Existing users, 
User Name freevito
Member Since 2002-02-09
Total number of Feedback Posts: 119
Total number of comments: 35
Last 10 Feedback Posts by freevito [ Search for All ]
HomeDisk Labels 1.5.6 (Mac OS X)
Now, If Only We Could Print...
HomeDisk Labels looks like a nice app. I appreciate the fact that the demo version is fully functional. The problem (which is no fault of the developer's) is that here in the U.S. our options for printing on CDs and DVDs are quite limited. High-quality, reliable disc printers are expensive, and the inexpensive ones break easily, yield poor quality, or eat very expensive ink...or all of the above.
I checked the Cristallight "Resources" page, hoping to find pointers to some printer hardware on which to use their software. Alas...no such luck. Until the decent multifunction printer manufacturers (HP, Canon, Brother) enable direct-on-disk printing for the printers they sell in the U.S., I'm not likely to have much use for HomeDisk Labels, no matter how good an application it is. [alert admin]
Tuesday, October 20 2009 @ 10:27 AM PDT
Audio Hijack Pro 2.9.4 (Mac OS X)
Kill Tiger Support? Aaarrrggghhh...
No review here...except to say that I've been an Audio Hijack Pro user for many years. Great application. Evidently the emergence of Snow Leopard provides Rogue Amoeba with the excuse/reason/motivation/impetus to drop support for Tiger, which I am still compelled to use until a certain project is finished. Not that I mind; Tiger works fine.
But it looks like support for AHP in Tiger stopped with v2.9.2. Fooey. Are Leopard and Snow Leopard that much different from Tiger that AHP has had to change so drastically as to make 10.4.x support economically untenable? Apparently so.
Margins must indeed be razor-thin in the software market. [alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 4 of 4 users found this helpful
Monday, September 28 2009 @ 08:42 AM PDT
Microsoft Office 2004 11.5.4 (Mac OS X)
More Broken Garbage; Thanks Microsoft! 
As with another recent update (I think it was v11.5.1, but I'm not certain about that), Microsoft has again managed to break Excel relative to the previous version. This time, Excel v11.5.4 displays a prompt stating that it is unable to save the AutoRecover information, and gives me the option of choosing not to repeat the prompt again. But it doesn't matter whether I want to repeat it or not, because clicking on the "OK" button that dismisses the prompt is useless; it doesn't work. No amount of clicking, or hitting any combination of keys will get rid of the prompt. Meanwhile, the current document is grayed out, as are menu functions...including Save. The only way to restore normal functionality to Excel is to force quit the app.
Naturally, that means that every bit of work I've done since the last time I saved will be lost. Nice Smeagol...er, I mean nice Microsoft; always helps!
I have no way of knowing whether this is some kind of an anomalous behavior of my particular instance of Excel, or whether it shows up for other users. If you haven't run the updater yet, be advised that v11.5.4 is already problematical for at least one user. Too bad; in general I love Excel. I use it daily, and I'd be lost without it. That's why it's such an irritation when Microsoft breaks it. [alert admin]
Sunday, April 19 2009 @ 04:45 PM PDT
HTML-Optimizer 10.1.4 (Mac OS X)
After one day of playing with HTML-Optimizer I have to say that I'm impressed—both with the app itself and with the developer.
To wit, I noticed that the Tonbrand Software web pages don't validate. So, I fired off a polite inquiry to the developer to ask why, and received a speedy reply with a satisfactory answer. Essentially, it was that the validation errors were minor—things like optional end tags and unneeded quotation marks—and in any case they could be cleaned up by a simple change of settings in HTML-Optimizer's preferences. It wasn't that important to him, because his pages displayed properly on all major browsers anyway. Hmmm...OK, fair enough.
Then came a second message informing me that the next update of HTML-Optimizer will include those preferences settings as the default, achieving validation for XHTML code (which is what I use) on the first bounce. That kind of responsiveness is a very good sign, considering the fact that I had only run the software for a one-day trial.
I ran HTML-Optimizer on a couple of pages I built in iWeb, and it knocked 53% off the page size for one of them, and 46% for the other one. They load much faster since then.
One of the features of HTML-Optimizer that was immediately attractive is the fact that it creates a duplicate copy of the site and then optimizes that, leaving the original code intact. You can publish the optimized code only when you're sure you want to commit the changes. Nice!
There's no question that HTML-Optimizer is a well-designed, eminently useful, and diligently supported application—well worth the cost of the license. [alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 1 of 1 users found this helpful
Saturday, March 14 2009 @ 02:50 PM PDT
Speed Download 5.1.1 (Mac OS X)
Looks Like I'll Skip Another Version...
No question about it—SD5 has a nice feature set. I was tempted to upgrade...er, until I saw that there's no upgrade path from SD3. Well...there wasn't enough reason to upgrade from SD3 to SD4, so I skipped v4. Oops...YazSoft's Kagi Page lists an upgrade option only for SD4 users. Licenseholders for earlier versions are disenfranchised, apparently. It's either pay for the full license, or keep on using SD3, which still works just fine. Of course, there's SD"Lite" now, which includes only the downloader without all the other features, but then if all I get is the downloader, I might as well just stick with SD3.
I'm pleased with YazSoft in general. SpeedDownload is a terrific application, YazSoft's support is excellent, and they work hard at keeping SpeedDownload up to date, relevant, and full of useful features. And the software just works! I still have my license for the original version of SpeedDownload, so I'm running it on my MacBook Pro...and it still works fine.
In fact, I would have upgraded to SD 4 if I had been able to use it on all my machines, but YazSoft's licensing policy doesn't allow that. Most hip developers recognize that a single user has a legitimate need to install an app on more than one machine—usually two, at least...a desktop and a notebook computer—and their licensing policy reflects that real-world condition. Not so with SpeedDownload. Drat! It's especially irritating because I'm a real stickler for adhering to licensing terms. I could work around the per-machine restriction, but I won't. The license terms are what they are. I don't like them, but I agreed to honor them, and that's that.
So, I guess my only complaints are these:
- Current upgrade policy doesn't provide any consideration to licensees who owned a version earlier than SD4.
- The license is per machine, not per user.
Read Comments (3) | More Info | 2 of 3 users found this helpful
Saturday, January 10 2009 @ 12:14 PM PST
R-Name 2.0.1f (Mac OS X)
How unfortunate that the developer has abandoned this application. It could use a few minor tweaks, but the main thing is that it just works. And it's still working in Tiger v10.4.11.
Actually, I'm using version 3, which isn't even listed in the VersionTracker drop-down. As far as I can tell, the app isn't available for download anywhere any more. Too bad; R-Name was a great alternative to the shareware and other-ware apps. Glad I kept the installer!
[alert admin]
Read Comments (1) | More Info
Sunday, January 04 2009 @ 01:55 PM PST
Microsoft Office 2004 11.5.0 (Mac OS X)
Whatever else the v11.5 update might do, it breaks the automatic "Always create backup" function. Well, actually...it doesn't actually break it completely, but it introduces an obnoxious bug. Here's what happens.
If there's no backup file in the first place, Excel will make one automatically when you save the original file. Then let's say you keep working in Excel, saving incrementally as you go. That's when the bug shows up. EVERY time you try to save the document, Excel displays a prompt saying "Cannot create backup file." Nothing happens until you dismiss the prompt, which offers you the option to "Cancel" the save operation, or click "OK", which presumably saves the file without saving a backup. But that's not what happens. When you click "OK", Excel saves the file, and DOES save a backup of the last saved version, exactly as it should, and exactly as it has always done. The difference is that it gives that damned useless prompt now in v11.5, telling you it can't create a backup, and then goes ahead and creates the backup anyway.
How perfectly MSian — take an application that had a normal, useful feature that worked properly, and introduce a bug that makes it a nuisance to use that feature.
It's bad enough that MS had to gut Office 2008 (removing VBA), making it necessary to continue to use Office 2004 until they restore VBA functionality in the next version of Office (assuming they do that). But to add insult to injury, they have to break features in Office 2004 that previously worked OK. Sheesh... [alert admin]
Read Comments (1) | More Info | 1 of 1 users found this helpful
Saturday, June 28 2008 @ 10:52 AM PDT
EasyCrop 2.2.6 (Mac OS X)
I last reviewed EasyCrop about a year and a half ago, at version 2.1.2. Everything I posted in that review is still true, except that Yellow Mug has continued to update the application with useful features. It's still a huge time-saver, it's still easy to to use, with a fully intuitive, fully Mac-like interface, and it still provides the following features:
- Consumes little system resources and launches quickly
- No confusing file dialog
- No temporary files to erase
- Live preview
- Customizable constraint settings
- Built-in screen capture tool
- Full drag-and-drop support (e.g. drag image directly from Finder or browser to EasyCrop)
- Originals remain intact
The bottom line is that Easy Crop is one of a very few killer apps that I rely on DAILY to facilitate my workflow. It performs with spectacular reliability and ease of use, and is worth every penny of the one-time license fee. [alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 1 of 1 users found this helpful
Friday, May 02 2008 @ 06:51 PM PDT
()
I've been a Sync Pro X user since version 1.0.1. Throughout that time, I've seen the application evolve from being the only OS X backup application to being the best one.
The feature set in Sync Pro X is what makes it a winner. One of those feature sets is the automation capability. For any given backup, sync, or bootable backup routine, you have a full range of start options and completion options. Among them are the ability to specify "Before syncing, open the file..." in the start options, and "Open the file..." in the completion options. Those features alone enable Sync Pro X to chain a series of backup functions to perform complex backup operations that would be very tedious to perform manually. For example, I can do a progressive backup of a server database (meaning, it will back up only the things that have changed since the last backup) to a .sparseimage file located on another computer on the same network. Sync Pro X fetches the .sparseimage file from the other computer, mounts it on the server desktop, runs the progressive backup, and then unmounts the .sparseimage file...automatically, at a predetermined time every night.
The possibilities with Sync Pro X are limitless. Because of the aforementioned file opening capability, it will run AppleScript files as start or completion options. Very handy!
The only gripe I have really isn't a problem with Sync Pro X at all. I would like to be able to make a bootable backup to a networked volume located on a remote computer. Unfortunately, due to a limitation imposed by the way OS X handles permissions on a remote computer, there is no backup application in existence that can perform that task. Data backup to a remote volume is no problem in Sync Pro X, mind you; it just shows up when you want to make a bootable backup.
And it's not just for networked volumes. Whatever drive you select as the destination drive for the bootable backup must be connected to the host on which you're running Sync Pro X via an interface that supports booting. That includes certain external hard drive controller interfaces. For example, if you have an external eSATA hard drive connected directly to your computer, you can make bootable backups to that drive using Sync Pro X only if the eSATA controller card supports booting. If it doesn't, you can sync to it or run a normal backup to it, but you can't make a bootable backup to it. Makes sense, because you wouldn't be able to boot from it anyway.
A few comments are in order here. If you're reading this review because you're looking for a serious, professional backup application, you've probably noticed the abundance of negative reviews and one-star ratings. That would give me pause if I didn't already know that Sync Pro X is solid, reliable, powerful backup application. I don't know what problems others have experienced, but I can tell you that Sync Pro X does precisely what it promises to do, and it does it consistently, reliably, and predictably.
With any application that provides as much power as Sync Pro X does, the user has a responsibility to understand how to use the software properly. Part of that is making certain that it's the right tool for the job in the first place. It really is the Rolls Royce of backup apps, but if you don't need the full range of features it provides, you'd probably be better off choosing one of Qdea's other backup applications.
Support is responsive and excellent. The developer has always replied to my support requests within 24 hours, usually less.
Finally, a word about the license terms. It is absolutely NOT true that the Sync Pro X license is good for only two years! I'm still running versions of Sync Pro X going back to v3.x on various computers. Once you buy a license a renewak, all versions covered under that license will continue to work (...well, as long as you run them with a compatible version of OS X). The software does not expire. Keep your installer .dmg files so you can reinstall your older versions if you need to for any reason. Qdea does not archive older versions of the software.
[alert admin]
Read Comments (3) | More Info | 3 of 3 users found this helpful
Saturday, April 12 2008 @ 09:05 PM PDT
()
I've been a Sync Pro X user since version 1.0.1. Throughout that time, I've seen the application evolve from being the only OS X backup application to being the best one.
The feature set in Sync Pro X is what makes it a winner. One of those feature sets is the automation capability. For any given backup, sync, or bootable backup routine, you have a full range of start options and completion options. Among them are the ability to specify "Before syncing, open the file..." in the start options, and "Open the file..." in the completion options. Those features alone enable Sync Pro X to chain a series of backup functions to perform complex backup operations that would be very tedious to perform manually. For example, I can do a progressive backup of a server database (meaning, it will back up only the things that have changed since the last backup) to a .sparseimage file located on another computer on the same network. Sync Pro X fetches the .sparseimage file from the other computer, mounts it on the server desktop, runs the progressive backup, and then unmounts the .sparseimage file...automatically, at a predetermined time every night.
The possibilities with Sync Pro X are limitless. Because of the aforementioned file opening capability, it will run AppleScript files as start or completion options. Very handy!
The only gripe I have really isn't a problem with Sync Pro X at all. I would like to be able to make a bootable backup to a networked volume located on a remote computer. Unfortunately, due to a limitation imposed by the way OS X handles permissions on a remote computer, there is no backup application in existence that can perform that task. Data backup to a remote volume is no problem in Sync Pro X, mind you; it just shows up when you want to make a bootable backup.
And it's not just for networked volumes. Whatever drive you select as the destination drive for the bootable backup must be connected to the host on which you're running Sync Pro X via an interface that supports booting. That includes certain external hard drive controller interfaces. For example, if you have an external eSATA hard drive connected directly to your computer, you can make bootable backups to that drive using Sync Pro X only if the eSATA controller card supports booting. If it doesn't, you can sync to it or run a normal backup to it, but you can't make a bootable backup to it. Makes sense, because you wouldn't be able to boot from it anyway.
A few comments are in order here. If you're reading this review because you're looking for a serious, professional backup application, you've probably noticed the abundance of negative reviews and one-star ratings. That would give me pause if I didn't already know that Sync Pro X is solid, reliable, powerful backup application. I don't know what problems others have experienced, but I can tell you that Sync Pro X does precisely what it promises to do, and it does it consistently, reliably, and predictably.
With any application that provides as much power as Sync Pro X does, the user has a responsibility to understand how to use the software properly. Part of that is making certain that it's the right tool for the job in the first place. It really is the Rolls Royce of backup apps, but if you don't need the full range of features it provides, you'd probably be better off choosing one of Qdea's other backup applications.
Support is responsive and excellent. The developer has always replied to my support requests within 24 hours, usually less.
Finally, a word about the license terms. It is absolutely NOT true that the Sync Pro X license is good for only two years! I'm still running versions of Sync Pro X going back to v3.x on various computers. Once you buy a license or a renewal, all versions covered under that license will continue to work (...well, as long as you run them with a compatible version of OS X). The software does not expire. Keep your installer .dmg files so you can reinstall your older versions if you need to for any reason. Qdea does not archive older versions of the software.
[alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 3 of 3 users found this helpful
Saturday, April 12 2008 @ 09:00 PM PDT
Last 10 Comments by freevito [ Search for All ]
it's certainly a text editor, but...
Robert: Thanks for the tip! I've been massively disappointed in many of the available website development apps for OS X. SEEdit Maxi looks good.
Original feedback item : Read More
Saturday, March 07 2009 @ 02:21 PM PST
No question that Audacity is a great application. It's versatile, powerful, automatically recognizes existing AU plugins...well, the list goes on. But although it does share many of Wave Editor's features, it's NOT the same thing. Wave Editor is a pre-mastering app from which you can burn CDs to Red Book standards, or export to DDP. The only other OS X app that will do that (PreMaster CD) costs almost 8 times as much...and Audacity doesn't…
Original feedback item : Read More(1 words)
Saturday, December 27 2008 @ 11:01 AM PST
How very kind of you to imply that I'm the developer of SyncProX. Alas, I am not. You need only click on my user name and read all my other reviews to see what a silly notion that is.
I stand behind every review I write on VersionTracker. If you dont like my reviews [Radical Concept Alert!] you always have the option of not reading them.
Cheer up, amigo...I don't know what bone you have to pick…
Original feedback item : Read More(1 words)
Friday, May 02 2008 @ 07:52 PM PDT
James: I think I see your problem. You're confusing goatbag with someone whose purpose is to actually help you improve the application, not simply to criticize your work in order to make himself feel superior.
Original feedback item : Read More
Sunday, September 30 2007 @ 11:47 AM PDT
It's definitely worth the price if you need what it does. SyncProX has a reputation as as a bootable backup application—which is well-deserved—but that's only a small part of what it does. If that's all you want, SyncProX might be overkill for you. You'll find less costly applications that do the job, but I doubt you'll find any that do it better.
If you want to synchronize folder contents according to a vast array of user-defined…
Original feedback item : Read More(1 words)
Sunday, October 22 2006 @ 02:41 PM PDT
Your comment is misleading. Any copy of SyncProX that you download during the license period will continue to work after the license period expires. The renewal covers continued upgrades for another two-year period, but the previous versions will continue to work regardless of whether you renew the license.
Original feedback item : Read More
Sunday, October 22 2006 @ 11:37 AM PDT
But you haven't written a review
Xeater: You obviously didn't find EasyCrop attractive enough for your purposes to take the time to explore the features it offers. Fair enough. Different folks have different needs. But you haven't written a review; you've written commentary. Giving the app a one-star review rating when you haven't actually written a review is unfair, and it really dumbs down the VersionTracker rating system.
Do the decent thing; delete your comments, and re-add them as commentary.…
Original feedback item : Read More(1 words)
Sunday, October 22 2006 @ 10:09 AM PDT
Oops...never mind...DUH!! I just spotted your five-star follow-up. Good on ya! Can't help you with that ugly woman thang, though.
Original feedback item : Read More
Sunday, October 08 2006 @ 09:59 AM PDT
Hey Hockpooh777:
Jeez, Dude...lighten up a bit. Considering the following facts...
- Your assumption that you can't turn off the update prompt was incorrect.
- Your assumption that you had to pay full price for the upgrade to v4.x was incorrect.
- The developer took the time to politely reply to your flame with a response that directly addressed your imaginary problems.
Original feedback item : Read More(1 words)
Sunday, October 08 2006 @ 09:48 AM PDT
Markus: Sounds like you might be missing something. I just installed v2.9.1 and launched it. The app opened with the same set of inspectors that was open the last time I used the previous version...that is, the workspace was exactly the same way it looked the last time I used version 2.9. I clicked on the rectangle tool, drew a rectangle, and it appeared with white fill. That makes sense; white was the last fill color…
Original feedback item : Read More(1 words)
Friday, September 22 2006 @ 07:50 AM PDT
