Randall

Is ice cream anything like building democracy in Afghanistan?

I've been scanning the past few years all new files. Gradually scanning old files and shredding the paper as time permits. I'm a one person office so I do it myself as time permits. I am downsizing my office from two rooms to one and trying to go as paperless as possible.

Another concern I have is the potential office break ins. My office does have a building alarm---there has been a number break ins in this area. Has anyone thought about all the confidential info on the computer & office? Is there insurance available ?

I appreciate your comments

As for break-in concerns, I use PGP Encryption software. It allows me to encrypt my internal HD, external HDs and flash drives.

You actually know you are not going to read those old magazines. Throw them out, you don't need to pay a consultant to tell you that. Offer them to your local library, and if they take them you can always go there to visit them..

Many of those mags are now available online, or as an emailed pdf to you, check on that and switch to electronic versions of any you can find. The great part of that is that it's SO much easier to research from the archived electronic versions. Hey you

Then when you have cleaned out those, start on your files. Huge external hard drives are very cheap now. buy a decent scanner, and start scanning old files, then shredding the paper files. Hey, you could even pay some teenage neighbor to cut the magazine spines, and scan in those, if you really can't bear to part with them.

That's what I've done. Started scanning a few years ago. Still have some old paper files to scan. Doing it myself to save money, but it takes time so it's a gradual process. I throw out magazines, but for my old National Geographics, I take them to a local senior residence place, a few at a time. The Director said the residents love them. They may be old editions but they aren't that out of date. I kept the maps though. Love maps.

This is just my opinion, "because of the programming tools used in programming ATX it would require a different programming approach to overcome some of the lag in ATX."

I am agreeing taxit comments, same experience.

Yes, I have a lag when trying to print the complete return, not in the printing part but in the preparatory part.

I'm no programming guru, but I think the ATX program is a spreadsheet type of language and therefore slower. Especially, when you have a more complex return with more forms, depreciation schedules, multiple states, etc.

Eric - others -

Comments, please

From my perspective, I'll just have to see how it plays out. I understand it will be for net books at first. Later, maybe desktops. It'll take a lot to dethrone MS. A big question for me is the applications and compatibility. Similar to the Mac/Windows differences.

How many small desktop users are using Linux? How many of our apps are practical with Linux?

One other suggestion.

Drill down in "My Computer" to the ATX 2008 program (or which ever year you are accessing). When you open that program folder, you will find a folder inside named "Database." This folder contains all of th current year's returns. You can simply copy and past this folder to whatever location you wish.

If you are storing multiple years' "Database" folders in the same location, be sure to rename the pasted folder to identify the year, e.g., "Datebase 2008." To restore this stored database folder, be sure to rename it again to simply "Database" once it is back in the program folder - to be sure the program will find it when you open a return.

Every year ATX program has a "Database" folder that contains the returns from the Return Manager screen.

Exactly what is the difference in the ATX folders named 'Backup' and 'Database'? Should we be including both of these folders in our backup procedures?

I have backed up all my returns each time I shut down the program. I am now wanting to back up all the returns to a different location and can not for the life of me figure out how to do that. I want to backup to separate hard drive and to a thumb drive. We are thinking of getting a new pc this year. Any help would be appreciated.

Can't you just use the Explore directory? Under Program Files, ATX2008, Backup subfile. Copy it to the location you want on your hard drive or flash drive.

Randall,

I've had Windows Vista ever since it came out. I have had no problems with any year's version of ATX products working with it. I have ATX products back to the the 1998 tax-filing season loaded on that computer.

Wayne Brasch

Thanks Wayne. How new is your computer? If I understand the technical jargon, there's 32 bit and 64 bit hardware and there's 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Vista. There have been some comments here about trouble with the 64 bit version and ATX. Do you know if you have 32 or 64. I'd like to zoom up to the 64 bit system but I don't want to have to gerry rig things. I like easy but I like the latest and greatest stuff too.

Randall, the PC has Vista, but when booted up, it shows Microsoft Windows XP. So I ASSUME that

the OS is XP.

Thanks. I was just curious. I plan to get a new computer later in the year. Windows 7 is scheduled out by the holidays but that could be delayed. Then there will probably be all the usual problems with that as well. I'd prefer not to get the new OS until SP1 is out. And ATX, QB, Peachtree usually are a year (version) behind. There's been a lot of negative talk about Vista but I wonder if that's just the techies doing their usual thing.

Morning, everybody. Purchased a new computer, and am trying to access the ATX programs/files that are stored

on external drives. I click the Start, Run, Browse, and access the external drives. Then,when I double click the

ATX Icon, I get the following message:

Run-time Error '429'

ActiveX component can't

create object

Does anybody know what I'm doing wrong? I have ATX program/files back to 1999 that are stored

on the external drives that I would like to put Icons for on the desktop.

Thanks in advance.

Booger

What operating system did you purchase? Vista? 32 bit? 64 bit?

I have a colleague that is considering switching to ATX. She is on dial-up with no plans for high-speed internet. Do the updates run smoothly, especially during tax season?

Thanks for any info.

Lori

I hope there are no dial up users out here. I know one poster didn't have a choice at one time. But DSL is slow enough at times. I'd hate to think about using dial up.

I know TaxSlayer may be a bit of a nuisance to some of us, but I think they have the best marketing program of any software provider out there. I admire their tenacity. It's low-key but persistent; a difficult balance to maintain when marketing to professionals.

I've evaluated their software and from what I've seen they would probably be just below Drake in my order of choices if I ever left ATX. It isn't likely to happen, but if they developed a true forms-based product they'd probably jump ahead of Drake.

They keep themselves especially well-positioned to pick off tax preparers who are disgruntled with their current provider. They seem to be anticipating that sort of thing happening on a wholesale basis in the future. Anyone besides me wonder why they think that way...?

I can only guess that they see a lot of the smaller programs being bought by the bigger companies. Do you know if they are independently owned? I'm like you. I don't anticipate in changing from ATX. But you never kinow what might happen. I've got Drake on my mental list and was just wondering about TaxSlayer. I hope I'm outta of here by the time I would feel the need to switch.

I second what Catherine has said. When I was on the sales team with ATX (back in 2001-2002) I requested a demo just so I could compare who I was competing with, and it never fails. Every year I receive many postcards and often times I'm still getting demo CD's.

I've never contacted them but receive their postcard as well as from others. I'm not planning to change from ATX unless the program goes down or the price jumps quite a bit. I hate and dread to change. But I like to keep a mental note of the alternatives. I think Drake would be high on my list if I were to make a change some day. I like to take note of comments on various programs.

Interesting questions. I've wondered about the business model on both sides of this too. If you believe some of the info a few years ago, there were about 70,000 ATX users. Of course, not all would purchase the full package. CCH must have paid a pretty penny to purchase ATX. So, they need to recoup that with as much profit margin as possible. I can understand why they got rattled with TRX selling the product so cheaply. They were probably hearing a stampede coming.

It's likely that you'll have more than one type of slot. Go with PCI Express 16x if you can. If it's in there, it's always the one on top.

Here's a picture of an actual motherboard. The top one is PCIe 16x, the next two are PCIe 1x, and the other three are just plain PCI. No idea why the last one is red, probably just for looks.

Wow. This is when I call my techie. I'll try to troubleshoot the software and the paripheral equipment (plug and play stuff). But opening the box, it's all greek to me.

Anyone know about the TaxSlayer software?

I deciede to have dual monitors.

I remember you guys talked about dual monitors. But, I don't know how to do it.

My computer (pentium dual-core, 64bit system)'s video card (Intel® G33/G31 Express Chipset Family) doesn't support dual card.

What do I need for dual monitors? Which brand is good for my computer?

Any adivice is greatly appreciated.

I'm not a techie. I think the better way is to have a techie upgrade your system. But a few years ago, I purchased a low priced monitor. I didn't have an extra port on my computer to plug in the 2nd monitor. I purchased an adaptor (Tritan), plugged the monitor into the adaptor, plugged the adaptor into my computer using an available USB port. The adaptor came with software that allows me to use the 2nd monitor as an extension of the 1st, a mirror of the 1st, or even as the primary (with the 1st monitor as the secondary). It has worked well for me. Low cost and I was able to do it myself.

I plan to buy a new system later this year and make sure I have the availability to go with at least two monitors, maybe three.

"Sorry for the delay"

Was that the way the show always ended?

Didn't it always end with the two sitting still on horseback, saying to each other, 'Ah, Ceeesco, ah, Pancho!

Then there was a song back in the 70s or so. I can't remember the name or group but they kept singing the refrain,

'The Cisco Kid was a friend of mine'

Diablo, spanish for devil.

I've never e-filed extensions before but I'm trying to same some time. Is this the ATX procedure: Open the return, open Form 4868, go to the efile tab, input the pin, etc. Wait for acceptance notice just as with the 1040?

With the paper extensions, there's no signature requirement. I'm assuming there's nothing for the efiled extension?

I realize a payment may be needed on some, but I think I'll go with the paper extensions for those clients.

Then there's a different address if you agree and are sending a check from the address if you disagree and are not sending a check. I had a recent situation where we agreed with some changes but not all. I advised the client to send a check for what I calculated with the agreed items. I didn't know which address to use. I chose one, can't remember off the top of my head, but I think it was the address to send with payment. Haven't heard back yet.

On the W-2 earnings summary of a RR employee (not in the W2 boxes), there is a list of income items minus the pretax items with total earnings amount which matches amount in box 1 for taxable wages. Listed below that amount is a negative shown as deductions for meal allowance.

What is this? As presented, it seems it would be an after tax deduction from the employee's pay. But would the employer charge the employee? Wouldn't they pay the employee? Or note this as a deduction before taxable amount (pre-tax)? Or show in W2 code L?

Anyone know about this?

I know there have been a lot of posts on this topic. I tried looking back to find my issue.

Client divorced in 2008. He gets to claim all three children for 2008. The IRS site is showing a $1500 stimulus payment. The site says if his filing status is something other than married joint, use $750 to calculate his recovery rebate credit for 2008? This calculates to $1500 minus $750, giving him another $750. Am I missing something.

I know if the couple was already divorced, each might end up getting the amount for the same child in the two different years, but this one seems a little different.