Need more space for comments!?

[Guest]

In BCM, on the Details page of the main Business Contact form is a large
field under Notes called "Comments".

As I am setting this up for a friend, and showing him how he can import his
contacts from his other contact lists, we noticed an error message that was
related to the number of characters allowed in this comments box being
exceeded. My client likes to keep a running list of comments and notes in
this area that records communications or important events with this contact
over time. As a result, the number of characters can get rather large.

Is there a way to change the number of characters allowed in this field, or
does this fall under the catagory of "BCM forms at this time cannot be
changed or customized"?

Thanks

 

[Luther]

The space in the comments field is limited by the storage space for
that field in the database. You can experiment with enlarging that
column in the db, but I suspect you'll run into the maximum size of a
record in a sql server table.

I'm that if enough people say that the size of the comments field is a
limitation keeping them from adopting BCM, Microsoft could make the
field an unlimited size blob in the database, and also store complete
email messages and attachements. Surprising few people have complained
about the size limitation on the comments field.

 

[Guest]

To add,
This limitation is in SBA 2006 as well for description line and comment
line. At least with sp2 new fields have been added to Word templates, memo
and reference...

Chris Schatte

 

[Tim P via OfficeKB.com]

"Limitation" seems to be an all too familiar feature with BCM in more ways
than one.

-THP

 

[Guest]

Hi Tim,
Have really appreciated your comments on BCM in this group.
Just as a personal experience, In order to effect change in an application
or addon from MS it sure helps if most all comments for change are postitive
or neutral at least.
Think of it this way, if your trying to effect change in your own
organization, business, etc... does one always point out what is wrong. Or
does one try to affect change by solving a problem, or at the least try and
contribute to the (if any) solution in a positive manner?

Chris Schatte

 

[Guest]

Thank you all, in general, for the comments. Based upon what I am seeing, I
am going to assume that this is infact a built in size limitation to this one
field and tell my friend to proceed accordingly.

Inspite this limitation, this tool does serve a great purpose in the
community of Small Businesses. In my research, I have fould very few
"Exchange Like" software for offices that may only have 2 or 3 persons. This
BCM is the closest I have seen.

Again, my only comment for future development and upgrades would be: try and
make the software, as much as possible, compatible with the main App it runs
with.

I admidt, I am not a database guru, so maybe this is as close as it can get.
But logic suggests that if the Outlook comments area can hold... whatever
it's limit is in the comments area, so too should BCM. If not, there should
be a way to save the data in another fashion. As of now, I believe all it
does is give the user a warning, and then truncates the information at it's
4000 Character limit.

 

[Tim P via OfficeKB.com]

Chris,

After 3 years of very little change regarding too numerous said "limitations"
I am inclined to believe that one of the best ways to contribute to solving a
problem is to make some noise in order to garner attention from those who
apparently do not "see" the problem yet are in a position of doing something
about it. If this were MY organization putting out a product like this and
if I truly wished for an expanding market share adoption I would not for a
minute tolerate the slow level of improvement in BCM. I have a QUE
Publishing book written back in '03 by Patricia Cardoza that is a special
edition guide for "Using Microsoft Office Outlook 2003." In the section on
BCM she states that Business Contact Manager will be an evolving application
which Microsoft has a keen interest in improving based upon user feedback.
She provides a link in the book and encourages users to comment agressively
with suggestions. Whether or not my comments are positive or negative
depends upon whether more end users should get the straight scoop about the
pros and cons of BCM as they currently exist. You will note that as
evidenced with RKoon's reply just above I did not scare him off with my
honesty. I would like to think that he and others reading this are merely
better informed so that they can make better real world decisions with how to
(or if) adapt using BCM to their needs. Read my other comments elsewhere in
this group and you will see that I am not some troll who slams Microsoft at
every opportunity. My unique noise probably stands out because the mirror
reflects the light a bit too brightly at times. Point well taken.

-THP

Hi Tim,
Have really appreciated your comments on BCM in this group.
Just as a personal experience, In order to effect change in an application
or addon from MS it sure helps if most all comments for change are postitive
or neutral at least.
Think of it this way, if your trying to effect change in your own
organization, business, etc... does one always point out what is wrong. Or
does one try to affect change by solving a problem, or at the least try and
contribute to the (if any) solution in a positive manner?

Chris Schatte

"Limitation" seems to be an all too familiar feature with BCM in more ways
than one.

[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]

 

[Tim P via OfficeKB.com]

Chris,

After 3 years of very little change regarding too numerous said "limitations"
I am inclined to believe that one of the best ways to contribute to solving a
problem is to make some noise in order to garner attention from those who
apparently do not "see" the problem yet are in a position of doing something
about it. If this were MY organization putting out a product like this and
if I truly wished for an expanding market share adoption I would not for a
minute tolerate the slow level of improvement in BCM. I have a QUE
Publishing book written back in '03 by Patricia Cardoza that is a special
edition guide for "Using Microsoft Office Outlook 2003." In the section on
BCM she states that Business Contact Manager will be an evolving application
which Microsoft has a keen interest in improving based upon user feedback.
She provides a link in the book and encourages users to comment agressively
with suggestions. Whether or not my comments are positive or negative
depends upon whether more end users should get the straight scoop about the
pros and cons of BCM as they currently exist. You will note that as
evidenced with RKoon's reply just above I did not scare him off with my
honesty. I would like to think that he and others reading this are merely
better informed so that they can make better real world decisions with how to
(or if) adapt using BCM to their needs. Read my other comments elsewhere in
this group and you will see that I am not some troll who slams Microsoft at
every opportunity. My unique noise probably stands out because the mirror
reflects the light a bit too brightly at times. Point well taken.

-THP

Hi Tim,
Have really appreciated your comments on BCM in this group.
Just as a personal experience, In order to effect change in an application
or addon from MS it sure helps if most all comments for change are postitive
or neutral at least.
Think of it this way, if your trying to effect change in your own
organization, business, etc... does one always point out what is wrong. Or
does one try to affect change by solving a problem, or at the least try and
contribute to the (if any) solution in a positive manner?

Chris Schatte

"Limitation" seems to be an all too familiar feature with BCM in more ways
than one.

[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]

 

[Guest]

Tim,
Point taken here as well and I have read your reference to BCM. My dismay
comes from the very points you make but in a different way. Great ideas being
discussed here and the market opportunity is not being taken advantage of for
all of us users!
Either way, again speaking from personal experience, positive comments or
fully explained reasons on testing a product for business use (imo) is the
best approach.
Isn't that what we as users do, continually test products?
Thanks for your comments.

Chris Schatte
--
use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
In Office System 2003 applications:
Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities

Chris,

After 3 years of very little change regarding too numerous said "limitations"
I am inclined to believe that one of the best ways to contribute to solving a
problem is to make some noise in order to garner attention from those who
apparently do not "see" the problem yet are in a position of doing something
about it. If this were MY organization putting out a product like this and
if I truly wished for an expanding market share adoption I would not for a
minute tolerate the slow level of improvement in BCM. I have a QUE
Publishing book written back in '03 by Patricia Cardoza that is a special
edition guide for "Using Microsoft Office Outlook 2003." In the section on
BCM she states that Business Contact Manager will be an evolving application
which Microsoft has a keen interest in improving based upon user feedback.
She provides a link in the book and encourages users to comment agressively
with suggestions. Whether or not my comments are positive or negative
depends upon whether more end users should get the straight scoop about the
pros and cons of BCM as they currently exist. You will note that as
evidenced with RKoon's reply just above I did not scare him off with my
honesty. I would like to think that he and others reading this are merely
better informed so that they can make better real world decisions with how to
(or if) adapt using BCM to their needs. Read my other comments elsewhere in
this group and you will see that I am not some troll who slams Microsoft at
every opportunity. My unique noise probably stands out because the mirror
reflects the light a bit too brightly at times. Point well taken.

-THP

Hi Tim,
Have really appreciated your comments on BCM in this group.
Just as a personal experience, In order to effect change in an application
or addon from MS it sure helps if most all comments for change are postitive
or neutral at least.
Think of it this way, if your trying to effect change in your own
organization, business, etc... does one always point out what is wrong. Or
does one try to affect change by solving a problem, or at the least try and
contribute to the (if any) solution in a positive manner?

Chris Schatte

"Limitation" seems to be an all too familiar feature with BCM in more ways
than one.

[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]

Thanks

 

[Tim P via OfficeKB.com]

["Isn't that what we as users do, continually test products?"]

I guess I would prefer to be less of a lab rat and more of a happy end user
with more of my real world needs met by an application rather than less.
Others mileage may differ though and I actually believe that there are some
who rather enjoy the Microsoft Guinea-pig challenge that BCM offers. The
obvious tone of my feedback on this forum is definitely one of impatience.
No doubt about that.

-THP

Tim,
Point taken here as well and I have read your reference to BCM. My dismay
comes from the very points you make but in a different way. Great ideas being
discussed here and the market opportunity is not being taken advantage of for
all of us users!
Either way, again speaking from personal experience, positive comments or
fully explained reasons on testing a product for business use (imo) is the
best approach.
Isn't that what we as users do, continually test products?
Thanks for your comments.

Chris Schatte

Chris,

[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]

 

[Guest]

I think the unfortunate truth about computers and those of us who support and
develop their use is this: The only time you really know you are doing a good
job, or your "Systems" are performing up to snuff is when the users are
silent.

In my experence, very few times has a use said to me "Oh I am so impresed
with how fast Exchange delivered my e-mail today" or " Oh these prints are
especally clean this morning".

I think the same should be true for forum's like these. Why have them, if
not to post complaints, or the odd problem's that we either cannot solve for
our selves, or we refuse to pay cash for an answer.

Chris,

After 3 years of very little change regarding too numerous said "limitations"
I am inclined to believe that one of the best ways to contribute to solving a
problem is to make some noise in order to garner attention from those who
apparently do not "see" the problem yet are in a position of doing something
about it. If this were MY organization putting out a product like this and
if I truly wished for an expanding market share adoption I would not for a
minute tolerate the slow level of improvement in BCM. I have a QUE
Publishing book written back in '03 by Patricia Cardoza that is a special
edition guide for "Using Microsoft Office Outlook 2003." In the section on
BCM she states that Business Contact Manager will be an evolving application
which Microsoft has a keen interest in improving based upon user feedback.
She provides a link in the book and encourages users to comment agressively
with suggestions. Whether or not my comments are positive or negative
depends upon whether more end users should get the straight scoop about the
pros and cons of BCM as they currently exist. You will note that as
evidenced with RKoon's reply just above I did not scare him off with my
honesty. I would like to think that he and others reading this are merely
better informed so that they can make better real world decisions with how to
(or if) adapt using BCM to their needs. Read my other comments elsewhere in
this group and you will see that I am not some troll who slams Microsoft at
every opportunity. My unique noise probably stands out because the mirror
reflects the light a bit too brightly at times. Point well taken.

-THP

Hi Tim,
Have really appreciated your comments on BCM in this group.
Just as a personal experience, In order to effect change in an application
or addon from MS it sure helps if most all comments for change are postitive
or neutral at least.
Think of it this way, if your trying to effect change in your own
organization, business, etc... does one always point out what is wrong. Or
does one try to affect change by solving a problem, or at the least try and
contribute to the (if any) solution in a positive manner?

Chris Schatte

"Limitation" seems to be an all too familiar feature with BCM in more ways
than one.

[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Tim,
Understand the lab rat scenario, and there are people who post here that are
"guinea pigs" and enjoy the challenge...

Chris Schatte
--
use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
In Office System 2003 applications:
Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities

["Isn't that what we as users do, continually test products?"]

I guess I would prefer to be less of a lab rat and more of a happy end user
with more of my real world needs met by an application rather than less.
Others mileage may differ though and I actually believe that there are some
who rather enjoy the Microsoft Guinea-pig challenge that BCM offers. The
obvious tone of my feedback on this forum is definitely one of impatience.
No doubt about that.

-THP

Tim,
Point taken here as well and I have read your reference to BCM. My dismay
comes from the very points you make but in a different way. Great ideas being
discussed here and the market opportunity is not being taken advantage of for
all of us users!
Either way, again speaking from personal experience, positive comments or
fully explained reasons on testing a product for business use (imo) is the
best approach.
Isn't that what we as users do, continually test products?
Thanks for your comments.

Chris Schatte

Chris,

[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]

Thanks