Lasse:
>I understand on you that you _at least_ need VisDocs together with TX Control.
Depends. I don't. I have all of my document processing running from a document processing server. So, I hand off all my requirements to the server where I have Word, VisDocs, Netword Faxing etc installed and it all works like a charm.
>But thats in the cheapest version $638. It then really has to be good!
Depends. As I said, I think TX is expensive.
>The problem with Word as RTF generator is that you cann't be sure your costumers has it
Word is a great RTF generator. As to customers having it, well, that's another issue. My business runs my software and as such, I am not selling software to customers. So, this is not a concern for me personally.
>It takes time to start -
I hardly notice the time taken to instantiate Word on the box I run it on (Windows NT, twin Pentiums 890Mhz Dell Poweredge 2400 512Mgb ram).
>What happens in next version of Word??
Well, since Word 97 (I think), the Printout method has been consistent and that is mainly the method I call. So, I don't think the next version of Word troubles me. Anyhow, I am happy with Word 2000 and therefore, I have no plans to upgrade just yet <s>.
>When you deliver the tools you know what's delivered...
As I said, that's a different story when you are commercially shipping apps.
>What do you think of VisDocs??
I like it very much. I like the fact that using Word as its output mechanism, I can process my output to a printer, save it as RTF, use the Word "SaveAs" method and save it as a Word document and therefore e-mail, Fax it and so on. VisDocs has some RTF restrictions in that is more generally supports the standard RTF implementation rather than the MS/Word RTF standard. However, TX supports even less of the MS RTF standard so, go figure.
>It seems that I have to begin there
Well, it would not be a bad place to start. I certainly think that for report writing, you would be better of with VisDocs as a start. However, there may well still be better report writers available depending on your requirements. Like I said, Crystal, ABC Reports, Stonefield, R+R and so on.
>perhaps ad the TX Control.
Makes sense to do this after evaluating VisDocs.
HTH
-=Gary