Car maintenance/repair/logging software - any opinions/reviews? (e.g., Autoslate..)

[JeremyF]

Hi,

I'm looking to find the best software for keeping track of repairs, maintenance, fuel economy, etc. on my car. I'm trying out Autoslate by Standalone and it seems pretty good - but I'm aware of others such as TotalCar, TealAuto, and Car Repair. Has anyone tried these? Any opinions on which is best? Are there any comparisons or reviews out there?

Thanks,
Jeremy

[rhart00]

autoslate is my fav. looks and works great.

[LanMan]

I created an Autocare database in HandyShopper. I use the freeware FuelLog for MPG tracking. Works well for me.

[anniebluesky]

I use HandyShopper to keep track of repairs, maintenance, oil changes, etc. I uploaded a file to their group called "AutoCare.PDB" which you can download from the yahoo group in the files section under the financial folder: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handyshopper/files/Financial/
It is easily configurable to fit you needs.

As far as gas mileage, I use Quik Budget which keeps track of that at every fill up (plus, it keeps me on my budget!). You can find it here:
http://quiksense.com/QuikBudget/index.htm

[jamester]

And Automobile by Linkesoft is my favorite. Does exactly what I want it to. :) I do wish that they had a more appealing interface, but as-is it gives me all the information I need, at a glance.

[RetAF]

Originally posted by JeremyF
Hi,

I'm looking to find the best software for keeping track of repairs, maintenance, fuel economy, etc. on my car. I'm trying out Autoslate by Standalone and it seems pretty good - but I'm aware of others such as TotalCar, TealAuto, and Car Repair. Has anyone tried these? Any opinions on which is best? Are there any comparisons or reviews out there?

Thanks,
Jeremy

Personally, my favorite is TealAuto.  I used Total Car for a while, but found that TealAuto was easier to understand and use.  One program to do what Total Car required several to accomplish.  I must admit, I am a big fan of Tealpoint products.  I actually started using TealAuto when it was a beta release, and really liked it.  To each his own...

[Jeremyf]

Has anyone tried several pieces of software? I'd love to hear comparisons between them (eg., Tealauto vs. Totalcar or Tealauto vs. Autoslate)..?

Jeremy

[buckethead]

i just luv TealAuto's parking meter counter :D

[Jeremyf]

From what I can tell, Autoslate seems like the best of them - most features, nicest display... Any else try it?

I'm still trying to figure out if TealAuto has any advantages over it - I don't think so though.

Jeremy

[philipx]

I really like Autoslate. Not only it has a fast way to enter data and various ways to view it, but it also keeps track of my fuel consumption over time - which is very nice.

Before settling on this one I have tried about 10 of them. So at least for me this one proved to be the best.

[Jeremyf]

PhilipX - which ones have you compared it to? Have you compared it to TealAuto? I'm leaning towards Autoslate as well, but I haven't decided for sure...

Jeremy

[RetAF]

Where does one find Autoslate? Just looked for it on Palmgear, and they have no matches.

[Jeremyf]

that's weird, I found it on Palmgear... But go to www.standalone.com it's there

(btw standalone are the guys who make supernames - what i and many consider to be the best address book replacement)

[jimod]

I Have been using Tealauto, But my 10 year old P.O.S. is taxing the computational power available due to the immensity of the needed repairs ( getting its second alternator in 2 yaers as of about 3 hours before this post). But the program is pretty intuitive, and offers a wide scope of options for the user. But based on these suggestions i will need to look at autoslate.

[Jeremyf]

jimod - Let us know when you look at autoslate, I'd love to hear about how you think they compare (tealauto and autoslate that is)

Jeremy

[hmelman]

I use AutoBase from http://home.earthlink.net/~herbo/palmos_sw.html

[DaveTN]

I use HanDbase from DDH software for several databases. Although you have to pay a relatively small fee for the software, DDH software has a database of thousands of user created databases that you can download for free. There are several for keeping track of auto maintenance, gas mileage etc. You can download a 30 day evaluation of the software and try out the many databases that are available.

I also downloaded (forgot where) a small freeware program called Jmileage that loggs gas mileage, days between fillups, grades of gas and stations. It can keep track of several cars. I have been using it for about 4 months and I really like it.

From what everyone is saying above, I may give Tealauto a try too.

David

[buckethead]

Originally posted by anniebluesky
I use HandyShopper to keep track of repairs, maintenance, oil changes, etc. I uploaded a file to their group called "AutoCare.PDB" which you can download from the yahoo group in the files section under the financial folder: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handyshopper/files/Financial/
It is easily configurable to fit you needs.


thanx for suggesting this. i'm using it right now. can't believe how simple it is. Basically it's just -> the item's name - write a descriptions note for it - and the price. I add a quantity column as well for more details.

[philipx]

Originally posted by Jeremyf
PhilipX - which ones have you compared it to? Have you compared it to TealAuto? I'm leaning towards Autoslate as well, but I haven't decided for sure...

Jeremy

No I have not. If you ask me, TealAuto seems nicer. If I were you I'd try both of them (you could use the Palm Simulator if you don't wanna install them on your PDA). I really like the graph on the Teal (I'm a sucker for such things :) )
Hmm... TealAuto is also newer (Oct 2002 while AutoSlate was last updated Jan 2002)... I may even switch myself.
OTOH, I only enter gas purchases, so the app only comes in handy every once in a while.

I don't know, man, try'em both :)

[anniebluesky]

Originally posted by buckethead


thanx for suggesting this. i'm using it right now. can't believe how simple it is. Basically it's just -> the item's name - write a descriptions note for it - and the price. I add a quantity column as well for more details.

Sometimes it is the simpliest things that make us happy.

[MarkS]

Hi,

One that hasn't been mentioned that I've used for quite a few years is Vehicle Log by LittleWing Software <www.lwsd.com>.

Very simple and easy to use, tracks trip mileage, fuel, oil and service, and includes an export tool to export data to Excel.

Check it out!

Mark

[Ronbot]

I use BlueMoon (http://www.sgsw.com/BlueMoon/bluemoon.html) to track auto maintenance and a lot of other stuff.

[chazzz]

I use KarKareII (http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/6608), and have for the past 4.5 years. It's pretty simple, but lets me track all of my vehicle mileage and maintenance (on up to four vehicles). Highly recommended at $10.00.

[LanMan]

Check out the graphing feature in FuelLog. It's a really nice, solid freeware.

http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?sid=46E4DF8A-8DAA-443B-BE4B142CC34A8571&prodID=2725

[chicagophil]

This is Howard from Stand Alone -

Regarding Auto Slate, the actual last update was released a couple of months ago. I know the page on our website says 1/02, but that is an obvious typo.

We designed AS to be pretty intuitive, and with some intentional feature limits. And we try to be as responsive as possible to user input. So far, even the novice user seems to do fine with the interface.

We include an export conduit to create a spreadsheet file, which the user can then manipulate at will. By contrast, Teal Auto has some pretty impressive automatic report feaures.

Our next upgrade plans include a car part database which will allow one to track individual part service histories. We hope to have this out fairly soon.

We are actively supporting and upgrading Auto Slate, and we have no plans to let it drop. Feel free to email me with more detailed comments to howard@standalone.com.

[jlperdue]

I have been using Auto Slate for about a month and find it very intuitive and useful. I wanted something to keep track of gas mileage and maintenance, Auto Slate does that very well. Support is great also. I looked at Teal Auto when it first came out and found it very busy. It takes up too much of my valuable RAM too. ~Jack :D

[Jeremyf]

Howard - thanks for replying - appreciated!

I think I will continue to evaluate auto slate for another week or two and then decide. I really like it.

Question for anyone in the know: Is the only feature advantage of Tealauto over Auto Slate the detailed reports?

I have always liked buying from Stand Alone because their project managers (e.g., Ben for Super Names, Howard for Auto Slate...) are very responsive to e-mails and take the time to respond questions, comments, etc.

Howard it would be great if you could keep us up to date with timeframes for updates.

Thanks,

Jeremy