Advanced SearchUser Name andrew.wedlake
Member Since 2006-01-25
Total number of Feedback Posts: 19
Total number of comments: 0
Last 10 Feedback Posts by andrew.wedlake [ Search for All ]
Apple Aperture 2.1 (Mac OS X)
When I try to import complete folders, after a few minutes of running the entire system will lockup. The clock freezes, and the system is hosed. Hard reboot is required, Microsoft Windows style. I don't think I've come across another program for a few years that has managed to do that on the Mac. So why does it have to be an Apple program? I've also managed to crash Aperture 2.0 and 2.1 from just importing images from a folder. In this situation it's manages to just crash the application itself and not Leopard. At this time, Aperture has been removed from my system, and I'm a little irritated with Apple for not doing the necessary testing before it releases it's software. This recently happened with the Lightroom team and their 1.4 release, and I hope both learn their lesson. I REALLY want to like this program. It's so much more advanced as a platform that Lightroom, but Lightroom has managed to run for a year now without crashing once (even though it's development is rather painfully sluggish). For me "stability" is more important than a great looking application that's frozen on the screen. Aperture has great promise with it's platform, but if it's greater integration into the operating system means harder system wide crashes, then STAY CLEAR of this this stuff! [alert admin]
Friday, March 28 2008 @ 05:13 PM PDT
MoneyWell 1.2.9 (Mac OS X)
I really like many aspects of this program, which I purchased about a month ago. I think it's laid out really well, and there is a lot of thinking that has gone into how functions work. I currently use Moneydance, and although the interface is kind of clunky, it's signifantly faster to use. MoneyWell's lack of speed will get on your nerves VERY quickly. It hesitates on almost any function, such as changing accounts or smart buckets. Scrolling through a long list in one account is the only thing that runs "fairly" smoothly. One would think that a program coded to run natively in Leopard would run faster than a program written in Java (Moneydance), but that's not the case at all. Another small addition that would be usefull is the abilty to see a running total in the register. Currently the only place to see the total is at the account icon. Great if you want to know where you ended at, but if you want to know where you were at in Mid December when an "issue" occured with your bank, no such luck (yet). I really hope these small issues will be addressed soon. I have it installed, and after a few updates I try an export from Moneydance into MoneyWell to take it out for a spin again. I can't recommend this program yet, but it's showing a tremendous amount of promise. [alert admin]
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Friday, February 22 2008 @ 04:16 PM PST
MoneyWell 1.2.9 (Mac OS X)
I really like many aspects of this program, which I purchased about a month ago. I think it's laid out really well, and there is a lot of thinking that has gone into how functions work. I currently use Moneydance, and although the interface is kind of clunky, it's signifantly faster to use. MoneyWell's lack of speed will get on your nerves VERY quickly. It hesitates on almost any function, such as changing accounts or smart buckets. Scrolling through a long list in one account is the only thing that runs "fairly" smoothly. One would think that a program coded to run natively in Leopard would run faster than a program written in Java (Moneydance), but that's not the case here. Another small addition that would be usefull is the abilty to see a running total in the register. Currently the only place to see the total is at the account icon. Great if you want to know where you ended at, but if you want to know where you were at in Mid December when an "issue" occured with your bank, no such luck (yet). I really hope these small issues will be addressed soon. I have it installed, and after a few posted updates I try an export from Moneydance into MoneyWell to take it out for a spin again. I can't recommend this program yet, but it's showing a tremendous amount of promise. [alert admin]
Friday, February 22 2008 @ 04:15 PM PST
Apple Mac OS X 10.5.2 (Mac OS X)
A nice "little" update that installed very smoothly. Subtle fixes throughout that make an already excellent OS that much better. It's Apple's attention to detail that really sets them a part from Redmond. Leopard has thus far been the best release so far. Even their initial 10.5.0 release was rock solid and just had a handful of usability issues. Many are resolved here. Some may be resolved in future updates. Overall a VERY nice update to a really elegant OS. :-) [alert admin]
Monday, February 11 2008 @ 12:00 AM PST
MacFamilyTree 5.0b3 (Mac OS X)
Please note that it took me a whopping 20 seconds to figure out that: 1] Yes, version 5.0 does NOT open the 4.x databases automatically. 2] Yes, just IMPORT it as a GEDCOM file. Why is this good? Because it doesn't change the existing 4.x database. By importing it, it's creating a new database using the previous one. Remember that this is a BETA. As for usability and feature feedback, I'll save that for later... :-) [alert admin]
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Friday, October 05 2007 @ 07:35 AM PDT
Photomatix Pro 2.4.1 (Mac OS X)
This software is extremely useful, but quite specialized. It's not for everyone, so try out the demo first before you make an impulse purchase. I've obtained some really amazing results from composing a photograph on a tripod, and creating multiple exposures. Sky detail pulls in, while maintaining shadow detail. It really gives you an idea of what the hardware manufacturers next direction will be (after they get over the pixel race). If you're not into staging your images, and want action shots? Well, this puppy may not appeal to you then. But perhaps the image combining capabilities will produce some fun, if unplanned results. It's not feature happy, but it does what it's intended to do really well :-) [alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 3 of 3 users found this helpful
Thursday, May 03 2007 @ 10:39 PM PDT
FileChute 2.5.9 (Mac OS X)
An excellent program. I use it with my .Mac account, and it works perfectly. This makes the process of sending files to someone, "fairly" quick and very straightforward. It uploads the file to my .Mac account, then includes a link to it in an email that I compose. How easy is that? A note that it takes longer to upload to the .Mac than it takes to download it (in my testing anyways). [alert admin]
Wednesday, March 14 2007 @ 10:28 PM PDT
FileChute 2.5.9 (Mac OS X)
An excellent program. I use it with my .Mac account, and it works perfectly. This makes the process of sending files to someone, "fairly" quick and very straightforward. It uploads the file to my .Mac account, then includes a link to it in an email that I compose. How easy is that? A note that it takes longer to upload to the .Mac than it takes to download it (in my testing anyways). [alert admin]
Wednesday, March 14 2007 @ 10:28 PM PDT
Nikon Capture NX 1.0.1 (Mac OS X)
Hardware Companies and Software
It's frustrating that Nikon (and Canon) continue to use their proprietary raw file format, rather than supporting an open standard (either OpenRaw or DNG for example). If they had this partnership, Nikon could continue to create incredable photography equipment, and let the software vendors focus on the digital workflow. Instead, we get NX. Yes, the results are quite nice (if you have lots of idle time to waste), and it only teases us for what they could do if they had a serious software division. However, useability is also very important, and Nikon Capture NX (which I was waiting with baited breath for), is just another incredably frustrating experience, just as 4.0 was. Nikon knows nothing about software, and they should just let the professionals do it. Waiting for Nikon (or Canon) to get there won't happen in my lifetime. [alert admin]
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Sunday, December 31 2006 @ 03:16 PM PST
Apple Aperture 1.5.2 (Mac OS X)
Too many buttons on one screen mean only one thing: They've got to be small ones. Requires big hi-res monitor to be "effective". Unfortunately this also means more wasted time waiting for the mouse to move from one area to another area hunting for buttons. ALL editing functions lag (some greater than others). Editing lacks the smoothness and tactile feel that is evident in Lightroom. Final thoughts: Creating a buffet style interface means that the quality of each entree suffers. No thought to mouse travel or clicks means that professionals are getting irritated in waiting for things to happen. I continue to use both Aperture though, because Apple is putting a lot of resources behind it, which has translated into a lot of improvements from 1.2 to 1.5x It will be interesting to see how 2.0 turns out. [alert admin]
Saturday, December 23 2006 @ 10:34 PM PST
Last 10 Comments by andrew.wedlake [ Search for All ]
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