Michael Brown

Yes Inspext Express runs inside MS Word so getting going maybe a little more trouble at first (free support tho). We still get emails... I opened your software and it just opened a blank Word document... they don't notice the toolbar tab right away. Also if we wrote dumbed down software it would have no features and not be customizable. We have a bigger learning curve because of these things. We have all of our features and all of MS Words features... no other software has that kind of flexability. We would sell more to new inspectors if it had no features, we sell more software to older inspectors that really look at the software and final output closely before buying. Inspect Express has automation features that make doing a high volume of inspections easy and fast by being able to set defaults and edit data on the fly. For an inspector only doing 5 inspections a month our software may not be the best choice. Our software doesn't write a checklist either like HG or Whisper with NI/NP/NR and legend etc., it's narrative software. Honestly if you are going to write a checklist report with software... you should just use a pen and paper form as it's faster (like the Texas archaic report format LOL). We think our software is a great fit for some but not all. There are only a couple of good inspection programs on the market and a ton of junk out there. You need to find software that fits your style... and after this many years I can say everyone has their own. Trouble is that most of the junk is easy to learn as it has no features... what ever you use make sure the vendor has a phone number and don't be afraid to use it. Michael

Hi Joe, In Version 4 on the Database menu is an option for "Bulk Edit Data Comments" with the description "Extract all the comments to document for editing." (in V3 it was called data dump) You can write all of the observations to a document edit the whole thing to make it your own and then suck them back into the database with the click of a button. Everyone writes different, you have to make it your own. The dropdowns for the descriptions have more options than you will need for your areas... you can just right click them and delete the entries you are not going to use (much faster than writing them). We also answer our phone, email and you can even send us your report if you want some tips. Michael Brown 1-888-739-4033 inspectexpress.com

Brandon, The virus showing sometimes and sometimes not is becuase it was injected into a javascript file and this file is cached in your browser. That's why many couldn't see it in some browsers as they were running off the cached version without the virus. It was more likely to show up on a new post or a browser that had not been on TIJ before. The site is clean now. Michael

Very cool! I listened to a couple so far... very good! Michael

Turn off Windows 7 UAC and the old version will probably still run fine. Michael Brown

They sure do! First time I ever heard her sing? I'm sure all those who have kids have had those amazing kid moments in their lives... I was just lucky enough to get a recording! Thanks to the DJ for posting it. Thanks for taking the time to listen and letting me share this with you. Michael

Thought I would share one of those proud dad moments with you... My daughter recently signed up to be DJ for an hour on one of the local radio stations (http://www.thezone.fm/music/#myturn). I guess for the last month they have let some listeners bring in their playlists and be the DJ. Yesterday was her day and somehow at the end she got talked into playing guitar and singing on the air live! [:-bigeyes The DJ posted the song on his blog, have a listen: http://morningaftershow.wordpress.com/2 ... ctric-eel/ Michael Brown

I think we need a new policy so we can charge for removing these threads later... when the owners call... telling us that the SEO company they hired did this! These guys waste our time and our anti spam policy is on the signup page right next to the agree button. All I have to say is "ZenOK sucks" is this page at the top of google... good work Jim! [:-monkeyd [:-monkeyd [:-monkeyd Michael

Nope searching for "Mold Removal" does't bring us up on the top of the search but... in one day and any search for "moldremoval.org scam" or "moldremoval.org cheat" brings up this thread as number one on Google. Top of page two when searching for just "moldremoval.org" or "mold removal from leather". Sure hope they are nice and link back? [:-monkeyd Michael

I like it (best report I've ever seen posted here). One of the better report formats for sure. Does the software make the two column lists or do you format that manually? We just give an option to make the Table of Contents two column, but I think the two column lists look better also. Michael Brown DevWave Software Inc.

You are correct! Michael

That was me... sorry thought I was just cleaning up... looked the same at first glance. Fixed. Michael

You're one lucky guy Mike... don't know how she [:-angel] puts up [:-dev3]. Congrats! Michael & Rose

Yes you can. You can probably use the dictation software in just about any reporting software... but it does work better inside of Word IMO. Michael Brown

Inspect Express does the same, you can add images to the boiler plate comments and then when they are used the images drop in automatically. That is just one example of many different styles possible however all of those photos are captioned (look a little closer Erby). The photos are added to the observation and are automatically moved to the photo page section (in that example). The captions are added automatically from the comment they were added to. Not only that but an actual link gets created (see photo 4) in the observation and if clicked it takes you right to the photo. This is just one method of adding images we have. Another (wrapped) puts the images right next to the observation and wraps the text around the images. Another method (inline) puts as many images as you want all lined up under the observation. Common features add borders, drop shadows and resize images automatically to the settings you have pre-configured and you still have the ability to annotate, adding arrows, circles etc. Just wanted to clear up any possible confusion. Michael Brown DevWave Software Inc.

Great feedback guys... What about appointment times should there be an option to pick morning or afternoon? Request a quote checkbox? Just one phone number? I know a lot of inspectors don't have a form on their website but as I have been told sometimes the client phones while on a inspection or driving and instead of stopping what you are doing and taking notes you can just tell the client to fill out the form on the web site. I'm told it is the younger crowd that fills out the forms... the forms most definitely do get used! Thanks, Michael Brown DevWave Software Inc.

That sample was created completely on the Pocket PC and it is html not a doc or pdf format. Yes you can customize the borders, colors etc.. John was looking to feed the Pocket PC data into his Word report which he can also do. Michael Brown DevWave Software Inc.

Inspect Express will do that but it feeds the Pocket PC data into the PC forms inside Word as you go through the forms it writes the info to the document. I'm pretty sure I looked at report template of yours a while back and it was pretty much the same format. No doubt it is faster and cleaner than what your doing. Inspect-it although a little different will also probably work for you. Michael Brown DevWave Software Inc.

Any Canadian's have access to the MLS website. Is it different in some states? Michael

That is what I want to build... I have seen many different forms on the net... some ask too little information and some way too much. We have quite a few inspectors that could use an updated new form as well as our inspector locator. This is from my very old form I have been using: INSPECTION DETAILS (*Requested) ------------------------ Address: Total Sq.Ft.: *Date: *Time: Comment: Of course it needs captcha (are you human). I think FAX could be dropped and mobile phone added to the contact info. The MLS# should be added to the inspection details as well as the agents contact info. The amount of info collected should be balanced... asking how many water heaters or even the type of structure might be a bit much... and this info is probably available on the MLS anyway. I have seen some forms that are so long that I think it probably puts the consumer off. Things like request a quote and dropdowns to only select particular times are all questions and may just be personal preference. I know some don't want a form at all and just use the phone but for everyone else? What other fields would you add and why? I can make the code for the form available for download later although code to send the email will differ depending on servers. Michael Brown DevWave Software Inc.

A light rant by Walter Jowers about pets running loose around the house while conducting an inspection. Read Full Story... (nashvillescene.com)

Trojan Horse Malware Alert Bob Kille acuspect.com/acuspect.net Website and Blog Warning to all TIJ visitors - the following web sites may appear in search results for 'Inspector's Journal' and were reported by Avast antivirus software to be infected with Trojan Horse malware. These websites are run by Bob Kille of Acuspect Home Inspections. Readers are warned to not follow these links as they may become infected: acuspect.net acuspect.com acuspect.com?m=200808 (Blog) There may be links to the infected sites on following websites also run by Bob Kille of Acuspect Home Inspections as well. Please use caution! homeinspectorcentral.cominspectorsuccess.com acuspectsoftware.com inspectorsmanual.com FYI...Bob Kille of Acuspect Home Inspections has been passing off his sites as the 'Inspector's Journal', 'Home Inspectors Journal' and 'The Home Inspectors Journal' after joining TIJ as a member many years ago. He has no current or formal association with this, the original 'The Inspectors Journal'! Please don’t be fooled by these, or any other, imposter websites. And, as always, make sure your anti-virus software is up to date. Michael Brown

Happy Birthday Chad, I was going to send you something but the box of bran flakes wouldn't fit in the mailbox. Michael

I'd like to agree with you Mike but an empty brand new PC always runs fast no matter what OS. As you probably already know the speed difference is mostly related to hardware not software. Almost all software on the market will not run on Windows 7 or Vista without turning off the UAC. While installing some software on Windows 7 it locked up and wouldn't even reboot sending me in a never ending loop. A ton of messages saying I don't have permissions to modify the files I just created... the constantly annoying... are you sure... are you sure... arg! Then like Vista you have all the different versions, Home, Ultimate etc... grrr! The UAC and junction points are my big bitches as any software developer can tell you. Microsoft's own developer's can't even tell you where to install your files so all users can access them and still be compliant with Vista and Windows 7. I'm sure Microsoft's competitors are very happy with Vista and Windows 7 right now! I do however have the latest version of Dirt 2 online racing on a brand new box running Windows 7 64bit DX11 with the graphics all cranked to the max and it screams! I'd have to give that credit to DX 11 and a brand new PC though. Michael Brown DevWave Software Inc.

That's a pretty crappy upgrade policy IMO [:-thumbd]. I upgraded a client from 2003 today for $150.00 and that gives him access to our updates for the next year. On another note Microsoft has made a developers life an installation nightmare with Vista and Windows 7. Apparently they had the best minds at Microsoft come up with this UAC stupidity... they completely missed the keep it simple stupid thing. I have been working on our installs for Windows 7 and 64 bit for about two months now! I know the UAC very well now and can honestly say without any doubt that it was the biggest blunder since Windows ME! I wish I could bill them for all the extra support they have also cost us! We have offered free support for years to all our clients even if they didn't have a current subscription... unfortunately that may have to change... grrr. Not that I want to give my competitors any support, but you are a TIJ member... just turn off the UAC! Your software will probably run fine just like it did on your XP machine and you will not be giving them another $300.00. If that doesn’t help and you decide to bail... we also have a Pocket PC version included with the purchase of our software (double your update fee for the full program). Dominic's home inspector pro software is even less but he has no Pocket PC software. Michael Brown DevWave Software Inc. inspectexpress.com Sales: 1-888-739-4033