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DESCRIPTION
DEVONthink Pro... In today's world, everything is digital. From shopping receipts to important research papers, your life often fills your hard drive in the form of emails, PDFs, Word documents, multimedia files and more. Questions eventually pop up, like where do you store all of this stuff? How do you organize these very different file types, and even better, how do you find the exact file you're looking for the second you need it? It's almost as if you need a second brain just to keep your digital life straight.
DEVONthink is the solution to the digital age conundrum. It is your second brain, the one and only database for all your digital files, be they PDFs, emails, Word docs or even multimedia files. Boasting a refined artificial intelligence, DEVONthink is exceedingly flexible and adapts to your personal needs. And if the files are not digital yet, digitize them with DEVONthink Pro Office.
Use it as your document repository, your filing cabinet, your email archive, or your project organizer; DEVONthink can do it all. You can even collect and organize data from the web for your own use, enrich it with sound and movie files from your hard drive, and then export the finished product as a website or to an Apple Pages document to print, should you so desire. Or copy the content to your iPod! The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination.
DEVONthink Professional Office extends DEVONthink Pro with three additional modules: Pro-grade email archiving, paper capture including optical character recognition, and integrated web sharing (search only.)
The latest non-beta release is available via DEVONtechnologies' website.
WHAT'S NEW
Version 2.0b5: - From this release on all editions of DEVONthink require Mac OS X 10.5 or later. This beta expires July 31, 2009.
- NEW: Properties of RTF/RTFD and PDF documents (except locked and indexed ones) are now editable via Tools > Show/Hide Properties...
- NEW: Comparison options Ignore Umlauts and Fuzzy added to Search window, to toolbar search and to smart groups editor.
- NEW: Tag predicate added to smart groups.
- NEW: Tooltip added to location field of Info panel; tooltips of smart group results include the location, the comment and available meta data.
- NEW: Option to ignore umlauts ignores now all diacritics.
- NEW: Expanded smart groups in three-pane view display number of found items.
- NEW: Attribute icon shows that an item has a comment.
- Improved: Occurrences are now always highlighted blue on yellow.
- Improved: Ranking of search results using wildcards.
- Improved: Selection handling while toolbar search results are visible.
- Improved: Capturing from text views via drag-and-drop or services retains the URL of the original document.
- Improved: It is again possible to begin editing of the comments and URL columns after pressing the Tab key.
- Improved: Revised shortcuts of Go and Format menu to avoid conflicts. In addition, shortcuts for Previous/Next Tab are now identical to Safari 4.0.
- Improved: Tooltips of recent destinations of Move/Replicate/Duplicate sub-menus display location of destination.
- Improved: All attribute icons for external and/or locked items or items with an attached script are now displayed.
- Improved: Slightly revised order of Format menu.
- Improved: Double-clicking search results with the Option key pressed opens them in a new tab if tabbed browsing is enabled. The behavior of Option-double-clicking is harmonized also for all panels.
- Improved: Links to local files in rich text or PDF documents are always opened externally.
- Improved: Go > Previous/Next Instance unhoist the current window if necessary.
- Improved: Highlighting of occurrences of opened Spotlight search results.
- Improved: Items replicated both inside and outside of the trash are again returned by smart groups, can be duplicates and are used by automatic Wiki linking.
- Improved: Recognition of duplicates.
- Improved: Rebuilding retains the original order.
- Improved: English, French, and German Localizations.
- Fixed: Issues of database locking on computers with multiple network interfaces/host names.
- Fixed: Incompatibility to local domains.
- Fixed: Some Wiki links containing multiple numbers did not work.
- Fixed: Tooltips of navigation bar were not always correct.
- Fixed: Some column widths did not adapt correctly.
- Fixed: Locked orphaned files could not be repaired using Tools > Verify & Repair.
- Fixed: Data > Reveal did not always work.
- Fixed: Importing/indexing of certain Word documents was very very slow.
- Fixed: Bugs and glitches.
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.5 or later.
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| DEVONthink Pro User Reviews (39 posts) | Write A Review |
 | Feb 15 2009 |
LEV After using the DevonThink public beta for six weeks or so, I'd have to say it's a great improvement. It's not so much a breakthrough upgrade, but rather lots of incremental improvements which add up to a far better user experience. It's definitely faster; it seems far more nimble; the (not yet fully implemented) "Sorter" makes Getting Stuff In quicker and easier, and the bookmarklets for interfacing between DevonThink and the web work, for me, more satisfactorily than most apps which position themselves as competition. One of the most asked-for enhancements is now working: full Boolean and proximity searches of the database. Before, you had to rely on DT's "artifical intelligence" -- some sort of word-based semantic algorithm -- if you wanted to do more than a simple word- or phrase-search. The AI usually delivered the goods but it's nice to be able to order up a search by hand if needed. You can now have multiple databases open at once. Great. Drag-and-drop between databases hasn't yet been switched on in the beta, but is in place for the release version. The developers have also implemented tagging, but we won't know what that's like until that, too, goes live. Personally I hope it is compatible with tagging-based apps like Punakea or the superb Leap; we will have to see. Given that it uses the Finder to organise its database, rather than copying everything into a proprietary format, there's no reason why it shouldn't be. There are still some things on the wish-list. Of course they are. It would be even more powerful if, for example, it would let the user set up his own list of "synonyms". The Windows app Nota Bene does this, to great effect. You can, for example, tell it that when you ask for things to do with religion, it should look for words from a user-configured list: "Hindu, Muslim, Roman catholic, priest, nun, monk, curch, chapel, synagogue, Rabbi..." etc. Sweet. But, for whatever reason, after trying just about every "bucket" app going, I find with DevonThink 2 beta, I'm sticking with it. It's open all the time. The UI is still a mile away from the (much less powerful) Yojimbo, but DT is engineering-led and I suspect they'd rather have a slightly complex UI than compromise functionality. Definitely a runner. After a long time lagging behind a bit, DT is back in the game, and all the better for it. The 120 non-continuous hours' free trial is generous and enough to explore this very powerful app. Give it a whirl.
(Version 2.0pb3) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
 | Jan 23 2009 |
XPLICIT The so called "Sorter" doesn't work, imports are not possible. What about creating webarchives by dragging the URL? Doesn't work either. What kind of beta is this? But I like the fact that in some kind of emergency (which can always happen!) you can look into the databases and get files out of there manually. One more thing: 80 bucks - there are cheaper alternatives.
(Version 2.0 pb1) | |
| [ 2 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Jan 23 2009 |
XPLICIT The sorter doesn't even quit properly.
(Version 2.0 pb1) | |
| Jan 30 2009 |
LEV This is a beta. The developers are perfectly open about the sorter not being fully implemented yet. A number of features aren't up and running. You might want to check the available documentation. (Or you might not. Who knows.)
(Version 2.0pb2) | |
| Jan 10 2009 |
DIGITAL FURY DEVONthink is an OK product, but rather than pay $50, $80 or $150 (depending on version) for an enhanced search engine and a tags implementation using a proprietary database, I would rather use Spotlight - if Apple could improve it - and rely on the native file system and OS X features. I can already create PDFs, RTFs and WebArchives in OS X, and I'm using a Fujitsu S300M with Readiris, to create JPEGs + OCR on my paper documents (with a disciplined directory structure); so the added value of DEVONthink (regardless of version) is sketchy at best for me.
(Version 2.0 pb1) | |
| [ 2 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Jan 20 2009 |
HMURCHISON This really isn't a review it's a comment. Star ratings should be reserved for those who have used the product and can speak to the pro and con of the application. Not saying your commentary wasn't helpful at the core.
(Version 2.0 pb1) | |
| Jan 30 2009 |
ALEXIUSCA Agreed. If you have a 'disciplined directory structure' you have no business reviewing a program that helps us lazy folk create one!
(Version 2.0pb2) | |
| Dec 24 2008 |
GABBLE How do I tag documents imported in the database? The info panel has a Tags field, but I cannot write anything into it (cannot set the cursor inside). The same happens with the document properties window, I cannot write inside any of the fields, "keywords" in particular. Is it a limitation of the public beta version? No indication on their website anyway…
(Version 2.0 pb1) | |
| [ 2 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
 | Dec 28 2008 |
JGJONES28 The Upgrader's Guide included in the download lists all the features, including tagging, that are not yet functional in the first public beta.
(Version 2.0 pb1) | |
| Dec 28 2008 |
GABBLE Thank you so much.
(Version 2.0 pb1) | |
| Dec 17 2008 |
STEVEN GOODHEART Just fyi, DevonThink Professional is on the verge of releasing the beta for the totally revamped Version 2.0....and as a DTP fanboy, I'm really psyched, since the promised features are exactly what I've been hoping for: Multiple databases open at the same time Boolean search operators replacing the current search Smart groups (stored searches) Documents are stored as-is, can be edited externally Support for many common file formats Documents can be linked to from the outside using a URL Overhauled, modern user interface Intelligent tagging support PDF splitting/joining/annotating Global inbox replacing the import destinations chaos Tabbed browsing, viewing, and editing Cover-flow-ish document browsing Much improved RSS feed support Fully overhauled web interface Man, I can hardly wait -- especially for smart groups and tags!!! For those who don't own DTP yet, now would be a good time to buy, because they (and anyone who bought DTP after July 1, 2008) will get the new 2.0 for free, as explained at this link: http://www.devon-technologies.com/products/devonthink/devonthink2.html Man, I can't wait to get my hands on this beta. They are promising it before Christmas.
(Version 1.5.4) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Sep 23 2008 |
STEVEN GOODHEART First, let me say that DevonThink Pro is *the* indispensable program on my Mac. It's my "vacuum cleaner," which absorbs and classifies all the research and information I need to store in an incredibly useful way. I own Notetaker, MacJournal, Eagle Filer, and they have their uses, but nothing comes close to the horsepower and intelligence of this program. Anyway, this 1.5.4 update is nice....the first thing I noticed is that the program now loads 4 or 5 times as fast as it did before - sweet! And yes, the wiki links really zoom now. And the improved Webkit integration shows too, and web pages and web archives open much faster. Haven't checked out all the improvements listed, but at first look, I'm really pleased with this update, mainly because of overall speed increases. This program takes some time to learn, but it's not formidable, or anything, and there are really great tutorials at the DevonThink website. If you haven't tried this program out, give it a chance. The "artificial intelligence" is truly remarkable. Also, be sure to check out the horsepower of DTP's Service Menu and scripts...they gives you incredible power in terms of data import. And if you use DevonAgent in combo with DTP, you have unparalleled power for searching and classifying and sorting information.
(Version 1.5.4) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Sep 3 2008 |
VALDIMAR THOR H The Devon´s are fabulous, all of them. There is nothing out there which matches DevonThinkProOffice and DEVONagent together. The Agent is incredibly well done search program and its far beyond anything Google or Yahoo kind of searches... The DevonThinkProOffice is a killer app from most POV. Spotlight searches, scanning of documents, archiving, Automator scripts, Apple scripts, and on and on. Learning curve is rather long as so many options open up with increasing familiarity with the software; on is always learning sth. new and finding solutions which where not apparent earlier on during the learning process. That means DevonThinkProOffice grows with you as user into the infinite... I have used this combination of DEVONagent and DevonThinkOfficePro for a while and this is amazing duo and totally indispensable for the serious academic wherever his is located on this planet. This software is a must have.
(Version 1.5.3) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Jul 24 2008 |
ZO219 I am astonished to see Together mentioned on the same page as any DEVONthink app, Pro or Personal. They simply are not in the same league, and neither offer nor provide the same capabilities. AI, anyone? See for yourself. Choose what works for you, but for heaven's sake, discern! BTW, a "steep" learning curve is like a steep hill, a difficult climb.
(Version 1.5.3) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Aug 5 2008 |
LEV Hmm... but if a "learning curve" is a function which plots X against Y, where X is effort and Y is return-on-effort, something easy to learn would have a very steep curve -- rapid return for little effort. Conversely a shallow curve would depict small returns for large efforts. We use it in the exact opposite sense, which is fine since we all know what we mean; it's just a bit odd if you happen to catch sight of the expression afresh. As for AI -- DevonThink is splendid on that score. The only beef I have is that I'd like it to be either a bit less opaque or to have the option of more direct control if I wanted (i.e. Boolean searching, which is promised for v2; on previous showing, that'll be arriving at about the same time as the Rapture but I guess I can wait...)
(Version 1.5.3) | |
| Dec 31 2007 |
LEV PS to my previous post -- in response to the earlier reviewer, I haven't had any Safari/web problems with this release.
(Version 1.5) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
| Dec 31 2007 |
LEV The main drawback of DevonThink for me (I've used it since it first appeared) has been its refusal to play with Spotlight. This -- because I'm a data slut, never quite sure where anything is -- has meant ≥2 searches for whatever-it-is: one in Spotlight, then one for each DevonThink database whatever-it-is might be in. This was on the point of driving me away from DevonThink... particularly with Leopard's much-improved Spotlight implementation. Fortunately, with v1.5, it now plays very nicely with Spotlight. Still no QuickLook, but at least it means that just one Spotlight search can pull up everything. So once again DevonThink is at the head of the pack. Thank you, Devon Technologies. I'd give it 5 'features' stars now, if only it offered (a) multiple databases open simultaneously, and (b) tagging, instead of enforcing a folder hierarchy and "replicants". Oh, and Boolean searching -- though the AI "see also" function is magnificent. Interface looks a bit outdated now, but works. It's much snappier than before. And the learning curve is steep. (Actually, I think I mean "shallow" -- you spend a lot of time getting up to speed. A "steep" learning curve would be e.g. Yojimbo, where you go from Novice to Expert user almost instantly.) Nor can it import files from some of my most-used applications. Tinderbox and Scrivener I can understand; they are both complex organizational systems -- one XML, the other a package of indexed RTF/D files -- and it would be hard to see how the hell DevonThink would handle their data. But DT's inability to read Mellel or Pages 3 files is a big shame. Not DevonTech's fault, I believe, but outside developers not providing plug-ins. But all in all, with this update DevonThink is IMO still the leader for heavy-lifting of text-based data.
(Version 1.5) | |
| [ Reply ] | |
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