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Quicken 2008 Premier [OLD VERSION] by Intuit
Software SummaryManufacturer: Intuit Brand: Intuit Format: CD-ROM Release Date: 2007-09-09 Platform: Windows XP Product features: - Includes all the features of Quicken Deluxe, plus powerful investing tools to help you plan for your financial future and grow your investments
- Make online banking even better--bring all your online accounts together in one place
- Connect to your bank, credit card, 401(k)s, or brokerage accounts with a single password
- Smart investment tools help you research, balance your portfolio and monitor your net worth
- Organize your tax information and help maximize deductions
Software Reviews of Quicken 2008 Premier [OLD VERSION]Customer Review: Don't they test their products? Summary: 3 Stars
I'm giving this 3 stars because, even though at the moment it's more like a 1 or 2 due to a couple bugs that affect me, they might not affect others...and without those bugs, I'd say it is a 3...maybe better.
Let me start out by saying that I've been using Quicken since 1995. For a while it got better, but the last couple versions have gotten worse -- not feature-wise (features are very good), but quality-wise....at least initially until there had been several patches via the auto-update.
Now for the PROBLEMS. I've been using this for under two weeks and have already found two bugs that I consider significant. I'm what I would consider a very technical computer user (software engineer by trade):
BUG #1: If you password-protect your data file within Quicken, then *scheduled* one-step updates will fail. (Manually started one-step updates work fine.) When the scheduled update fails, the icon in the task bar will indicate a failure, but when you go into Quicken, the update summary does not (everything is "green")...until you notice that the "last updated" times haven't changed for any accounts. Worse, Intuit wasn't even aware of this issue. It took a lot of going back and forth with them wasting my time checking things that I knew was okay, before I got frustrated with them and did my own experimenting and determined the real cause of my scheduled backup failures. I reported my findings to them four days ago and haven't heard back. (I got quick responses when they wanted me to try useless stuff, but nothing when I identified a real bug of theirs.) The good new is that if you don't put a password on the quicken file, the scheduled updates work fine...or if you are someone that prefers to update manually, then they'll also always work. So, though a bug that indicates to me they didn't test this very well, it's not something that will affect everyone.
BUG #2: Backups refuse to recognize my DVD-RW media. I'm using the same DVD-RW drive and same DVD-RW disc (UDF formatted, so it looks like any other disc) that was working fine for Quicken2005 , but Quicken's backup tells me that there is no "CD" in the drive and asks me to insert one -- this is AFTER, within Quicken, I browsed to the drive and navigated into the folder I wanted the backup placed. (Obviously, there is a disc in the drive!) I even tried a new, freshly formatted disc. Furthermore, I can read/write/create/delete files on that DVD-RW from everywhere else.
I just reported this bug to Intuit an hour ago, so I have no response yet. Hopefully it won't be something stupid to try, like how things started out from them when I reported the issue with scheduled updates failing.
On the bright side, they did respond quickly and were friendly...just not too helpful.
>> UPDATE 2/14/08 <<
I have to admit, Intuit does respond quickly -- I've already gotten two replies from them in under 24 hours. The bad news is their response made it obvious they didn't read the problem description (their solution was to put in a new CD and format it -- which I already had told them I did for both a DVD+RW and a CD-RW disk, not to mention that I told them I could read/write/create/delete files from everywhere else, but not use Quicken't backup. Their second response failed to acknowledge there was any problem (even though it worked on Quicken2002 and Quicken2005, but broke in Quicken2008), and told me to back up to the HDD first, then copy the files to the CD-RW or DVD+RW using Windows. I used to think of Intuit as a great company with good quality products. That opinion is rapidly changing, and has already changed in respect to the quality of their technical support. I'm hoping they can change my opinion back by simply acknowledging the bug and telling me it will be fixed in an upcoming patch.
>> END OF UPDATE <<
I sure hope I don't keep finding more bugs! It's annoying enough to be forced into buying an upgrade in order to keep using a feature (online access), but when that updgrade has problems you didn't have before, it's just salt in the wound! (This loyal customer of 13 years is starting to question his loyalty....but I've heard bad things about MS-Money, too. What happened to quality?)
BUT HOW ABOUT THE FEATURES?
Okay, let's talk about that a little bit. If / when they get the bugs fixed, I would say 2008 is an improvement over 2005 (the last version I had). The user interface is more intuitive with a nicer layout. The features that I had before (at least those I used) are still there and work as well or better (except for those two bugs). There are also some new features that show promise, but honestly, I haven't tried them yet. I use Quicken to track my checking, savings and credit card accounts, as well as watch values in my 401K and a similar account, but I don't use it for much else (for example, I don't set up a budget / savings plan in it). Maybe some other reviewer can touch on those features....or maybe I'll update this review if I ever try them out.
Since I started out by complaining about bugs, I should also point out that Intuit also fixed a bug that plagued me for the past 3 years -- since I upgraded from 2002 to 2005. A bug they gave me a workaround for, but kept creeping back up. With 2005, some transactions that had already cleared and been reconciled (they were my paycheck deposits), would always be matched with newly downloaded transactions instead of it matching the new transactions with those in the register that had the same date as what was downloaded, and which had not already been reconciled. Go figure! Finally, after 3 years of having to un-match and manually rematch, that problem is gone.....or at least it hasn't popped up yet. Then again, I've only had two paychecks since I started using 2008....but I have high hopes it really is gone.
Description of Quicken 2008 Premier [OLD VERSION]Get the tools you need for smarter, simpler investment planning and portfolio management. By bringing all of your important financial information together in one place, Quicken Premier helps you more efficiently optimize your investment portfolio, simplify taxes and grow your net worth. Get the tools you need for smarter, simpler investment planning and portfolio management. By bringing all of your important financial information together in one place, Quicken Premier helps you more efficiently optimize your investment portfolio, simplify taxes and grow your net worth. Powerful investment tools help you define goals, set targets and optimize your investment portfolio. | Keep track of your complete financial portfolio with Quicken Premier's Net Worth Report. | The latest asset allocation and investing guidelines to help you compare your portfolio to market averages, evaluate potential stock purchases and make smarter investment decisions. | View all your finances in one place. | Plan your future. Manage your investments. Watch your net worth grow. Quicken Premier has all of the features of Quicken Deluxe--plus investment planning tools to help better manage your portfolio and help maximize your investments. Get the most out of your investments Powerful investment tools help you define goals, set targets and optimize your investment portfolio. Get alerts on your favorite stocks and funds to help you make informed investment decisions. Instantly view your net worth Keep track of your complete financial portfolio with Quicken Premier's Net Worth Report. Gain insight into your investments with performance charts and reports. Access the latest asset allocation assistance Our exclusive investing tools have been updated with the latest asset allocation and investing guidelines to help you compare your portfolio to market averages, evaluate potential stock purchases and make smarter investment decisions. Optimize your portfolio with tax efficient investments Quicken's Tax Reports make it easy to evaluate and ensure your investments are as tax efficient as possible, helping you get the maximum tax benefits on April 15th. View all your finances in one place Like Quicken Deluxe, you can bring your online accounts--including banking, credit card, loan, 401(k), and investing accounts--together all in one place. Avoid the hassle of going to multiple web sites and remembering multiple passwords. With Quicken, you see it all in one place and you need just ONE password.(1) As with Quicken Deluxe, you can even include 529 contributions as part of your overall net worth. See where you're spending your money As with Quicken Deluxe, the new "My Savings Plan" instantly shows a summary of your actual spending and compares it to what you planned to spend for the month. Quickly understand what's left over each month for you to invest. Pay your bills on time Like Quicken Deluxe, a monthly calendar of your paychecks, bills and expenses helps you schedule bills, set reminders and--most importantly--help avoid late fees. Easily pay bills right from within Quicken using Quicken Bill Pay or a third party bill pay service.(2) Store important documents and statements in one place As with Deluxe, not only can you bring your online data into Quicken Premier, you can scan in bank statements, checks and receipts to save time with tax prep. No more time wasted looking for receipts and statements--everything is stored in one central place. Get free support when you buy, install or upgrade Quicken (3) If you need help purchasing, installing or upgrading your new software, free phone support is available for Quicken Premier 2008 through December 31, 2008. What's New in 2008 Maximize your investments - New! Get the latest asset allocation assistance
Our exclusive investing tools have been updated with the latest asset allocation and investing guidelines to help you compare your portfolio to market averages, evaluate potential stock purchases and make smarter investment decisions. Make saving as easy as spending - New! See where you can find more to invest
As with Quicken Deluxe, A new "My Savings Plan" instantly shows a summary of your actual spending and compares it to what you planned to spend for the month. You can quickly see where you have room to spend or save more. Set flexible spending targets for regular expenses like entertainment and home expenses and then check your progress as you go through the month. - Improved! More easily categorize your expenses
As in Quicken Deluxe, a reorganized and redesigned menu makes it easier than ever to categorize your expenses. You can also add extra details to any expense to help jog your memory--i.e., the specific restaurant for a dining expense or the trip destination for an airline ticket. - Improved! Smarter navigation makes it easier access the tools you need
Like Quicken Deluxe, easier navigation makes it faster to get around and discover the features and tools that work best for you. Tabs let you quickly switch between Quicken's main pages. And a new interactive account bar makes it clear which of your accounts you are working with at any given moment. Track everything in one place - Improved! More connections to more financial institutions
Quicken Premier 2008 connects you to over 5300 banks, brokerages and other financial institutions--including PayPal. It's easier than ever to truly bring your accounts together in one place.(1) - New! Import your PayPal account transactions into Quicken
Whether it's payments or income--or both--Quicken can now import your transaction data directly from PayPal. - New! Track your 529 contributions
Include 529 contributions as part of your overall net worth. See how you're progressing on your college savings goals. - New! Get reminders of scheduled bills and transactions--without opening Quicken
If you're using Windows Vista, our new Quicken Billminder Gadget can remind you of scheduled bills and transactions directly from your desktop. (1) Online features require Internet access and are subject to change. Services vary among participating financial institutions or other parties and may be subject to application approval, additional terms, conditions and fees. More than 5,322 participating financial institutions as of 6/05/07. (2) To pay bills in Quicken requires Quicken Bill Pay (sold separately) or a third party bill pay service (fees may apply). (3) Email, Forums and Chat technical support provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Phone technical support provided Monday - Friday, 5:00 am - 5:00 pm PDT. Additional fees may apply.
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