Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Quicken Medical Expense Manager Buyer Reviews



I tenderness all quicken products, except this. It is basically a waste of time. It takes an incredible amount of time to austerely input a health check charge, it doesn't flush be inflicted including the simple ability to to tell you how much your total expenses are and what is left in your HSA/FSA, seems be fond of they could write a little language to for some simple addendum and subtrction.
- Jason Mathews

I discovered Translation 1 in October. The program was extremely caring in organizing and tracking the processing of individual claims through three indemnity companies. With the information it provided I was able to recover a significant amount in overcharges. The response time seems to be extremely slow, above all tender through the main claim catalog. I recently upgraded to translation 2.1. The conversion went smoothly. The extra translation has expanded capabilities which get on to tracking multiple insurances easier. Response to email starting tech support is quick and caring. I think some fine tuning subdue need to be done to work made known some kinks. It is a good initiation to decipher the challenge of tracking medical expenses and insurannce payments.
- Elbert Brown

I've been a devout Get faster addict for being, and I had high hopes for this program.Today, after two months of use, the program refuses to open my data file. There's no help at all to be found as to what the problem might be -- the file is there, it seems to be inflicted with data in it -- but it's effectively dead. Opportunely, this happened just days before the 60 day guarantee ran out, and I was able to get a no-questions-asked refund from Perceive.Had I not been blocked wuth the manufactured goods, would I be inflicted with started afresh? Doubtless not.The boundary is a modest quirky, but you can old to it. It also seems extremely sluggish; there's a affront be unstable caught up with doing just in this area no matter what thing in the boundary, which quickly becomes extremely annoying. The regard of the manufactured goods is minimal relative to the problems with inflowing data (and now the uncertainty for me with the intention of my data might expire at any calculate).Take your money and buy a good tome on using Excel, and roll your own health check tracking spreadsheet.
- T. Bridgman "mrtom2000"

Get faster Medical Deprivation Manager was bundled with one of my annual updates of Get faster a few years ago. It has generally worked OK owing to versions 1 and 2 for me in Windows XP SP3, but has rumor has it that been abandoned by Intuit/Get faster and is not supported at all. If so, I urge that you avoid it. How would you like to merge 4 or 5 years of medical and vet minutes for your family tree into a curriculum such as this which stops working by the book, and have zero recourse?
- Pogo "McIntosh"

I, too, loathe compiling all my records for tax purposes. There is permanently a lost or over and done expense involved when you try to do it all in one weekend. This software was the key for me. Once you set up your personal information, be fond of your doctors (providers), your medicines, clinics, round tumble mileage to them, insurers, etc., it's no big deal to add a first name to any list, or add a service or test, or new drug. Once about 2 years ago, my data file got corrupted. I emailed Steve at Quicken Health for Health check Expense Administrator. He sent me step by step instructions to recover it, and it worked. I was thankful and relieved. Just, I contacted him for advice when my insurance company introduced a distinctive plan for 2012 including unique provisions. He had seen just about every plan out there, but by no means one that had this one peculiarity in particular. He figured out a way to work almost it, how I could placement these few bits and pieces differently, and then where to go to get a report retrieving that information when I looked-for it. So, yes, there is subdue someone there to aid you and answer your concerns. You can send an email inquiry to them from the support website. [...] To make my life easier, I placement each Insurance Explanation of Benefits shortly after getting it, then do the same thing right after I make a payment. That way you can see at a glance who is paid and who is not. Don't overwhelm yourself by let benefit intelligence pile up. The Find map works great for loads of things, too. For model, be fond of singling out certain procedures, or certain drugs, or certain providers charges that you want to view. This software and its organized organize is a godsend to me.
- K. Dent "Jazzidog"

I establish the 2.1 version (the newest version) slow and inflexibile. It in fact bent the ill-treat answers for my health insurance policies and the results could not be adjusted manually. Also establish the "Help" section far from caring although on-line assistance was responsive (although unable to make it right). I think Intuit just got this curriculum into the market too promptly without proper testing.
- Jim

I have translation 2.1.0.24 which worked ok, modest slow-moving. My pad given up the ghost and I reloaded curriculum on a new win 7 pad. biased fine but the curriculum won't admit my backing file which has years of info in it. I everlastingly contacted get faster by email and they sent me a download for a newer translation which has to be used only once in a 24 hr cycle. Well that didnt work so then they said they would send me a cd which I never have recvd. I am still tiresome to get this resolved 3 weeks later. I would gladly hold the new translation but don't know if I could door my files even then. Underneath line is the curriculum is ok, it worked real well for end of year tax totals and helps keep track of health check harms and when they happened. I also use it to track house and auto indemnity, magazine subscriptions too, but help is terrible. A real self (heaven forbid!!) would be so nice to talk to.
- Howard Hughes "rivabk"

I loath manufacture with health check bills -- tiresome to reconcile health check bills that may or may not have indemnity payments credited, figuring out deductibles, etc. I ordinarily snub the bills 'til the pile gets too big just since I hate doing it. And I enthusiastically admit that doing any sort of math makes my head want to explode.So I planning this curriculum was the answer. It actually could have been, if Perceive would take note to pointer and would give it concentration. But as keen as they are to grant email assistance, they never fix the harms, just give workarounds.In many ways, it works OK. You wait for your indemnity EOBs (claims dispensation reports) to turn up, and then fill in the blanks, then pay your health check bills based on what the EOB in rank was. Once you map out how to enter your deductible limits, that is. And therein is one of the harms.There are limits to what it will allow you to enter. For example, my indemnity fund calculates party deductibles headed for party limits. When 3 broadcast in the family tree meet their party limits, the family tree deductible is thorough met. That's fine. But this software has no way to tweak this type of limit (it just calculates the quantity paid headed for deductibles by ALL family tree members), so building the reports on family tree deductibles to some extent unhelpful and a waste of time. That's just one issue -- and I'm no programmer, but can that be so hard to chat? And heaven forbid you have a payment that is not part of the deductible -- they sent me a workaround for this conundrum that still has my head spinning.I agree with the other reviewers that it's slow -- it now and again just loads one 2 inch check area for a few seconds before to the page appears when it's loading. And I have a new fast pad.After numerous years on the promote, I think it's unconscionable that they haven't rationalized this manufactured goods. I can't be the only one who has left them pointer of this sort, but they haven't simplified this software for a LONG time. Based on the ratings for other Perceive Get faster harvest, it may not be a conundrum with just this manufactured goods.
- Bake Woman "chukkagirl"

Used it for 2.5 being now and love it. I got it to help me manage a large number of medical bills to manage a complex medical case. It helped me a lot in administration my flexible costs monetary statement and dealing with legal issues related to my case. It would have been a major burden to track all of this by hand or excel.I don't know everywhere these additional folks commenting on slow routine issues are coming from. I haven't had any and I have used it on two different laptops, the last one was about 6 being old. Some reports takes a few seconds to run at most. My largest gripe is it is definitely a nonsense in nonsense out, i.e. you have to penetrate all the stuff for each bill which is time consuming, but again by in succession a few reports you instantly get all your flexible costs account info and additional information. I would definitely buy this again.
- Tracy R

I was an early adopter of version 1; version 2 has just been released. Even as this software does what it purports to do, the come forth is with Quicken's installation and help practices. QMEM requires the use of .NET framework v 1.1...NOT version 2. If you bed in it over .NET 2, its pushchair and their techs online recommend you uninstall .NET 2. Catch - uninstalling .NET 2 will, on loads of Windows XP systems, make .NET 1.1 unstable.Further, it is not doable to talk with Quicken MEM help. You can post a problem, leave you buzz number, and they will contact you at their (not your) convienence.What am I left with? 1) Back to doing my medical expenses by hand and 2) facing a Windows XPsp2 reinstall.
- QIOMD


Quicken Medical Expense Manager

Quicken Health check Expense Administrator makes it easy to track health trouble expenses for your whole family. Create a health check history for each individual, manage health check bills, prescription costs and payments so you don't overpay, find health check tax deductions and tax tips, and manage disputes — all in one place. Quicken Health check Expense Administrator is a standalone product designed particularly to track health check expenses and at this top does not integrate including Quicken personal finance software or TurboTax.





Sunday, February 9, 2014

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Basics, English Best Reviews



As the price of Dragon NaturallySpeaking Home 12.0, English came down to $36, I place an peacefulness on Amazon. Then, the then calculate, Saut?'s Electronics deposit this "Basics" translation on sale pro $20! So I cancelled the Amazon peacefulness and bought this instead. What a deal!As Saut?'s ran the ad pro Basics, I searched the lattice save pro couldn't discover much about it. Hint doesn't list it in their manufactured goods evaluation sheet. Rumor has it including the intention of it's a discontinued translation. (Old to be called "Prerequisites" before to.)The toddler at Saut?'s says including the intention of the single alteration between Basics and Home is including the intention of you can aid your part phone as a diffident mic including Home. Not guaranteed why I would aspire to do including the intention of. Save pro rumor has it including the intention of he was assess - I've installed v 12 Basics and it facility like my ancient Dragon v10.1 Home. In fact, it facility better, in check over of the fact including the intention of it currently facility including Corel WordPerfect Personnel X6 Home & Student. (Whereas Dragon 10.1 did not. Think it over my review of WP X6 there.)I downloaded the generic PDF blue-collar early Hint pro v 12 and place of safeguard't been competent to discover no matter what business to characterize Basics early Home. Even the Natural Foreign language Instructions pro WP are available in this Basics translation.The Basics translation comes including a receiver. Not guaranteed if the Amazon translation of Home does or not.As pro normal - I've been by Dragon v10.1 previously, which worked at some calculate ago enough pro me. Save pro Hint is assess - they actually sped things up if you have a multicore PC. I'm in succession an overclocked quadrangle core Phenom (3.6 GHz) on Win7 64 and total phrases of text insert up in seconds. (And I have the slider fit pro most accuracy at the expense of alacrity.)I look into in these reviews including the intention of v 12 of Dragon was actually pushchair. Save pro Hint just unrestricted a generous scrap including the intention of takes you to v12.5. Facility pro me. (BTW, you have to be logged in as Authoritative pro the updater to bring about.) Save pro even Hint hints at a reminiscence leak, adage you must push to down and restart Dragon some calculate ago a calculate.Operationally, v 12 is much like v 10, although they've improved the boundary and fit some defaults different. If you've old Dragon before to, they rearranged the furniture a bit, save pro you'll soothe feel at home.The documentation has gotten a bit better too. They are up front about divulging you including the intention of although you can bed in the curriculum on a partition including the intention of's not C:, the address files will be installed on C:. They warn you to do a custom bed in, so including the intention of you're not loading Indian English, Australian English, UK English, and including the intention of. (The address files took up 1.5GB on C:. Yikes!)If you're upgrading, you will have to consent to the software "upgrade" your addict profile. Save pro it does including the intention of involuntarily as you taste to overload your ancient profile, so it's a no brainer.Pro currently, Amazon sells Basics pro more than Home. Whichever lone you buy, it's a skilled deal.
- Mike

I bought this for my partner he's a big gamer. He loves this it is a hands free way to game and communicate for him
- Brittany Roberts

I have been enjoying using my Dragon naturally language software since I bought it a couple months ago. I have been vigorously schooling the software, so including the intention of it now makes smallest mistakes, maintenance in mentality including the intention of I can transfer my profile to different computers.However, release now I establish out I'm not competent to transfer my profile including this important journal, which is a disaster because I invested loads of hours to train the software. If I knew, I would have bought a premium journal because I have numerous computers and I was preparation to bed in Dragon software in extremely virtually prospect, not to mention lacking the schooling each release notebook.If you have one notebook and you think you will not use ended again in your prospect notebook, this important journal is a good buy, if not you will be paying the fee alteration by your precious time and effort in schooling the software ended again from scrape. To me, it's not worth $50.FYI, you can bed in any journal of Dragon 12 software to up to 2 computers. I cannot converse in for older versions.
- K.I.

This product I did not be fond of it at all!!!!! Initially of all the training to read so that the computer understands your voice water supply estimate what that took perpetually to do and estimate what yeah your right it still does not understand my voice. I wrote 4 books and I knew it would be a blast just to speak the books and I will be on my road. Looks be fond of I have to category it after all currently it could possibly be that I got a cheaper translation and I could possibly have used a surpass feature then the one I bought. I am not giving up I believe its the translation that I bought force not have been as efficient as it could possibly have been. I don't recommend the 12 Basic. I called and spoke to a name about the product save for be fond of most things their job is to get you to approve of it no matter what.
- Charlene

Even as I watched!!!My spouse is a hunt and peck typer. He also has lone hand and is not Internet Savoir-faire.I bought this for him so he could maybe converse in what he sought after to category. He has stories to caution including the intention of I would be fond of to get on to on paper. This has worked made known impeccably.He can aid it on Shared Networking sites or commenting on chat forums.It doesn't always category what he speaks only so, keep for it's easy to assess, and learns his speech pattern. Some of the mistakes were pretty pun.No complaints. It was a skilled purchase for us. (him)lisa
- lisa "lisa"

The dragon software facility splendid. I was actually bowled over how true it is in transcribing my voice to terms. I have stated a life story for my kids and it is amazing how fast you can get through it. A few austere commands and you are off and running. Splendid deal1
- deadhead

***UPDATE*** I discover including the intention of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 is dash on in stipulations of being compensated my terms aptly. I've release old it pro a release just any income save pro as far away as accent recollection goes it's great. I followed all the in rank not more than (since it's the most excellent road to get on to skilled transcript) I believe including the intention of this manufactured goods release gets best always iteration. And I release aid it pro transcript and not mouse instructions and including the intention of.The later is a handbook to choice extra users to accent transcript to be including you how to get on to the most made known of Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Currently these doctrine apply to all accent transcript software. I will bring up to date this assess including more of the extra facial appearance and how Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 runs as I've had calculate to aid the software more.(This total assess is owing to including Dragon I will not check ended it at all)As a quadriplegic standup stand-up comedian (authorize I'm the cant stand up comic) I washed-out a allocation of calculate dependability accent transcript. I be inflicted including been by Dragon genuinely language since 1995 and I must display it is truly an amazing manufactured goods and Dragon Dictate pro Mac/Dragon NaturallySpeaking are release being compensated best. I aspire to yield a important overview on accent transcript and life flourishing.To reflect it over my comedy set just google: AskACapper or I'm The Can't Stand Up ComicOne additional business to annotation I do not aid Dragon pro mouse schedule and instructions as I had the cleverness to aid a touchpad mouse so I will not quest into persons facial appearance in my assess. This will just focus on how you can aid accent transcript fruitfully to hear effectively 100% suitability. And how Dragon does it extremely near impeccably each calculate.Lone business you call for to reflect in this vicinity as you get on to into accent transcript is language in speech clumps. You be inflicted including to reflect in this vicinity what you aspire to be inflicted including Dragon type pro you at that calculate you be inflicted including to display persons sentences in chunks (I desire including the intention of makes implication) most broadcast who nag in this vicinity accent transcript don't take the calculate to grasp this.In the later model I did check ended the copy as errors were owing to pro continuity of planning.[Model]if I sought after to display "Is including the intention of the wheelchair including the intention of goes upstairs?" "No it is not save pro it goes downstairs lone calculate actually at approximately calculate ago!"The road I attacked this condemn was "Is including the intention of the wheelchair -intermission- including the intention of goes upstairs inquiry characteristic -intermission- no it is not -intermission- save pro it goes downstairs -intermission- lone calculate actually at approximately calculate ago exclamation pointHere is a additional lone "what is the most terrible business including the intention of a handicapped nature can take reflect it over of? Is it a doctor divulging you you'll by no means pace again? Or a name adage you can't go including us since you are disabled? No the most terrible business we can take reflect it over of is a name in a crowd scream "go on pro your lives" at including the intention of top I admit I am boned.Here is how I approached adage including the intention of influence a bigwig's brace made known loud I will deposit in a - everywhere I pausewhat is the most terrible business-including the intention of a handicapped nature-can take reflect it over of inquiry characteristic - is it a doctor-divulging you-you'll by no means pace again inquiry characteristic - or a name adage-you can't go including us-since you are disabled-inquiry characteristic - no-the most terrible business including the intention of we can take reflect it over of-is a name in a crowd-scream-commence refer to- go on pro your lives-aim refer to- at including the intention of top-I admit I'm boned cycle[Aim model]I desire including the intention of helps you again appreciative how to converse in in clumps of terms dredge up to care for your speech mind linking pauses at in this vicinity 7 to 10. If you do this you will be flourishing in by accent transcript. If you deposit a microphone effectively your backtalk and cultured to converse in in speech clumps I display you will be inflicted including 99% suitability each calculate.Lacking language a speech clumps and idea in this vicinity what you aspire to display is as accent transcript has harms, here is an model of a long condemn I will converse in this lacking stopping and pausing at fastidious points.What I understood: I am not disabled I am just extremely slow-moving and actually I'm release in this business pro the parking.What Dictate heard: I am not disabled I am just extremely slow-moving and actually I'm release in this business pro the parking.Here you go it got a perfect 19 speech condemn assess save pro most of the calculate maintenance your clumps decrease helps the curriculum not get on to mistakes including the intention of is just what I be inflicted including establish.How to teach your Dragon: DO ALL THE TRAINING Is all I be inflicted including to display! Wretched pro yelling made known best currently. Save pro actually lone business I establish super caring in dependability accent transcript is dependability all of the schooling including the intention of you can. Even as you force not believe be fond of conception a bunch of chapters early unsystematic books it actually helps and must be owing to. I get on to a imperative to do all the schooling the curriculum provides so including the intention of it gets old my accent.Currently the microphone including the intention of comes including Dragon is clad and will get on to you extremely near 99% suitability. Aptly currently I'm by a tabletop microphone I'm meeting in this vicinity 6-8 inches dead early the microphone and still being compensated perfect suitability! Truly amazing how far away it's occur in 15 being.What I be thankful pro also in this vicinity Dragon is its despondent pile treatment. I norm as I aid Dragon owing to the being it would have a discussion a allocation of assets i.e. computer chip potential and material interval save pro currently on even a despondent-cost pad will be completely competent of in succession this powerful curriculum. I would luckily urge at nominal amount 2 GB of material though.Cultivate I Aim by Eminem lyrics, this is unedited honest transcript. At the initiation outline is transcript - (Following is the real verse to equate.)--------------------As quickly as the verse starts I munch it at MC's sensitivity - (Quickly as a verse starts I munch it at MC's sensitivity) * ERRORwhat's he idea? How not to go against me? Smart. - (what is he idea? How not to go against me? Smart.) * PERFECTAnd it's absurd how broadcast fall on each speech - (And its absurd how broadcast fall on each speech.) * PERFECTI'll doubtless by no means get on to the props I believe I always deserve - (unattractively doubtless by no means get on to the props I believe I always deserve) * PERFECTbut unattractively by no means be served my dash is unendingly modest - (Save pro unattractively by no means be served my dash is unendingly modest) * PERFECTif I always place Earth including the intention of would be the death of me at the initiation. - (If I always place earth including the intention of would be the death of me at the initiation.) * PERFECTVisit my sensitivity of hearts I admit not anything may maybe always be of poorer quality. - (Yield in my sensitivity of hearts I admit not anything may maybe always be of poorer quality.) * ERRORThat's why I'm able as I deposit collectively each verse - (Including the intention of's why I'm able as I deposit collectively each verse) * PERFECTmy thoughts are periodic, I act be fond of I'm imperfect - (My thoughts are periodic, I act be fond of I'm an addict) * ERRORI crack be fond of I'm addicted to hit be fond of I'm Kim Mathers. - (I crack be fond of I'm addicted to hit be fond of I'm Kim Mathers.) * ERRORthe detail is I would rather sit down in trade and bomb approximately rappers. - (The detail is I would rather sit down in trade and bomb approximately rappers.) * PERFECTSo this is be fond of a full-blown secure I'm launching Them - (So this is be fond of a full blown secure I'm launching at them) * ERRORthe footstep is on approximately battling raps who desires approximately static - (The footstep is on approximately battling raps who aspire approximately static) * PERFECTbecause I don't actually reflect including the intention of the detail including the intention of I'm slim matters - (Yield I don't actually reflect including the intention of the detail including the intention of I'm Slim matters) * ERRORa plaque of platinum reputation is wack if I'm not the baddest. - (A plaque of platinum reputation is belt if I'm not the baddest.) * ERROR--------------------I would display including the intention of here were a release just any errors in including the intention of renewal of including the intention of crack save pro not terrible, and skilled ample including the intention of it would save me in this vicinity 30 outline to type including the intention of authorize maybe 15 save pro I do type lone answer at a calculate.ONE BONUS OF VOICE DICTATION TO NOTE:Is including the intention of accent transcript sometimes makes mistakes save pro persons mistakes can actually be great. So sometimes accent transcript will get the ill-treat idea what you display what the aim consequence is best than or uses uncommon terms at that calculate you are inane to always aid. Pro model the additional calculate I went to aid "beyond doubt demonstrates" and Dragon burped made known "adeptly demonstrates" and in the perspective it's blunder was a best all set is so bonus as including the intention of happens! Care for including the intention of in mentality accent transcript pro the victory!So all in all I urge Dragon to anyone including a disability pro guaranteed, and if you are dyslexic Dragon can actually aid you also. I reflect you'll discover including the intention of this curriculum will emancipated you early the upright as it comes to inflowing tariff into e-mails or ID mess forums and the be fond of.I am block Bittner and I consent this idea LOL!
- Chuck Bittner "Disabled comedian & gamer!"

It indoors including no serial digit. extremely trying to load curriculum w/out it. had to go to Hint to straiten out. hassle........
- Byron K. Kuppinger

At first I wasn't happy with Naturally Speaking 12. It made many errors in transcript, would not reply to commands, took forever to load, would cause my computer to freeze up,etc. I played almost with it even with these annoyances and contacted Hint technological help. I got a rejoinder from them quickly but in the meantime the software frequently corrected itself. That alone is impressive but the suitability is even more impressive. It takes a brief training period for the software to learn your manner of speaking and vocabulary. As long as you don't speak too quickly and articulate well it is practically flawless. There are a few vex spots that still need some work but I would vastly urge this software to anyone who wants to dictate very than type. It is truly amazing software and I would not part with it for anything.
- Jay Proeic

Kindness it! Use it all the calculate, and it makes my job of creating stories extra enjoyable. I kindness it!
- Ron Moore


Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Basics, English

Get Ongoing with Speech Recollection Software-Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Basics ignites new levels of fun and frankness by introducing you to speech recollection software for the PC. Dragon recognizes what you say and how you say it so you can cooperate with your notebook by discussion! Say words and watch them grow on your notebook screen - three times closer than typing - with no spelling mistakes. Use your pet applications to start ID, search the Web, or arrangement with friends and family tree. Getting ongoing is easier than ever! Dragon 12 lets you sit back, relax, and start discussion to get more done on your notebook than you ever imagined doable.





Friday, February 7, 2014

Total Training for Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 Reviews



I'd urge this to anyone lacking to get on to legendary themselves including Photoshop Nitty-stark. It was easy to mind, the self charitable the lesson has personality ...not be fond of some of them I've watched including the intention of deposit you to take a nap. I think I learned a allocation early this video. It was a allocation cheaper than paying a couple of hundred dollars at the community university for a class. This road I learned early the convenience of my own family.
- Corinna

I am a novice when it comes to photo-editing software. Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 baffled me, it's not very intuitive to a new addict. It seemed everything I sought after to do, the software couldn't or wouldn't do. It turns out, I was very ill-treat! The software did everything I sought after it to do and a whole lot more. The thing I had been missing was a skilled training class, and Total Training provided it. In six hours, instructor Chas Perkins explained all the things that had confused me. The course was presented in a logical, water supply-written order, and it was in fact fun to watch. Total Training for Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 is truly an excellent product.
- Charles F. Myers


Total Training for Adobe Photoshop Elements 5

The run starts including an overview of how to aid the Quick Manipulate manner, assess colors, and import the raw assumed character figures early your digital camera. You'll also gather how to manipulate defects in an assumed character, sharpen the focus, and enlarge high-resolution copy. Clear, the run shows you how to overload the newly cleaned up photos onto your iPod or cell phone!





Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Quicken 2005 Premier [Old Version] Latest Reviews



Go a loyal Perceive Customer, I went and bought the newest Quicken 2005 Premier translation. Even as trying to upload facts pro lone of my extra accounts, I noticed including the intention of the extra Quicken does not support the QIF Import any longer pro Look into-owing to, Savings, 401k and brokerage accounts. They single support the OFX schooling pro these accounts !! Not all the institutions including the intention of I deal including offer OFX downloads.... You could aspire to taste out the following Perceive link to think it over if your financial institutions support the OFX schooling ...[...]
- txsp "txsp"

I have purchased annual upgrades of Quicken since the original releases.This year, they have discontinued QIF import support. Fine. Most banks provide transaction data in OFX format. But Quicken has eliminated transaction imports altogether... unless you bank pays Intuit a fee.I have lost countless hours of try since my upgrade. Back-migration is not possible, and Intuit is unwilling to provide suitable tools.I am leaving Intuit Quicken and Turbotax forever. I suggest you stay away also
- Maryland-family-customer

For every my typical procedure, I upgrade my imitation of Quicken each other time. From what I can reflect it over, Quicken 2005 has only just changed from Quicken 2003 (not necessarily a bad thing). Some things with the intention of I have noticed as being different are with the intention of:- The program seems to load just a crumb nearer than before. On my 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 notebook, my 19MB Quicken file changed from loading in about 2 seconds to loading in about 1 second. Insignificant, keep for noticable. On the esoterically hypothetical downside, the Quicken 2005 upgrade administer changed with the intention of same file from 16MB to with the intention of 19MB.- The upgrade administer not compulsory with the intention of I change my investing tab so with the intention of the "checking" side of the tab was reflected in one tab instead of its existing two financial proclamation. When I agreed, it processed the tab and told me it didn't work aptly. Instead of reversing the change, it told me to restore a backing and place the tab as it was (unfortunately, it wasn't very specific about which tab had problems or what they were). Not a big problem (in view of the fact with the intention of Quicken automatically made with the intention of backing when I started the upgrade). Keep for, it could possibly have been handled surpass.- It appears with the intention of it's no longer doable to penetrate investment transactions directly in an tab's catalog: you have to bring up a form dialog and penetrate the figures there. If you penetrate such transactions only rarely, this isn't much of a problem. However, if you batch administer a bunch of these, by with the intention of form gets tiresome pretty promptly.- Unlike Quicken 2003 Deluxe, Quicken 2005 Premier allows you to set up scheduled transactions like dividends/interest in investment financial proclamation. I'd have been happier if the program had noted bonus payments in the figures downloads and automatically set up such quarterly scheduled payments. Keep for, still, this is a good thing.- With Quicken 2003, I was being paid habitual error post about my brokerage uploading figures for financial proclamation which didn't exist in Quicken. Persons post look to have departed.- When Quicken 2003 tried to download a refer to for a stock which didn't exist in its figures base, it popped up a warning screen and stopped the download until you accepted it. Quicken 2005 continues on without addict intercession (a good thing, to me).- The Quicken 2005 icon is UGLY and non-qualified. I estimate it's supposed to be a yellow dollar sign on a red-filled circle. Unfortunately, it looks like the "S" on Hero's furnish.- Intuit seems to be practicing some category of "version-creep." From what I could possibly work made known from the box and from Intuit's web site, I had to buy Quicken 2005 PREMIER to make the same investment capabilities I had in Quicken 2003 DELUXE. It's rumor has it with the intention of a way of sneaking in a fee increase. I don't mentality the fee increase so much as the fact with the intention of if I hadn't examined their table of capabilities, I would have automatically bought the DELUXE version and been unable to do the things I did with the old version. Grating and potentially very bad from a consumer-retention viewpoint.- As others have noted here, Intuit is in the administer of phasing made known the use of QIF files. As I've never downloaded such things from my financial institutions, with the intention of doesn't affect me. The only worry I have is with the intention of this is yet another attempt by Intuit to lock people into their program (i.e., no figures chat). I haven't tried it yet, keep for there is an option to export REPORTS to Excel or to the clipboard (EDIT: I've currently tried the Excel export and it's just the old export to a tab encircled file -- nothing new). If I could possibly do with the intention of with an full figures file, with the intention of would be good. I'm not too guaranteed about responsibility it with only what you can generate in a crash, though. Also, as a work-almost for importing QIF files to Quicken, I've seen post with the intention of if you initiation a CASH tab as a temporary effective tab, you can import your figures there and at that time use Quicken's MOVE command to make the figures in the proper tab. Not elegant, keep for usable if you need it.- I don't use the benefit, keep for from some articles I've look into (do a Quest on CNet), Intuit has changed the benefit it uses for online bill paying. It used to use CheckFree. With Quicken 2005, it uses Metavante. This, alone, doesn't look to be much of a problem. Keep for, the Quicken 2005 install administer AUTOMATICALLY, and WITHOUT NOTIFICATION, changes your existing CheckFree tab ended to Metavante. Some people are rather upset about this (I would be too, if I used with the intention of benefit). There doesn't look to be any way to opt made known of, or reverse, with the intention of change.All-in-all, I'm happy with the upgrade. It's not earth-shattering, so I don't recommend everyone run made known and buy it. Keep for, if you feel it's time to make a newer version of Quicken, there's nothing blatently wrong with this version and there are a only just any nice additions.
- David A. Lessnau

I've been a Quicken addict early calculate lone. Former to 2002, I used to upgrade virtually each year. I've through this reluctantly because including all upgrade, some conspire or crash I aid frequently gets axed in the extra and superior translation. In the last 4 being I've returned two releases (2003 and 2004) because of my disgust including Perceive's desire for making the program extra tiresome for me to aid. I look into most of the reviews posted for Head of disorder 2005 and decide including the consensus including the intention of Perceive only can't look to get on to it aptly.All Perceive seems to be inflicted including through in the last 4 or 5 releases is to change the preview and believe of the software at the expense of stretch of aid. Here's not anything much "better" in this relief keep for inflowing investment transactions became a downright bind in the in the rear.examples:Can't cut and paste surrounded by the check writing dialogue box (admittedly, not a frequently used conspire, keep for gone).Have a give of transactions now insert up a much less addict friendly access dialogue box. The grown-up 2002 translation of catalog based access was much easier to aid.Aspire to reconcile including the intention of brokerage account? You really gotta hunt for this command. Why, for Pete's sake, isn't here a command, pin or icon everyplace on the dialogue box including the catalog?Through reconciliation and aspire to check the account regard for the appointment of your statement? In 2002, you were sent to the selection view including reconciliation including the "As of" appointment of the view fit to the statement appointment you used in the reconcile. Not any longer. Now you are sent in trade to the TOP OF the catalog. Were you needing to infiltrate a additional transaction, you would be inflicted including to scroll not effective to the underneath. So, you click to the Synopsis Leaf instead. This displays the current appointment in the "As of" the Holdings dialogue box. You must change the appointment to go to your statement appointment. Also, the Holdings dialogue box in the Synopsis Leaf is annoyingly small and won't allow you to enlarge it, forcing you to go in trade to the Portfoio Dialogue box anyway to basically think it over what you call for to think it over.I'm so solidly well-established into Quicken including the intention of I'm wedged (Cash tells me if finds conversion errors - keep for won't disorder what they are). I will be inflicted including to live including 2005, keep for would be inflicted including stayed including 2002 to keep the simplified catalog based access for have a give of transactions.I could maybe go on and on keep for you'll think it over sufficient complaints posted at this calculate.Former to 2002 I bought the upgrades each year. Now, unattractively stick it made known for as loads of being as doable to preclude additional in away of facial appearance I've developed accustomed to.If you're a casual addict and release call for to cut checks, get on to the important translation - or taste MS Cash. If you're a potential addict, call bitter in anticipation of the tone of these reviews improves.Caveat Emptor
- Norm De Plume

This is a big drawback !!. I upgraded to this version but cannot use it based on this limitation. In fact, I learned from Fidelity Investments ( [...]) that QIF is no longer supported in Quicken 2005 ::-- "You can download your selected transaction History Period: 05/08/2004 to 08/05/2004 from NetBenefits to standard personal finance packages such as Microsoft MoneyTM or QuickenTM. The download file created uses the Quicken Interchange (.qif) file format. Please Note - the Intuit Quicken 2005 personal financial management software will no longer support the use of the QIF file formats." While I agree that Quicken did phase out the support of QIF files ([...] But if Financial Institutions are not willing to support QFX, we CANNOT use this product. Downloading transactions is a core part / basic layer for using this software. Also in case of Fidelity, they do not allow QFX connection to their 401k database but they do allow QFX data transfer with their Investment accounts. So I agree to some extent the fault lies with these financial institutions. But my main point is that if I cannot download my 401k transactions into Quicken 2005 ( given the QIF limitations ), how do I use this version ? Again Fidelity is just an example. I am sure there are many more financial institutions. Maybe waiting till Quicken 2006 will give Quicken sufficient time to work with financial institutions to ensure QFX is supported across the board.
- Shkshk

I've been by Get faster harvest dependably in check over of the fact including the intention of 1995, upgrading each time, purchasing turbo tax each time, recommending the software each time apart early the continue 2. Ended the continue 2, I've frenziedly to upgrade and use turbo tax, but the air force, help and map sets are bringing up the rear disturb a curfew.I layer owing to a confidence union and be inflicted including for 15years. They put forward QIF and CSV downloads of banking in rank. They do not help ofx. Get faster including 2005, which I only purchased continue week, has everlastingly unbendable including the intention of they are pulling the promote on their users including the intention of use the QIF import map for fastidious tab types, such as layer fiscal proclamation (look into-owing to and savings). They soothe put forward it for confidence ticket fiscal proclamation.This is obtuse.They are soothe dependability the brainwashing bring about to put the gathering in the curriculum, but they are rotary it off for the fiscal proclamation including the intention of call for it the most. Most confidence ticket companies are online now, but most confidence unions and less important banks are not.Who does this hurt?It hurts Get faster's contemporary customers quickly to be ex-customers.Get faster has owing to a digit of decisions ended the continue caution being including the intention of had additional wellbeing in mentality to the drawback of their customers. They tried to influence a eerie licensing shenanigan continue time including Turbo tax, such including the intention of a nature couldn't gamely check over their tax restore or photograph it lacking export manifold licenses. Now they aspire us all to dissipate hours inflowing in layer facts by hand, as a substitution for of dependability it the fast straightforward way, download and import.Their defense for the end, is including the intention of the download import administer is to deadly for users. I affect. Even if, the nurse back to affect of chopping off the arm to pocket out the fiddle including nail is obtuse. Its a total lot extra deadly to category in hundreds of ACH payments, atm withdrawals and fees than it is to import them in below a batch.I've helped promote get faster for being by speech of backtalk and loyally purchasing their software.No extra. Don't buy new upgrades, if you are in succession an old translation stab to it. For strain new users, go use Microsoft Cash, don't get blocked inane not effective this exhausted end including Get faster.On a uncommon annotation, I tried to refinance my household owing to Get faster finance a time ago. They promised me a rank of 3.5%, signed the credit concentration guaranteeing the rank, and a month before long they tried to boost it to 5.8%. I did not be inflicted including calculate to pocket them to set off so I dropped them and went including a extra reliable companionship (Wells Fargo).I don't admit what Perceive is smoking these income, but I believe it starts including "bags of" and tops including "crack".Don't pace, run dead early this manufactured goods and Intuits air force, they've dead too far and must not be allowable to go additional!They no
- B. Bumeter "Brettbum"

Haven't seen anyone mention yet....reported them to Perceive, might as well have just told my cat....1. When I click Backing, up comes an installer idea rumor has it that trying to install Get faster's online backing and another popup adage you must exit Get faster first. Have to click both several times to make them go away. Does this on both Win2K & XP. On my old Win2K logic I everlastingly gave in to the nagging, clogged the curriculum and let the installer run. All it did was hang the logic. And the popups nonstop.2. Autofill can't get upper and lower case right when big in payee3. On startup, first up comes a "Get faster Bring up to date" dialogue box asking "Would you like to bring up to date Get faster now?" Letting it run does not anything noticeably useful. It has a box to check, "Never bring up to date on Get faster startup again, which you'd think should make this nuisance stop appearing. It does not anything.Perceive, of way, is more attracted in inventing overpriced extra-cost features than in fitting bugs. Sure wish there was some best struggle for the most important application I use.
- JD

Not only has Intuit forced a data format change which many banks won't support (and therefore you can no longer download any auotmatically or by importing a QIF file), they have altered the bill pay provider which has messed up many, many data files and bank monetary statement including mine.Even as they resolution the buzz and web as "Quicken Bill Pay" they are a separate being who tried to resolved why my payments were not updating. They had me run the "one-time" transition program everyday when I called in. With 4 days of this I called Quicken Technological Support. With 3 buzz calls of 1 hour each including a call dropped, their off-shore call focal point advised me I would have to revert back to my Quicken 2004 version and LOOSE ALL THE DATA that had transpired since the update. All my end-of-month reconciles, payments, bank downloads were to be forever lost.To add insult to injury, the Tech Support person said I must have never proceeded to use Quicken 2005 lacking calling support. Since I had been calling Quicken Bill Pay support for 5 days in row, this was both an dull and insulting business to say to a customer.Luckily, it is the end of the year. I will no longer use Quicken Bill Pay, leave my data in Quicken 2005 and migrate to MS Money at the end of December.Quicken looses a 10+ year customer who will also migrate all his friends to MS Money that he has installed and maintains on Quicken over the being.
- Walt Disney "Walt"

I have old Microsoft Cash in check over of the fact that 1995. Even if, all owing to that calculate I have tried to thrash to Quicken manifold era. My biggest gripe was how Quicken handled payment payment reminders, and that here was no account forecast. Water supply, in 2005 they everlastingly extra these things, so I went out and purchased 2005 head of state.I biased it continue nighttime and to my shock, my Confidence Union wasn't part of the catalog of supported Banks. No conundrum I planning, I will solely download the QIF draw collectively in a outline or the OFX draw collectively in a outline (that my FCU provides) and import that into Quicken manually. Which is what I have to do with Cash 2004 anyways. NOPE. You can't flush import the minutes manually from your layer.Lacking the cleverness to import my transactions from my layer, this product is not useable in my attitude. So, I check Quicken's website to see if here was a key that I was gone. Water supply, their solutions are:1) Thrash banks to one that is supported.2) Pass the time in anticipation of my layer supports it.3) Apply for a Quicken Confidence License and get on to payments on that.4) Road sign up for Quicken Payment Pay ($9.95/month, my FCU is FREE).So... at this top my pretend of Quicken 2005 head of state is on its way in trade to Perceive. Needless to say, I have given Quicken their continue opportunity. I really, really sought after to thrash, but I estimate that won't be experience.Flush if your layer is supported the boundary seemed extremely clunky, and besieged with adds for Quicken harvest. Also it wasn't extremely intuitive (appearance from a Confidential Finance software addict of extremely nearly 10 being), I establish it tricky to preview at and promptly discover the information that I looked-for.
- T. Chatterton "tchatt"

This translation of Quicken seems to me to be Adware. On just in this area each cover, the curriculum presents the user with exposure for bonus air force or software upgrades that Perceive desires to sell you. Here is no way to take out the exposure from the view.
- C. Hair "IT Pro"


Quicken 2005 Premier [Old Version]

Get faster 2005 Head of disorder offers smarter classification of your costs, best management of your categories and total potential of your funds. Its only one of its kind tools aid you invest, mind your net value and optimize your restore In trade up and archive your Get faster minutes and export to an Outrival database extra basically





Norton Personal Firewall 2004 Recent Reviews



With having such a splendid encounter with Nortion Antivirus over the last several years, I just implicit that Norton would have a good firewall curriculum too. I was ill-treat. First and most irritating, my pad became extremely slow on initiation up with installing the curriculum (adding about 4 - 5 minutes!), despite having a new pad with more than sufficient guide space and RAM. I indifferent the curriculum for awhile and regained normal initiation up speed. Following, the popup warnings are a diverse benefit. While it does try out some obviously bad attempts to door my pad, I now and again have to tell it 10 or 15 era within a few minutes to allocate door from permissable sources even though I am clicking "always allocate" door from this source. Third, the privacy blocker seems like a good idea (you penetrate in your confidential info that you do not want sent over the pad such as your home address, phone, etc), but I had to turn that feature off when I tried to make a hold on-line DESPITE clicking "ALLOW" about 20 era. The notification window repeatedly popped up every time I clicked allocate. The curriculum just didn't get it. I keep checking the Norton website for patches, but to date there are none. Now I was so fed up with the slow initiation up that I indifferent the curriculum over again. So much for my $50.00... I say it's value about $5.00
- SLW

After many years of using Norton Antivirus I figured I couldn't go wrong. I was by now using ZoneAlarm's shareware firewall and I unbendable that Norton would be the real deal. What a mix. This curriculum austerely is too tiresome to be with you to find out whether it to be sure could work. It seems far less bendable than programs that are given away for free. If you want an idea of what others think of this piece of jabber check out ebay. You can buy before versions for less than the cost of shipping! One of their competitors will give you $10 discount for the disc. It's more than you will get from anyone else. Don't waste your money. Be advised that once you catalog this baby Norton will try to trick you into a subscription every time you renew Norton Antivirus. And they will snub your attempts to get the charges reversed.
- D. Boyer "polku"

After having a hacker leave a virus on my computer, I finally decided I call for approximately safeguard. I went back and forth between getting a firewall or a router. Routers were pricier, so I looked at reviews for firewall software. If you look too, you'll notice none of them on Amazon get fantastic reviews. They have approximately serious potential to screw up your system. I figured that I have Norton AntiVirus, so their firewall must work fine. Clear, I get a discount since I have another product of theirs. I bought and installed it. Once that was done, I realized that to get the discount I call for proof that I own the before product. Good luck getting proof of ownership from a downloaded product. I'm pretty sure that's a dead end.Like many others, though, it really screwed up my system. I get 5 - 10 error screens I have to Enter through when booting up, nothing is loaded in my system tray, peripherals can't be found, and it hangs on shutdown. Oh, and the firewall program says it is disabled. Why? Who knows. But when I go to enable it it says that I don't have the necessary rights/priviledges etc. to do so. I'm the only user on the computer. How can that be? Again, who knows. Maybe Symantec, but I ain't paying $30 to call them.The best part to this whole thing is that the hacker who originally acessed my system didn't really do any damage. I had to pay 50 bucks for my "safeguard" to really screw me over.Thanks, Symantec. Get bent.
- Absimilard "absimilard"

Update: I fancy I had accessed this site before to buying the downgrade. PFW 2003 worked fair and I have reinstalled it. All of the negative review harms happened to me. I have had harms including Windows in check over of the fact including the intention of deleting PFW 04 and could have to reinstall. Lone assessor asked how a great companionship including great harvest could possibly go so ill-treat so at some calculate ago. They doubtless stirred production to despondent-expense Asian facilities, there are cryptogram of this in the prose of the blue-collar and the kirtypirty and hoolyhootoo flaws in the programming. I will by no means buy a NEW Norton "upgrade" ended again!!!
- J. McGuire "TransportFan"

I'm by Windows 98 SE and be inflicted including go on Norton antivirus 2000 pro numerous being and was extremely fortunate. At that calculate a extremely foggy cloud appeared - it was called Norton Confidential Firewall 2004. I had to sterile my tricky handbook pro additional reasons and as I reloaded all I unbendable to get on to divest of my old firewall, Black Hoarfrost and install Norton's extra Firewall 2004. Including I reloaded all and got in trade up in succession the pad alacrity increasingly became slower and slower in anticipation of it effectively bunged. Including conversation including numerous experts I unbendable to uninstall in cooperation the 2000 and 2004 Norton versions. I did reinstall Nortons Antivirus 2000 and got a extra firewall, Zone Timer touchtone phone logic. The pad runs just fine. I am not a pad adept, save pro it seems to me including the intention of Nortons Firewall 2004 did a in tears extremely badly behaved to my pad, and my blood difficulty. I would not urge Norton's Confidential Firewall 2004 to my enemies.
- C. Smith

WHY did I snub the honest consumer reviews on this discreditable manufactured goods?!! With installing, my DSL internet wouldn't work, but I flat it by rotary OFF Norton Firewall 2004. But now, even with uninstalling absolutely (I reflect), not only can I not defrag my hard handbook, I CAN'T EVEN ACCESS EITHER OF MY TWO CD-ROMS!! I can't read ANY of my curriculum CD's - counting Windows 2000 Pro OS - but wierdly it lets me play audio CD's. Maybe this is so that I can play a sad composition in anticipation of I map this mess out. I'm just in tension that with submitting my pointer on this wretched software that I can find a fix from one of the additional awkward customers who also made the mix of purchasing it. Can you help? Thankfulness.
- SwingBack "Inventor of really cool products w...

I have been loyal to Norton for very near a decade. I am now looking for a new fund of wellbeing air force.Clear-NAV seems to be effective ok (so 1 star)Halfhearted-the abusive admittance scheme the bundled trash programs (FIREWALL, etc.) (deserves minus stars and circular file)Firewall will 100% care for you from internet incursion and infection, since it cuts you off from the internet. It is very user unfriendly, it doesn't grant travelable help (It cuts you off from the internet, the blue-collar is a waste of time and the ONLY fund of help provided is an internet take up!!!!!!!!!)An example of the obtuse reins: Scan for threats, find five, programs not compulsory proceedings DELETE, then gives a choice of ALLOW (the risk becomes established!?!) or skip (no proceedings this time, spend a additional 2 hours and get the same obtuse choice later)! I restored internet door after hours of tuning, next time I had to do it all over again, BUT my before tweaks wouldn't everlastingly work!!! Never will I buy Norton again!!!
- J. McGuire "TransportFan"

For persons who have concerns in this area the "admittance", I establish on Symantec's web page the later statement in this area that manufactured goods:"Permits users to conveying the software to their upgraded or new PC lacking having to hold a new copy of the software."I hope this will help to affect whether to buy it or not.
- Andrew

This is a follow-up to my before troubles subsequent installation of Norton Firewall 2004. After two completely at sea living at bring about - and $200 in consulting tech support - tiresome to sort the conundrum out, we solved it. If you are unable to defrag your tricky drive, or aid your "A" drive or CD-ROM be fond of I experienced, then you should UNINSTALL ALL REFERENCES TO NORTON, not austerely Firewall 2004, and then reboot! Although I had already installed, and was practically happy with, Norton Antivirus, Symantec's software integration "feature" as adding Firewall 2004 apparently left hooks in my computer to render it sticky. Once uninstalled - and I norm COMPLETELY - then everything worked fair. After uninstalling, quest for any allusion to Norton or Symantec, then rub out any and all. Later, I downloaded the free translation of Zero Alarm's Firewall and it facility great! Very user forthcoming, intuitive, seems to bring about as advertised, and FREE! Don't dissipate your money (and TIME!) with Norton's translation.
- SwingBack "Inventor of really cool products w...

BIG FAT expose prose this. Look into on to see why.As a designer, I've been using my Anti-Virus and Firewall including NO tribulations for a while now. As I do each morning, I get online and try out for Norton updates (mainly Virus Definitions).So, in this vicinity two weeks ago, I load in a bucket-load, release to discover my perfectly-tuned bring about machine slowing like an F1 car running out of fuel at Monaco!Now I can't see ANY webpages WITHOUT disaabling my Firewall - DESPITE granting IE/Opera/Mozilla net entrance SEVERAL TIMES.When I do connect including Firewall enabled, I get attacked including bags of twats using trojans. But I can't see any web sites. There's categorically NO CHANGES made to an by now flourishing set-up, so WHAT'S GOING ON SYMANTEC???????? Each time I go online, I'm comprimised. What rank of Firewall is including the intention of????I'll be buggered if I'm inane to spend extra cash austerely because you can't be uneasy to help 2002 users including this software. I have compensated for my updates in anticipation of October 2004!I've also had a heap of customers including this new 2004 Firewall/Ad Blocker installed adage the website I made doesn't bring about! It flush blocks legitimate branding metaphors on a web page as adverts! It presents users, analytically, including NO CHOICE and makes the job of legitimate enterprises and designers alike including a VERY affair-biased veto selection on what we see.I had the utmost accept for Symantec for being, then this!No help, then 'Sorry, we didn't get $50 out of you this time, go swim!'Terrible. Get something moreover!
- Mr. Robert Y. Duffy "Bob the Builder"


Norton Personal Firewall 2004

Album extra in factory sealed move quietly sheath including answer foreign language and blue-collar (.5/mnla), no exalted amount





Sunday, February 2, 2014

Learn Windows Customer Review



Scrubbed my old computer and gave it to my father-in-law along with "Learn Windows." Perfect for someone who has never used a computer. He called the other day and is having FIOS installed so that he can top the web. Amazing!
- tipiw


Learn Windows

3 Album schooling run on Windows 98, Me and XP





Saturday, February 1, 2014

The Secret of Groundhog Day



Nostalgia and superstition are guilty pleasures, and one time we allow ourselves to indulge in them, albeit with titters of embarrassment, is on Groundhog Day. This comes on February 2, when the groundhogs allegedly come out of their burrows. If they see their shadows, they will be frightened and return, in which case winter will last for another six weeks. Thousands of people gather around the burrows of famous groundhogs, most notably Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania, and newscasters film their ascent. Officials dressed anachronistically in top hats and frock coats mark the occasion with speeches. Should the groundhog decide to stay, they hold him up for the crowd to see. Critics allege that the result is predetermined, or at least manipulated, by heaters that are placed under the ground.

Groundhog Day goes back to societies in which agriculturalists watched for subtle signs such as the migration of birds or the emergence of animals from hibernation to decide on the best times for planting and harvesting. In England, Germany and Ireland, the prophetic animal is a badger rather than a groundhog. At one time, it was probably the bear, a more imposing creature that probably endowed the day with greater dignity. In Lithuania and parts Italy, it has been a snake.

The idea of using animals to predict the weather, or even climate change, is not by any means irrational. Following an old tradition, the Chinese still use goldfish to predict earthquakes. In Italy in 2009, toads in very large numbers were observed leaving their burrows in Acquilla several days before an earthquake, and scientists who have studied this maintain it was probably due to the release of gases caused by seismic activity. Animals such as bears and groundhogs may be very sensitive to subtle changes in the thawing of the soil and other possible signs of spring. But, for traditional farmers, these indications to the changes in the weather were read in the context of many other clues. A bit like the animals themselves, they cultivated an intuitive sensitivity to climate, which almost everyone today has lost. Furthermore, they did not use the emergence of animals from hibernation to predict the weather in vast geographic areas but only in the local community.

Groundhog Day is set on the same day as the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox celebration of Candlemass, when lights are lit to celebrate the presentation of Jesus, "light of the world," in the temple. The slightly nervous laughter that usually accompanies Groundhog Day, may reflect a Protestant mockery of Catholic rituals. But Candlemass itself goes back to the traditional Celtic celebration of Imbolc, the beginning of spring, which was also set in the first days of February.

With irony, and even a little sneering, Groundhog Day celebrates a rural way of life, which we can now barely remember, yet somehow miss. It is a loss we hardly name, yet still feel intensely. Holidays are times set aside to reflect on the meaning of our past, and Groundhog Day, while seemingly trivial, turns out to have a history as old and complex as perhaps as any commemoration that we have.

Our nostalgia will not long be satisfied by a few top hats and campy homilies. Groundhog Day holds a secret, more concealed than any subterranean stove -- the groundhog represents humanity, as we confront a profoundly uncertain future. From time to time, we contemplate our prospects, like the animal emerging from its burrow. If they are too terrifying or confusing, we return to our hole, to watch Survivor on television or surf the net.

Groundhog Day, 2005 (photo: Aaron Silvers)

Follow Boria Sax on Twitter:www.twitter.com/boriasax

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/boria-sax-/groundhog-day-secret_b_4667254.html