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Why Should I Buy MI Trains?
I've been using guide books for Years.
Yes, well... Times and Needs change.
It would be simple for you to see, that MI Trains
Software is the best product on the market - for the functionality of the
software, the versatility & details in the Reports, the super photos
& graphics, the details in the Catalogs, and the "CURRENT" nature of
the Market Value (Price Guide). Take a moment. Convince yourself, by
simply reviewing the features in the
MI Trains Application
Details by Clicking Here
Oh, and by the way... that
"guide book" you use... How useful do you think it is? Let's walk
through and You think about what has to happen before the book gets into
Your hands.
First the data for the book must be
collected, then the data must be put into a format
required by the book publisher, then a draft output copy must be reviewed
and edited.
(How many times it needs an additional review or
editing - would be guessing, but for sure at least one review).
Then the actual volume printing, binding,
packaging, shipping, and distribution to hobby shops and bookstores must
happen.
So for a price
guide book "pretending" to be for the year 2008, when do you think that process
was begun - August of 2007? July? June of 2007?
Wow, sounds like the information is stale, outdated,
and unreliable BEFORE you get it! And what's worse, there are other
software packages on the market that use the same stale data.
HOW GOOD CAN THEY BE?
Well, you say, It's really only a guide book. I don't use the
information strictly, anyway.
Really!! Forgive me, that's like
saying I went to the pharmacy to get my prescription, and mistakenly
picked up the wrong one. But that's OK, I wasn't going to take the
medicine, anyway!
And we've heard this too... picture it... scene at
a train show table.
Customer walks up clutching
his "so-and-so" guide book. Looks at a piece on the table and says to the
table-holder:
"Your $75 box car shows in the
so-and-so guide as $45."
Table-holder response:
"Then maybe you should buy it at his table!"
Look, doesn't
it make sense - If the information is not timely, it's not useful!
Maybe better put are some comments from MI Trains
Member - Paul C. quoted here:
|
"...Your prices are
very accurate. I buy allot of trains on ebay and before bidding I
check your guide. I find a lot of trains when they come out are
popular and the guide books have them at a price that is too high.
They cool down fast, and your guide reflects it with an accurate
price..." |
|
And don't forget, long
after that guide book is worthless and thrown out, there is the huge
advantage of having the MI Trains software system remain, providing you
with all it's on-going features and functionality:
|
a catalog database
an inventory database
valuable insurance documentation
a variety of easy database search techniques
multiple reports
the ability to customize reports you take to
Train Shows
print the reports as often as you like
use them as handouts to - parts suppliers,
dealers, fellow collectors, whatever...
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Return to Home Page
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
I'm a bit confused over what you offer, and there are
competitive products... some are cheaper.
Seahawk Software
offers an MI Trains CD-ROM for $44 containing the MI Trains system and
160+ preloaded photos. We offer optional on-going regular updates for
Lionel, MTH, and K-Line Catalogs and Price Guides at $14.50 each. You can
purchase each individually or together. They all plug into MI Trains
Software. We offer with these updates, software enhancements suggested by
Our MI Trains Members. These enhancements are no cost, and are provided
with the regular updates. We offer over 3,800 additional FREE photos on our
MI Trains website, easily downloaded to Your PC. We also offer a "No
Frills" MI Trains Photo CD-ROM for those MI Trains Members who may not
have the time to download all the photos. We offer an MI Trains Desktop
CD-ROM. And we offer an MI Trains Screen Saver CD-ROM.
As for competitive pricing... is the less
expensive pricing, really less...
Don't be fooled!!
Be
especially sure you Read and Investigate what it is you are getting.
Other software products have a wide range of
pricing... from $55 - $150 for the initial purchase
AND... LOOK-OUT...
EACH UPDATE... Ouch!!
So Let's do the math on an initial
purchase of software...
1. An MI Trains System
with one pre-loaded Catalog and Price Guide (either Lionel, MTH, or
K-Line) is $58.50.
Other software products -
offering pre-loaded guides - between $40 to $75.
2. And for a
complete MI Trains System with all 3 Catalogs and Price Guides - Lionel,
MTH, & K-Line - $87.50.
Other software
products - offering these same guides - priced between $65 to $150.
So far, competitively
priced... right? right...
Now for system, catalog, and
price guide updates... This is where it gets really interesting!
Updates to one of the MI Trains
Pre-loaded Catalogs & Price Guides (either Lionel, MTH, or K-Line) is
$14.50.
Talk about reasonable! How much is a soft cover
pocket guide - $16.95? One soft cover guide is a 2-volume set for
Lionel - EACH priced at $14.95!
PRETTY STIFF,
Huh!
If you want
all 3 MI Trains Catalog & Price Guide Updates - Lionel, MTH, and
K-Line - $43.50
Other software products offering
catalog & price guide updates are priced as an initial purchase,
AGAIN...
between $65 and $150,
MINIMUM $45 for ONE Manufacturer! Now that is stiff!!
Summary:
Other
software product updates for a single manufacturer is $45,
for MI Trains $14.50.
Other software
product updates for Lionel, MTH, & K-Line is between $65 - $150,
for MI Trains $43.50.
Simply
No
contest on price!
One final point (I promise), MI Trains software
pricing includes shipping & handling... The others slam you one
more time
from between $4 to $7 for S&H.
Just one more... one last...
one final gotcha!!
Give yourself a break... Take a
moment...
Convince yourself, by simply reviewing
the features and functionality in the
MI
Trains Application Details by Clicking Here
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
I am using another software product now. I am very
dissatisfied. Do you offer a conversion program for my
data?
Yes, We do conversions from other forms
of data files and databases into MI Trains.
So contact us at MI Trains Software
and we'll discuss the options and the "How-Tos" of Your data conversion.
As a start, here are a few things We'll need to
consider:
- What is Your current software product or data
file?
- How many items do you have to convert?
- What Manufacturers do you have loaded?
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
I am comparing two software
products, MI Trains and another with features different than those shown
in MI Trains. How are additional features added to MI
Trains?
Features and functionality are added to
the MI Trains System based upon requests made by MI Trains Members. A
number of past system updates have included some great ideas submitted in
this way by Members. If you have a moment, you may want to review the
prior MI Trains News Updates Announcing past MI Trains Software Releases.
A quick link can be seen below and on the MI Trains Home Page under the
Caption:
Click Here for Prior News
Articles
These requests are hanlded using the KISS method (Keep It
Simple Stupid). Meaning, features are reviewed and
measured based upon whether there is merit and are usable by a vast
majority of our MI Trains Members. So that, for example, having a feature
that provides a trend line for prices over a period of years may be nice
to see and have... but keeping it simple, what would one do
with that information? Basically, if one were to ask a question or ask for
a feature, one should know what to do with the answer... or in this case a
feature.
We also do not want MI Trains Members to feel,
they are paying for features they will not use.
Putting it
another way, I have a simple view of things, best explained this
way:
I recently purchased a DVD Recorder
& Player for $294. The unit has may features. One such feature is the
ability to program the unit to record a cable program for a year. Now
really, does anyone need to program anything for a year? How or who
decided to make this a feature... I haven't a clue!
But in order to buy this DVD system for the features I did want, I also
paid for this feature, for which I care little, and will never use.
AND for sure, part of the purchase
price went to pay for the cost to develop this feature - the software
written to make this feature work and the debugging time to get it to work
properly, all funded by the DVD Recorder/Player manufacturer. (They
did not include this feature of the DVD unit out of the goodness of their
heart. They want to get paid for it... and maybe make a bit of
profit.)
So, getting
back to your question, when we add features and functionality to MI
Trains, we insure MI Trains Members want the feature. And not just one or
two Members - A vast number! (There is a huge difference between a
Nice-To-Have-"Cutesy"-Feature
and a
Must-Have-"Killer"-Feature.)
This difference assures Us and MI Trains Members, they are getting real,
useable value for THEIR investment in MI Trains
software.
SO if the other software you are
reviewing has bells & whistle (no pun intended) you like, buy it!
BUT
if it contains features you will never use, be
aware you will be paying for the features anyway. And maybe it is human
nature, but if you are like me, it is irritating, knowing I am paying for
something I will not use!
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
Where is "Help" information? How do I get
started?
The MI Trains CD-ROM case has an insert sheet,
which explains all the buttons, and how to begin.
Simply pull out the sheet, and give MI Trains a
whirl!
You should also
review the other FAQ's for answers and helpful hints on the use of MI
Trains Software.
And you
should review all the detail pages which describe the use of MI Trains,
... And you might start right here,
by highlighting and clicking one or all of these:
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
I have installed MI Trains on my PC. What are the
files in the MI Trains folder?
There are a number of files and folders
within the MI Trains folder that serve to have MI Trains operate properly.
Note that each of the files named below, contain their file name extension
- the suffix which identifies a file type. On your PC, the extension may
or may not appear, based upon your PC's file folder settings. These
settings are adjustable by you.
There are two executable Programs:
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mitrains.exe this is the
actual MI Trains Program
mislides.exe this is the MI
Trains Slide Show Program |
There are two Databases:
| |
mitrgd.mdb this is the
Catalog & Price Guide Database
mitrin.mdb this is Your
Inventory Database (And like all of Your important files, You should
periodically back this file up to disk or
CD) |
There is a
Text File:
| |
mi trains member read me.txt
this file identifies You as the owner of MI Trains Software. Your
Member Id Number is shown here, and is encrypted in a variety of
places within other MI Trains files |
There will be a number of Report Files:
| |
At any point in time, as you execute and
have fun with MI Trains, there will be a number of report files,
generated and regenerated as you produce, view, and print MI Trains
Reports. Some examples: box.htm avail.htm
parts.htm Each will have an .htm
suffix. |
There are two Folders:
| |
images where all of Your MI
Trains photo images are stored. Each image file under this folder,
will have either a .bmp or a .jpg
suffix. These 2 image file types are the most widely used.
icons where the MI Trains
icons are stored. Each will have an .ico
suffix. |
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
I have a pretty extensive collection, that includes
things that are not cars & engines. How do I enter
those?
MI Trains has 95 different train and train related
categories, used to further segment and organize your complete Train and
Train Memorabelia collection.
For example there are the usual categories of
Accessory, Box Car, GG-1, Hopper, Steam Locomotives, etc.
And... MI Trains contains other Train categories
as well. Categories like - Books & Videos, Buildings & Structures,
Catalogs, Figures, Scenery, Spare and Maintenance Parts, Track,
Transformer.
And... Train Memorabelia categories like -
Lanterns & Lamps, Postcards & Postal Items, Signs, etc.
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
What do I do... my MI Trains
first screen is cut off at the bottom?
The resolution on your PC is set too low.
The normal Windows 95/98/2000 XP default resolution
is 800 pixels x 600 pixels.
If you would change
the resolution to 800 x 600 or greater, this will correct your problem,
and will have no adverse effect on your system.
If you're unfamiliar, follow this procedure:
| |
(1) on your desktop, right click on
your mouse and click on Properties or
go to Start - - > Control Panel - - > Display
(2) click on the Settings tab
(3) under screen area, see what the
pixels settings are and WRITE THEM DOWN
(4) change the settings to 800 x 600 or
greater.
(5) click the OK button.
|
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
I can add items fine, but how
can I view all of what I have added?
When you add items into Your MI Trains Inventory
database, you can do it in a variety of ways. As you see the Item Listing
screen, there are two large windows on the page, and three small windows
at the top. These three small windows work in concert with one another to
search the Catalog & Price Guide database and Your Inventory database.
The intent is to not view the entirety of these databases at once. If you
did, scrolling down would be a nightmare. So, these three small windows
when used together, provide a way of segmenting what it is you are either
viewing, adding, editing, or deleting within the two large windows.
Initially the windows are
set up (defaulted) with Lionel in the leftmost window and Model Number in
the middle window. The rightmost window is blank.
Searching, Viewing, and
Adding Items by Model Number:
To Search,
View, Add, or Delete an Item in Your Inventory Database by Model Number,
use the three small windows. The left most window is defaulted to Lionel,
but if you click on the little arrow to the right of the window, a pull
down menu will show all the Manufacturers loaded in MI Trains. Highlight
the one you are after. The middle window is already defaulted to Model
Number. Now simply use the rightmost small window and type the model
number you are after. Then click the Search button. The bottom two large
windows fill with all the items in the Catalog & Price Guide database
(left large window) and Your Inventory database (right large window) that
meet your Model Number Search Criteria. You can then use the buttons on
the bottom of the screen View, Add, Edit, or Delete.
Searching, Viewing, and Adding Items by Road
Name:
To Search, View, Add, or Delete an Item
in Your Inventory Database by Road Name, use the three small windows
again. The left most window is defaulted to Lionel, but you again can
choose another by clicking on the little arrow to the right of this
small window. The middle window also has a little arrow to the right.
Click on it and a pull down menu will show the choices here. Highlight
Road Name. Now simply use the rightmost small window and type the Road
Name you are after - for example Pennsylvania. Then click the Search
button. The bottom two large windows fill with all the items in the
Catalog & Price Guide database and Your Inventory database that meet
your Road Name Search Criteria. You can then use the buttons on the bottom
of the screen View, Add, Edit, or Delete.
Searching, Viewing, and
Adding Items by Category:
To Search, View,
Add, or Delete an Item in Your Inventory Database by Category, again use
the three small windows. The left most window is defaulted to Lionel, but
again you can choose another. Then use the middle window to highlight
Category. Now the rightmost small window shows a small arrow to the right.
Click on it and a pull down menu will show all the Categories loaded in MI
Trains. Highlight the one you are after - Box Car for example. Then click
the Search button. The bottom two large windows fill with all the items in
the Catalog & Price Guide database and Your Inventory database that
meet your Category Search Criteria. You can then use the buttons on the
bottom of the screen View, Add, Edit, or Delete.
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
What is the "Box Report"? How
do I use it?
Many of us are operators. Others display their
pieces. Some of us do both. But all of us have a need to store the
individual pieces, whether they have a piece box or not, into larger
storage boxes or better (if we have them) into the Set Box. The "Box
Report" within MI Trains Software allows you to develop a listing showing
where each piece belongs, so there's no confusion about where you put the
2330 GG-1!
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
Why do you supply photos in 2
places - 160 on CD and 4,000 more on the website?
A number of MI Trains Members had requested more
photos. And so we have provided additional photos!
There are a number of different image formats
available. MI Trains Software accepts the 2 most universally used. The bit
map image format - .bmp, and (for those of you with digital
cameras) the JPEG image format - .jpg.
We believe, and MI Trains
Members have confirmed their wish to individualize MI Trains with not only
the inventory of their items but the photos as well. Further, if you
are using the system for insurance purposes, having photos of Your items
is essential. Members are using both the Full Inventory Report and MI
Trains photos to document their collection. They send one copy to their
Insurance Carrier, and they keep one set in their safety deposit box.
However, we want to satisfy
as many MI Trains Members as we can, so bottom line, we have made
available more photos on the
MI Trains.com
website. Obviously it depends upon our availability to have
access to specific pieces, in order to take photos.
For More About MI Trains Photos - Click
Here
And
we are continuing to have success with with our MI Trains
Member Photo exchange. To explain, again there are just so many items to
which we have access... BUT you may have photos we don't have,
and you may wish to share... and thereby share in others' photos. Bottom
Line, we are serving as a "Clearing House" for Member images. Just
send us your bit map or JPEG images - each preferrably sized 400x200
pixels. Please only one photo per e-mail message. We will in
turn post them on the MI Trains website for all to download.
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
How do I download the photos from
www.dodie.com and www.MITrains.com
website?
On the left column of the MI Trains
Home Page is an area displaying multiple items of interest. One is labeled
Picture Files Download
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1. Click on the words "Picture Files
Download".
2. You have linked to the "MI
Trains Picture Download Screen". Note the two boxes and the thumbnail check
box. Use the pull down menu (little down arrow to the
right of the first box) to highlight to which manufacturer you have
interest, and check the "Check Box" if you would like to see
thumbnail images.
3. Click the "Get
Pictures" button. Based upon the speed of Your modem, the download
of the thumbnail photos may take some time. Should your browser time
out, either click the refresh button on your browser, or click the
"Get Pictures" button again, until all the thumbnails for that
manufacturer appear. And of course, if you didn't check to see the
thumbnails... you won't!
4.
Look over the photos available, and choose the one you want, by
placing your cursor on that picture, and clicking. Note all the
Newly added photos are noted ***New***
5. Another pop-up window appears, and the photo
you chose begins downloading from the MI Trains Website.
Based upon the speed of your modem, the
download may take some seconds or as much as a minute.
6. When the photo appears in this new pop-up
window, follow the directions on the top of the window,
specifically...
7. Place your cursor
on the photo and right click your mouse.
8.
A pop-up window appears. Select/Click on "Save Picture as...".
9. A second pop-up window appears, asking where
you want to save the photo.
10. Use the
buttons at the top of the window to direct the path to
c:\program files\mitrains\images. This is the default
directory for the Images within MI Trains. If you changed your
default directory when you originally installed MI Trains you need
to enter that path in this text box.
11.
Click the "Save" button. |
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
Do you have any pointers on taking Pictures for MI
Trains?
What I do is:
| |
(since my digital camera "eats" batteries)
I use the outlet extension on my camera
use 2 "brooder" lights that I got at Home
Depot, to get more light on the item
use a blue background
shoot the item at an angle, so that
the flash doesn't bounce back into the lens, and give me a hot spot
on the picture |
Fortunately, with a digital camera, trial &
error is not costly.
When I download into my PC, I use Microsoft
Image Editor software to crop and resize the photo. (Most PC's come
pre-loaded with some image editing software. You should review what is
available on Yours.)
As
for the size of the picture, the optimal size for fitting into MI Trains
is 400x200 pixels.
You
should excuse the expression - Give it a shot!
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
How do I get my pictures to show up in MI
Trains?
After you have taken your photos, use the image
editing software available on your PC. Save the photo sized 400x200
pixels, in the images directory of MI Trains.
Use
the path c:/program files/mitrains/images.
Now for the good part. On the "MI Trains View Item"
screen, in the lower left, is a blocked area containing the caption -
"Picture File:". There are 2 buttons and a box beneath the buttons. The
name within the box is the MI Trains Software default name given to the
picture for the item. For example for the Lionel 6464-325 Baltimore &
Ohio Sentinel Box Car, the name is 6464-325. Simple, huh!
Now suppose you have your
own 6464-325. And you called it, MY6464-325.jpg.
Well, you type: MY6464-325
(WITHOUT the .jpg) into the box,
and click the "Load New" button. And voila, Your photo is there. Should
you want to go back to the MI Trains default picture, click "Default".
It's that simple!
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
How do I link multiple photos to one inventory
item?
When you view your inventory item on
the View Item screen, the photo of the item appears in the top-right of
the screen. The name of the photo appears in the lower-left small window
(the photo name window), just below the 2 buttons marked "Load New" and
"Default".
Initially,
the MI Trains Software default photo name appears in this window.
Let's take the condition,
you are using the MI Trains default photo name... and let's say the
inventory item on the View Item screen is Your Lionel 2243 Santa Fe F-3.
The photo name which appears in the photo name window is 2343.
So far so good!
Now suppose you want to take
a few shots of your AB Diesels... A-Unit side view, top view, front view
showing decals, underside, B-Unit (same type grouping), you get the
idea...
Since the
default photo name is 2343, you would name the first additional photo
2343_1
Again
2343 "underscore" 1 . The
second additional photo would be 2343_2 and so on for as many as you would
like. Of course all of these photos must be loaded in the images directory
of mitrains.
For the fun
part, view the 2343 on the View Item screen - the first photo which
appears will again be the default one named 2343... but now when you click
on the little arrow to the top-left of the photo, you will scroll to the
next photo, and the next, until you wrap-around to the default one again.
Neat Huh!!
Taking it one step further, should you get creative
and want to name your own photos... like MY2343, then simply repeat the
process by using the photo names MY2343_1
MY2343_2 MY2343_3 and so on.
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
Is there a way to just view my
Inventory?
From any MI Trains screen, at the top
left:
| |
1. Click on "Print Report".
2. Click on "Print MI Reports".
3. A pop-up window appears.
4. Use the arrow to the right of the box to
show all the reports.
5. Use you cursor to
highlight the one you want. For example "Inventory
Report". Click on it.
6. Click the
"Print Report" button.
7. Your Inventory
will show on your screen. Use the right scroll bar to scroll
down.
8. Standard Windows functionality
(see top menu bar) can now be used.
- change the size of the text on the screen
- change the size of the text
when you print the report |
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
I can view a report, how do I print? I want to print
specific pages. Must I print all...
If you follow these steps, you can
print all or a portion of any MI Trains report:
| |
1. Click on the "Print Report" menu
on the top left of any of the MI Trains screens, and select "Print
MI Reports".
2. A Pop-up window
appears - "Print MI Reports".
3.
Select the Inventory Report (as an example).
4. Click on the "Print Report" button.
5. The report will display on your
screen.
6. Now to print the whole
report or selected pages, Click on "File" at the top of this screen.
7. Then move your cursor to
highlight and click on Print Preview.
8.
Use the standard Windows interface arrow buttons at the top
of the screen to scroll through to the page you are looking to
print.
9. Then click Print, and
again using the standard Windows interface, print just that page
number. |
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
How can I get MI Trains or the MI Trains Slide Show
to be an icon on my Desktop?
Follow these steps:
| |
1. While on your Desktop, right click your
Mouse
2. A Pop-up Window will appear
3. Click on New - - > Shortcut
4. Click the Browse Button
5. Use your cursor to highlight the Program
Files folder. Click Open
6. Use your cursor
to highlight the MI Trains folder. Click Open
7. Use your cursor to highlight either
mitrains.exe or
mitrains_slideshow.exe
or mislides.exe
8. Click Open
9. Click
the Next Button
10. Give the icon a name
11. Click the Finish Button
|
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
How can I change my MI Trains desktop icon to one of
the F-3's, provided in the update?
Follow these
steps:
| |
1. While on your Desktop, right click your
Mouse
2. A Pop-up Window will appear
3. Click on Properties
4. Another Pop-up Window appears. Click the
Shortcut Tab. Click the Change Icon Button
5. Another Pop-up Window appears. Click the
Browse Button
6. Use your cursor & the
Arrow Button at the top to navigate to c:/program
files/mitrains/icons. Pick an Icon
7. Click
Open
8. You will begin to back out of the
Windows. Click OK; Click OK Again |
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
How do I install & change
my desktop
to one of the 45 on the MI Trains
Desktop CD?
Installation Instructions:
These instructions are presented in 2
Steps.
The First Step extracts the
Desktops from the MI Trains Desktop Series 3 CD-ROM
and places them on the C Drive.
The Second Step will be a repetitive
one, used to change the Desktop as often as desired.
Step 1: Install the Desktops from the CD-ROM to the
MI Trains Directory on the C Drive.
| |
A. Place the MI Trains
Desktop Series 3 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
B. Open the CD-ROM drive.
C. Click the MITrains_Desktops.exe
to run it.
D. A pop-up window appears.
E. In the "Extract To:" text box,
the path appears - c:/program files/mitrains/desktops This directory
will be created within the default directory for MI Trains. If you
changed your default directory when you originally installed MI
Trains, you need to enter that path in this text box.
F. Click the Extract button.
G. A pop-up window will appear,
asking to create the desktops directory. Answer Yes.
H. This process will add the
directory for the Desktops, and extract the 45 Desktops from the
CD-ROM, placing them on the C drive. |
Step 2: Have one of the Desktops appear on the
PC.
| |
A. Click the following
path: Start - - > Settings - - > Control Panel
B. The Control Panel Window opens.
Click on the Display icon.
C. In the Display
Properties Screen, click the Background Tab. On this tab screen note
the Desktop that appears in the Wallpaper Window which is currently
on the PC - you may want to write down it's name, in the event you
want to show this Desktop again.
D. Click the
Browse Button.
E. A Pop-up Window appears.
F. Use the buttons at the top of
this window to navigate to the c:/program
files/mitrains folder.
G. Click on the
Desktop folder within this window. All the desktop names appear.
H. Highlight the Desktop you want
to display with the mouse, and Click Open.
I. You begin to back out of the
windows path - Click the OK button.
J. Close the
Control Panel Window.
The Desktop chosen now appears.
To change the Desktop again, simply repeat
Step 2 in the above process. |
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
I get items showing up in the
"Other" Category by themselves. How come?
It's not magic! Sometimes Your fingers
work quicker than you think. If you are on the "Item Listing" screen, and
you click the button "Add New Item", that is just what begins to happen -
a New Item is added to your inventory. MI Trains begins this process by
using a number of default values in the fields of the "View Item" screen.
Two of these defaults involve setting Category to "Other" - until you change it, and setting the Model Number
to "0000" - again, until you change it.
If you click on the "Add New
Item" button, see where you told MI Trains to take you, and you realize
"...I don't want to do this (basically you made a mistake)...", and You
simply click the Close button, You've just added a New Item under the
Category of "Other" with a Model Number of "0000".
OK,
no big deal. Just delete it!
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
How often is MI Trains updated? What's in an
update?
MI Trains Software is updated multiple
times per year. Whether you purchase the update or not is entirely up to
you. The software will continue to run with or without the update.
Typically included in an update is:
- an update to each of the pre-loaded Catalogs -
Lionel, MTH, and K-Line
- an update to each of the Price Guides - Lionel,
MTH, and K-Line
- and MI Trains Software system enhancements
suggested by our Members.
As an example, if you would like to review what is
in this latest MI Trains update -
MI
Trains Update 5.5 - Click Here for details
Return to Top
of Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable are the Market
Values in MI Trains?
The Market Values within MI Trains are as
described, taken from worldwide auctions and local train meets. Since MI
Trains Software provides available updates multiple times per year, which
are downloaded via email, those values are available immediately.
Consider this: in today's e-commerce
business, with the availability and speed of the internet auction sites,
as an example, You know the prices for items
change dramatically. Also collector preferences change. Getting up-to-date
reliable information into your hands quickly is essential!
Also while we're at
it, since the data for MI Trains is compiled multiple times per
year, and released immediately, the data is between 90 days old and
yesterday!
With guide
books, think about what has to happen before the book gets into YOUR hands.
First the
data for the book must be collected, then the data must be put into a
format required by the book publisher, then a draft output copy must be
reviewed and edited.
(How many times it needs an
additional review or editing - would be guessing, but for sure at least
one review).
Then the actual volume printing, binding,
packaging, shipping, and distribution to hobby shops and bookstores must
happen.
So for a price
guide book "pretending" to be for the year 2008, when do you think that
process was begun - August of 2007? July?
June 2007?
Wow, sounds like the
information is stale, outdated, and unreliable before you get it!
And
what's worse, there are other software packages on the market that use the
same stale data.
So how good do you think they
are?
AND the book gets older as each day goes on...
ultimately providing no on-going value.
MI Trains Software remains functional.
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
I use a well known guide book. Where do you get your
Catalog & Pricing information for MI Trains?
MI Trains Catalog information is derived from
catalogs and flyers produced by the manufacturers, as well as gathering
information about non-catalogued and Club items which show up at auctions
and trains shows.
The Market Values within MI Trains are as
described, taken from worldwide auctions and local train meets. Since MI
Trains Software provides available updates multiple times per year, which
are downloaded via email, those values are available immediately.
Oh, and by the way, that well known price guide
book you use, did you ever wonder where publishers of the guide get their
information? We have MI Trains Members and friends who are regular
tableholders at both local and major advertised trains shows. They have
never... let me repeat that...
N E V E R
been asked for information which would be used as
the backbone of any price guide. So one might ask, then where do soft
covered guide books get the information which they publish?
We have knowledge through some train clubs, and it
is discussed and "speculated" there, that when data is needed for a price
guide book update, some very knowledgeable train people get together to
determine pricing.
Here's where you might get confused...
Certainly I do!
Since it is called a price guide, shouldn't the
price data be gathered from the Market Place, since that is where pricing
is determined? Wouldn't that be more accurate, than having some group
"decide" how a piece should be priced.
Ever read the Emperor's New Clothes?
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
How often do you recommend I buy an update for MI
Trains?
Not to put the burden back on you, but it really
depends upon you!
How often did you buy guide books (by the way...
I say did, because there is no reason to buy them again)?
Once a year... twice? Well an update to MI Trains Software costs about the
same as a guide book, but with a number of advantages over a guide book.
With a guide book, you
sit with your inventory (wherever you have it recorded) and match the book
item to the inventory item, while recording what value you place on your
piece. With MI Trains, the Catalog & Price Guide are downloaded right
into your MI Trains Inventory. You call up your items, and the current
range of values is right there, already updated. With a guide book you
tend to bounce around between model numbers, years produced, and piece
markings (which in many cases are not model numbers). With MI Trains the
links are made automatically and you see your items... there is no
bouncing around.
And don't forget, long after that guide book is
worthless, there is the huge advantage in having a software system provide
You with all it's on-going features and functionality:
- an inventory database
- multiple reports
- a variety of easy search techniques
- the ability to customize reports You take to
Train Shows
And, one more point...
unlike other software, when You purchase an MI Trains
update, that update doesn't "undo or tamper" with the information in Your
Inventory Database field descriptions or entries!
Remember too, with an MI
Trains update, You also receive system enhancements.
So how often to get an
update... twice a year is probably good for
most Members.
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
Why do I need to have multiple Search
Methods?
To me I think we search like this - you go to your
price guide book to look up let's say the Lionel 6464-325 Baltimore &
Ohio Box Car. You know its number and you find it. Great! With MI Trains
Software you use the Model Number Search, you type in 6464-325, and you
find it too!
BUT what if you don't find it
in the book - suppose you get old, like me, and you mix up or can't
remember all the numbers. Wouldn't it be nice to say, well I know what I
want is a 6464 box car. So I'll type in 6464, click on the Search button,
and bingo, I see all the 6464 box cars. I scan down and find the B&O
Sentinel.
OR suppose I'm looking for
the 2345 Western Pacific F-3, but can't remember it's number. I can narrow
my search to only F-3's by searching on the Category F-3. Click on Search,
and find all the F-3's. Then scan down to the 2345. OR
since I know it's a Western Pacific, I search
using Road Name, type in Western Pacific, and find it!
Point is, with MI Trains
Software I have FOUR
ways to find something. With the book I have
one.
Quite an advantage, don't You think!
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
How come there are some Catalog items without any
Price Guide values?
We don't guess at values. We gather data from
auctions and train shows in order to build Price Guide values. The items
without values did not, as yet, have a price paid at any auctions or train
shows.
Remember, just because
someone "prices" a piece with some dollar value, does not mean there is a
buyer willing to pay it.
When one does, We will update the Price Guide.
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
I'm concerned
about Product Support. How can I be sure you'll help me after the
sale?
We are an internet company. In keeping costs
down - Yours and Ours -
We support MI Trains Software via email. We check emails throughout
the day - EVERY
DAY - not just Monday to Friday. We're on the system at
all hours. We pride ourselves on our support. Here are just a few comments
made by MI Trains Members:
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John M. - I would like to thank you for all
your support in this and the other things you have helped me with. I
wish more software vendors were as supportive and timely. I have
tried other products like this and I keep coming back to MITrains.
The ease and logic of the product is outstanding.
John P. - I have this system flying I am so
pleased with it. It was the right choice for cataloging my
collection. Thanks for awesome customer support. Corporations would
be in better shape if they customer support like you provide!
Mike I. - Thanks for your quick response. I
wish everybody did business like that.
Ken R. - I like the way we can work
together and actually modify the software to fit our needs.
Peter T. - Thanks for keeping in touch and
for obviously caring about what your customers think.
Jeffrey B. - Thanks for the reply and keep
up the good work. I love the program use it all the time; I think
its great. I think its one of the best investments I've ever done.
Ken R. - Had a chance to download
pictures--worked slick! I like the way we can work together and
actually modify the software to fit our needs.
Dave S - I recently purchased insurance for
my collection and the company accepted the print out from your
program as a fair evaluation of my trains. Your program makes
keeping trackof my collection a pleasure.
Ralph D. - MI Trains Software works great.
It is truly a great value. You can be sure that I will pass on the
word about this software at our local train club. I truly like the
ability to print the different reports.
Michael E. - I Will bet you did not know
that you would have to be a teacher as well as Customer support. I
cannot say how great it is to work with someone like yourself. You
always return your emails so promptly and you are always friendly
and helpful.
Roger J. - Everything works great,
including downloading several images from the web site. I am very
happy with the MI Trains product and intend to get the MTH plug-in
after I finish getting all my Lionel "stuff" inventoried. As a
matter of fact that's one of the advantageous things about MI
Trains. I've done, and do, quite a lot of additional annotating and
"personalizing" as I go along inventorying my stuff. THE PRINTABLE
PRICE GUIDE IS A TERRIFIC INNOVATION!
Thomas O. - I can't say enough about your
customer service and desire to satisfy the customer.
John D. - Great Response and a pleasure to
deal with and backs product.
John J. - Good product. Good follow up.
Good marketing and customer service. In this day and time where so
many businesses have few of the above-I know you guys will be a
success. How you operate is what separates the men from the boys.
Keep up the good work!!
And by the way, if all else fails, We're
available over the phone too!
Return to Top of Frequently Asked
Questions
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