AudreyTN Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 :) Ok, if you totally flopped at using the basic edition, did you excel with PLUS? I'm just trying to justify the expense... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama25angels Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Yes, I did and for awhile I floundered with the plus version until they put the videos on the website AND I took one of Katie's classes. I do still have to post on the group sometimes, not nearly as much as before, but they are very quick to answer any questions you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 No. HST (Plus or otherwise) just about drove me nuts. I used it for two years and it was torture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiztrezzLyn Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I just love HST+! It did take me a while to figure it out but once I did, I was in love. I'm sure I'm still not using it to its full potential but what I'm doing works for what I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melora in NC Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I found Basic very frustrating -- it didn't do what I wanted it to do. But I Love the Plus version! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaissezFaire Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Totally love Plus and I use it faithfully...so far. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holdoll Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I found Basic very frustrating -- it didn't do what I wanted it to do. But I Love the Plus version! :iagree: I use Plus every single school day and love it! One thing I realized is I don't have to use everything Plus offers. Just what works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllBoys Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 This is our second week with HST+. I put it off b/c I have a mac but I am running it in parallels and so far, so good. This is a great program and I think it will do everything I want and more. They have Yahoo groups where you can download lesson plans for many classes, this has been a huge help to me. I download lesson plans for classes and tweak them as necessary. This has helped me learn to do my own. There is a learning curve but I just post on their forum and they answer really quickly with detailed help and different options. I have not heard of Katie's classes but I will be looking into them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBP Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Plus was definitely worth every penny around here. I haven't seen the basic version in years, but I recall being frustrated by its limitations pretty much every day I used it. HST+ does have a learning curve, as others have mentioned, but it does everything I want it to and a lot of things I haven't even thought about yet. They also have fabulous customer service and very helpful forums. My .02 :) SBP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristavws Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I own this program, have a somewhat tech background, and I hate this program! I much prefer to just use Excel, but that may just be me :D krista Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dani3boys Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I tried the basic first, but I was frustrated by it. I decided to but the plus version, and I am happy that I did! I have been faithfully using it for almost two years. It took me about a week of playing with it in my spare time to figure it out and get our entire year's lesson plans all set up. It has been a real time saver for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheryl h Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I just love HST+! It did take me a while to figure it out but once I did, I was in love. I'm sure I'm still not using it to its full potential but what I'm doing works for what I need. There is so much more I could do, but it does what I need it to do, and the basic version did not. I think it was worth every penny, and you only have to buy it once, free upgrades. My biggest reason for using it is that with 4 dc, I don't have enough space on my table or in my patience to be constantly flipping pages and pages in TE/TM or paper lesson planner to keep us on track every day. HST+ keeps it all in one place, I can easily reschedule assignments, keeps track of attendance, keeps track of grades, all in one place. Keeping track of grades, etc. isn't so much an issue with the younger kids, but as they get into middle school, keeping records of what you're doing becomes more important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Plus was definitely worth every penny around here. I haven't seen the basic version in years, but I recall being frustrated by its limitations pretty much every day I used it. HST+ does have a learning curve, as others have mentioned, but it does everything I want it to and a lot of things I haven't even thought about yet. They also have fabulous customer service and very helpful forums. My .02 :) SBP :iagree: This year I took the time to sit down and really figure it out, rather than just winging it. I watched the videos and learned about the features that would be helpful to me, and I'm really looking forward to using it through high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama25angels Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 There is so much more I could do, but it does what I need it to do, and the basic version did not. I think it was worth every penny, and you only have to buy it once, free upgrades. My biggest reason for using it is that with 4 dc, I don't have enough space on my table or in my patience to be constantly flipping pages and pages in TE/TM or paper lesson planner to keep us on track every day. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I tried Basic a couple of time before finally buying Plus. Basic just never worked for me, but I'm still using Plus faithfully more than 2 years after I bought it. That's really saying something, considering my ADD-self. :) I think the Plus version is worth every penny. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I own this program, have a somewhat tech background, and I hate this program! I much prefer to just use Excel, but that may just be me :D krista Word for word, this is me too! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach Mom Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I just love HST+! It did take me a while to figure it out but once I did, I was in love. I'm sure I'm still not using it to its full potential but what I'm doing works for what I need. :iagree:Once I figured out how to use it in a way that fit my homeschool I really like it. I can reschedule things when life causes us to reschedule, I can input everything for the year during the summer and schedule a week at a time, I can print schedules that work best for each child - this software keeps us on track and keeps me accountable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewel7123 Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Yes, I did and for awhile I floundered with the plus version until they put the videos on the website AND I took one of Katie's classes. I do still have to post on the group sometimes, not nearly as much as before, but they are very quick to answer any questions you have. Could you please share more info on Katie's classes? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudreyTN Posted September 18, 2010 Author Share Posted September 18, 2010 Thank you all so much for your input. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama25angels Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Could you please share more info on Katie's classes? :) Well, she has classes set up where she takes you into HST and shows you how to use the features. I would recommend that you write down any questions that you have and you can ask her those during the class. She keeps the classes small so that she can get to everyone. She has a list of available dates and times on the group for the classes, you just request to be in one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewel7123 Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Another question....has anyone paid to have the manual printed and shipped to you? I have the manual downloaded on my computer, but I hate reading on the computer and it's SOOO long! Just wondering if paying the $17 for a printed one is worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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