Maybe it is the extended beta period, but I have a love/hate relationship with this program. While I realize it is still in development, I want to use it to  get WORK done, but I can't. There are still too many issues, and stability is less than ideal, so depending on IQ for my work is out of the question. I use it side by side with Ecco and Ultra Recall. Why? Because I have to out of a concern for caution. Both Ecco and UR have been very reliable (Ecco for 14 years!), but from time to time, IQ crashes or goes AWOL. Sometimes this happens when IQ is NOT the focus. I  do not have a pattern for these occurrences and although I  am more than willing to assist in tracking problems down, I just haven't the time. 

 

Yesterday I was working with some imported Ecco files. I needed to have the items sorted alphabetically, but wanted the sort to stick when the grid was re-opened. Tried this under manage grids, but it did not work. Closed the grid and re-opened to see if the sort would take effect. IQ disappeared. I know of the other ways to sort, but this is an example of IQ's seeming fragility. Another is the quirky (seemingly capricious) way IQ imports Ecco files. Yesterday, I imported an entire Ecco file to a new, blank IQ database. I was inspecting under manage fields, and noticed an Ecco field which was empty in my Ecco file and should not have been imported. It showed that there were two items in this field. Re-examined Ecco - nope, that folder had zero items. Replicated the import process and guess what? The  folder was not imported and the items were imported correctly. It is this constant checking and second -guessing that does not inspire confidence.

 

IQ's versatility is both a blessing and a curse. At times simple tasks are over-complicated and instead of helping, it becomes a hindrance. If I sound frustrated, I am. IQ has become a distraction and I need a break. I am certain that I will return, the program is that good and has huge potential. I am so ambivalent about it, may even change my mind tomorrow.

 

Jon

 

P.S. And don't get me started on gantt. I love the concept and flexibility in IQ , but if zoomed to hour or day, you cannot easily identify the date. If there are many links between bars, I cannot tell which bar is linked where. Ecco's gantt is so frustratingly limited, but it works.