Frequently Asked Questions . . .
If you are thinking about using AnyBook for your business, you may find the following helpful as you compare and evaluate the features of the program.
(Note: If you are already an AnyBook user and are looking for frequently asked questions on the inner workings of the program, you'll find them incorporated in the help documentation that comes with the program. We've done that to keep all of the help documentation in one central location so you don't have to go searching here and there for answers to your questions.)
You say AnyBook is shareware. What exactly is shareware?
What sort of features are found in AnyBook?
What do other people think about AnyBook? Has it been reviewed by others? Has it won any awards?
Is it true that you do not provide support?
How easy is AnyBook to learn?
I know AnyBook is used by publishers, can it be used by music publishers?
I'd like to download and evaluate a copy of AnyBook. How do you do that?
I hear that you need to be careful about downloading programs. Are your download files safe?
Do you need other accounting software (like QuickBooks) to use with AnyBook?
Can you export to QuickBooks or other accounting programs?
I don't have a lot of time. What's the quickest way learn some of the basics?
You say AnyBook is shareware. What exactly is shareware?
Shareware is software that can be downloaded for free. There is no expiration date. You can take all the time you need to evaluate the program. If you find that the program is useful in your business, then you are asked to register the program. (For specifics on AnyBook's registration fees, see costs.) On the other hand, if you don't find the program useful, you can easily un-install it.
The nice thing about shareware is that there are no middle men, nor is there a retail or wholesale mark-up. That makes shareware very cost effective. In the case of AnyBook and all true shareware programs, you will be downloading the actual program. It's not a watered-down, "evaluation" version; rather it is the full program. Yes, it does have a few features turned off because of piracy concerns, but if you'd like to evaluate those features as well, just drop us a line and we'll provide you with a temporary registration code.
With shareware, there is no guess work involved. You don't to have to rely on promises or advertising slogans. The proof is the program itself.
Do we get a number of people who download the program and then decide they need something else? Sure. We think that's good. That's the purpose of shareware. We want people to find the software program that's just right for them. As you'll see from our website, we go out of our way to make it as easy as possible for people to make a careful and informed decision.
What sort of features are found in AnyBook?
To help answer that question, we've put together three different ways in which you can learn about the features found in AnyBook.
1. If you'd like just a short and sweet explanation of the differences between each of the levels and what features are available, see AnyBook Levels
2. If you'd like a detailed narrative of the differences and features available in each of the levels, see Detailed Narrative
3. Finally, we've put together comprehensive comparison charts which lists all of the features of the program. See charts
What do other people think about AnyBook? Has it been reviewed by others? Has it won any awards?
We're glad you asked! We're pretty proud of our work, and we're happy to report that AnyBook has garnered its share of software awards. In fact, it's received more editor choice awards than any other publishing business software.
It was recently highly praised and prominently featured in a 5-page review in the Publisher's Marketing Association (PMA) journal. The review was by Diane Tinney. Ms. Tinney is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant), a computer book author and the owner of a publishing business, exceptional qualifications to accurately and objectively evaluate business software.
Other authorities have agreed with Ms. Tinney's assessment. After first trying AnyBook, Tom Person, a computer expert and the long-time editor of a newsletter for small presses wrote to tell us: "I downloaded your software and it is incredible. There's nothing like it I've ever seen!"
Over the past year alone, AnyBook received another eight five-star ratings from Internet software suppliers. Moreover, it is ranked in the top 100 business and accounting programs by Softbase, a software ranking service. For more information on awards, reviews, and commentary by AnyBook users, see: awards and reviews.
Is it true that you do not provide support?
Yes. That's true. We do not provide support. That's how we are able to keep the software's cost low. We do, however, provide an excellent help system so you can help yourself. Here more information: AnyBook Support.
How easy is AnyBook to learn?
This is where AnyBook really stands out. After you use AnyBook for a couple of days, you'll find that it has a natural, comfortable feel to it. That's not accidental. We've spent quite a bit of time studying how people work naturally in a business situation and we tried to build AnyBook around those natural patterns. (Some information on this effort is found in our background and philosophy page.)
For example, when you think of using software in a business, what sort of software tasks occupy most of your time? If you were to log your time, you would find that making and recording sales is the most frequently used part of any business software program. In other words, it's the invoicing part of the process. Since that's where you'll spend most of your time, wouldn't it make sense for a software program to open with the invoicing functions?
And, in fact, that's how AnyBook is constructed. When you first start the program, the Main Invoice screen appears. But you are not restricted to the invoice screen. From there, you can move easily on to any other business tasks. You can do billings, run an inventory, enter products, produce sales reports, and so on.
Starting with invoices is a logic and natural beginning. That's what we mean by the program's natural feel. It just feels right.
I know AnyBook is used by print publishers; can it be used by music publishers?
Yes, but try it out first. We've been gradually working with individuals in the music industry and adding special features. The music industry has a complex and variable royalty system, and you'll want to check out the royalty part of the program to make sure it will handle the way you do royalties. We do customized work and if there's something we can add to make AnyBook work for your situation, drop us a line.
I'd like to download and evaluate a copy of AnyBook. How do you do that?
If you downloaded and installed shareware before, you'll know what to do. The download links are found here: download links.
However, if you haven't ever downloaded and installed a program, we've put together a step by step procedure to help you out. Here's where you can go to get more information: downloading & installing - step by step.
I hear that you need to be careful about downloading programs. Are your download files safe?
Oh yes!. We go out of our way to make sure that our download files are safe. Moreover, our download files have tested by over a dozen independent testers. They've all shown that our programs are 100% free of viruses and adware and are safe to install. More information.
Do you need other accounting software (like QuickBooks) to use with AnyBook?
Yes and no. If you have a small operation, you can get by with AnyBook and no other specialized software. But for larger business, you'll want to combine AnyBook with other accounting software. We've put together a special section which explains this in more detail here: Accounting Software
Can you export to QuickBooks or other accounting programs?
Yes, but it's really not necessary. Here why: Exporting to Accounting Programs
I don't have a lot of time. What's the quickest way learn some of the basics?
We've put together a very simple "getting started" manual. It's very simple, mind you, but it will get you started on the right foot. There are also some short guides to selected topics. Plus, AnyBook comes with sample invoices, products and customers. That allows you to try out the different functions of the programs. And, finally, we also have a guided tour that's built in the program to help guide you through some of the key parts of the program.
AnyBook Keywords: Small Publishers, Mid-size Publishers, Publishing Business Software, Publishing Software, Music Industry Software, Book Publishers, Book Publishing Software
AnyBook is another carefully crafted software program from:
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Great Rift Software
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