xBase++ Training

Xbase++ Training

This page provides a description of Xbase++ Training services offered.

Roger Donnay is a developer with over 18 years of experience in Clipper. He has combined this experience with his six years of experience in Xbase++ programming to provide a training program specifically tailored to the Clipper developer who needs to get up to speed quickly with Xbase++. Donnay Software is an authorized Technology Partner of Alaska Software and has worked closely with Alaska Software to develop migration training materials and a third-party product, eXPress++, which is designed to aid Clipper programmers in converting text-based Clipper applications to Full GUI Xbase++ applications.

Roger has used the eXPress++ product and his knowledge in Clipper to personally convert two large Clipper applications to GUI and to aid in the conversion of dozens more through a fast-track training program. Whether you choose to use eXPress++ or not in your new Xbase++ applications, Roger can help you get on the right track, quickly and efficiently. Currently, Roger is only providing one-on-one training. He believes that this is much more effective than group training because it is tailored to the customer's specific needs and will insure that the customer will feel confident that he/she has attained the tools and knowledge necessary to complete a satisfactory migration.

Here are some commonly-asked questions from Clipper developers considering the conversion of a Clipper application to Xbase++.

Do I build a text-based application, a hybrid application or a GUI application?
How do I handle database concurrency issues with my existing Clipper application?
How do I deal with the third-party libraries currently being used in my Clipper application?
How do I deal with the issues of Advantage Server and COMIX?
How can I leverage the investment in 10 years of Clipper code into a new full-GUI application?
How long can I expect the conversion process to take?
How can I use the Windows print driver system with my existing reports?
What is the future of Alaska Software? Can I rely upon them?
How do I convert a Clipper application to Windows without creating Revision Shock?
How much do I need to know about Windows to create a full GUI application?
What new skills do I need to develop to become a successful Xbase++ programmer?
What new tools do I need to acquire to become a successful Xbase++ programmer?
How do I sell the boss on Xbase++ as the solution to our problems?
Do I need Xbase Tools?
Do I need Blinker 5.0?

Roger will discuss these issues with you and help you build a strategy for converting your Clipper applications to Xbase++. He will work with you, your source code, your data and your programmers to give you a leg-up in getting your project off the ground.

Xbase++ Training via Meta-Frame

DONNAY Software has invested in a Meta-Frame Server to aid Xbase++ customers in getting the one-on-one training they need at a much lower cost than normal one-on-one training because it eliminates the costs associated with travelling. Meta-Frame is an application server product developed by Citrix. It works with the Terminal Server Edition of Windows NT 4.0. This software, installed on a Dual Pentium-II server with 500mb of RAM allows for wide-area networking of Xbase++ applications via the Internet or 28.8 modems. This means that several users or programmers can connect concurrently to applications running on our server in Boise,Idaho via the Internet. This is far superior to pcAnyWhere in performance and also allows for each user to "shadow" the session of any other user. This technology makes it possible for Roger to guide the programmers through the development of an Xbase++ application in an "interactive" session of multiple users where the programmers experience the editing, compiling, linking and debugging at the same speed as if the application were running on a LAN. Meta-Frame and the Internet make the concept of training via tele-conferencing a reality.

The only thing required by you, the programmer, is a copy of a small "Citrix Client" program which can be downloaded from our website or e-mailed to you. This "thin-client" utilizes a proprietary protocal known as ICA to communicate with the Meta-Frame server and transmit screens of information so fast that the application appears to be running on your local computer. After the client software is installed, a quick setup is required so you can connect to our Meta-Frame server via the Internet or via a direct dial-up. An Internet connection will save in long distance charges and will allow Roger to perform "group-training" of programmers in different locations of the country at the same time via a telephone conference call. A schedule and fees for "on-line" group training will be established within a few weeks. One-on-one training can also be provided via this technology at a much reduced cost. See below for more details.

Fees for Xbase++ ONE-ON-ONE Training

One-on-one training is charged by the day. The fee for this type of training is the same regardless of the number of attendees. The smaller number of attendees, however, the more Roger can concentrate on the specific needs of the trainees. One-on-one training is tailored to the needs of the trainees and to solving their specific Xbase++ issues.

At Your Location - The fee for training at your location is (1) $600.00 per day plus (2) $400.00 per additional day of travel plus (3) travel expenses.

Travel expenses include Air Fare, hotel and car (when necessary).

Example #1: You are located in Atlanta, GA and want training on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It will cost $800.00 for travel on Monday and Friday, plus $1800.00 for the actual training, plus airfare and 4 nights at a hotel.

Example #2: You are located in San Francisco and want training on Monday and Tuesday. It will cost $1200.00 for the actual training because travel can be accomplished on the same day as the training. It will also include airfare however hotel will not be necessary.
At Our Office - The fee for training at our office in Boise, Idaho is $600.00 per day. The client is responsible for his own travel costs, however we can help with the travel arrangements. Because Roger does not particularly relish travelling, he encourages clients to travel to Boise by offering additional incentives such as lunch, dinner and fine wine from his personal collection of Napa, California wines.
Via Tele-Conference - The fee for training via telephone and utilizing our Meta-Frame server is $60.00 per hour (during the hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm Mountain Time), or $75.00 per hour (before 9:00am or after 5:00pm or weekends). The client assumes the telephone costs for connecting to our Meta-Frame server by making a direct long-distance phone connection or by connecting via the Internet. The client also assumes the telephone costs for the voice connection with Roger. The client may choose to make it a conference call with several programmers all in attendance around a computer at the client's location. A 10-hour session may be broken up into several sessions, for example four 2.5 hour sessions over 2 days. This provides the advantage of allowing for the new knowledge to be absorbed and for the trainee to use this knowledge before moving on to the next plateau.

Click Here to download the Citrix Client.

"Roger's 3 day trip to our site shaved at least 2 man months off of a good size Clipper to xBase ++ conversion. The experience he brought to the table was invaluable. Several third party libraries needed to be eliminated, and Roger was instrumental in identifying replacement functions as well as writing new functions. We will be able to deliver our 32 bit system several months sooner due to Roger's help. Time is money, and we saved both!

Thanks Roger"

- Jim Graham, Professional Teledata

"For seven months I struggled with Xbase ++. Unfortunately I was not knowledgeable in Windows, OOPs, or Xbase but I thought I could learn while I worked. This really didn't happen until I had a few hours with the MetaFrame training. Now I feel like I can complete my App and get on with other things that I haven't done for seven months. I'm not an expert yet but I am doing things I had no concept of just a couple weeks ago. I highly recommend this training for anyone who is struggling with Xbase development, DOS conversion, etc." - Jim Ruth

"Thanks to the genius of Donnay Software Systems, and specifically their eXpress++ software, My son and I were able to convert 9 years of legacy Clipper code to Windows code in 3 days!! Thank you Roger for your xBase++ training. I feel we were able to accomplish in 3 days, what I have NOT been able to do in 3 years with other Windows development products.

We now have the Windows app that our customers have been requesting to replace our Clipper application. We are so excited to finally have a Windows app that not only "looks" good, but affords features that we could not attain with Clipper. The timing couldn't have been better. After "sampling" almost ALL of the other Windows development systems, eXpress++ for Xbase++ opens the path to other development opportunities for us to achieve the financial goals needed for the success of our company.

eXpress++ and Alaska Software makes developing software for TODAY'S market, much much easier, because it only requires us to use the "Clipper" style that we know and are comfortable with. You have made it possible for us to compete with software that IS object oriented, without all the fuss of the painful learning curve associated with other languages. The "Command" language of eXpress++ is the most powerful tool I have ever seen. Finally we have the products to develop applications the way they should be, using methods that have served us well for years..." - Bill Broyles, Chairman