Why I Hate Apex Data Loader

First, let me acknowledge that Apex Data Loader is open source and if I had the cahones (and, uh, the time) I could go in an modify it to fix these little things. I don't. Oh well.

It comes down to this: it's too much work. For example, if I want to export, I have to:

1. Click on export
2. Login
3. Select the object
4. Override the export name with something meaningful
   
5. Check the fields I want
   
6. Enter the criteria I want
7. Click go
8. Click yes I really want to go
9. Click OK on the success message

You get the idea. And if I mess up somewhere in the middle, I have to start all over again! It's very frustrating.

How to make it better:

1. Less switching between the KB and the mouse. All one or the other.
2. Give me the ability to test SOQL
3. Less popup action
4. In other words A BETTER USER INTERFACE
   

Sure, it's better than a lot of system interaction tools out there. But just not sucking completely doesn't mean you don't have room for improvement.

Oh, and why am I writing about this at 9p on a Sunday? Because I'm working on it. C'est la vie.

Whew! That feels better.