Existing users, 
 Sente - 5.7.4Academic reference manager. |
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Feedback Summary:
| Version 5.7.4: | |||||
| Overall Rating: |  (5.0) |
Features: | (5.0) |
Support: | (4.5) |
| Ease of Use: | (5.0) |
Quality / Stability: | (5.0) |
Price: | (4.5) |
Key to Types of Feedback:
Reviews 
Troubleshooting 
Usage Tips 
Developer Notes 
Commentary 
Featured Reviews
Sente now is up to 5.7.8 - Version: 5.7.4, 7/9/2009 05:11AM PST
(1 of 1 users found this comment useful)
John Petty
Lovely reference managing software - Version: 5.7.4, 4/16/2009 02:46PM PST
CauseyPike
I got fed up with EndNote a few years ago, when versions 8 & 9 seemed to constantly hang and crash. Since then, I have used Bookends extensively, and now use Sente. This review is for Sente 5.7.5 (this version not yet being listed on Versiontracker).
Both Bookends and Sente are excellent programs. I have used Bookends for a couple of years, with a large reference library (>6,000 references, >1,200 downloaded pdfs), and have been impressed at wonderful support from the designer. However, the fact that Pages 09 has opened to EndNote integration made me look at all the reference managers again. Whilst I think the EndNote integration in Pages 09 is very effective, I still find the EndNote interface and user features clunky. Bookends has a straightforward interface and many lovely features for updating references, downloading and filing pdf files, and importing references from PubMed or pdfs. However, it can only scan saved Pages files. I sometimes find myself saving a Pages file, formatting it, then exporting it to Word to share with colleagues or publish, which is a drag. Sente, on the other hand, has some lovely lovely features for searching and importing references from pubmed or pre-downloaded pdfs. It's easy to use, and looks lovely. Even more handy, it can scan open Pages files, reducing somewhat the effort of formatting bibliographies. It's still not the full integration with Pages that EndNote X2 offers (how I wish Apple would open up Pages to other developers), but it is easy and helpful. In summary, if you're frustrated with EndNote, or just wish your reference manager could do more and help you handle all your pdfs more easily, then Bookends and Sente are both great programs. For Pages 09 integration, though, Sente just edges Bookends so far.
Both Bookends and Sente are excellent programs. I have used Bookends for a couple of years, with a large reference library (>6,000 references, >1,200 downloaded pdfs), and have been impressed at wonderful support from the designer. However, the fact that Pages 09 has opened to EndNote integration made me look at all the reference managers again. Whilst I think the EndNote integration in Pages 09 is very effective, I still find the EndNote interface and user features clunky. Bookends has a straightforward interface and many lovely features for updating references, downloading and filing pdf files, and importing references from PubMed or pdfs. However, it can only scan saved Pages files. I sometimes find myself saving a Pages file, formatting it, then exporting it to Word to share with colleagues or publish, which is a drag. Sente, on the other hand, has some lovely lovely features for searching and importing references from pubmed or pre-downloaded pdfs. It's easy to use, and looks lovely. Even more handy, it can scan open Pages files, reducing somewhat the effort of formatting bibliographies. It's still not the full integration with Pages that EndNote X2 offers (how I wish Apple would open up Pages to other developers), but it is easy and helpful. In summary, if you're frustrated with EndNote, or just wish your reference manager could do more and help you handle all your pdfs more easily, then Bookends and Sente are both great programs. For Pages 09 integration, though, Sente just edges Bookends so far.
Solid program 
- Version: 5.6.3, 8/28/2008 08:59AM PST
(1 of 2 users found this comment useful)
FloridaLaura
I’ve never used a bibliography tool before, but then contracted for a book project that will require works to be cited. Thus launched a search and demo period between Bookends and Sente. Sente’s price turned me off, but its interface and excellent customer support turned me right back on. For instance, I asked whether this program could be made to interface easily with Scrivener. In only the 13 or 14 days I used the demo, the developer made that happen. And he was quickly responsive to other questions I had during my trial period.
Mind you, if you’ve never used any kind of citation program before, I think you’ll find Sente and probably all the others daunting. I still have much to learn. But Bookends crashed for me when I only had three references added. Sente is still going strong. That was another defining point for me.
I still think the price of Sente should come down some. But if you need this kind of program, great technical support, and an interface that has a genuinely Mac feel, you owe it to yourself to give the 30-day demo a spin.
Mind you, if you’ve never used any kind of citation program before, I think you’ll find Sente and probably all the others daunting. I still have much to learn. But Bookends crashed for me when I only had three references added. Sente is still going strong. That was another defining point for me.
I still think the price of Sente should come down some. But if you need this kind of program, great technical support, and an interface that has a genuinely Mac feel, you owe it to yourself to give the 30-day demo a spin.
Version 6 is in Beta. With that paid upgrade, there will be better access to your linked pdfs when you sync between multiple computers. (Sente allows up to 3 computers on 1 license for the mobile student/researcher). Great app!
With this app and Adobe Acrobat Pro, I can find just about anything I need for my research. I make sure all downloaded, associated, linked pdfs are ocr'ed via Acrobat. I can do a search within my entire library in Sente, or specific collections. From the identified citations, I can then open up the pdf(s) and search individually, or within a folder of pdfs, for specific terms/phrases within the pdf articles. Sente inserts the citation in your document where you specify, using the format you specify--such as APA 5. If you cut and paste and move stuff around in your article, it will automatically refresh so the format of the citation is correct. When the paper is complete, I “refresh” Sente once from the menu and then turn refresh off. I double check any specific page references made it through the refresh. I scroll down to the designated place in my paper for references and choose “insert bibliography.” It cranks it out. What a timesaver!
It is possible to currently sync among your computers, there is just a two step process you need to know to do it correctly so that you can open pdfs in the other computers. See the forums on the site, or contact the developer. Very helpful person.
I export my citations from my research library via the Endnote format, but several others possible, and then import into my collection(s). Everything comes through.
BTW, discounted price for students... As a doctoral student I paid $69. Check out the price for Endnote for PC.... $250. And Sente if a better program to boot.