Answers to Questions

This page may be useful for both new and return visitors. Hopefully, some of the information herein will help in evaluating a QuickCogo product or allow existing users obtain answers to lingering questions. The following are answers to real questions asked by existing and prospective users in the past few years. I will add to this page when questions useful for all become available. Please contact me with yours. For simplicity, QuickCogo refers to the desktop version and PDA refers to PalmCogo and/or PocketCogo, versions for the Palm and Pocket PC devices.

Question: I am leary of software or anything else priced too low. Why is yours so cheap?
I prefer to use "inexpensive" for QuickCogo is definitely not "cheap" software. It is a quality product developed for those who don't need sophisticated and expensive programs to do the everyday tasks a surveyor faces. I wanted it to be affordable for the student, the educator, the new surveyor or engineer or as the primary or supplementary software for professional companies. My former company has used this program successfully for many years. This may be one of those cases where the customer gets "more" than he pays for. Try the evaluation version and decide for yourself as have over a thousand other users. I have also addressed that question in the Introduction .
Question: Would you clarify the pricing structure of your software products and how they relate to each other, including the "download vs CD" option?
If purchased separately and received by downloading, QuickCogo is $79.00 and the PDA programs are $49.00 each. If requested to be received on a CD, add $5.00 to those amounts (no additional charge if received by both methods). When QuickCogo and either of the PDA programs are combined, regardless of when purchased, subtract $25.00 from the total of the combined amounts. To receive the discount, QuickCogo must be one of your purchases or previously owned. Examples: (1) You order both QuickCogo and PalmCogo for download. Your cost is $103.00 (79 + 49 - 25). If sent on CD the cost would be $108.00. (2) You purchased QuickCogo last month and requested it on CD for which you paid $84.00. Now you decide to purchase PocketCogo. Your cost would be $24.00 ($49-$25) if received via download or $29.00 if sent on CD. (3) You bought PalmCogo by itself for $49.00 six months ago and now want QuickCogo. Your cost would be $54.00 ($79-$25) or $59.00 on CD. (4) You order both PDA programs but not QuickCogo. Your cost is $98.00 (49 + 49). (5) You have QuickCogo and one of the PDA programs. Now you want the other. Each discount is tied to the purchase of a QuickCogo license. If at least one additional license is held then the other PDA would be $24.00. If only one QuickCogo license is held then the discount would not apply and the cost would be $49.00.
Question: I can't find the QuickCogo manual you said was included with the program. Where is it?
During installation the doc format of the manual was placed in the same folder as the program files. If you installed to the default folder look in "C:\Program Files\QuickCogo" to find qcmanual.doc. The Adobe (pdf)version is a separate link in the message accompanying the download or appears separately on the CD. There is also 'Help' within the program.
Question: Why am I no longer able to directly download the most recent QuickCogo program file (update)from your update site?
Unfortunately I allowed a couple of users to obtain the program fraudulently and I don't want to also provide them with free updates. Until I figure out a better system please continue to request them from me via email to which I respond promptly.
Question: Are there plans to add contouring to QuickCogo?
I have taken a look at it and determined that using QuickCogo's dxf feature with a CAD program and interpolating between points is as useful as I could do with coding. For small areas, I have used a printer plot from the Interactive Plot routine and free handed the contours since the elevation of the points can be displayed. For large areas, the printer plot would not be practical.
Question: Which Pocket PC's and Palm devices are compatible with your software?
There are many models of Pocket PC's. My program was designed for those with the ARM processor using PPC 2002 but I have also made it compatible with Mobile 2003 devices by including a separate "runtime". I also have versions for other devices with different processors. Please let me know which processor yours uses or give me the model number of your device and I will try to find out that information. The software for the Palm accommodates all devices that have an OS of at least 3.1, including those with OS 5.x but I don't recommend anything under 8 MB of installed memory. When in doubt, download the evaluation version. If it installs and is operable on your device, it is compatible. I have now prepared an additional version for PocketCogo using a different development software that should accommodate most of the devices.
Question: Will your PDA programs connect directly with surveying instruments for data collection, etc?
No. I have explored this possibility but don't have access to the necessary instruments for testing. Cabling is a major issue since connections for both ends (sending and receiving units) must be customized. I have no plans to go any further. I have seen Pocket Surveyor advertised that might do the job. I am not aware of any Palm device software compatible with data collectors. If exporting the info as ascii from a data collector and then importing it into the PDA would suffice, my software should be adequate.
Question: Anything on the drawing board to add greater capabilities to QuickCogo's plotting routines?
Although QuickCogo was originally intended to be only a number cruncher and problem solver, I added the ability to make scaled plots to the system printer from several of the cogo routines. Cad programming is complex and beyond my expertise. I considered out-sourcing but I would lose control for support and the program's cost would have to be significantly higher. In the early stages of development I decided that finished mapping with professional results could best be obtained by combining QuickCogo and its dxf capability (now able to transfer lines with annotation) with an affordable and capable CAD program like AutoCad Lt. My former company exclusively uses this method and creates some exceptional maps using a very effective system of computing points and immediately transferring them via dxf. Still, the on-board routines can do quite a bit. I am able to plot a fairly complex scaled map with multiple curves using QuickCogo's Interactive plot routine. That routine and others have been recently improved. Although the other plotting routines (except Lotplot) have no annotation except point numbers, they are capable of producing well scaled 8.5 x 11 drawings for tracing or planning use. Contact me if you need help making a drawing.
Question: Other cogo programs use a decimal after degrees when entering bearings, azimuths or angles, but yours has everything running together. Any reason for that?
Although this was QuickCogo's method since the early DOS version, I have now added the capability of accepting other options. Users now have the choice of a decimal after degrees and/or directional prefixes. For example, to enter a bearing of N45°23'E, the following options are acceptable: 14523, 145.23, n4523e, n45.23e, ne4523 or ne45.23. The only exception would be when decimals of seconds are required. In that case only the quadrant and non-punctuated method may be used.
Question:I used to notice your PDA programs on several of the PDA dedicated web sites but not lately. Was there a problem?
There definitely was a problem. They were painfully slow in paying, took a big bite out of the sale, were inflexible in their policies toward their partners and unresponsive to inquiries. I would not recommend that method of marketing to anyone.
Question: I have found some minor differences between the on-board help and the manual. Which should I use?
Occasionally I will forget to update "Help" in the program. You should rely upon the most recent manual which can be downloaded from the update site.
Question: Does the evaluation version have everything the final version has with the exception of its "whole numbers only" restriction?
NO. The evaluation version is intended solely to give the evaluator a sense of how the software works and assess its potential for them. It is not intended to perform meaningful tasks although a user can easily see how a job would have been done had there been no restrictons. There are several routines and features not included but the others have essentially the same things as the final version. New cogo routines and features are added to the final version first and may not get to the evaluation version in a timely manner or there may not be a practical way to restrict their use. An evaluator can learn how the non-included stuff works by reviewing the manual included in the download (contact me for the most recent). Alternatively, the program could be purchased and the 30 day money back guarantee period be used for evaluating.
Question: I can't find the files I extracted after the download for my Pocket PC. What happened to them?
Generally, this happens when you don't observe to which folder the files will be unzipped. By default they will go into some folder in the Windows directory. Be sure you enter the name of a folder you will recognize and can easily retrieve. QuickCogo's download file has an automatic installation feature.
Question: What is your upgrade policy and how does it work?
Please go here for your answer.
Question: Is there a "multiple" license discount?
Yes, but it varies depending upon the number of licenses and other circumstances. There is also a "student discount" for those enrolled in surveying or engineering classes. The normal "additional license" cost is one-half of the original price so long as the original owner is the purchaser. This price applies regardless of when other licenses are purchased.
Question: If several in my company have a PDA, is there a discount for multiple users.
Only if the devices are owned by the same entity, like the company. Individual owners would be expected to purchase the software at its full price but I can be flexible depending upon the numbers.
Question: What is your return policy and how does that work if I downloaded the program?
After purchase, I offer a 30 day money back guarantee and even that has some flexibility. I don't want you to pay for something you can't use. However, I would appreciate the opportunity to fix whatever it is that caused your request. If a refund becomes necessary, I will rely upon your integrity as a professional to remove the program from your computer. I deal honestly with my users and expect the same in return. If you received the program on a CD, I will refund (through PayPal) everything except $5.00. Incidentally, there have been only 3 returns in the past 6 years, one of which was purchased back a month later.
Question: I am an original QuickCogo Dos user. What will it cost to upgrade to the Windows version?
For Dos users, the upgrade cost is $69.00. After that all upgrades are free. Since I still have a Dos version, its cost is also $69.00 or $76.00 with a printed manual (only a few left).
Question: How far will you go in customizing the software for free?
Normally I do not charge for customizations if the changes will benefit all and can be included in the next update. If the customization is so specialized that I have to alter the program's structure or re-write it, then I will negotiate a fee for the change. In all cases, the program must be purchased prior to customizing. I then work with the user until satisfaction is achieved.
Question: What are the requirements for an additional license? I have a desktop and a laptop and want to put the program on both. Do I need an additional license?
If you are the sole user of both computers, you do not need another license. However, if someone else routinely uses the program on one of your computers at the same time as you, then another license would be required.
Question: What about support? I am not very computer savvy but I understand cogo.
Everybody has to start somewhere. The simplest way to deal with your situation is to talk you through things on the phone while you are at your computer. It usually doesn't take very long for you to get up to speed and continue on your own although I remain only a call away. For those more experienced, email is the preferred way. I can detail my answers after thinking them through and we can exchange files that apply to the problem, if necessary. I respond immediately to all emails requesting support and stay with it until resolved. You will not find better support anywhere.
Question: I lost your program when my computer crashed. How can I replace it?
Please go here for your answer.
Question: How do I know when there is an update to the program?
You will have to check the update site periodically where I post the date of an update. The program name contains the date of update. For example, qc031404.exe (not a real name) means that the program was compiled after updating on March 14, 2004. Your email will contain the download link for that file. You should keep the update site among your "favorites" because it is not on the web site. You can also get it from me.
Question: Will your program convert a raw data collector file for use in closing a traverse, etc.?
There are various formats of data collector files but no generic routine that automatically converts them. I would have to customize yours by massaging it to produce files usable in QuickCogo. If you will send me a printout from your data collector, I can assess what has to be done prior to your purchase. If feasible, I will begin the customization after the purchase but there will be additional costs involved.
Question: I am a new user of your program and would like to have alpha-numeric points. Is that a reasonable customization?
The structure of the program would have to undergo a MAJOR overhaul, almost like starting over and is not feasible. However there are work-arounds that can be used. Contact me for details.

NOTES:
Checks or money orders must be payable to C. James Schuchert, and NOT to "QuickCogo Software". I have no account under that name.
When contacting me, please include the product name in the subject line. I am trying to control 'spam' and have my message rules set accordingly.
Your comments or suggestions about how I can improve any of the programs will be appreciated.