Which Point Manager Program to pick?

[Tom and Jen]

I dont want to get into a debate, but could anyone give some input as to the difference between the 2 available downloads out there?


Any major benefits or likes/dislike of one over another?

Thanks
T.

http://hometown.aol.com/dmfredrick/Download.html

http://web.nalu.net/~wneth/dvcplanner.htm

 

[ncligs]

I use both ..........

 

[JimC]

I use both and a third I am reviewing. First the two you asked about. I use one to plan vacations and the other to manage my contracts. Love them both.

The third program is at this link:

http://hometown.aol.com/KidDVC/DVCPlanner.htm

 

[Tom and Jen]

you mention you use both, do they conflict at all with each other?

and you mention one is a manager and the other is ....?? is it a pt. calculator?

I am also presuming that the "planner" is the palnner and teh other the manager?

Jim you also mention that you are trying out a third. what do you think of it as of now?

Thank you again for your input.
T.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Tom and Jen
you mention you use both, do they conflict at all with each other?

and you mention one is a manager and the other is ....?? is it a pt. calculator?

They do not conflict with each other at all. With Caskbill's you can play around with different dates and resorts to give you an idea how many pts you need for your dates.

The other keeps track of individual contracts and add-ons,reservation numbers,banking,borrowing,etc. Caskbill's will have this capabilitywhen he upgrades to the newer version of his.

 

[JimC]

No problems using both. I generally have both running at the same time.

The Point Manager by Fredrickson is the one I use to manage my contracts. I own at two resorts with two different use years. One resort has an add-on. This program makes it real simple to create a chronology of activity for each contract (add-ons, reservations, banking, borrowing, confirmation numbers and a running point balance).

Caskbill's program is the one I use to plan vacations. I generally plan out a year or two in advance. The program allows you to save the plans to recall later. You can also print out the plans, which makes talking with MS a lot easier for me.

I need to focus on taking a serious look at the third program. When I do, I will post my thoughts. If anyone else has used it and can comment, please do. The link to it is in my earlier post.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Originally posted by JimC

http://hometown.aol.com/KidDVC/DVCPlanner.htm

I tried using this program, but couldn't get it to do anything for me. It looked good at first glance, but it never pulled up any resorts or anything. Like others - I am currently using both Caskbill's DVC Planner and DVC Manager. I really like Caskbill's best because of the calendar option and also the neat vacation report it prints out. I look forward to the next release which will include features similar to DVC Manager for handling your point balances.

 

[MikeScott8]

I also have all three and here is my list (in order of use)

1) KidDVC one - I use most due to running point totals shown. It does have a calendar function as well. I mainly like it becuase of the way it handles multiple resorts.

2) CaskBill's - I use for playing with trip costs and for the trip report and the resort comparison. It will probably move up to first when he adds the point tracking to it. He has some great ideas on that part, and HOPEFULLY he will find time to do some work on it soon.

3) DMFredericks - I have but barely use anymore after I found the KidDVC one. Just too difficult for me to use, having points at two resorts, and then combining them for a trip is nearly impossible. You have to enter the trip multiple times. once for each resort you use points from.

Mike

 

[Tom and Jen]

Thank you all for your input, I jhope there is some more out there.

I will am planning to try them out, but I hope CaskBill finds some time to update his. I simply like to have everything in one place.

I am a freak...... .......sometimes.

Thanks again,
T.

 

[chrisd596]

I have both of the other planning programs. Yesterday downloaded the KidDVC and couldn't get it to unzip.....it was looking for the program that created it???? Tried downloading all three of the ways to see if one would work for me but it didn't.

Any suggestions?

thanks
chris

 

[DVC-Don]

Originally posted by chrisd596
I have both of the other planning programs. Yesterday downloaded the KidDVC and couldn't get it to unzip.....it was looking for the program that created it???? Tried downloading all three of the ways to see if one would work for me but it didn't.

Any suggestions?

thanks
chris

Same problem with this program. I do have Caskbill's program running and really like it. Can not wait for the next version.

 

[JimC]

I believe that when I downloaded kidDVC, I downloaded everything on the site, put it all in one folder, unzipped everything to that folder, then installed it. But it has been months since I did that.

 

[timC]

I use Point Manager by Fredrickson. It does what I need it to do. I have 2 contract, same use-year. Not too complicated, and the vacation planning section works fine.

If you haven't yet settled in on one, I would suggest you download them all, add give them all a test drive.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I am also a member of the "using them both" club. I use one to track what points I have used and what I have available, I use the other to daydream about the trips I am planning in the future. I find that by using Caskbills point planner, I can often save myself a bunch of points by either changing resorts or changing trip dates by a day or two. It is easier to see your options this way than by just talking to MS and/or looking at the point charts.

If I ever meet either of the two gentlemen that have made these programs available, I would love to be able to at least by them a drink. I find both programs to be invaluable.

 

[Tom and Jen]

ok, I spent a good portion of last evening toying with the programs and can say I am happy with them both.

I did not download the kidDVC one as I found I had what I wanted.

Thank you all again for your input, and I agree, the creators should be all bought a round, maybe next at the Belle Vue.
I am sure everyone who has found these programs would be able to keep them in drinks for a few years..............

Thanks,
T.

 

[Caskbill]

Just in the way of an update, I hope to be able to get back developing version 2.0 of the DVCPlanner in late August. I don't think it'll make a September/October release, but I'll sure try for November.

Version 2.0 will have full point tracking capability.

If I ever meet either of the two gentlemen that have made these programs available, I would love to be able to at least by them a drink. I find both programs to be invaluable.

DW and I will be at BWV for New Year's. I'd be happy to meet with anyone who'd like to get together and share a toast. (Unfortunately I can't speak for Dave's schedule, as I would enjoy meeting him myself. (we could talk 'shop'.....programming in Visual Basic.

A mini-DIS meet of DVC members would be fun.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by MikeScott8
I also have all three and here is my list (in order of use)
3) DMFredericks - I have but barely use anymore after I found the KidDVC one. Just too difficult for me to use, having points at two resorts, and then combining them for a trip is nearly impossible. You have to enter the trip multiple times. once for each resort you use points from.

Mike

I gotta try out the kidDVC one..... I have three reosrts and 2 UY.......THanks for the heads up about it!

 

[DVCDAVE]

I help Dave F. by sharing in the annual work of creating the point schedules. I never met him.......he's on the left coast, and I'm in the Peoples Republic of Conn..

I must admit, I use both programs too. Dave's program was first, and manage's my points, and Caskbill's for dreaming.

If anyone find's a error in the points. blame it on me, and send me a pm, I'll fix it, send it to Dave for posting. Dave F. usually double checks my work.

 

[chrisd596]

As I already mentioned I have both of the other DVC planner programs but still can't get KidDVC working. It looks like a great program. Wonder if any one else found a way to get the KidDVC program working after having problems. Using Step 2 it downloads, but then can't find the program related to run it!!!!


Any help would be appreciated.


thanks
chris

 

[SJCDave]

I'm so glad people find the DVCManager helpful for them! And I must agree with the general consensus that Caskbills program is fun to use! I'm sure his next version will far surpass my DVCManager program. I'm still trying to work on putting multiple use-years into the program and getting all the functions to come out correct!
My feeling is that its great to have choices, DVCManager, DVCPlanner, KidDVC's program, and all the Excel programs out there. One of them is bound to be perfect for you!

Caskbill, I'd love to meet up and talk "shop" and DVC with you! Count me in for buying a round! We'll be heading 'home' August 12th for 10 days!