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Bento
Bento 4.0.6
Your rating: Now say why...

(17) 2.588235294117647

Organize all your important information in one place.   Updater ($49.00)
Add to my Watch List
Email me when discounted
  • Download Now
    97.5 MB
  • Buy
    $49.00
  • Visit Developer's Site
    FileMaker, Inc.
Bento is a personal database from FileMaker that's as easy to use as a Mac. Bento organizes all your important information in one place, so you can manage your contacts, coordinate events, track projects, prioritize tasks, and more faster and easier than ever before.

Features:
  • Bring It All Together: From contacts and calendars, to projects and events, you can organize just about every type of information you have all from one place.
  • See Things Your Way: Just drag and drop or point and click to change the look of any form, and see information in a way that makes
What's New
Version 4.0.6:
  • Provides bug fixes and compatibility updates related to Mac OS X 10.7 and iCloud.
  • This update is recommended for everyone using a version of Bento 4 for Mac.
Requirements
PPC / Intel, Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later


Related Links
Bento for iPhone







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Bento User Discussion (Write a Review)
ver. 4.x:
(17)
Your rating: Now say why...
Overall:
(53)

sort: smiles | time
burypromote

+104

Rubaiyat reviewed on 07 Feb 2012
So how does it work with Apple's own productivity suite, iWork?

Oh it doesn't! Couldn't be simpler!

Other than report on quarterly returns, do the people at FileMaker ever talk to the people at Apple?
[Version 4.0.6]


burypromote

+1

ScienceGuy reviewed on 30 Jan 2012
I just received a free copy from a bundled purchase. Good thing, because this is not worth anywhere near the $49 they are asking. I've used Filemaker extensively in the past and this product just leads to endless frustration. Every time you want to customize something, you're blocked by the assumptions and limitations of Bento. For example:

In general, you have limited to no ability to format the display of a field:
A number field has no way to check to see if the input is out of range:

No way to format the way a date displays.

No numeric formatting. Enter a number as 1E45 and have watching the nonsense that gets displayed.
[Version 4.0.6]

1 Reply

burypromote

+1
ScienceGuy replied on 30 Jan 2012
Continuing after the inadvertent cutoff:

Date formats.

Color, shading, the name of the field on the display as opposed to the name of the field in the database.

URl field ask for a label, but are so dumb as not to allow "no label", so you have two labels, the field name and the url label. Dumb.

And it goes on and on.

I tried to build a very simple first time test datase of storing notes with a few simple fields. Yes, you can do it, but you have little choice on how looks or behaves.

This is a database system for people who don't want any choices but very simple ones. For anyone else, it's just not worth the money. Maybe if this was $10, the limitations would be worth it, but not at this price.
burypromote
-1

-1

TomasA reviewed on 21 Jan 2012
Have been using v 3 for a year, but now when I wanted to upgrade to v 4.0.6 I wanted to try the trial versions first.
After installation the program just doesn't do anything. It does not load any database, all submenus are greyed out and you can't even access the preferences.
No support and no guidance in their support forum either. But others seem to have similar problems according to the Forum.
I will NOT upgrade to the full version, since it seems I am to pay for a program that doesn't work.
A qualified piece of crap. Pity since I really liked v 3.
Can't give much more than lowest stars, since it is impossible to get to work. Version 3 however would have received much more.
[Version 4.0.6]


burypromote
+1

+59
xXAkumuXx commented on 13 Oct 2011
Full Screen mode is badly needed. Also, the printing leaves much to be desired.
[Version 4.0.6]


burypromote

+93
Pik80 commented on 21 Sep 2011
Does anyone know how version 4.0.6 performs on a PowerMac G5 compared to version 3? Is it any slower?
[Version 4.0.6]


burypromote
+7

+31
Tfindlay commented on 20 Sep 2011
If you click the Visit Developer Site link above you will find that you can upgrade from version 1, 2, or 3 for only $9.00.
[Version 4.0.6]

2 Replies

burypromote
-1

+21
Hotmac replied on 21 Sep 2011
...if you have version 1,2 or 3.
burypromote

+59
xXAkumuXx replied on 07 Oct 2011
That's what he said...
burypromote

+222
Dana Sutton commented on 14 Jul 2011
"Improved compatibility with Lion". Well, will v.3 work with Lion or won't it? Time will tell. If the answer is no, then I'll have spring for the upgrade to preserve my data. If the answer is yes, I won't. Despite the obligatory dog-and-pony glitz at the developer's site, I just don't see how the very limited number of innovations and improvements in this new versions justify the rather substantial price of the upgrade.
[Version 4.0.4]

9 Replies

burypromote

+177
Tim27 replied on 15 Jul 2011
Why do you have to upgrade to Lion? Lion offers about as many useful features compared to Snow Leopard as Bento 4 does to 3.
burypromote

+15
Kenaroni replied on 15 Jul 2011
I have to agree with Tim27. Lion is a huge letdown for me, and I've enjoyed every single upgrade of Mac OS since 7.5. Stay with Snow Leopard unless maybe trackpad gestures are a big deal for you.
burypromote
-1

+222
Dana Sutton replied on 15 Jul 2011
I think I agree with you guys. My original thought was that thirty bucks is not too much to pay for an auto-update utility that works better than those currently on the market and a couple of new wallpapers. But Bento ups the ante, doesn't it?
burypromote

+222
Dana Sutton replied on 15 Jul 2011
Oops, i meant to write auto-save
burypromote
+3

+93
Pik80 replied on 17 Aug 2011
You guys really can't see the reason to spend $30 on Lion? After four years this version finally gets spaces right, being able to see files previews in spotlight is a big time saver as is restarting your system and having everything in tact once your computer restarts, it contains by far the biggest update to Mail app, versions is a huge update over the way you used to have to save versions in the finder. How can anyone not see $30 worth of improvements? Plus I haven't even discussed all the changes that will be happening to iCloud once 10.7.2 comes out.
burypromote
-2

+222
Dana Sutton replied on 17 Aug 2011
Pik80. Forgetting everything else you say (and a lot of us vigorously disagree with you about Apple "finally getting Spaces right"), what do you want to bet Apple will bring out a new version of Snow Leopard, or some add-on to it, to facilitate access to iCloud? It's very much in their corporate interest to rope all the customers they can.
burypromote

+93
Pik80 replied on 17 Aug 2011
I highly doubt they would include iCloud support for SL because they would have to spend more time to do that. That is not in their best interest because they need to get Cloud computing working right away.

Because I am still on PowerPC I haven't spent a lot of time with Lion's version of Spaces so admittedly I can't say necessarily that they got it complete right but I think we can agree that it is much better then SL that hardly worked at all. Just out of curiosity in what ways does Spaces need to be improved still? I would love the ability to name the spaces but I can't think of a whole lot more that needs to be changed.

John Siracusa did a great article in depth explanation why versions is a really big deal here:
http://arstechnica.com/apple/reviews/2011/07/mac-os-x-10-7.ars/7#document-model
I especially like the sixth paragraph of the review. This is a massive improvement over the way in which we have been using the Mac for nearly 30 years.
burypromote

+3
Ajmac25 replied on 20 Sep 2011
I received an email from FileMaker today saying if you upgrade to Bento 4 from any previous version AND you have Lion, the upgrade is $9.
burypromote
+2

+93
Pik80 replied on 20 Sep 2011
The message I got didn't say that you had to upgrade to Lion to get the discount. The reason they mentioned Lion is that version 4.0.6 is the only version that is compatible with Lion. It's not that people on old operating systems can't get the discount.
burypromote
+2

+17
Szeoli commented on 10 May 2011
Love Bento. I truly don't understand all the negativity about this fine application. It's inexpensive, works well. Gets the job done. I've never lost any data in the three years I've used it. Wish there was an equally easy-to-use and functional version for Windows.
[Version 4.0.3]

3 Replies

burypromote
+6

+915
Misha replied on 14 Jul 2011
I think a lot of the grief comes from FileMaker releasing 3 paid upgrades in 3 years (that are relatively expensive given the full price of the app) and that have added features or functionality customers felt should have been there already or provided later as a free update.
burypromote
+3

+650
Espiridion replied on 14 Jul 2011
I agree with Misha. Bento looked pretty but was buggy, too limited, and had a terrible upgrade policy. I don't know if it's as easy to use as Bento, but Panorama Sheets works on Windows.
http://www.provue.com/panoramasheets/index.html

The full version of Panorama has a steep learning curve, but even with that version some things are quite easy to accomplish. Panorama Sheets should be easier to use.
burypromote

+17
Szeoli replied on 07 Oct 2011
I've tried Panorama Sheets. It's a nice application, but it lays out like a spreadsheet, so if your data doesn't fit a spreadsheet layout -- i.e. you need a note box for large amounts of text, or you have many fields -- it isn't nearly as useful as Bento.
burypromote

+32
2stepbay commented on 10 May 2011
4.0.3 update not yet available on Apple's App store. Why the lag?
[Version 4.0.3]

2 Replies

burypromote
+1

+915
Misha replied on 14 Jul 2011
There's always lags with the Mac App Store, that's one of the great things about the MAS (not). Bento 4.0.4 isn't there yet either.
burypromote
+1

+32
2stepbay replied on 14 Jul 2011
If "history" is any guide, I suspect 4.0.4 will make it to the app store in about a week.

In the future, if I have a choice between purchasing an app from the developer or the App store, I will buy directly from the developer. App store concept sounds great...and as with the iTunes store, the practical side of it just plains sucks.
burypromote

+5

Malista reviewed on 31 Mar 2011
The zen way: Bento 4 may not allow you to create any record. Yes you heard: a database with a little bug indeed. Other users on their support page seem to struggle as well with the issue. Think twice and wait until addressed (my advice)
[Version 4.0.2]


burypromote
+1

+4
Eval had trouble on 16 Nov 2010
This update breaks FileMaker Pro's "Import from Bento Data Source" version checking. If you need this, you should wait for a newer version of FileMaker Pro
[Version 3.0.5]


burypromote

+11
STRob had trouble on 19 Nov 2007
Documentation states that it requires OS 10.5. Unbelievably inconsiderate!!! Filemaker (Apple) should make it backward compatible to at least Panther. Pass.
[Version 1.0v2r1]

5 Replies

burypromote

+322
MacUpdate Admin replied on 19 Nov 2007
It is not a matter of being inconsiderate. Bento is using technologies in 10.5 that do not exist in 10.4, much less 10.3.
burypromote

+406
sjk replied on 19 Nov 2007
There are valid reasons why developers may choose not to support *new* software on older OS releases or older hardware. Bento was released after (and for) Leopard so there's really no obligation for FileMaker to support it on Tiger and earlier.

Count me as someone who's not going to whine about not being able to run Leopard/Intel-only software on my PPC systems. It's not like the software I'm currently satisfied using has suddenly stopped working!
burypromote

+51
rspeed replied on 19 Nov 2007
I believe the main reason this is Leopard-only is because of how it interacts with the Address Book and iCal databases. In earlier versions of OS X there was no central database for them, so making changes would be very difficult and risky.
burypromote

+51
neutralzone replied on 19 Nov 2007
Although the original post was probably not from a Mac fanboy, this is a good lesson for the fanboys. Every day there are hardcore Mac fans berating software companies who don't upgrade their apps for the latest OSs right away, write in Cocoa, or support special Core technologies or other proprietary Apple features. The fanboys call those companies stupid, shortsighted, or doomed.

Now here is a developer who is taking full and complete advantage of the latest Apple tech, and they're still getting shot down! Well, the fanboys need to be careful what they wish for sometimes. Making a developer use the latest Apple tools and toys sometimes that means it's impractical to make the product backwards-compatible or cross-platform. If you want an app to be more practical in the world, sometimes you have to give up some of Apple's proprietary features.
burypromote

+10
HMac replied on 09 Jan 2008
darn! still got machines w/ both Tiger and Panther -- it'll be a while before I get a new Leopard.

Is this anything like any of the Devon-Think apps?


richardmannich rated on 30 Jan 2012

[Version 4.0.6]




Mezzogori rated on 05 Dec 2011

[Version 4.0.6]




Mtkato rated on 29 Nov 2011

[Version 4.0.6]



+1

DaymonJ rated on 20 Sep 2011

[Version 4.0.6]




Finge rated on 10 Aug 2011

[Version 4.0.5]




czhu rated on 22 Mar 2011

[Version 4.0.2]



+2

Kgx rated on 17 Mar 2011

[Version 4.0.1]



+10

scottwild.co rated on 16 Mar 2011

[Version 4.0.1]




Msadeghi rated on 16 Mar 2011

[Version 4.0.1]




Egustavo rated on 25 Jan 2011

[Version 3.0.6]


Downloads:63,455
Version Downloads:3,998
Type:Business : Personal Info Managers
License:Updater
Date:20 Sep 2011
Platform:PPC / Intel
Price: $49.00
Overall (Version 4.x):
Features:
Ease of Use:
Value:
Stability:
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Bento is a personal database from FileMaker that's as easy to use as a Mac. Bento organizes all your important information in one place, so you can manage your contacts, coordinate events, track projects, prioritize tasks, and more faster and easier than ever before.

Features:
  • Bring It All Together: From contacts and calendars, to projects and events, you can organize just about every type of information you have all from one place.
  • See Things Your Way: Just drag and drop or point and click to change the look of any form, and see information in a way that makes sense to you. Now seeing, searching, and sorting your information is simpler and faster than ever before
  • Designed For Leopard: Bento has direct links to the Mac OS X Address Book and iCal, and takes advantage of many new features of Leopard, including core animation, advanced find, Time Machine, backups, and multimedia features.


If you're already using FileMaker Pro, be sure to check out Bento for your personal organization and productivity needs. It's also a great way to organize all your after-work activities, community projects, school events and more.
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