Re: WebCatalog Review
This WebDNA talk-list message is from 2001
It keeps the original formatting.
numero = 38106
interpreted = N
texte = Two points from that review: > WebCatalog 4.0 is a great fit for these jobs. The software lets those with > elementary Web skills assemble a basic catalog-driven storefront and get it > online in a few hours. Built-in templates eliminate page layout steps, while > the integrated database means you don't need to know anything about SQL calls > or DNS connections. WebCatalog, also has fill-in-the-blank forms for credit > card processing using CyberCash or InternetCash. And runs under major > operating systems, including Apple's new OS X.The last time I saw this same kind of review I, soon after, received criticism from a customer of mine that I had been 'ripping him off' by charging for programming when I was actually using built-in templates. (search archives for Ungrateful Client) This kind of review may be good for SMI in selling their product to non-programmers, but it's just another point of confusion with _my_ customers. Add to the list of customer questions: Webcatalog? Hmm. Never heard of that. How does it compare to ASP? Will my data be in a 'standard' format? What are the benefits of using an unknown product like this over something like ASP or Cold Fusion? If I choose your company and build a site based on Webcatalog, what happens if I need future work done and you are not available? Are there other companies that know how to program for this product? and now, Aren't you just using 'built-in templates' to build my site? Why am I paying you for that? I read a review of Webcatalog claims that anyone can use it. Why shouldn't I go out and build my own site using these 'built-in templates'?> > So what's the catch? Well, first, out-of-the-box storefronts aren't very > attractive. Second, making serious changes to page design requires that you > learn Smith Micro's proprietary WebDNA scripting language. As a result, if you > need to execute a highly custom design and don't have WebDNA experience, > WebCatalog might prove more time-consuming than choosing a package like > LaGuarde's Storefront 5.0, which uses standard ASP scripting and integrates > with Microsoft FrontPage. And third, WebCatalog (as shipped) doesn't offer the > personalization features visitors can get at high-profile online stores. But > if you recognize these limitations, WebCatalog represents a very good value. Isn't it an oxymoron to say standard ASP? What is standard about it? More popular might better describe it, but it certainly doesn't adhere to any standard that I know of, other than the Microsoft standard.Mike on 4/27/01 10:02 AM, John Hill at johnh@genericaddress.com wrote:> http://www.webreview.com/2001/04_20/developers/index03.shtml > > > --------------------------------- > John A. Hill > Oak Hill Software > Website Development/Consulting > john@oakhillsoftware.com > > ------------------------------------------------------------- > This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to > the mailing list
. > To unsubscribe, E-mail to: > To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to > > Web Archive of this list is at: http://search.smithmicro.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------- This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list . To unsubscribe, E-mail to: To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to Web Archive of this list is at: http://search.smithmicro.com/
Associated Messages, from the most recent to the oldest:
Two points from that review: > WebCatalog 4.0 is a great fit for these jobs. The software lets those with > elementary Web skills assemble a basic catalog-driven storefront and get it > online in a few hours. Built-in templates eliminate page layout steps, while > the integrated database means you don't need to know anything about SQL calls > or DNS connections. WebCatalog, also has fill-in-the-blank forms for credit > card processing using CyberCash or InternetCash. And runs under major > operating systems, including Apple's new OS X.The last time I saw this same kind of review I, soon after, received criticism from a customer of mine that I had been 'ripping him off' by charging for programming when I was actually using built-in templates. (search archives for Ungrateful Client) This kind of review may be good for SMI in selling their product to non-programmers, but it's just another point of confusion with _my_ customers. Add to the list of customer questions: Webcatalog? Hmm. Never heard of that. How does it compare to ASP? Will my data be in a 'standard' format? What are the benefits of using an unknown product like this over something like ASP or Cold Fusion? If I choose your company and build a site based on Webcatalog, what happens if I need future work done and you are not available? Are there other companies that know how to program for this product? and now, Aren't you just using 'built-in templates' to build my site? Why am I paying you for that? I read a review of Webcatalog claims that anyone can use it. Why shouldn't I go out and build my own site using these 'built-in templates'?> > So what's the catch? Well, first, out-of-the-box storefronts aren't very > attractive. Second, making serious changes to page design requires that you > learn Smith Micro's proprietary WebDNA scripting language. As a result, if you > need to execute a highly custom design and don't have WebDNA experience, > WebCatalog might prove more time-consuming than choosing a package like > LaGuarde's Storefront 5.0, which uses standard ASP scripting and integrates > with Microsoft FrontPage. And third, WebCatalog (as shipped) doesn't offer the > personalization features visitors can get at high-profile online stores. But > if you recognize these limitations, WebCatalog represents a very good value. Isn't it an oxymoron to say standard ASP? What is standard about it? More popular might better describe it, but it certainly doesn't adhere to any standard that I know of, other than the Microsoft standard.Mike on 4/27/01 10:02 AM, John Hill at johnh@genericaddress.com wrote:> http://www.webreview.com/2001/04_20/developers/index03.shtml > > > --------------------------------- > John A. Hill > Oak Hill Software > Website Development/Consulting > john@oakhillsoftware.com > > ------------------------------------------------------------- > This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to > the mailing list . > To unsubscribe, E-mail to: > To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to > > Web Archive of this list is at: http://search.smithmicro.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------- This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list . To unsubscribe, E-mail to: To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to Web Archive of this list is at: http://search.smithmicro.com/
Mike Davis
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