Existing users, 
 Anthracite Web Mining Desktop Toolkit - 1.7.4Web mining & spidering. |
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Feedback Summary:
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| Overall Rating: | Not rated (0.0) | Features: | Not rated (0.0) | Support: | Not rated (0.0) |
| Ease of Use: | Not rated (0.0) | Quality / Stability: | Not rated (0.0) | Price: | Not rated (0.0) |
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Featured Reviews
VT Developer URL Needs An Update! See Below! - Version: 1.7.3, 4/3/2008 04:17AM PST
(0 of 1 users found this comment useful)
EndlessFx
Using this software is a Nightmare - Version: 1.7.2, 1/1/2008 05:57AM PST
jgurney
I've had nothing but problems. The software actually works but expect major hassles trying to use it. For example, in the last major update the developer made you update the operating system from Panther to TIger. That's right, even if you were satisfied with Panther and with Anthracite it stopped working until you updated to Tiger. I've never seen a developer cripple the software like this. Now the serial number changes when ever the developer feels like changing it. Even with no version change. Just at his whim!!!!! Again I've never seen software that you buy and then stops working at the whim of the developer. Unless you like headaches, This is just not worth it.
Metafy LLC Follow-up - Version: 1.7.1, 10/26/2007 09:34PM PST
Joe_Pezzillo_914
Attn Tracey: First, I'm very sorry, I thought after the last e-mail that we'd resolved your questions so the previous phone calls were also resolved, and clearly I was wrong, so let me start by apologizing for that.
As to the other details, per that e-mail discussion, Anthracite is a toolkit, so it's definitely possible to build processes to extract information from websites, but most customized processes are built up from building blocks as opposed to being ready-to-run solutions. There are a number of examples (approaching 100) of these building blocks on the distribution disk image (look in Goodies > Samples), including some showing how to apply regular expressions to webpages to look for particularly formatted data, and even a ready to run solution showing how to load pages of SEC filings and convert public contact information into vCard format for importing into CRM software, which sounds like it is similar to your requirements.
We have customer testimonials on our website at:
Anthracite customer testimonials
including several from Version Tracker comments here.
We have some professional users in the Apple Consultants Network community, it might be possible to connect you with one of them to build a custom solution for you.
Thank you again for considering Anthracite.
Joe Joe Pezzillo Metafy LLC
As to the other details, per that e-mail discussion, Anthracite is a toolkit, so it's definitely possible to build processes to extract information from websites, but most customized processes are built up from building blocks as opposed to being ready-to-run solutions. There are a number of examples (approaching 100) of these building blocks on the distribution disk image (look in Goodies > Samples), including some showing how to apply regular expressions to webpages to look for particularly formatted data, and even a ready to run solution showing how to load pages of SEC filings and convert public contact information into vCard format for importing into CRM software, which sounds like it is similar to your requirements.
We have customer testimonials on our website at:
Anthracite customer testimonials
including several from Version Tracker comments here.
We have some professional users in the Apple Consultants Network community, it might be possible to connect you with one of them to build a custom solution for you.
Thank you again for considering Anthracite.
Joe Joe Pezzillo Metafy LLC
Most Recent Replies: View All 1 Replies
- Metafy LLC Follow-up
Proof Anthracite DOES or DOESNT work - Version: 1.7, 10/14/2007 06:22AM PST
tracey7
I downloaded a 1.7 version of this software on a week ago. I am looking for a user friendly MAC version of an email spider for specific trade sites. I have contacted Metafy and both of my calls were not returned. Support is only through the internet. My understanding is that this software will time out after two weeks. I am unwilling to buy it unless I see it work on one of my ten or so specific sites. That will sell me. If there are users who do not mind talking to another user, please respond to my posting and I will call so you do not incur a bill (if that is the issue). I will continue to post updates of my experience unitll I (1) see Antracite work, (2) am satisfied that it can't, or (3) find another product MAC or WIN based that does not jam and stall. My goal is to extract targeted emails from specific sites. Suggestions are welcomed.
Tracey
Tracey
Panther compatible version again available for download - Version: 1.6.2, 9/13/2006 06:17PM PST
Joe_Pezzillo_914
Thanks for the feedback, we've added the Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther" compatible version of Anthracite (1.3.2) as an option on the download link page. This is an unsupported version that represents a snapshot of the application as of the 1.3.2 release, and it does not contain any of the added features and bug fixes that have been added in the three major releases since then.
We hope that Tiger (and soon Leopard!) users will continue to take advantage of the many features added in the most recent version of the software.
Thank you!
Joe at Metafy
We hope that Tiger (and soon Leopard!) users will continue to take advantage of the many features added in the most recent version of the software.
Thank you!
Joe at Metafy
10.4 Only ? - Version: 1.6.1, 8/24/2006 02:59PM PST
Joe_Pezzillo_914
Sorry that the current version is 10.4 only!
A snapshot of Anthracite version 1.3.2 is available upon request for Panther compatibility (please contact us if you'd like to try it), but have only had a very small number of requests for it.
And while it may only be about 1% of customers, you certainly have me concerned that there could be many other folks who want access to it, so please post here or contact us directly and if enough people want it, it can certainly be made more broadly available.
Metafy is a small developer and we strive to provide the best possible support. It's not possible for us to maintain or support a wide variety of historical release versions. However, despite the limited number of requests we've received for it, we keep this 1.3.2 snapshot version available just for the customers who need it.
The reason for staying current is not because we've already made too much money! Instead because we need to stay as competitive as possible, we basically have to go where the action is. In the Mac market, that is largely in the latest and greatest, and so basically there's a constant need to stay up to date.
I'll bet that the issue here is not so much that Anthracite requires 10.4 (since Anthracite 1.X series upgrades are all free to registered users), it's the impact that Apple's OS upgrade pricing business strategy has on smaller customers and ISVs. Remember that back in the day, we used to be able to swap the OS on floppies! Now the OS is their best selling software product.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention! With enough customer feedback like this, we'll definitely make the 1.3.2 version available for general download. In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact me directly if you want to try the Panther-compatible Anthracite 1.3.2 snapshot release.
Joe Pezzillo, Founder
Metafy LLC
A snapshot of Anthracite version 1.3.2 is available upon request for Panther compatibility (please contact us if you'd like to try it), but have only had a very small number of requests for it.
And while it may only be about 1% of customers, you certainly have me concerned that there could be many other folks who want access to it, so please post here or contact us directly and if enough people want it, it can certainly be made more broadly available.
Metafy is a small developer and we strive to provide the best possible support. It's not possible for us to maintain or support a wide variety of historical release versions. However, despite the limited number of requests we've received for it, we keep this 1.3.2 snapshot version available just for the customers who need it.
The reason for staying current is not because we've already made too much money! Instead because we need to stay as competitive as possible, we basically have to go where the action is. In the Mac market, that is largely in the latest and greatest, and so basically there's a constant need to stay up to date.
I'll bet that the issue here is not so much that Anthracite requires 10.4 (since Anthracite 1.X series upgrades are all free to registered users), it's the impact that Apple's OS upgrade pricing business strategy has on smaller customers and ISVs. Remember that back in the day, we used to be able to swap the OS on floppies! Now the OS is their best selling software product.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention! With enough customer feedback like this, we'll definitely make the 1.3.2 version available for general download. In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact me directly if you want to try the Panther-compatible Anthracite 1.3.2 snapshot release.
Joe Pezzillo, Founder
Metafy LLC
10.4 Only ? - Version: 1.6, 8/20/2006 06:12AM PST
(0 of 4 users found this comment useful)
colin210
I can't beleive you're developing 10.4 only software! I'm an Apple professional and I'm using a PowerBook less than a year old that came with 10.3
Are you expecting me to upgrade to 10.4 just to see if your product is what I'm looking for?
I'm glad Adobe, Quark, etc. don't have the same policy. I expect you've sold too many copies already and don't need any more income.
Are you expecting me to upgrade to 10.4 just to see if your product is what I'm looking for?
I'm glad Adobe, Quark, etc. don't have the same policy. I expect you've sold too many copies already and don't need any more income.
Most Recent Replies: View All 1 Replies
Anthracite 1.4 requires Tiger - Version: 1.4, 2/7/2006 07:20PM PST
Joe_Pezzillo_914
Okay, eight months later, I think it's safe to say that I didn't force anyone to upgrade to Tiger, but now the time has come...several of the new capabilities we've introduced (e.g., PDF, Universal Binary) require Tiger, so we've made the leap.
Especially given the speed enhancements on the new Intel CoreDuo iMac, I hope users will understand this change in the base requirements for the software.
As always, please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or support issues.
Joe
Especially given the speed enhancements on the new Intel CoreDuo iMac, I hope users will understand this change in the base requirements for the software.
As always, please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or support issues.
Joe
Anthracite and Tiger - Version: 1.3, 6/8/2005 02:04PM PST
Joe_Pezzillo_914
Yes I'm reading this! (from the Tiger lab at WWDC no less)...
I won't force you onto Tiger (although you really should consider it anyway), we'll keep a 1.3.X branch available for Panther compatibility for awhile, and for a customer, well, I'll basically make sure it's available as long as you need it...
That said, there are some _really cool things_ that can start to be done in Tiger only, and so we're going to be heading that route probably sooner rather than later, so we'll have to put the old cat out to pasture (where it will still devour that cow)...
More importantly though, thank you for your kind words and of course thank you for purchasing a license. When I get back home from WWDC I'll try to get the other issues you raise dealt with, including the large files and additional documentation.
THANK YOU!
Joe
Joe Pezzillo
Metafy LLC
I won't force you onto Tiger (although you really should consider it anyway), we'll keep a 1.3.X branch available for Panther compatibility for awhile, and for a customer, well, I'll basically make sure it's available as long as you need it...
That said, there are some _really cool things_ that can start to be done in Tiger only, and so we're going to be heading that route probably sooner rather than later, so we'll have to put the old cat out to pasture (where it will still devour that cow)...
More importantly though, thank you for your kind words and of course thank you for purchasing a license. When I get back home from WWDC I'll try to get the other issues you raise dealt with, including the large files and additional documentation.
THANK YOU!
Joe
Joe Pezzillo
Metafy LLC
Anthracite 
- Version: 1.2, 6/7/2005 07:32PM PST
theolo_dotmac
I have used webscraper 3.0, SiteSucker, and several other products.
I like Anthracite for several reasons,
1. I get to design what it is that I extract down to the last detail!
2. It runs fast
3. Joe is helpful, no really I mean it.
** in support of this statement, Joe helped me walk thru a problem I was having during my eval period, three emails and I am sure an hour or so of "actual" work. --- In response to the "I dont know what the limitations are on the demo...so I trashed it" There are not any, I used the product for "longer" than the timelimit and paid for it because I like it.
4. its very flexible, I also don't like it for that reason, I would rather not write REGEX expressions:-)
I think that there are a few things that would make this a stellar product:
1. better update notices, they sit in the terminal window:-(
2. better documentation (but who cant use that?)
3. It (on my system) freaks out on large files... 30mb and larger.
4. easier ability to download the update, unless I am missing something. its the only reason I am back here is to download .3.
Anyway, if you can write or learn to write scripts and you know what you want to do, then this is the product for you. I just hope Joe doesn't force me to move to 10.4!! (you reading this Joe?)
TL
I like Anthracite for several reasons,
1. I get to design what it is that I extract down to the last detail!
2. It runs fast
3. Joe is helpful, no really I mean it.
** in support of this statement, Joe helped me walk thru a problem I was having during my eval period, three emails and I am sure an hour or so of "actual" work. --- In response to the "I dont know what the limitations are on the demo...so I trashed it" There are not any, I used the product for "longer" than the timelimit and paid for it because I like it.
4. its very flexible, I also don't like it for that reason, I would rather not write REGEX expressions:-)
I think that there are a few things that would make this a stellar product:
1. better update notices, they sit in the terminal window:-(
2. better documentation (but who cant use that?)
3. It (on my system) freaks out on large files... 30mb and larger.
4. easier ability to download the update, unless I am missing something. its the only reason I am back here is to download .3.
Anyway, if you can write or learn to write scripts and you know what you want to do, then this is the product for you. I just hope Joe doesn't force me to move to 10.4!! (you reading this Joe?)
TL
The VersionTracker URL for this developer returns a "Problem Loading Site" error. I believe the developer has a site at this location:
http://store5.esellerate.net/st0re/(sluolj45sfvrvbfrrswyruym)/s.aspx?s=&l=&Cmd= INFO&SKURefNum=SKU6168946046&AffIDC=AFL4681638000&coupon=&at=&pt= &options=
.