WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  For the record, although we did not agree with the sense of dire urgency of the tone of this person, we have taken to heart these concerns.

Although for many years WBC has sent out betas to groups of people who have reported problems with a particular version, without any complaint, from now on we won't do this without asking first.

Also, we were not at all "very offended" when this person "suggested" we "should use Bcc". She stated that she was "very surprised" and "upset". We simply tried to explain our view on the matter. She responded to her professed privacy concerns by sending out a blanket email to everyone on the original list, which we felt completely contradicted her position.

At any rate, we regret the whole incident.  
(Version 3.1)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  This issue is fixed with version 3.1. Thank you to those who reported it, and sorry for the inconvenience.  
(Version 3.0)

GCOGHILL  I agree on the website comment, the MacUpdate page is far more informative than the developers own webpage for OmniGrowl.  
(Version 3.0)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  Thanks for the comments. I'm aware the web site needs redesign but its never been a priority. I'd rather focus on making useful applications than web design, as it's just me out here. Still I'll take it under advisement!  
(Version 3.0)

GCOGHILL  I suppose it's one of those things where if you can't even find a full feature list on the apps own webpage, you start to wonder if the app itself might be unfinished. Also might make one wonder about support issues.

I've demoed OmniGrowl in the past and it's a very nice application. But had I stumbled across it outside of MacUpdate, I might not even have given it another look.

Something as simple as a changelog, a basic overview of features and at least a full list of the main features added in the newest version might be a bit more reassuring. A screen shot or two would also help.

Hope this doesn't come across as negative, it's purely constructive criticism. The app itself seems great, it's just the "packaging" that might turn some people off.

Just the reply from the developer bumps this up a notch in my book, sometimes I don't even get replies from (or get very delayed responses from) devs to which I've paid money for licenses and contacted for support.  
(Version 3.0)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  You asked for it... you got it:

http://www.woodenbrain.com/

Total redesign! Enjoy, comment, post, etc. This is the first official public announcement.  
(Version 3.1)

MACUPDATE ADMIN  WoodenBrain Developer: Some days ago I noticed your website changes, and I believe all your apps' pages here at MU have had their associated URLs updated to reflect the changes you've made.  
(Version 3.1)

GCOGHILL  Wow, now that's what I call taking suggestions to heart! The new website is light years beyond the previous one - great job!  
(Version 3.1)

SAJDAK70  great work! The new website is much, much better than the previous one. I like it. Thank you for you hearing to customers needs and wishes. :-)  
(Version 3.1)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  Thanks for your encouragement (and prodding ;-) on this. Since I last posted the notice I've further improved the web site: the side bars now all have roll-over buttons and the web forum is complete. Now back to the thing that matters: product development!

Thanks to MacUpdate for so quickly updating the product links. How DO you guys keep "track" of all this? ;-)  
(Version 3.1)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  Yes, I am. Note that Growl is framework for displaying information. OmniGrowl is providing content. It's like saying no one should charge for internet services if they are accessed via free web browsers. At any rate, OmniGrowl has involved weeks and weeks of development time, and I think it is perfectly reasonable to want to be compensated. Furthermore, if you took the trouble to look at WBC's web site, you might discover some interesting things about our view of shareware. Thank you.  
(Version 2.2)

JERRODHO  Oh please. Building upon free foundations is the way a lot of software is made. Including Mac OS X itself.  
(Version 2.2)

LEE123  ehm, ya and you pay for osx don't you?  
(Version 2.3)

JERRODHO  ...and that would be my point. OS X is built upon free foundations, and we pay for it. Just like OmniGrowl.  
(Version 2.3)

STORMCHILD  Gonna have to agree with the developer and jerrodho here. $10 is really not that steep; the software does provide a lot of features, and these days, a lot of other companies are charging much higher prices for simple little apps that do a lot less.  
(Version 2.4)

UMAROMC  It's just ten bucks. I can't be the only person that has to pay rent and utilities... I can't cry over someone charging ten bucks. Please have some compassion.

Peace.  
(Version 2.4.3)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  Hi... As usual folks, please email support with bug reports. On the day of release developers may check these pages but after that probably not.

That error MIGHT be caused if you have no "me" card in address book that matches your full login name. (which should be set up when you install any version of OS X). I believe I have fixed it now and uploaded another version (silent update here). Please re-download and then e-mail woodenbrain at kagi dot com if the problem persists. Thanks much.  
(Version 2.1)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  it should not show any SMART notification if the disk is verified. there must be something unusual with your setup. Please email woodenbrain at kagi dot com and we'll look into it on Monday (leaving town for weekend). in meantime, go to Growl preference pane and configure OmniGrowl and disable the SMART notification.  
(Version 2.0.1)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  Hi Scott. Unfortunately I wasn't able to fix this issue because I need more info if this persists. Do you have an English system? What is the actual message that comes up? If the SMART status has the word "Verified" in it no notification is supposed to appear. Please email woodenbrain at kagi dot com. Thanks.  
(Version 2.1)

F451  Check your previous post as am receiving an error too.  
(Version 2.0)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  Should be fixed. Please re-download. Please see the info file included with the distribution for info both on upgrading and removing. Thanks. Sorry for the trouble all.  
(Version 2.0)

A J BENAMU  downloaded 2.0.1 and seems to be working fine.

Thanks a lot for your quick response.  
(Version 2.0)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  What version of OmniGrowl and what system are you running? Please report bugs to WBC by e-mail. (woodenbrain at kagi dot com) I will fix them as soon as possible.   
(Version 2.0)

F451  You need to use an app like File Buddy and delete any existing older OmniGrowl files as I was having the same issue as you until I did so.  
(Version 2.0)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  It shouldn't be necessary to delete any older version from your system entirely, but that's always good advice. what IS necessary is to quit any older version before launching the new one, and if you have added an older version to your login items at a different location, make sure the old one is removed first.

If you follow the install instructions included (quit old version and replace then launch) it should be fine.  
(Version 2.0)

F451  I did quit before installing, but OG kept giving me an error notice and bringing up the OG's preference window. I should have noted the exact error message, but deleting all of OG and starting clean fixed matters.  
(Version 2.0)

F451  Whoops...spoke too soon as the error is back:

http://myskitch.com/f451/omnigrowl-20071023-124031.jpg  
(Version 2.0)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  Thanks very much F451!! I see the bug and am fixing it now. Will release a silent update in just a bit here, and post back here.   
(Version 2.0)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  Thanks to all who caught this. It had to do with Woot checking when that option was NOT enabled. If you check the Woot check box on the other tab there is no error. It has now been fixed and uploaded. Sorry about the trouble. I will post a 2.0.1 release for this.  
(Version 2.0)

A J BENAMU  I get the same error.  
(Version 2.0)

WOODEN BRAIN CONCEPTS  I prefer to call it donationware but yes nagware is ok too. I do call it donationware in the documentation and it does list the nags among the notifications, which can be turned off.

I never (and nowhere) call it freeware myself. Unfortunately neither VersionTracker nor MacUpdate have a category called donationware -- it's either freeware or shareware and neither fit. Please take this up with VT & MU, as I too would like to see such a categoy.

Since it's not shareware (OmniGrowl is unrestricted and you are not required to pay or donate. Unlike some of my other software (iDupe, Cast Away etc) which is ALSO not restricted but you are technically required to pay and so those are in fact properly called shareware.)

For details see my FAQ:

http://www.woodenbrain.com/index-support.html

OmniGrowl is more closely called freeware since as I say you don't have to pay. But again, you're correct that its not exactly right since I make it clear I hope for some donations. But quite a lot of freeware does too -- it's just a matter of the persistence of the nagging I imagine.

Let me take this opportunity to nag one more time. 20,000 downloads and counting and as of v. 1.4.5 I had one donation. Adding a second nag got me 2 or 3 more. Thank you to those who did donate.

If you don't want to donate so be it, but at least have the courtesy to just turn off the nags and not rate a product you probably are using for free tepidly just because of it.  
(Version 1.5)

LEOOFBORG  I'll be less polite than the Dev.

This is the worst case of PEBKAC followed by a tantrum I have ever seen.

If you're not going to RTFM, then you deserve everything you get.  
(Version 1.5.2)

CHRISTOPHER FORSYTHE  Dude, you need to make up your mind. Is it shareware or freeware. If it's shareware, make it shareware, and if it's freeware, drop the nagging.

This just seems conflicted.

20,000 downloads is nothing, by the way. And guess what, Growl itself has gotten, *maybe*, 400 bucks. If you want cash, make it shareware. You won't get it with it being free.  
(Version 1.5.2)