My biggest problem with this app is that the URL-checking throttle does not go low enough. Even if I set it to 1 request per second, the requests start to pile up eventually and it turns into a mess. On the first run through it wasn't able to access two thirds of my bookmarks, even though most of them were fine. Even on its second run through, it still reported a ton of bookmarks incorrectly as broken. Testing them manually they can up fine, at the same address.
Even worse, it floods my connection with so much traffic that attempting to do anything else online is pretty much futile. This is a high speed cable connection too, not even dial-up. Since I have so many bookmarks that forces me to run it overnight.
My next biggest complaint is the interface. It is easily among the sloppiest I've ever seen. For a freeware app I can live with an ugly interface, but I've certainly never paid $20 for an app anywhere near this bad. Fortunately it doesn't get in the way of usability too often, but with more time spent on the interface it could definitely be easier and more enjoyable to use.
Aside from those complaints I'm fairly impressed. It did an especially good job of finding duplicates and helping me determine which to delete. Checking the URLs it found as broken was much more frustrating because it was incorrect about so many of them. For each one I had to click the test button manually and let it load in my browser. A built-in browser could help alleviate this problem, by loading the page automatically right in the window. Shouldn't be too much trouble with WebKit.
Bookdog
Sort, manage, sync bookmarks among Safari, Firefox, del.icio.us & more.
Version: 5.3.8
Decent app with some frustrating issues...
Feedback Type: Review
Contributed by: robotspacer Thursday, August 23 2007 @ 12:43 PM PDT
Product Platform: MacOSX
Used Product For: Less than a month
Recommend Product: YES
Overall Rating:
Ease of Use:
Support:
Features:
Quality / Stability:
Price:
Comments
Decent app with some frustrating issues... - jreffner
Jerry,For what it's worth, I think you've got your priorities straight. Sure, I'd like a nicer interface as well, but if you don't have time, then fine. I want the job done correctly. I don't want it botched up even if it's pretty when it's being botched up. Do what you have time for. Thanks for a great app (even if it's not the prettiest). ;-)
Tuesday, November 27 2007 @ 08:38 AM PST
Decent app with some frustrating issues... - Jerry Krinock
Hi,Regarding the Verify, something is wrong if you get requests piling up at 1 per second on a broadband connection, unless it was completely broken temporarily. If you could please contact me I'd like more info; I'd like to run your bookmarks through Verify myself if this is reproducible.
Regarding the Look of Bookdog, well, the key to this business is Time Management. There's only so much you can do in one day. Being an engineer, I'll be the first to admit that my priorities for each workday are:
1. Quality. Testing the product and responding to bug reports.
2. Increased functionality.
3. Looks and User Interface.
So, yes, you've judged it fairly.
Here are the "looks" issues that I see:
1. Main Windows
Buttons on the left side would better be tools (icons) on the top.
Outline is ugly, but I'm not sure what to do about that.
An outline is always ugly, but in this case unfortunately the
outline is central to the function of this window.
2. Icon (Bookdog) is getting old.
3. Other Windows
Fix Duplicates and Fix Broken bookmark just need a facelift.
If anyone has any other responses or suggestions regarding the "looks" of Bookdog, please reply here or contact me directly.
Thanks for your input,
Jerry Krinock
Developer
jerry@sheepsystems.com
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Saturday, August 25 2007 @ 06:06 PM PDT