Existing users, 
User Name Ed State
Member Since 2004-06-15
Total number of Feedback Posts: 9
Total number of comments: 1
Last 10 Feedback Posts by Ed State [ Search for All ]
Suitcase Fusion 2.0 (Mac OS X)
I have a bunch of fonts, with different versions of each. And I've put both LinoType's Font Explorer X and OSX's FontBook through their paces. And, in a nutshell, I think that this program, Extensis Suitcase Fusion 2, IS the best font testing, importing and activation tool out there. Hands down. But it is NOT the best font "organization" tool. And that's the problem. In short, the file "system" is broken. Sure, it's simple, and clean (unlike FEX) but it doesn't behave like every other folder system on Earth. For instance, you can make "smart sets" but you can't put those into folders, so your root level is littered with smart sets. And when you import fonts, it automatically makes sets for you... but because of some buggy coding, sometimes you simply can't delete sets. Seriously. And if you make another library, and drag fonts to it, SF2 *copies* the fonts, instead of aliasing them, creating duplicates and enlarging the "vault". Also, although SF2 looks like it's "protecting" system fonts (a big deal in OSX), and even automatically gives them their own folder, those SAME fonts show up in your main library, without indicating that they are "system" fonts. So if you're doing some "duplicate maintenance" you can still delete them! I'm not kidding. I just did that and had to revert back to my old vault. Also, the "font info" you get isn't always what you need. For instance, in the "show glyphs" window, it doesn't tell you the version, or font ID, of the font. So, if you have 5 versions of TT "Times", and want to delete or otherwise organize them, you have to check the glyph count separately for each one, when just providing the more detailed info in that window would be an easy thing to do. There's also not as many "column" info choices as there are in, say, FEX. Overall the interface is "simple-good", and "simple-bad" at the same time. There are still some other dumb things it does, too. But I wont' go into everything... no program's perfect. That said, there's a lot that SF2 does well. And, more importantly, it does these things a lot better than the other choices I've tried. Mainly, the auto-activation is muy bueno. It's quick, and it works in the BACKGROUND. Although –sometimes– (for huge docs with a ton of fonts) it doesn't turn on all of them on the first try (weirdly). But regardless, it just seems more stable and reliable than the other's I've experienced. Also, the "font filtering" is very strict. VERY strict. Even after you sift everything through Font Doctor (which you should, before importing), SF2 still doesn't import everything, and tells you there were "problems", and then gives you the option of adding them or not. Because if you've ever had a corrupt font, you know how crazy everything gets. And the "duplicate" finding is better, and after you've located the dupes they're easier to keep and organize, or just get rid of. It makes dealing with a decades-old font collection something that seems actually do-able. Whereas with FEX and dupes you just want to kill yourself. I hate to be so hard on SF2, but it's just... so darn close to being the de facto, hands down, bar none choice for font management. All they have to do is address these few, annoying little issues, and they'd have a home run. A no brainer. Also, of course, it's $100. Which raises the bar significantly. Anyway, that's my 3 cents. And I hope it helps :) e PS, they recently released 13.2, but when I tried to upgrade it wouldn't recognize my vault (a common problem, apparently), so I went back to 13.02. Apparently, along w/ Tiger support, 13.1 gives a better explanation of why fonts were "rejected", and another column view option (library). But I don't know if any of these other problems were addressed. PPS, Extensis' support is top-notch, btw. Some of the best I've experienced... even for the demo, which is very respectable. [alert admin]
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Saturday, April 04 2009 @ 12:34 PM PDT
CallWave Free Text Messaging Widget Apple 3.7 (Mac OS X)
I downloaded this widget off of Apple's site because it was one of the "top 100" widgets... and it seemed pretty cool at first. I mean, who wouldn't want to hear their VMs via the Dashboard whenever you want? Well... it's not that simple. Yes. You do get to hear your VMs via the Dashboard, but the rub is you give up the option to hear them on your phone. You know, like you normally do? I assumed it was BOTH on your phone and the DB.. but no. Oh no. And there's no option to change it. Or fix it. So I started getting complaints... "Hey... what's UP with your voice mail!?". "...are you still ALIVE??!" Etc. And then I was even missing messages...!!! So then, I finally decided to cancel the service. Which is VERY HARD TO DO. But even after I got an email response giving me the "secret cancelation 800#" I couldn't cancel! And then, not only did my VMs NOT go to my Dashboard via Call Wave, my VMs didn't go to my PHONE either! So... right now, I am getting ZERO voice mails. Seriously. Zero. AAAGGGHAGHAGGHAGHGAAH! Avoid this program with all your might. Seriously. Run. Far. Boo. [alert admin]
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Saturday, February 09 2008 @ 12:00 AM PST
Apple iLife 08 (Mac OS X)
I have a barely 2-year-old PPC maxed-out with RAM and I CAN'T USE IMOVIE? ...are you kidding me?!! I run every single other high-end video, audio and graphics application, all latest versions, all with a zillion fonts open... AND I CAN'T USE IMOVE? They certainly didn't say that at the WWDC. And of course it's in about 6pt type on the back of the box. And when you run the installer, it doesn't give you the OPTION ("you may experience slow performance", etc) the installer rats-out your machine and WON'T LET YOU install iMovie '08. Is how you're trying to get people to upgrade? Shameful Apple. Just shameful. [alert admin]
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Monday, August 13 2007 @ 02:26 PM PDT
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 (Mac OS X)
And painful in many ways... I started using FF 2.0 when I realized Stumble doesn't work w/ Safari. Right away, I loved the "plug-in" approach... but slowly, I realized how buggy and SLOW FF 2.0 really is. And that's really unfortunate, because it's trying to do so many cool (and important) things. But... to be specific: It doesn't handle multiple tabs well at all. As a matter of fact, when I have more than, say, 4 tabs open, it slows down my entire system. And I have a very beefy G4. Entering text (like I am now) is extremely buggy. As is trying to use drop-down menus, or even select and copy text from pages. So until there's some sort of major fix to these, and other documented performance issues, it's just not worth it. And again, it's a HUGE shame because I really WANT to like FF2.0 for so many reasons. Sigh. [alert admin]
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Saturday, December 02 2006 @ 11:06 AM PST
iVolume 2.0.2 (Mac OS X)
Obviously, the "soundcheck" feature in iTunes leaves a lot to be desired. So, about a year and a half ago I bought iVoume 1.6. And although it wasn't perfect, it was significatly better that iTunes' Soundcheck. Then came this upgrade... which imho was a big step down. First and foremost, I don't even think iVolume is better than iTunes anymore. Like "soundcheck" a fair number of the songs are *around* the same volume, but every few songs there's a really LOUD one. I play my iPod through a small stereo at work, and I've had to sprint back to my desk countless times to quickly turn down the volume. Also, it still can't deal with protected songs (which it promised to fix), and then seems to randomly not find "tags" for songs even though all my tags are up-to-date. Add to that the unstability of the program: it has major problems dealing with large numbers of songs, and more importantly *stopping* processes when it gets bogged down, or hung-up. Then, when it does get hung-up, it won't work correctly until after a re-start. Reading the feedback here, I know why the author changed the program (because the old version didn't work with the new iPods), but he should have worked harder to make it do what it promises. This is obviously a need Apple hasn't addressed, and hence a great niche for a programmer to fill... and make money on. so it's a shame this product doesn't work as advertised. [alert admin]
Wednesday, October 04 2006 @ 09:05 AM PDT
iVolume 2.0.1 (Mac OS X)
I was a big fan of 1.6. It was definitely better than iTunes' 'soundcheck', and I had my whole 40,000 song library adjusted by it. I play songs off my computer at home, and I take my iPod to work where I plug it into my stereo there (and listen to it on the way, obviously)... With 1.6, there were never any problems with volume fluxuation. In my opinion it was perfect. And here comes 2.0. And, like a lot of you, I assumed it would be better... so I plunked down the $7 for the upgrade, I installed it... and I spent 4 days (!) re-jiggering all my songs. And you know what!? It's not nearly as good as 1.6! The volumes are all over the place! I've done everything correctly. I use iTunes' Soundcheck, and the whole nine, but it's just not as smooth. There's some new features that are helpful information-wise, but to quote a previous reviewer: I believe the develpoer fixed something that wasn't broke. Right now I'm hoping the developer is reading these reviews, and can fix whatever it is he was trying to do by going through iTunes' Soundcheck in the first place (it sounded weird to me, honestly)... because I'll wait a few weeks or so rather than spend 4 more days re-doing my entire library. However, if there's not a meaningful upgrade to address these problems, it's back to good 'ol 1.6 for me. A real dissapointment. [alert admin]
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Sunday, February 05 2006 @ 08:02 AM PST
Savage - the Battle for Newerth 1.0.1 (Mac OS X)
Savage is a welcome mix of strategy (Empire Earth, Civilization, etc) and a run'n'gun FPS... it's fairly simple and, and although the graphics aren't super-cutting edge or anything, it's smooth, intuitive... and addictive. The demo gets you hooked... but the full version is a bargain, and includes a ton of maps and a level editor. A heck of a lot of fun to be had for uner $20. [alert admin]
Friday, April 08 2005 @ 07:21 PM PDT
iBank 1.5b21 (Mac OS X)
IMHO this is the easiest, most intuitive program of this type. I've tried Moneydance (too ugly), Budget (too confusing), Checkbook (too limited), etc. While iBank might not be the most powerful, it's pleasant and great for what I need it for: simple, personal checking, savings and investments. But the only things missing are CSV and 401k support. And a lot of finance/bank websites don't offer QIF, or QFX files. [alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 2 of 2 users found this helpful
Saturday, February 26 2005 @ 11:12 AM PST
DockFun! 4.6 (Mac OS X)
...but not at the same time. Bummer. [alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 1 of 2 users found this helpful
Tuesday, June 15 2004 @ 08:43 AM PDT
Last 10 Comments by Ed State [ Search for All ]
Suitcase sets & Extensis values 
Same thing happened to me when I tried to upgrade to Demo 13.2 (I'm still in demo mode, lol). ...it said "there is no vault" even when I pointed it directly to my vault, which I had spent considerable time constructing. I've heard of several other users having this exact same problem, but I must say that Extensis' tech service IS great. Both phone and email, even for a demo, it's been wonderful.
Original feedback item : Read More
Saturday, April 04 2009 @ 11:59 AM PDT
