User Profile for Ed State

User Name Ed State

Member Since 2004-06-15

Total number of Feedback Posts: 8

Total number of comments: 0

Last 10 Feedback Posts by Ed State [ Search for All ]

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)

THIS SUCKS

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)

Painful

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)

Not so much...

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]

iVolume 2.0.1 (Mac OS X)

A Step Backwards

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)

Super fun...

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]

iBank 1.5b21 (Mac OS X)

Needs CSV and 401k support

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]

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Saturday, February 26 2005 @ 11:12 AM PST