bruceh@mentor.com (Bruce Holm) (10/05/90)
I have the feeling that there are still a number of people out there who
think Monogram is out of business and/or that Dollars & $ense is a dead
program.
Based on what I have been told in phone calls, I have found both of these
ideas to be false.
First of all, Monogram is not out of business. They still own the program
Dollars & Sense and still have the same programmer(s) that work on it. What
I understand took place is that they sold the publishing rights to Software
Toolworks, a subsidiary of Mindscape (the game company). That is why when I
look at my new manual for v5.0, it has both Monogram and Mindscape printed on
the cover.
I have called Software Toolworks many times, have no problems getting through
to them and have gotten answers to my question. I have also called Monogram
but they do just have an answering machine that takes your message.
At this point I will speculate: based on these facts and what I've been told,
I would guess that Monogram basically was stripped to the bones (all the
manufacturing/publishing, and support staff both for customers and the
employees let go) and probably just the engineers and critical staff kept on.
But that doesn't really matter to me anymore...Software Toolworks in now
providing the sales, support, and publishing of D&$. So far I have had no
problems reaching them and getting assistance. This is more than I ever got
from Monogram. To order the upgrade to v5.0, call this toll-free number:
1-800-231-3088
This is the sales department and they will assist you. They can also provide
a phone number for the Tech Support Dept.
I would like to hear what other people's opinions, impressions, reactions are
to Dollars & Sense 5.0, Software Toolworks, Mindscape, etc.
I hope to provide my impressions of 5.0 as soon as I have had more time to
play with it, so stay tuned...
--Bruce Holm
Disclaimer: I am in no way connected to Monogram or Mindscape or Software
Toolworks...just a satisfied customer.
--
*** These are my opinions and not necessarily those of MGC ***
Bruce Holm / (503) 626-7000
Mentor Graphics Corp. / USENET: bruceh@pdx.mentor.com
Beaverton, OR 97005-7191 / UUCP: ...!uunet!mntgfx!bruceh