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Intuit To Rewrite Quicken, Demos TurboTax 2008
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Does this mean a non-proprietary file format? I hope so. It would be nice if Intuit opened the data frameworks and implements an easy to use plug-in architecture.
The thing I really love about using a Mac is the outstanding helper utilities/accessories that the smaller Mac developers crank out. If Intuit let them loose on "Quicken Financial Life for Mac" then I think the
Mac could become the platform of choice for personal financial management.Come on Intuit, you're going to have to do a re-write anyway, do something spectacular!
You mean you don't care. The use of native features of OS X illustrates a commitment by the developer to be supporting the individuality of the operating system, rather than using some other proprietary solution.
Big corporation? Does that mean you have no faith in Apple? They deliver quality software all year round, and they are a big corporation. I'm confused by your generalization.
Most likely. Core Data can store in SQLite and XML formats, as I understand it. These are perfectly readable by third-party software. However, Core Data also supports a binary format, which is the fatest performance-wise, and I'm not sure if this would be accessible to outside code. Probably, through the API, but figuring out the schema would be more difficult.
well what do you expect when you have a bunch of users who care more about looks than function. To many mac users will refuse to use a program if it is not pretty enough. Who cares if how functions a ugly sharp corner looking UI is.
Because of this features and unsaleable get cuts so the whiners who like it pretty get what they want.
Hell I know a lot of specially software that you can get for windows that a mac users would say it is crap because it looks ugly. Yeah I will admit those programs UI are not pretty in the slightest but it all about function and very little time was put into looks.
I personally believe function over form any day of the week.
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I see where they're going design wise and it looks nice. Let's hope they get the
real banking part right.
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This is something Intuit should have been working on for 3 years.
Good to see they're finally doing it albeit very late in the transition.
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I see where they're going design wise and it looks nice. Let's hope they get the
real banking part right.
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This is something Intuit should have been working on for 3 years.
Good to see they're finally doing it albeit very late in the transition.
Data File Compatibility with Windows?
The thing that the article does not mention, is whether Intuit will finally bring data file compatibility with the Windows Quicken. That would be the single most important feature they could implement. I have spoken with a number of people that (1) don't like the limitations of the Mac version and (2) won't switch to Mac solely because moving their Windows data file is such a pain in the petard.
If you e-mail Quicken about this issue, it gets shunted off to some guy in Mumbai and the message never makes it to the developers. Anybody have an e-mail address at Quicken that will actually get to the Mac developers????
The thing that the article does not mention, is whether Intuit will finally bring data file compatibility with the Windows Quicken. That would be the single most important feature they could implement. I have spoken with a number of people that (1) don't like the limitations of the Mac version and (2) won't switch to Mac solely because moving their Windows data file is such a pain in the petard.
If you e-mail Quicken about this issue, it gets shunted off to some guy in Mumbai and the message never makes it to the developers. Anybody have an e-mail address at Quicken that will actually get to the Mac developers????
This is regression, not improvement
Quicken '08 to be a subset of current version? Quicken Mac is already a subset of the Win version of the product. Anymore more "subsetting" and they should stuff No2 pencils and a check register in a box and sell that.
I endure running the Quicken 2006 basic version in a Virtual PC penalty box, because my data file is almost 20MB and can ill afford to lose something as basic and common as a 401K plan support. Yes, yes I know the Mac version now supports 401ks, but it doesn't migrate the information from the Win version data file. Does anyone want to lose or re-key 12+ years of data?
To add further insult, I expect a de-support notice sometime soon and require a purchase to the current version to allow investment price tracking. I understand the basic version is for 1st time users only and to migrate data, you have to purchase the more expensive Deluxe version.
Quicken '08 to be a subset of current version? Quicken Mac is already a subset of the Win version of the product. Anymore more "subsetting" and they should stuff No2 pencils and a check register in a box and sell that.
I endure running the Quicken 2006 basic version in a Virtual PC penalty box, because my data file is almost 20MB and can ill afford to lose something as basic and common as a 401K plan support. Yes, yes I know the Mac version now supports 401ks, but it doesn't migrate the information from the Win version data file. Does anyone want to lose or re-key 12+ years of data?
To add further insult, I expect a de-support notice sometime soon and require a purchase to the current version to allow investment price tracking. I understand the basic version is for 1st time users only and to migrate data, you have to purchase the more expensive Deluxe version.
Wow, tough crowd!
It's only three screenshots and look at all the negative comments?!
I dunno, having a commitment to undergo a major redevelopment of an application, particularly an accounting application, can't be all this bad?! Sure, they want it to look like iTunes as that is likely what any PHB is going to point at and say "make it look like that". How many iTunes installs/users are out there? How many??? It is unquestionably successful I think, so people are going to want to make software that looks/works the same way.
I also don't think an accounting app has to look like a 1986 spreadsheet. Sure, there are a lot of lower level things that you might want to do, and maybe some get their kicks out of GLs and that kind of thing, but for Quicken (not QuickBooks necessarily) it has to be easy and 'pretty' to make it less burdensome on the user. This isn't their first app, I'm sure they know this better than most and will make something that is ultimately useful.
It's only three screenshots and look at all the negative comments?!
I dunno, having a commitment to undergo a major redevelopment of an application, particularly an accounting application, can't be all this bad?! Sure, they want it to look like iTunes as that is likely what any PHB is going to point at and say "make it look like that". How many iTunes installs/users are out there? How many??? It is unquestionably successful I think, so people are going to want to make software that looks/works the same way.
I also don't think an accounting app has to look like a 1986 spreadsheet. Sure, there are a lot of lower level things that you might want to do, and maybe some get their kicks out of GLs and that kind of thing, but for Quicken (not QuickBooks necessarily) it has to be easy and 'pretty' to make it less burdensome on the user. This isn't their first app, I'm sure they know this better than most and will make something that is ultimately useful.
Well, you know what, it looks amazing to me--especially compared to its competitors in the consumer/prosumer/soho biz that are mostly web-based. The interface could actually make budgeting stomachable and tracking my data possible. Plus, the booth guys are hot. 
I agree. As a form of media and with members of MR as reporters, sometimes questions have to be asked. Usually in the mass media, incident "X" will occur that is bad news and that's the end of it. The public never hears about the solution or the outcome from the media (Unless you search hard for it). We live in a society of hear-and-now. Good Job MR!
As for the article about Quicken and TurboTax, good news all around. Quality products.
ANYTHING is better than TaxCut. I'd rather hand write my taxes and do the math with a abacus than use TaxCut.
I wish I had as much confidence as you that Intuit will do the right thing for Mac users. But their track record these past few years hasn't been stellar. Most recent updates have provided little new functionality at a cost that was similar to what I originally paid for Quicken about 12 years ago.
I'm also leery of the tagging feature, at least as it appears in these limited screenshots. As I think someone else pointed out, tags can't replace the hierarchical category scheme that Quicken has now.
IMO, there's no excuse for Intuit not including every feature in the Windows version, as long as there's nothing that prevents its implementation on the Mac. Using Mac-specific technologies is great, but it's not sufficient in and of itself.
Yes, I realize this is a pre-Alpha version (whatever that is actually supposed to mean), but this looks to be headed down the wrong path to me. I hate tag clouds... that concept is juvenile and too cluttered as far as I am concerned, and to see Intuit pumping this junk into Quicken for the Mac is sad. I am in the market for a better financial application, and seeing this junk is enough to push me away from Intuit.
I wish I could change their mind and have them simply re-code the current version of Quicken into a native application. I like the workflow. I like the layout (although a unified window would be much better). I like the lack of a tag cloud (man, even typing that feels childish).
I agree with others... it really seems like the developers at Intuit sat around and said "hey, we need to do cool things like drop-down transparent black lists and tag clouds... ooh, tag clouds!"
I wish I could change their mind and have them simply re-code the current version of Quicken into a native application. I like the workflow. I like the layout (although a unified window would be much better). I like the lack of a tag cloud (man, even typing that feels childish).
I agree with others... it really seems like the developers at Intuit sat around and said "hey, we need to do cool things like drop-down transparent black lists and tag clouds... ooh, tag clouds!"
Likewise.
One word...That reminds me, tax season is just around the corner...
Finally, they should be incredibly embarrassed that they've gone this long WITHOUT using those features. It would be like a car maker advertising in 2008 that their car has air bags.
I'm certainly going to have a look at it.
The only thing that keeps me on Quicken is about 15 years of financial history. How does iBank do on importing Quicken history? I know it's listed as a feature set, but does it fully and accurately import everything?
Apple should take on the banks and Quicken both. The banks have forever been outmoded and unhelpful, moreso even than the music guys. And Quicken has stiffed Mac-side users for the last decade.
As a client/web software approach, the iTunes Store is more than halfway there. An Apple Money client, to replace Quicken, along with all the services that Apple can build in related to finances—banking, investing, ebillings, etc.—can move seamlessly from iMac to iPod to iPhone.
Considerations:
* Apple wants to sell electrons—music, video, software. Money is plenty digital.
* Apple does best when it can run a content stream through its hardware: Music, music, software. Money may be the ultimate content stream. It's certainly the ultimate revenue stream.
It's the next big thing for Apple, which needs gigantic solution-level things to do, now that it’s one of the big dogs. If anyone can make money handling cool, it’s Apple. http://gallery.mac.com/stevenagel01#100085
As a client/web software approach, the iTunes Store is more than halfway there. An Apple Money client, to replace Quicken, along with all the services that Apple can build in related to finances—banking, investing, ebillings, etc.—can move seamlessly from iMac to iPod to iPhone.
Considerations:
* Apple wants to sell electrons—music, video, software. Money is plenty digital.
* Apple does best when it can run a content stream through its hardware: Music, music, software. Money may be the ultimate content stream. It's certainly the ultimate revenue stream.
It's the next big thing for Apple, which needs gigantic solution-level things to do, now that it’s one of the big dogs. If anyone can make money handling cool, it’s Apple. http://gallery.mac.com/stevenagel01#100085
To me, there is one hugely important thing missing from Quicken for Mac which keeps me from using it: the ability to import data files from a PC.
I've been using Quicken for PC for about eight years now, and there are quite a few accounts in there, some closed, and all interlinked. When I last looked at how to move this data into Quicken for Mac, Intuit told me that I had to export each account (register) separately as QIF files, then reimport them on the Mac. This would break the links between accounts, so I'd have to spend quite a while putting that all back together.
Additionally, as I normally use both OS X and Windows, it'd be ideal to have data (via backups) portable between the two. That way I could just backup the data on one to a flash drive and then restore it on the other.
Until Intuit sorts out their data formats I'll have to stick with VMware on the Mac for Quicken. (Not that VMware isn't useful for other things as well, but it's absurd that the files aren't compatible.)
-Steve
I've been using Quicken for PC for about eight years now, and there are quite a few accounts in there, some closed, and all interlinked. When I last looked at how to move this data into Quicken for Mac, Intuit told me that I had to export each account (register) separately as QIF files, then reimport them on the Mac. This would break the links between accounts, so I'd have to spend quite a while putting that all back together.
Additionally, as I normally use both OS X and Windows, it'd be ideal to have data (via backups) portable between the two. That way I could just backup the data on one to a flash drive and then restore it on the other.
Until Intuit sorts out their data formats I'll have to stick with VMware on the Mac for Quicken. (Not that VMware isn't useful for other things as well, but it's absurd that the files aren't compatible.)
-Steve
Amen, brother!
Somebody give this man a cigar! I am continually amazed at how large developers can't seem to produce file and feature compatible versions of their Windows and Mac versions. Intuit and Microsoft are two of the biggest examples. It's like two different companies competing with each other. The Windows and Mac sides of the house don't meet, don't share, don't communicate. As I understand it Adobe Photoshop has file and feature parity but that's probably because the Mac version is still their biggest revenue generator. Otherwise Adobe would be doing the same thing. Oh wait! They are with Photoshop Elements.
This all smells intentional to me.
Somebody give this man a cigar! I am continually amazed at how large developers can't seem to produce file and feature compatible versions of their Windows and Mac versions. Intuit and Microsoft are two of the biggest examples. It's like two different companies competing with each other. The Windows and Mac sides of the house don't meet, don't share, don't communicate. As I understand it Adobe Photoshop has file and feature parity but that's probably because the Mac version is still their biggest revenue generator. Otherwise Adobe would be doing the same thing. Oh wait! They are with Photoshop Elements.
This all smells intentional to me.
the only reason I have vmware fusion is to run quicken 2006. I don't understand why they don't include all the features of the windows ver. I use the investments mainly and the last think i need in my finance software is coverflow. sometimes I think simple, non-flared up screens are the best. also, in reply to above, I agree, the importing from windows. I have been on windows quicken forever and it is impossible to transfer without basically redoing all of your work.
I've been wondering the very same thing. I had been using Quicken for Windoz from 1995 and this past summer I migrated to the Mac version when I bought a new iMac. I bought Quicken for Mac at the same time I bought the iMac without reading any reviews or anything. Silly me, I just expected that I would have an easy time switching over. After paying the $70+ I was going to make the switch, so I spent a lot of time manually correcting the transactions and balances that didn't transfer correctly. But I'm getting sick of the fact that stock quotes aren't working right because of Intuit server problems, and there is no other download option, and the lack of features I remember from the Windoz version. Screw Intuit if I'm going to have to pay another $70+ for their new version of Quicken that won't fully support investment accounts. I've downloaded the demo version of iBank, but the demo version limits you to the first 50 transactions. I transferred my Quicken data, which was easy enough, but things are screwed up, and I'm wondering if that has to do with the limitation of the demo version or because things got screwed up in the transfer. The interface and reports and other features in iBank are nice.
+1. Good move but, what, 3 years past when it should have happened? Quicken 2007 came out in Fall of 2006, so it will be 2 years just to a new version, and a crippled/partial one at that. So 3 years from one revision to the next full revision, all two years too late.
If Intuit were serious about the Mac, which clearly they weren't until the market share started turning back up, they would have been rolling out the full featured version of this this past fall along with Leopard.
It looks slick and mac-like, which is good, but really I hope they fix some of hte basic functionality problems. And they'd better not cut off web access with older versions as they've been doing in the past to force upgrades . . .
importing from older Quicken formats?
Does anyone know how backwards compatible 2008 will be? I've been using 2002 ever since it came out and had been thinking about updating -- I noted that even if I had bought 2007 the app would have had to convert my older data file, which makes me anxious -- wondering if they're even going to keep in compatibility with two versions back in 2008!
Also, exactly how limited with support for investments be in 2008? All I ever do now is manually enter transactions and download price quotes for my mutual funds (when the Quicken server will download them, anyway!). Surely this basic level will continue in the new regime?
Josh
Does anyone know how backwards compatible 2008 will be? I've been using 2002 ever since it came out and had been thinking about updating -- I noted that even if I had bought 2007 the app would have had to convert my older data file, which makes me anxious -- wondering if they're even going to keep in compatibility with two versions back in 2008!
Also, exactly how limited with support for investments be in 2008? All I ever do now is manually enter transactions and download price quotes for my mutual funds (when the Quicken server will download them, anyway!). Surely this basic level will continue in the new regime?
Josh
Great news! I use Quicken and QuickTax (Canadian version of Turbo Tax) and find them to be excellent pieces of software. Looking forward to a major update for Mac.
That reminds me, tax season is just around the corner...
Have you compared the web-based and the disc-based versions of Turbo/Quick Tax? I'm just wondering which is better and more friendly.
On a side note, I'm a little sad that the release won't be until the fall. My wife's PC is giving up the ghost, and her machine is the one that we manage our finance on. It's getting replaced with an iMac, and I would have liked get the new Quicken rather than 07 and then upgrading in a year or so. We may end up taking advantage of the cheap edu XP that we can get and Boot Camp it, but we really don't have much other use for Windows anymore and it doesn't seem worth creating a partition for Quicken. Anybody have any thoughts on the best route?