netspace.net.au> wrote:
> >WinStar is definitely NOT loaded with bugs - but I would suggest that
> >your faulty attitude is.
and Tony wrote
> Hmmm...methinks thou dost protest as JEFF would
> under another name....
I think you should let Jeff out of it, he is a sincere and honest
person.
Greame is a from Matrix himself, see www.astrologer.com:
Matrix Australia
2/6 Peace Street, Glen Iris 3146 Victoria
National rep. for Matrix Software (Win*Star, Blue*Star, & more).
Contact: Graeme Latch
Mimi McCain
Tony, Reves wrote:
>
> Graeme Latch <g...@netspace.net.au> wrote:
>
> >Barbara A. Finch wrote:
> >>
> >> Dear friends,
> >>
> >> Before you spend your hard-earned money on Matrix's Winstar or Winstar
> >> Plus program, please read what happened to me.
> >>
> >I also use WinStar and find it a very versatile and reliable piece of
> >software. Have you ever read the MANUAL? Have you taken the time to
> >throughly familiarize yourself with the program? - or don't you have the
> >patience to actually learn anything?
> >
> >>
> >MOUTHS and BIG EGO's to match. Have you ever created anything that is
> >even .00001% as useful as WinStar? I doubt it! People who talk and do as
> >you do are usually the most UN-creative and pitiful creatures on this
> >planet.
>
> >> the program work even worse), they offered me an exchange for
> >> Astrolabe's Solar Fire 3 (they are a distributor). I told Jeff that
> >> that was fine but that I also wanted a refund for the difference
> >> between the 2 programs ($45). He agreed. I returned the Winstar Plus
> >> promptly and received Solar Fire 3 some weeks later.
> >>
> >be publicly libelled by the likes of YOU lady! Why don't you get a
> >life instead of vomiting up your nonsense globally over the Internet?
>
> >> refund will be $35 instead of $45 because they are charging ME $10 for
> >> shipping and handling of the Solar Fire 3. Never mind that the reason
>
>
> >> contact with another customer who is having the exact same problems on
>
> >the honesty or sincerity to allow the rest of us to either verify or
> >deny your stupid claims?
>
> >> of refunding me. I am sending a complaint to the BBB of Michigan.
> >>
> >> Obviously the money is not the issue. It is the fact that Matrix sells
>
> >about it? Tell me, where can I go to complain about YOU?
>
> >> has a way to go to earn respect in this country and it is a shame that
> >> Matrix does not help by not keeping its promises to its customers.
> >other for that matter, to advance both astrology and astrologers -
> >through their multitude of fine software - their conferences - magazines
> >and journals - even their online presence. Did you know that Matrix were
> >the first to offer astrology software to the general public, and that
> >every other astrology programmer in existence owes them a great debt of
> >gratitude for publishing their early planetary routines from as long ago
> >as 1978? Why don't you tell us all what your contribution is?
>
I don't know who let you off your leash but you should scurry back to it
before you have no reputation left at all. Maybe Barbara isn't
knowledgeable about computers, and maybe she jumped the gun in her
criticism of Matrix, but nobody should be villified on this web site in
the same manner they might expect from, say, a Neo-Nazi site.
If you're an astrologer, I think you concern about any damage Barbara
might be doing is misplaced. You'd probably do more good if you looked
at the energies in your own chart and tried to get a handle on them or
clean them up.
Bill
Graeme Latch
Mimi McCain wrote:
> > >MATRIX has done more than any other organization in your country, or any
> > >other for that matter, to advance both astrology and astrologers -
> > >gratitude for publishing their early planetary routines from as long ago
> > >as 1978? Why don't you tell us all what your contribution is?
> >
> > Hmmm...methinks thou dost protest as JEFF would
> > under another name....Tony
Hey Tony - Jeff Jawer is Jeff Jawer and Graeme Latch is who I am! If you
were at all observant you could see by my e-mail address that I am not
in the U.S. but Australia - this can't be faked. Go ahead and e-mail me!
>
> I don't know who let you off your leash but you should scurry back to it
> before you have no reputation left at all. Maybe Barbara isn't
> knowledgeable about computers, and maybe she jumped the gun in her
> criticism of Matrix, but nobody should be villified on this web site in
> the same manner they might expect from, say, a Neo-Nazi site.
>
> If you're an astrologer, I think you concern about any damage Barbara
> might be doing is misplaced. You'd probably do more good if you looked
> at the energies in your own chart and tried to get a handle on them or
> clean them up.
>
> Bill
O.K Bill, tell me which part of my post was "Neo-Nazi"? For somebody who
is so obviously sensitive to phraseology as yourself, your opening
statement "I don't know who let you off your leash but you should scurry
back to it" mirrors back to you the kind of Neo-Nazism you are seeking
to project on others. Who gave you your license to be so sanctimonious
anyway? Barbara and her supporters are obviously just the kind of LYNCH
MOB you are happy to applaud!
Matrix quite rightly will not respond to the outrageous threats and
false accusations placed on this newsgroup - but I will happily defend
their reputation and integrity as astrologers and as a business that
built the foundation that most of us computer-using astrologers are
standing on. I have used Matrix software since 1979 and have yet to be
disappointed in either their software or their service - that counts for
something doesn't it?
Kirving
> >> I purchased Winstar Plus - it is LOADED with bugs.
> >>
> >WinStar is definitely NOT loaded with bugs - but I would suggest that
> >your faulty attitude is. Astrology is full of spiteful people with BIG
> >MOUTHS and BIG EGO's to match. Have you ever created anything that is
> >even .00001% as useful as WinStar? I doubt it! People who talk and do
as
> >you do are usually the most UN-creative and pitiful creatures on this
> >planet.
______
Does anyone have anything else to say about Winstar PLUS? I notice that
here we seem to have an argument between Winstar and Winstar PLUS, which
is quite a big software difference. Despite the problems reported in the
original post, it seems to me that Matrix has been trying to remedy
things. The reported dispute has taken place during a time when Matrix was
being acquired by a new owner (the same management is still in place), and
this could have caused problems in getting the refund through. Seems to me
that no matter how the software works, it comes down to a difference over
$10 and the late issuing of a check, so I don't think it's worth all this
villification and fuming. I'd still like to hear from anyone who has used
Winstar Plus. And please, when saying things good or ill about software do
everyone a favor by telling them as much as you can about:
Your operating system - Windows 3.1/Windows 95.
Memory - How much RAM
Hard Drive - How much available space after installing the program.
Other details - Did you do a standard or custom installation, for example?
Would the program run at all? Did you read the manual? Did things not work
as specified in the manual, or did the program just crash? Monitor: SVGA,
or other?
Stuff like that. Software problems don't mean much to other people without
some background like the above.
Ken Irving
Alois Treindl
Graeme Latch wrote:
> Matrix quite rightly will not respond to the outrageous threats and
> false accusations placed on this newsgroup
> I have used Matrix software since 1979 and have yet to be
> disappointed in either their software or their service
Well, Matrix seems to have responded from Australia.
What counts most in my opinion about your statements is THAT YOU WORK
FOR MATRIX but pretend here to be just a happy customer.
Why do you not say that you work for Matrix??
I find your name listed in www.astrologer.com as THE MATRIX
REPRESENTATIVE
FOR AUSTRALIA:
I am surprised that Matrix lets itself be represented here in the
Newsgroup
by someone like you. They used to know better than offend their
customers
in public.
Glostar
I've used both Winstar and Winstar Plus. The "Plus" version seems to run
just fine, and I've not had any problems with anything freezing anywhere,
or any weird glitches. The early version of Winstar had a few bugs, which
seem now to be rectified. Once I upgraded to a Pentium processor several
months back, the function and speed of the program was definitely
improved, but that was with the help of better hardware! But I was even
doing fine with my 486 once I got the "Plus" version on CD-ROM. Navigating
between the many options is very smooth for the most part, and the
variability of things you can do with the program is wonderfule. If I run
into any problems, I'll let you know via the newsgroup.
Gloria Star
tony_reves
Alois Treindl <al...@astro.ch> wrote:
>Graeme Latch wrote:
Hah! I thought she sounded too emotional and
biased to be uninvolved with MATRIX...! <G>
Tony R.
r...@accessone.com
I am obviously very unhappy with Matrix because I bought a new and
faster computer using DOS and WIN95 only to find out that the $1300.00
worth of DOS astrology programs I bought from Matrix are now worthless
to me because something in the software will not run DOS at the higher
speeds. All they had to say was that I could buy the new upgrade to
Winstar.
Also, I called Matrix to find out if their Winstar program would
output to file so I could send charts to customers on the internet. I
was told that the license agreement prohibits it. I feel like they
want me to buy their software and support them financially so that
they can run me out of business using the advantage of their license
agreement.
It is time for Matrix to start thinking of their customers. I highly
recommend you go elsewhere for your astrology software.
Stephen Crowl
Matrix Software
Matrix Software has independent representatives around the world.
Some even sell software from other companies. Each speaks for him or
herself. It's not surprising that when you combine the independence
of astrologers with the complexities of computers that opinions and
experiences will differ. Over 2000 people have bought Win*Star since
June 1995. The overwhelming majority are delighted to have the most
colorful, powerful program available. When a customer is not
completely satisfied we take it seriously, as we have since Matrix
began in 1977. We're proud of our contributions to astrology, but
know that learning is a life long, and sometimes humbling, experience.
Jeff Jawer for Matrix Software
Steven Kauder
I think much of this dialog has gotten out of hand. Excerpts from
earlier messages and my own thoughts:
<<Barbara Finch had problems running WinStar on her system.>>
Doesn't anybody get it? This individual had problems with WinStar
and Matrix software support wasn't able to help her. Apparently
promises were made to Barbara about a software exchange (which
was done) and a partial refund (which was not done at the point of
the posting).
This is NOT about the virtues of WinStar or Matrix. It's about
customer satisfaction. As I understand it, Matrix had done some
good customer satisfaction over the years -- and yet they have
always left some customers hung-out-to-dry.
In my opinion [only], there is something undefinable about the
culture at Matrix. Michael Erlewine the whole team there deserve
much credit for their pioneering efforts with astrological
software. This includes WinStar. Yet, they just don't get
something and so their reputation for product quality and support
varies from "really met my needs" to Barbara Finch's "I'll never
deal with them again" experience. Perhaps Matrix will realize
there are a lot of sources for astrology software nowadays.
Innovation won't support the company over the long term. Customer
satisfaction and meeting commitments for delivery and reliability
will.
----
On another note, I have had a few interactions with Jeff Jawer who
joined Matrix a little over a year ago. In my opinion, he is
outstanding in his personal interactions and integrity. [Note that
I have no relationship or business with Jeff -- this is just my
experience.]
----
<<Graeme Latch responded to Barbara Finch's post with a tantrum that>>
<<included childish comments [my opinion only] and personal attacks >>
"It sounds to me like YOU happened to IT - not that IT happened
to YOU!"
" . . . Have you taken the time to throughly familiarize yourself
with the program? - or don't you have the patience to actually
learn anything?"
"WinStar is definitely NOT loaded with bugs - but I would suggest
that your faulty attitude is."
"People who talk and do as you do are usually the most UN-creative
and pitiful creatures on this planet."
"Why don't you get a life instead of vomiting up your nonsense
globally over the Internet?"
"If the money is not the problem then why do you make such a BIG
DEAL about it? Tell me, where can I go to complain about YOU?"
Graeme doesn't get it. Matrix support wasn't able to support this
customer. She is dissatisfied enough that she'll never buy another
Matrix product. The issue is about CUSTOMER SATISFACTION and keeping
commitments.
Graeme accomplishes nothing by personal attacks except diminishing his
own standing in the world of astrologers.
----
Michael Erlewine might drop me an email message that explains that
his support team "did supply the right answer." I'll respond in
advance, "You cannot say you did the right thing. Customers are the
ultimate determiners of that. And they respond to your product and
your support when they vote with their dollars in future purchases."
R's,
Steven Kauder
Don R. Calkins
> the $1300.00
> worth of DOS astrology programs I bought from Matrix are now worthless
> to me because something in the software will not run DOS at the higher
> speeds.
This is as much due to Microsoft and their attitudes as it is to Matrix. Not
only is there not a clean upgrade path available, but many of the Win95 apps
are not 32 bit clean yet. Many of you WinTel users have bought a pig in a
poke based on a sophisticated advertising campaign that 'forgot' to mention a
few details. Raw speed doesn't mean a damn thing if you can't use it. On
top of that, unless you are using very large databases, spreadsheets, etc,
the few miliseconds processing time you gain are meaningless in a days work.
And people can't figure out why I like my old Mac! My 5 year old SE/30
(equivalent to a 386-16) runs software as fast as a 486-25 with Windows 3.x.
I am running Mac OS 7.5 on it, which has all the advantages for a home or
small office user of Windowx 95, and runs all the newest software. Oh well,
think of all the money you saved when you bought your fantastically fast
Wintel machine.
This is not to start a sys war here, but to caution readers that there is
more to buying a new or different computer system than reading the latest
hype in the computer mags.
Don C
"Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should
exalt himself over the other." - Baha'u'llah : Race Unity pages -
http://www.commonlink.com/~chiron_rising/race/race.html: IP = 204.77.198.71
Matrix Software
This following comments seem to mix up Matrix and Microsoft. I'm
certainly not going to get between Maccie and his opinions of PC's,
but Microsoft is that giant software company in Washington while
Matrix is the astrology software company from Michigan.
r...@accessone.com
Nice spin Jeff,
You may be a nice guy but you are still violating our space with your
advertisements. Please refrain from your pattern of advertizing in
this newsgroup. This customer service was first addressed by you and
this woman should never have been pushed to the extreme she was pushed
to. You can let Greame take the fall for you if you wish - but we can
see.
I recommend that anyone seeing this posted article by Matrix take it
down to their local astrology store and show them the kind of customer
service were getting. Or just mail it in to them.
For your convience, I have attached it below:
>Barbara A. Finch wrote:
>
> Dear friends,
>
> Before you spend your hard-earned money on Matrix's Winstar or Winstar
> Plus program, please read what happened to me.
>
>
> I purchased Winstar Plus - it is LOADED with bugs.
>
>planet.
> After trying a few things with a rep, Jeff Jawer, at Matrix (which made
> the program work even worse), they offered me an exchange for
> Astrolabe's Solar Fire 3 (they are a distributor). I told Jeff that
> that was fine but that I also wanted a refund for the difference
> between the 2 programs ($45). He agreed. I returned the Winstar Plus
> promptly and received Solar Fire 3 some weeks later.
>
Jeff is a good, intelligent and honest person - who does not deserve
to
be publicly libelled by the likes of YOU lady! Why don't you get a
life instead of vomiting up your nonsense globally over the Internet?
> Not only that, but now they claim that the
> refund will be $35 instead of $45 because they are charging ME $10 for
> shipping and handling of the Solar Fire 3. Never mind that the reason
It's certainly consistent of you to capitalize yourself as ME!
> A friend put me in
> contact with another customer who is having the exact same problems on
The EXACT SAME PROBLEMS? Why don't you specify them - or don't you
have
the honesty or sincerity to allow the rest of us to either verify or
deny your stupid claims?
> a different computer. It is pretty clear that Matrix has no intention
> of refunding me. I am sending a complaint to the BBB of Michigan.
>
> Obviously the money is not the issue. It is the fact that Matrix sells
If the money is not the problem then why do you make such a BIG DEAL
about it? Tell me, where can I go to complain about YOU?
> a very faulty program and does not honor its promises. Astrology still
> has a way to go to earn respect in this country and it is a shame that
> Matrix does not help by not keeping its promises to its customers.
MATRIX has done more than any other organization in your country, or
any
other for that matter, to advance both astrology and astrologers -
through their multitude of fine software - their conferences -
magazines
and journals - even their online presence. Did you know that Matrix
were
the first to offer astrology software to the general public, and that
Matrix quite rightly will not respond to the outrageous threats and
false accusations placed on this newsgroup - but I will happily defend
their reputation and integrity as astrologers and as a business that
built the foundation that most of us computer-using astrologers are
standing on. I have used Matrix software since 1979 and have yet to be
disappointed in either their software or their service - that counts
for
something doesn't it?
Jeff Jawer
Dear Stephen,
I'm sorry you're under the impression that your Matrix DOS programs will
not work with you new computer. Please contact our Tech Support department
616-796-2483 (M-F, 8-5 EDT, Saturdays, 9-1) which can help you out. Under
the worst conditions you may have to update your programs, but that would
be a small fraction of the price you paid when the programs were purchased
in the 1980's.
Win*Star will output charts that you are free to sell over the Internet.
Matrix report writers, however, are covered under another license and can
not, for the present, be sold online. We are currently reviewing this
policy and expect to clarify this issue shortly.
We may not be perfect at Matrix, but it's our concern for the customer that
has built the company over the past 20 years. We are proud of the tools we
make for astrologers and welcome your feedback so that pride is deserved.
Jeff Jawer
r...@accessone.com wrote in article <52qs7t$m...@kanga.accessone.com>...
> I am obviously very unhappy with Matrix because I bought a new and
> faster computer using DOS and WIN95 only to find out that the $1300.00
> worth of DOS astrology programs I bought from Matrix are now worthless
> to me because something in the software will not run DOS at the higher
r...@accessone.com
That's too bad Matrix. I am extremely pleased with WIN95, Microsoft
products, and Microsoft Corporation customer service. You could learn
something from them.
r...@accessone.com
No thanks Jeff,
I don't think I could handle the customer service. I will be doing
business elsewhere.
Stephen Crowl
Delphia Fox
Without taking any 'sides' in this issue, I would like to share my
experience with Matrix. I purchased software for use on my old 386 IBM
compatible. This year I upgraded my computer to a laptop with Windows
95 and was able to load my DOS Matrix programs, which are working fine. I
did call technical support, and they provided very fast and efficient
service for the transistion.
Delphia Fox
Starborne Astrology
Sedona, Arizona
Steve Tidbury
Matrix_...@msn.com (Matrix Software) wrote:
When a customer is not
>completely satisfied we take it seriously, as we have since Matrix
>began in 1977. We're proud of our contributions to astrology, but
>know that learning is a life long, and sometimes humbling, experience.
>Jeff Jawer for Matrix Software
Jeff!
If you really do take customer satisfaction so seriously, then why has it
been too much trouble for your company to answer enquiries about the
prgrams I bought from you last year?
Or the email I sent you 2 weeks ago. Or the one in April? Or the "snail
mail" I've sent?
And why did Wendy White tell me that a program could output to a file,
when in fact it can't? Why did Kyle tell me I couldn't edit ChildStar -
even after I done it following the instructions in the manual?
Yes, I'm willing to buy another program - but I'm not a happy customer.
(My problem is not related to Win*Star, but your report writers).
STEVE TIDBURY (Astrologer, New Zealand)
Robert Chen
Hello all:
I'm a user of both Win*Star PLUS and Solar Fire 3.1. Perhaps Win*Star
PLUS is user-friendly, but Solar Fire win the efficiencyand
performance.
I suggest Barbara should post a list of bugs on the newsgroup. I think
we need to know what kind of bugs related to Windows' system sources
or Win*Star's bad programming.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To the people, for the people, and of the people
E-mail:ro...@tpts1.seed.neet.tw
rob...@hope.hinet.net
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
sta...@istar.ca
On Tue, 01 Oct 1996 2 rsc said:
rs|That's too bad Matrix. I am extremely pleased with WIN95, Microsoft
rs|products, and Microsoft Corporation customer service. You could
rs|learn something from them.
rs|>Matrix_...@msn.com (Matrix Software) wrote:
rs|>This following comments seem to mix up Matrix and Microsoft. I'm
rs|>certainly not going to get between Maccie and his opinions of PC's,
rs|>but Microsoft is that giant software company in Washington while
rs|>Matrix is the astrology software company from Michigan.
rs|>This is as much due to Microsoft and their attitudes as it is to
rs|>Matrix. Not only is there not a clean upgrade path available, but
rs|>many of the Win95 apps are not 32 bit clean yet. Many of you
rs|>WinTel users have bought a pig in a poke based on a sophisticated
rs|>advertising campaign that 'forgot' to mention a few details.
"Sophisticated advertising campaign" -- for Windows '95 ?
When I saw those TV ads with Mick Jagger singing "Start Me Up" and those
frantic fast-flashing scenes which made my head hurt, I sure didn't think
the ad was "sophisticated". More like "stupid" or "annoying" or maybe "all
glitter and no gold".
Not that I don't like the Stones or "Start Me Up" -- it's a great dance song
that packs the dance floor when people have been drinking for a few hours.
But I'd call it "animal music" rather than "sophisticated".
But, I guess the ad sold a few million copies of Win95, maybe. On the other
hand, maybe it sold so well because us DOS users were desperate to have
something that allowed multi-tasking and we'd buy anything. It does do that
very well. And it does do a great job at pointing InterNet Explorer to the
Microsoft Network in spite of all your frustrated efforts at trying to
set up Dial Up Networking to call your favourite local ISP instead...
Who would expect TV commercials to be "the whole truth and nothing but the
truth" anyways? But if I have to watch the hype, I'll take IBM's latest
series over most other ads -- I loved the one with the Tibetan monks using
mental telepathy!
Isn't it interesting that a giant computer company is demonstrating
(even as a spoof) the existence of "psychic phenomena" in connection
with a pitch to sell its computers? Is IBM using psychic pitch men?
I was personally involved in a promotional event at a very large
computer manufacturer's Canadian head office, along with another
professional astrologer and three psychic readers. (also at two major banks
and a big life insurance company)
Swedish Skeptics to the contrary, some huge multi-national computer
companies are not out to discredit astrologers and psychics, but to promote
them to help sell their products.
Maybe we should point Paul to bigger and better prey, now that he has
sharpened his teeth on us little guys here at alt.astrology?
Say, Paul, why don't you take on Matrix or Astrolabe, the people who are
using "science" and engineering to perpetrate this "fraud" you call
astrology? But, hey, you could think BIG and berate IBM...
Michael Star
sta...@istar.ca
STAR SIGNS Astrology E-Zine http://home.istar.ca/~starman |STAR MATES|
`[1;32;46mNet-Tamer V 1.05 - Test Drive
Rob
In article <524rl7$2...@dfw-ixnews3.ix.netcom.com>,
barb...@ix.netcom.com(Barbara A. Finch) wrote:
> Dear friends,
>
> Before you spend your hard-earned money on Matrix's Winstar or Winstar
> Plus program, please read what happened to me.
>
> I purchased Winstar Plus - it is LOADED with bugs. Ect, ect......
Barbara, the only problem you have is that you did not buy a Macintosh!
Don't blame Matrix, Winstar, or Jeff, blame Bill Gates and his reverse
engineered system software, and blame yourself for buying a second rate
computer and the system software that runs it.
--
Rob
Graeme Latch
r...@accessone.com wrote:
>
> Nice spin Jeff,
>
> You may be a nice guy but you are still violating our space with your
> advertisements. Please refrain from your pattern of advertizing in
You are doing the best job of advertising Matrix! Your intolerant post
would make any fair-minded person completely disregard anything you say.
By "our space" do you mean yourself and your little group of cranks?
> this newsgroup. This customer service was first addressed by you and
> this woman should never have been pushed to the extreme she was pushed
> to. You can let Greame take the fall for you if you wish - but we can
> see.
>
Graeme is not taking the fall for anoyone! As Jeff has already
explained, neither he nor Matrix are responsible for my comments
regarding anything! Because I am an independent re-seller of Matrix
products does not mean that I do not have the right to voice my opinion
as a private individual. Too many people on this newsgroup seem to think
that I should be denied free speech, and should have "Matrix" tattooed
to my forehead as well! As a matter of fact I sell my own software and
some others too!
"RSC" must be a Royal Personage as they claim the right to use the royal
"we" when in fact they are speaking for themselves - or at the very best
a small group of malcontents that believe in little but their
carcinogenic negativity as if it were a religion.
> I recommend that anyone seeing this posted article by Matrix take it
> down to their local astrology store and show them the kind of customer
> service were getting. Or just mail it in to them.
>
Do I have to say it again - this article was NOT posted by Matrix, but
by me, Graeme Latch, free and independent individual.
> For your convience, I have attached it below:
>
I think what you mean to say is "for your convenience" - but perhaps in
your furious haste you are missing the keys - as well as the point!
Jeff Jawer
Dear Steve,
I respond to people all over the world on a daily basis, but I don't have a
record of a message from you. The best address to reach me is
Je...@thenewage.com. Kyle told you not to edit Child*Star at the request of
its writer, Kathy Garcia. She feels that since her text has been
"approved" by a child psychologist, she doesn't think people should change
it. However, as with most of our programs, the technical capability to do
so is there, thus the contradiction. Sorry for the mix-up.
Steve Tidbury <steve....@quantum.co.nz> wrote in article
<52t3o4$p...@dionysus.tekotago.ac.nz>...
Jeff Jawer
I wish you luck whatever you do and hope that you get the 8 years of use
from your software that you've gotten from Matrix.
r...@accessone.com wrote in article <52sqgj$n...@kanga.accessone.com>...
r...@accessone.com
Jeff,
Good luck in your next line of work. I am sure there are plenty of
other women and children out there for you to torment.
John A. Halloran
>> the $1300.00
>> worth of DOS astrology programs I bought from Matrix are now worthless
>> to me because something in the software will not run DOS at the higher
>> speeds.
>This is as much due to Microsoft and their attitudes as it is to Matrix.
Really? I thought it had to do with some of their routines being written in
assembly language for a specific type of computer. Halloran Software has
never had a problem with running its DOS-based calculation and reportwriting
programs on newer machines. But then these programs make no special
machine-specific calls.
The one new item on Windows 95 that you want to turn off is sending
your DOS-program print jobs to the Windows 95 print spooler, which is a
temporary memory file allowing you to regain control of your application
program sooner with Windows finishing sending your print job to the printer.
This feature can cause problems like a print job stopping half way through or
the page breaks being wrong. Just turn it off altogether by going to
Printers, highlighting your printer, selecting File and Properties, selecting
the Details tab, and select the Port Settings button, where you will see the
checkbox to turn this off.
Regards,
-------------------------------------------
John Halloran, Halloran Software
P.O. Box 75713, Los Angeles, CA 90075 U.S.A.
http://www.halloran.com/
e-mail: sea...@primenet.com
Kevin Burk
Rob wrote:
.
>
> Barbara, the only problem you have is that you did not buy a Macintosh!
> Don't blame Matrix, Winstar, or Jeff, blame Bill Gates and his reverse
> engineered system software, and blame yourself for buying a second rate
> computer and the system software that runs it.
>
> --
> Rob
Rob,
Don't get me wrong here, I'm a die-hard Macintosh user myself. But the
sorry state of afairs in computer astrology is that there just isn't
much of a selection of professional astrology programs that are designed
for the Macintosh.
Time Cycles Research is it, and wonderful as their products are, they
don't do everything that Solar Fire and even Win*Star can do. The PC
Astrology programs have far more chart wheel options, display options
etc. and Time Cycles hasn't yet caught up to them.
Personally, I'm saving up to upgrade to a Power PC so that I can
purchase and run Solar*Fire (I won't be buying anything else from
Matrix, either) on my Macintosh.
Peace,
Kevin
--
*****************************************************************
mailto:kb...@astro-horoscopes.com
http://www.astro-horoscopes.com/~kburk
Astrological Horoscopes & Forecasts
P. O. Box 16098 San Diego, CA 92176 (619) 221-5534
*****************************************************************
Don R. Calkins
> This following comments seem to mix up Matrix and Microsoft.
No, on the contrary. My point was that some of the problems associated with
Wintel machines is the result of the operating system developed and sold by
Microsoft, not the software by various 3rd party developers. In this case,
the problem was the incompatibility of much of the older software with the
new Windows 95 OS. When Apple moved from sys 6.x to sys 7.x, an intermediate
OS (sys 6.7/6.8) was released which had many of the advantages of sys 7.x but
would run all of the sys 6.x software. Even now, much of the software
developed for sys 6.x will run under sys 7.x. Likewise, sys 7.5.x will
accept many of the up-grades that will be part of sys 8.x. Sys 7.5.x will
run on any 030 Mac (equivalent to a 386) with adequate memory. Microsoft has
not made such provisions, which puts third party developers for Wintel
machines in a bit of a bind.
Matrix Software
It's too bad that someone will take one side of a story, with no
other knowledge whatsoever of the events in question, and lead a
campaign against a company that's served astrology for almost 20
years. The customer in question is one among thousands of purchasers
of Win*Star, the vast majority of whom are delighted with their
program. We helped the customer and when she expressed a desire to
exchange the program for another we ordered the it from the developer
who then shipped it. End of story.
TLCONAWAY
AMEN!!!
If I paid that kind of money for software, I'd expect it to be VERY, VERY
user friendly.
Need I say more?
-----------------------------------------------------
VICKI CONAWAY
HOUSTON, TEXAS