Medlin Software, Dennis

Finally, I managed to have a snappy, to me, response to "How do I contact a live person?" "There is no one here who is dead, so every message you get from us is from a live person." --- This was from someone who has sent a dozen or more messages, over the last 24 hours, all with a reply address which is not valid, so I doubt they will ever see my reply.

Makes me think. Our first official order was in 1984, $35. Currently, for the most similar program, the price is $79. In 1984, we calculated and filled in preprinted paychecks. Paper "reports" were printed to get figures to enter into tax forms. W2 fill in was possible, if you or we knew the proper "printer control codes" for the brand and model of printer being used. Inflation charts tell me I should be charging about $105. But nope, and we have exponentially more functions/features than 1984. -- The reality is, there is usually one code base these days, with the ability to hide/disable things if you want a lite or different "versions". The cost is actually MORE, to produce the lesser versions (time adding/testing the code to hide/disable things). The savings of a lite version are often from reduced support costs via restrictions on support in some manner (the cost of one long support issue can take a couple of years for the customer's license fee to recoup). -- Written as I chuckle to myself pondering pricing. I just filled up our EV for under $10 (~250 miles) and tomorrow, I get to fill up our ICE, about 30 gallons at $5.80 per, good for about 600 miles. The last time I got gas, it was at least a dollar less per gallon. We would have no ICE car, except it is the one SWMBO allows the pups in, and it can be flat towed behind our motorhome. We have no room for a car trailer or I would get a second EV to drag around on trips. I am allowed to keep our Wrangler, carbureted, 4WD, top and doors off, and I get to use the third pedal!

After our retired racers started to pass, we were able to get our hands on two ~75/25% Greyhound/Whippets which were saved from the meat trade in a certain country. Some elders in that area still eat dog, and they have big markets where dogs are sold by the pound. Don't look this up online unless you are ready for what you will see. One of our greyhounds was a "Macau" dog, rescued at about 30lbs, with a good weight of 75. She lasted just under 2 years with us, likely because of being emaciated for two to five years while being "stored" in a back kennel at the Macau track. We call them our "littles" since they weigh 40-45 lbs. Much easier to pick up, especially when I think about picking them up 10 years from now. (Racing greyhounds are 60-100lbs in "retirement".) Most thankfully, our first racing Greyhound was an alpha female. She was able to train the littles into good house dogs in her final months, as a perfect purpose when her two prior house mates passed. There is something to be said about having an older dog break in the noobs. The littles spend most of my work days near me on fluffy dog ball/beds. There is something special about watching (and feeling) a free animal (such as a Greyhound) with the flexible spine, running (double suspension gait) at full song.

I do get emails with things like (literally) "Help", "I cannot print", or "How do I pay my taxes". Over the years, I have built a custom automated reply system for the most common messages. I do track those who seem to ask excessive questions. They are thankfully few, and often indicate no experience or training ahead of time (with payroll processing) and will usually end up with a refund and a suggestion to hire out their payroll until they can get trained. Back when our customer count was beginning to grow, we could take orders on the phone and manually input them, we would spend time on the phone with most, but it actually was a detriment if one considers the time spent per customer and what our time costs (either to replace, or in lost productivity with other tasks). I am not saying support is a money loser, but the best use of support budget is preventing the contact in the first place by programming skills, FAQ, proactive emails, etc. It is also the best for the customer, as no customer (well, not those one should keep) asks for help before spending time trying to figure it out themselves and are likely at a low simmer (at least) when they reach out.

For me. A dollar fee does not prevent calls for things not in my realm of support. It anything, it makes the process worse, as those who pay expect to monopolize my time, even beyond what they paid for. They do not like hearing no, that is not anything to do with my software - but I cannot refund you because you still called and took my time. The reality is, again for me, email is the only fair method, and workable. Anything I could answer over the phone is rare, and well documented already, and the other issues usually require images, backups, or a written-out reply (so it can be followed properly). Then there is the fairness. Should somebody who calls jump the line of those who write, and how much to charge for that effect.

Holding your ground is a good thing. Erosion (I am a left coaster so it is physical as well as mental) hurts.

I have always agreed with your statement. My threshold gets lower and lower every day. For instance, I have a hard line of end of relationship when a customer sends me something my granddaughter should not see. It is a matter of being professional/business-like, as well as liking to have her in play in the room when I am working.

It is very peaceful to let go of those whose revenue does not cover their expense and headache. Although long ago someone here said there is a price which makes any client worth having, and our job is to get that full price.

Probably. The tribe should have the ability to not 1099 if the item is not taxable. Giving a 1099 tells the recipient the amount is being reported as income. A perfect comparison in IHHS (at least what they call it in CA) to care for someone in their home. Those living in the same home as the client (say a parent caring for an adult child, or vice versa) make a statement to the county affirming they live in the same home (which means the amount received is not taxable wages) and no 1099 is generated. Without that statement, a 1099 is issued. Ultimately, the facts determine taxability, even receiving a 1099 does not mean taxable (say if the letter was not prepared or the payer still issued a 1099). Depending on your engagement, you might accept the 1099 as fact, and leave it up to your client to prove non-taxability. Or maybe your client has engaged you to investigate.

While a member of a tribe, my tribe does not make direct payments. Likely depends on the source of the funds. Gaming revenue is likely taxable. Trust fund income is not likely taxable.

The latest is no win 12 this year. There was recent news about the cost of the esa for 10. There may be a big update to 11 in the fall.

Unless there is some exception (real estate agents?), commission is fine, but still have to monitor and make up, if less than min wage for all time worked. Likely some federal rule to start, then possibly modified by state rules. These days, with CA and ABC, and what DOL is doing/trying to do to somewhat align federal with CA, everyone should be considered an employee unless an exception can be mapped out case by case. Payroll is more complicated than ever, with many unqualified people handling payroll using the employer's choice of "magic" software (the kind which says or implies no knowledge is needed. (Sound familiar to tax preparer's world?) In a group of payroll "pros", who pay to be part of the group, there are multiple posts, daily, asking essentially why they should withhold for the worked in state, even if the company is located in another state. Granted, many of the posters are new, but even needing to ask in a forum tells me how little the employer is aware that the software or online processor they use is "doing" for them. Today, one of the posts was about a payroll software which allowed allocation of wages by state, with another which somehow was allocating some by worked in state and lived in state. neither is correct, since one has to track time worked at each location, and where an employee lives/gets mail is not material.

If a single stand alone, no one really does. Repair or fixes, sure, but first letting the updates run, after they are done manually checking, until no more are left, is good to self do. Same with blowing/vacuuming (depending on one's preference/belief) is a self project. The random computer "expert" is likely going to connect remotely, run some sort of script, and may or may not fix anything, and may or may not cause more problems. One (in)famous "expert" service is well known for causing more problems, as their default is to do some sort of backup on removable media, a clean wipe and reinstall of Windows, then send you on your way with only their faulty backup to work from (they do not back up everything, just the common things, and they rarely help restore).

I try to manually checks for updates every Wednesday. I do it just before lunch, and let it run if needed. If you do not keep relatively current, there can be many updates needed, and in some cases, they are done in specific order, with multiple reboots some of the time. Another goodie is to reboot your modem (or modem/router) at least once a month. I am also using a consumer/pro grade physical firewall box (to allow two internet connections to be live at the same time and) to block access to places other than the US, incoming or outgoing. (I did have to add an exception for a game SWMBO plays.) Make sure you are not sleeping/hibernating/power off until the updates are complete, or they may have to start over. When I notice a significant update, after it is done, I will manually check again in case the new update triggers another. I do not use the option to get the latest updates quicker (a quasi beta tester). I do not use any third party "security" software, as such software is often the cause of issues - the security built into Windows is great as is, better than you can get third party if you setup correctly. My new fav, now that I finally am using Pro Windows, is the brute force safe bit locker drive boot pin, and the walk away with my phone computer lock. For the fan, look online for hints how to clean your air paths and fan. They do need to be cleaned out on occasion. For me, I use portable computers, and I prop them up to improve air flow, versus sitting flat on a desk or my lap.

If the person believes their name only will protect the funds, good luck. DD to an account in their own name is the safest. Especially in a community property state. Practically speaking, anyone can scribble on / stamp a paper check. No one is looking unless someone complains. I have my daughter sign any incoming checks "deposit only", not that it adds any security either.

My hair skipped grey and went directly white (sans color). But then again, I have hair, so no complaints - other than the cost of a cut. I say it is from kids, they stole the energy I used to have, as well as my hair color . For me, the "days" are the W2 deadline date, and every quarterly deadline date. But, as someone told me so long ago, there is NO such thing as an accounting emergency. No ambulances come, no specialists are on call, etc.

As part of swapping to a different main computer, I looked again at securing my computer in case it is not there (for any reason) when I need it next. The short: Ditch using sleep, and change to hibernate or power off only AND implement a bitlocker drive PIN. A bit more trouble than relying only on the Windows login (and normal bitlocker), but WAY more secure. What? The bitlocker PIN is the most secure consumer friendly option we have. It has worthwhile and very good brute force protection. You will need a Pro or Enterprise edition of Windows. Hibernate gives some speed improvement to restart (over power on), while sleep given no security protection other than your Windows login (if you are using one). There are some other things to look into, hardware dependent (such as blocking port access while not past security). It may even be this setting (bitlocker with pin) would better meet (or be hard to defend not using, for those who have to have) a data security plan. --- For me, I still need a device on 24/7, at least in sleep mode (which allows an app to keep running), but that will be changing soon. So for now, I have my always on computer only having limited information, so no real harm if it disappears, and my main is either in use, in hibernate, or off. Indeed, another login screen can be annoying, but I set mine up so I can one hand the entry fairly fast, with a reasonably obscure non dictionary "pin", so it takes only a few seconds. Even the time to de hibernate is not bad once I got used to it, I can always use a few seconds to declutter my desk.

A couple weeks in with the Asus Duo. Nice! The only oddity is the screen's dimensions, but there are a couple of monitors which are 1:1 for the size, so no real worries. The one I am looking at will even handle two inputs so my main and backup are more easily used. I already have a keyboard and mouse which can handle three devices on the fly. But the real discovery/oversight is something I will post in a separate topic.

Joking about things most will agree are wrong is not funny. I am completely embarrassed at being male, given that not every male fails to give or promote their opinion on matters applying only to a gender we cannot possibly understand. For offensive, I am sensitive to "you" as it was THE nasty word to ever tell an umpire, and I cringe when I hear "off the reservation". Sadly, it is relatively common, in public service even, for someone who acts outside of the accepted norms/practices.

So maybe the "normal" fee for the actual return, and to set the bar for hopeful retention, and some sort of likely "catch up" fee for getting and dealing with any earlier information needed, onboarding, etc. When I took outside payroll clients, that is what I was doing as well, a regular ongoing fee and a fee for setup.

To be translucent: It seems there will be no Windows 12 per se later this year, just a major upgrade to the current Windows 11. So for me, even the upcoming new surface machines did not get my attention. But, what did, was the ASUS ZenBook Duo 2024, which was just left at my door. The dual screens are perfect for me, maybe even to rid the separate monitor. The Surface Pro convertible is a great machine, but it does not work well as a laptop itself (meaning on an actual lap). I dis look at a competing dual screen, but I could not get past the country of origin of the competitor. I have always preferred portrait orientation for what I do, and this new machine looks perfect. I'll still likely use my old trusty keyboard, but they have a similar layout (option) which has lighted keys and mouse area which has caught my eye. I like a track ball for most use, not the pad, so I'll stick with that too. As with the surface, the pop out "leg" has a raised edge, which is a great for a special cable lock when I need it. I will likely miss the convertible aspect, but if the screens are as nice as I think, the screens will be in place of my monitor, so I will actually gain some desk space in the corner of the visitor/granddaughter room which used to be my office. The new intel chip is a good part of what got me to be willing to go through a computer move yet again. I opted for the core ultra 7, as it is more than enough for my needs, and the core ultra 9 uses more power/produces more heat, and may not even be able to function at full song because of the form factor of the device. The screens are not so bit I needed the extra resolution with the upgraded model, as I tens to use either lower res or more mag anyway, so I can work without special specs.

And their lobbyists and those who have a featherbed position (such as overseeing a local tax), etc. Thus the (un)common sense rule tax simplification will NEVER happen. We face this all the time, and no one wants it - simplification. CA passed a rule for utilities to be more fair, which essentially means an access fee, then rates (lower) per usage. I suspect anti solar (the utilities themselves) were in on this as lowering the usage rates helps kill solar adoption. Fair?, likely, assuming all were to play nice and really come up with a realistic access fee. BUT, the rule was also tasked with paying for discounts, not increasing cost for certain groups, etc. So even what could have been a straigt access/usage plan got "played" with, and now, most of the people subject to this new rule want it to be revisited - the old dance with what you know because of fear you will be the one skewered by that nasty old "change".

As a 2x admin, I communicated only through the JD I retained. While it was cold, it prevented any sort of direct arguments. It was awful, including having to force one relative out of a home they essentially were using as a squat. The squatter has at least 1mil of ready cash, and for about three years now, has not cashed a check from the estate, or made attempt to convert, >100k. But it did help get me to revisit my own plans and clean up a few things. We went with a plan which allows editing on the fly (sort of a subscription) as it fits us for the next decade or so. No worry about how much a small revision would cost.

Real estate on the coasts, vacation areas, and other high demand markets, bears no relationship to reality. Multiplied by real estate in areas which limit growth. Exponentially if said area is desirable. Then multiply again if politics are involved (such as CA Prop 13). Many of us boomers who scrimped and ramen'ed our way to home ownership are equity (and for those who were wise) interest rate locked into our homes. Home ownership, post pandemic, is likely going to drift to something none of us have seen before, with the remote work aspect reaching many who cannot afford to air commute. There is a reason small towns are having a tough time, and the ability of affordable homes and a lower cost of living has zip to do with it.

The employer is the place to ask. I am sure we could come up with some possibilities, but our guesses will not help your client.