Home renovation software

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if you want programs to do more then you need to have the hardware to run it. You cant expect a developer to release a cutting edge program that caters for stone age machines.

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If you read my post again, you will see I do not have a stone age computer. It is brand new (few days old). It is not top of the range however...this seems to be the problem.

What is the use of distributing a program to the mass population when it will not work on most people's computers without upgrading or buying more accessories.
If what arms says ..

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these people have had a government grant of $2,000,000 to develop this product so far and i can not see why if it is to be a commercial product why should the taxpayer have to subsidise the making of it

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:eek: I will be not only disappointed but mad !! :mad:

Seems I am one of the lucky ones, I tried it on my kids computer which is also new-ish, top of the range, has super MB and assorted game cards and it worked. Yeah!!

Once you fiddle around and start to get the hang of it, it seems to be a good program I would definately use, it's just a shame as someone else said that it is still limited in usable selections, all coming in 2006 !!

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keep telling her to fork out $1000 and get something decent.

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:eek:
My new computer cost more than that...so I guess if your mother wants to run this program revise your advice... she needs to shell out $3000.

lol - my monitor cost more than that! :D

I m ust say that I didn't know that anyone sole new PCs with so little RAM, main or video - today's standard is min 512Mb (generally 1Gb). The good news is that RAM (main) is so cheap - just pop into a computer shop - and get a matched set (e.g. two sticks) of 512Mb at the appropriate speed for your machine.

Cheers!

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Originally Posted by Auld Bassoon

I m ust say that I didn't know that anyone sole new PCs with so little RAM, main or video - today's standard is min 512Mb (generally 1Gb). The good news is that RAM (main) is so cheap - just pop into a computer shop - and get a matched set (e.g. two sticks) of 512Mb at the appropriate speed for your machine.

Cheers!

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The problem (in this case with the BHG cd) is not the RAM, my computer has plenty of RAM, it's the type of video card required to get this to run properly.

Most of the cheap PC's sold these days have video cards built into the motherboard and you can change the size of the RAM it uses in the BIOS. You may want to look at this before you buy another card if you can sacrifice the RAM.

For those who want to try this program but can't find a copy of Better Homes and Gardens, you can order MVH on CD from the following link.

http://www.myvirtualhome.com.au/order/default.htm

Blurb from the order page follows:
***********************************

Get your free copy of MyVirtualHome software now on CD-ROM

The MyVirtualHome software is free for private, non-commerical use with a shipping and handling fee of $4.95.

To order your copy please fill in all fields below and you will be contacted shortly by a MyVirtualHome representative to confirm and complete your order.

Hi

After the post here that reminded me of the offer, I decided to try it.

The program would not install on my desktop pc only 8mb of video ram (Matrox Milenium G200 AGP card).

I think it is annoying that you have to go through the WHOLE installation process BEFORE the diags take place to tell you, "sorry, you can't use it on this pc".

Anyway FWIW I installed it on the P4 laptop with 256mb of video ram and it works great on there! I have not used it for more than 10 minutes yet, but it DOES look very promising.

I'ts not initially too intuitive to use, I think it has a bit of a learning curve for most users but I am sure it will be worth the effort - I'll see soon.

For those who have been able to install and run MVH, a patch is now available for download which claims to fix some video related problems.

Follow the link below to the patch.
http://www.myvirtualhome.com.au/application/update.php

i installed the stupid thing a few weeks ago & it said i needed to update the video driver, did that then it said something else i can't remember what.
now the program has been binned for being more trouble than its obviously worth.i refuse to purchase new equipment for something like this when the old stuff is only about a year old & perfectly adequate for everything else to run on.
i don't understand why the "geniuses" that write these programs can't make them just a little bit more user friendly.

Hi

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Originally Posted by reybec

i installed the stupid thing a few weeks ago & it said i needed to update the video driver, did that then it said something else i can't remember what.

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Yes, it is a pain to install and find these things out. The installation program should not be run until the system has been verified by the "diagnosis" program.

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now the program has been binned for being more trouble than its obviously worth.

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It IS well worth the money - free! on the magazine cover. IMHO it is EVEN worth the $50 retail price. When you see it working it IS good, though how it is used is "odd" for a windows program, that is it does not follow standard windows "operations".

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i refuse to purchase new equipment for something like this when the old stuff is only about a year old & perfectly adequate for everything else to run on.

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Fair enough, I don't blame you - however....

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i don't understand why the "geniuses" that write these programs can't make them just a little bit more user friendly.

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They are limited to what they can do on systems with less than adequate video memory. This IS a graphics intensive program and DOES require plenty of ram and a fast processor. I have yet to make the time to delve into it further, but from the quick review I did, I was impressed - and it takes a lot to impress ME with software :D

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Originally Posted by MrFixIt

They are limited to what they can do on systems with less than adequate video memory.

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That may be so, but IMO programmers are usually too lazy to write programs that will work on anything but the latest hardware. :(

However my beef is with Better Homes & Gardens who kept on promoting this program in order to sell the magazine without disclosing that about 75 % of current computers can't run it without upgrades so that they become more coffee cup coasters. :(

BTW when I found out about the difficulties I returned the mag and coaster for a full refund.


Peter.

Hi

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Originally Posted by Sturdee

That may be so, but IMO programmers are usually too lazy to write programs that will work on anything but the latest hardware. :(

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As a programmer myself I can advise you that it is generally MORE work to make a program work on the LATEST hardware. It is easier to write programs that work on older pcs.

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However my beef is with Better Homes & Gardens

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Ok, fair enough, however....

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who kept on promoting this program in order to sell the magazine

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that IS A GOOD DEAL :D $50 worth of GOOD software for a few dollars is a good buy in my books :D

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without disclosing that about 75 % of current computers can't run it without upgrades so that they become more coffee cup coasters. :(

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The pc specs required are in the magazine. I was also disappointed that it did not run on my desktop pc - but being computer literate I realise why. Fortunately my laptop is quite new and has the necessary power to run the s/w - maybe otherwise I would have returned the "coaster" too :D

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Originally Posted by MrFixIt

They are limited to what they can do on systems with less than adequate video memory. This IS a graphics intensive program and DOES require plenty of ram and a fast processor. I have yet to make the time to delve into it further, but from the quick review I did, I was impressed - and it takes a lot to impress ME with software :D

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i do have a fast processor & plenty of ram

it doesn't take much for me to be unimpressed with something & believe me i was unimpressed with this.http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ons/icon12.gif

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Originally Posted by MrFixIt

however.... that IS A GOOD DEAL :D $50 worth of GOOD software for a few dollars is a good buy in my books :D The pc specs required are in the magazine.

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IMO $ 50 worth of software that doesn't work on my existing computer is not a good deal and not worth a cent as I have enough coasters.

Whilst the fine print was in the magazine I was relying on the promotion on TV during their TV show, which failed to make any mention of any computer requirements, to buy the magazine.

Because of that failure to refer to any special requirements I returned it. The shop was not very happy but, upon advising them of my intention to take the matter to the appropriate authorities, they refunded my money.


Peter.