Randall

I think large low cost drives are beside the point. If ATX is hogging that much space for backup files, something is wrong. If they don't fix it, I may be using Drake sooner than expected. Already have both programs installed and paid for. Was planning to give ATX the benefit of the doubt for 2013 and give Drake a good comparison look. That's why I bought both programs.

I think the simplest way to go is to get an adaptor and not a splitter. My old computer (XP) had only one monitor port on the back. I bought a 2nd monitor thinking all I had to do was plug it into another port on the back. I had looked on the back and mistakenly thought I had another port. But when I bought the 2nd monitor, I realized it wasn't a port for a monitor. I bought an adaptor (not a splitter). The monitor plugged into the adaptor and the adaptor plugged into the computer with a USB port. The adaptor came with a CD app to install. That put an icon on my tool bar and allowed me to set the 2nd monitor to be used as an extension or a mirror. I don't know what video components were already in the computer but I didn't need to install any other video cards. My current office desktop (W7) has two monitor ports. I have 3 monitors. The 2nd monitor is set as an extension of the 1st. The 1st and 3rd are connected to a splitter and the 3rd is a mirror of the 1st. I use the 3rd for clients to view. My laptop (W8) has a HDMI port and I have a 2nd monitor I plug into the laptop.

I put reminders in my calendar March 1 and April 1 to get the extensions done then.

JohnH, Are you doing corp extensions already?

Taxed, I've only just begun. I looked at some of their tutorials, but with those kinds of things, I usually forget by the time I need to use the particular app. I've muddled my way around in the setup and input screens. Picked up a few things already from this forum. Are the cheat sheets on the Drake website? With me, I don't think I'll really learn until I get into real time work flow experience. I know it will be slow at first. I think the cheat sheets will help me learn on the fly without having to hunt around too long.

JohnH, Thanks for the comments. I have both programs this year. I'm trying not to get discouraged with Drake. I'm getting the impression though, the more I learn it, the more I'll be a true convert. What are you using as a backup program? I believe you were one of the biggest proponents last year of everyone having a 2nd program. Another reason I bought both programs this year.

Is there a font setting in ATX? Or is it something in my computer. Form in ATX is different. The input is showing up slightly different looking. And there seems to be a heavier font on the form itself, running over space it should be in. And Ohio is showing IT 104 in upper right instead of IT 1040. Prints out that way too. Any comments would be helpul.

If a W8 laptop, make sure the screen is touch. Sometimes they say touch pad, but that's not the same as touch screen.

If Lucho goes for W8, get touch monitors. And they will be pricey. Without touch, follow Jack and get W7. Definitely get new system.

Thanks jklcpa

Thanks. Yes, taxed, I did not see the restored client, but the prompt said to enter the ssn. I entered the restored client ssn and it suddenly appeared. I'm just a beginner with Drake, very frustrating, still will have ATX for 2013 but will try to learn Drake to give it a fair comparison. Another question: I see in setup, I can suppress the 1040A and 1040EZ forms and go with 1040 for everyone. I like to do that. I also like to go with Sch C regardless. But Sch C-EZ shows up and I can't find out how to suppress it. Can it be done?

With Drake, if I want to prepare a return at home, take to office and finish up, how do I do it? With ATX, I used the export/import function. I'm not seeing this in Drake. Import seems to be talking about QB. I do see the Backup and Restore functions. This seemed to work. Is this the normal Drake method for doing this? I have only tried this on 2012, have not installed 2013 yet.

I agree Eric. I hate when I don't get a prompt telling me what's going on. Not just ATX but other apps too.

It seemed like a good idea at the time (3 years ago) but I've learned (not just ATX) the apps put some things where they want regardless of the custom installation. With the larger SSDs now, I won't bother with that on my next computer.

Or with a touch screen, hold index finger and thumb together and spread apart.

Crank, I'm like you with my current system. But I too will go with the default installation locations for ATX 2013, just to avoid potential problems. This should be my last year with my current system.

I have a computer stand opposite my desk, swivel around in my chair from computer to desk. My two monitors are currently at the back edge of the computer stand. I've already moved them to the front edge to see how it would be to use as touch. I have a pull out shelf for the keyboard. I must be odd for an accountant, never use the number pad. Still use the numbers at top of typewriter formation. My laptop doesn't have a number pad so I don't miss it at all. Can't imagine plugging in a number pad to laptop. I guess I'm different than most so I can easily see how touch monitors with a desktop will work for me. Using the mouse is annoying for me. I lose the cursor, swing mouse back and forth in long swipes. Click too fast sometimes in the wrong spot. So I guess I more ready to transition to more touch functionality.

The mouse and keyboard aren't going away. Touch is there as a 3rd way. I still use all 3. I wish I knew and remembered more keyboard shortcuts. They're probably the fastest of the 3.

I was scrambling before Nov 7. I bought a one year subscription from Checkpoint (PPC) last year so I could get both 2012 and 2013 in the same subscription year so I had to get it all in by Nov 7.

Also, on this forum, just touch view new topics, touch topic, scroll with finger or thumb. Very convenient.

Taxed: It's doubtful there will be a lot of touch functions in the tax prep software at this time. But the touch function can be great for moving from one open app to another (swipe). And there may be some touch functions available in the tax apps. But QB and Peachtree, you can use some touch functions. Office 2013 has a setting to make the menu buttons larger and more convenient for touch. Website links are handy, just spread finger and thumb to make the links bigger, touch and go. The tiles are handier for touch. It's takes some getting used to and you can find more conveniences as you go. I bought a 2nd monitor with my laptop. But it was not touch. Now, I'm reaching with my hand toward the 2nd monitor only to have to return to the mouse. I will stay with my W7 system at office this tax season. I have 3 monitors, two for me, 3rd one mirrors my left monitor and is for the client to view. It's handy. When I do upgrade to W8, I want my 2 monitors to be touch and I'm hoping I can drag one thing from left to right monitor with my finger instead of using mouse. I track some financial info in an Excel spreadsheet. To update, I go to WSJ site, open my spreadsheet, swipe from WSJ to Excel, enter, swipe back, get the next info, swipe, enter, and repeat. It beats the mouse thing by far. Just an example of my usage. Touch also comes in handy with pdf, MS Explorer folders, moving around the OS. I'm still learning ways to use. My hang-up is NOT having the W8 touch functionality on my office desktop so I can use it both at home and office. Also have a windows phone so I'm familiar with the same os.

I've had W8 (now 8.1)on my new laptop (now a year old) with no problems. There's still a lot to get used to but I like it and I like the touch functionality. The only hold back on getting a new W8 desktop for office is the pricey large touch monitors. If you're using W8, you definitely need to take advantage of the touch functionality. You won't eliminate using the mouse or keyboard shortcuts, but there are a lot of touch functions that more convenient.

My understanding is Square has no monthly fee, 2.75% per charge and their device is free. Cube has no monthly fee, 2.5% per charge but they charge $35 for the device.

I'm thinking of accepting credit card payments this coming tax season. I anticipate doing so only a few times. Just want to get the money up front and lose the hassle of late paying clients or those who 'forgot' their checkbook. I see the Square card reader doesn't work with Windows phones. I see a similar reader and service called Cube that works with Windows phones. Anyone using Cube with a Windows phone? It seems similar to Square. Anyone have any comments regarding their experiences and procedures (Cube or Square)? For those taking credit cards, how do you keep your record of the client's signature authorizing the charge? Do the readers produce a e-record? Can you then print a hard copy of the signed record?

Yes, not enough info. I'm always leery of these things. Lawyers get people set up in these things and it sounds so simple, but the client (and lawyer) doesn't consider how things will be reported for tax purposes, especially future events. Many times, the trust document itself doesn't contain enough info.