Jack from Ohio Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 I was chosen to be a member of the Consumer Advisory Board. This is a group of ATX users from around the country that will meet in Kennesaw next week. The board is intended to bring input to the ATX developers and upper management about issues that affect us and for recommendations we would like to see in next year's software. Now here is where I need everyone to be civil. I am TOTALLY AWARE of all the shortcomings of the 2012 software. No need to send me a list of all the issues. I am totally immersed in the beta testing and have been VERY vocal and straight with them about these shortcomings and what they are doing to correct them. What I would like from everyone, is a list of viable and reasonable additions and changes you would like to see in the 2013 software. I will take each non-abusive recommendation seriously and present it to them. I am considering this an honor and opportunity to help all the ATX users. Send me PMs with your suggestions. I promise to give them the proper attention and pass them along. There will be internet access there, so I will be able to check in. If you send me a PM, I will give you my e-mail address for quicker communication. I am taking this opportunity seriously. I will ignore anyone who chooses to be rude and insulting. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklcpa Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Congratulations on being chosen, Jack. I know you will be thorough in your testing and won't hold back in voicing your opinion and concerns, and that is what is needed. It's a shame that so many of this forum's users are absent during this time of the year and probably won't see this. Is there a reason why you prefer the PMs and to not see suggestions posted here other than for expediency or to contain the emotions? Even though I'm not a current user, I'd kind of like to see suggested enhancements, and I might consider ATX again in future if the problems are worked out. It was an awesome program. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted September 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Congratulations on being chosen, Jack. I know you will be thorough in your testing and won't hold back in voicing your opinion and concerns, and that is what is needed. It's a shame that so many of this forum's users are absent during this time of the year and probably won't see this. Is there a reason why you prefer the PMs and to not see suggestions posted here other than for expediency or to contain the emotions? Even though I'm not a current user, I'd kind of like to see suggested enhancements, and I might consider ATX again in future if the problems are worked out. It was an awesome program. Too many angry inconsiderate posters. If you have suggestions, I will forward them while I am there. If you did not use ATX in 2012, I'm not sure what additions or changes you could suggest?? Suggestions forwarded to CCH is not an indication of what may be changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry O Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Good Luck Jack! Will be looking forward to reading your comments after the meting! Keep us informed please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted September 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Good Luck Jack! Will be looking forward to reading your comments after the meting! Keep us informed please. I will bring back as much information from the meeting as I possible can. I will share the recommendations I receive here with the same emphasis as if they were all my own. They WILL hear about them. Stay tuned. I may be online while I am there. Their center has WiFi in the whole building. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd Hudson Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Just a workable product. Enhancements seem to complicate things. I use ATX mainly because of input method and having ALL forms fed and state. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAMalody Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 I would like to see the cover page printed before the letter when you print out the return. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catax Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 How do I send Jack a PM? Just a reply? Catax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb39 Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Click on his picture. The second tab over says "Send me a message". Click on that and type your message and send. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catax Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted September 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 I have received several responses with many good suggestions. In fact, a couple of people have duplicated requests. This will be good when I present them at the meetings. Keep those responses coming! No issue too small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeM Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 WHEN IF EVER WILL WE BE ABLE TO KEY IN A ZIP CODE AND THE CITY AND STATE WILL APPEAR, IT SEEMS TO BE IN EVERY OTHER TAX PACKAGE FOR YEARS NOW. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted September 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 WHEN IF EVER WILL WE BE ABLE TO KEY IN A ZIP CODE AND THE CITY AND STATE WILL APPEAR, IT SEEMS TO BE IN EVERY OTHER TAX PACKAGE FOR YEARS NOW. I will add this with an exclamation mark! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HV Ken Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 Looking forward to meeting you in Kennesaw, Jack! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn EA USTCP in Louisiana Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 I would like the format for the k-1 inputs (where you enter recourse/nonrecourse/capital/ etc. for 1065 and 1120S to be vertical pages instead of the horizontal line. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxxcpa Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 WHEN IF EVER WILL WE BE ABLE TO KEY IN A ZIP CODE AND THE CITY AND STATE WILL APPEAR, IT SEEMS TO BE IN EVERY OTHER TAX PACKAGE FOR YEARS NOW. This has pros and cons with Drake software. Sometimes two smaller towns have the same zip code. The program selects just one, which may not be the one you want. There is a fix, but it is needed so seldom, you forget how to fix it and spend a lot of time re-learning it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 I would like the format for the k-1 inputs (where you enter recourse/nonrecourse/capital/ etc. for 1065 and 1120S to be vertical pages instead of the horizontal line. There does seem to be a bit of bipolar here... in the "Detail" pages for various items (interest, dividends, W-2's, whatever) some of them are horizontal format and some are vertical. I almost don't care which (although I do prefer horizontal) BUT they really should standardize on one or the other. It's more than a bit jarring to enter stuff (or double check prior entries) in one format and then have to turn your brain 90 degrees to check another type of information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanmcq Posted September 15, 2013 Report Share Posted September 15, 2013 I hate the horizontal entry. Too much scrolling, and it's impossible to see the whole entry screen. At least with Sch. D/8949 I've got a choice to use the entry screen or the detail screen. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richcpaman Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 Jack: I would like some improvements in the Return Manager: Ability to track Multiple Status's across the period oftime the return is in the office. We have ONE Status block. Give us five to ten. So I can have the Date in, Date entered in computer, date asked client for info, Date Reviewed, Date Completed, Date delivered, Date Efiled, Date Final, etc. Let me control the titles.. Allow us to have the appointment Date and time on the Return Manager, so I can use the return manager to track appoinments, and then have those in the organizer. Bring over formatting of the Client letter from year to year so I do not have to spend three hours recreating it. Make it work on a network. Allow me to save the "Dear "client name" formating from year to year. Make all the "Jumps" work if you click on them. YOu ahve a number you don't understand where it came from and the "Jump" link doesn't work... Well, that's a start. Rich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklcpa Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 Rich, ATX has always had the ability to customize the return manager. I had columns set up similar to what you've described for return tracking, and ATX also allows the user to delete any of the predefined columns too. With the return manager open, click on the "Options" menu at the top and choose "Customize Fields". A box will open with columns currently displayed with check marks. It should be self-explanatory. In that same box, scroll down to the bottom and you'll see where you can add more columns and name them anything you wish. ATX also allows the columns to be rearranged in a different order also. Sorry for the slight hijack, Jack. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmars Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 Rich, ATX has always had the ability to customize the return manager. I had columns set up similar to what you've described for return tracking, and ATX also allows the user to delete any of the predefined columns too. With the return manager open, click on the "Options" menu at the top and choose "Customize Fields". A box will open with columns currently displayed with check marks. It should be self-explanatory. In that same box, scroll down to the bottom and you'll see where you can add more columns and name them anything you wish. ATX also allows the columns to be rearranged in a different order also. Sorry for the slight hijack, Jack. In regards to this.....the customized columns should roll over each year. You have to rename them each year even though the prior entries roll over. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted September 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 Missed my 12:30 flight. (several reasons, none work for an excuse) Next flight at 4:30. What to do in the airport for 3 hours!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanmcq Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 Surf ATX communities of course! Walk the airport; good exercise. Not good if you're dragging suitcases though. Drink your favorite beverage watch annoying TV get a book from the bookseller. do not get 'Game of Thrones' or you will do nothing but read it for the next few days and then rush out to the bookstore and buy the next 5. (Orlando trip this summer-walked 2.5 miles in bad shoes to get installment #2) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted September 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 Surf ATX communities of course! Walk the airport; good exercise. Not good if you're dragging suitcases though. Drink your favorite beverage watch annoying TV get a book from the bookseller. do not get 'Game of Thrones' or you will do nothing but read it for the next few days and then rush out to the bookstore and buy the next 5. (Orlando trip this summer-walked 2.5 miles in bad shoes to get installment #2) Study for my E.A. exam? Beat on the beta program some more? Free WiFi here with total access. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmars Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 here in NY you can get a massage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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