About Me
I am a Free member
Hailing from a small cluster in the galactic quadrant Q2A, noivad is the Earth’s last, best hope for peace.
I have been a Mac User since 1985. I started as a DTP, move to Administrator for Mac & Windows. I am now a technical consultant and do Systems Architect/Retooling, and know how to script for the web and code in C, Obj-C a bit.
I participate in closed betas fairly often, and often make suggestions for UI improvements and features I would like to see that others would probably appreciate. I try a ton of apps, but usually only take the time to comment on the best ones. My blog has tips on Macs, Electronics and other things.
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I got this as part of MacUpdate’s 2012 Spring Bundle. I would not have purchased it separately because I rarely use PDFs aside from generating them once and keeping them for reference (read-only).
However, recently it came in very handy for quickly editing a document and tagging another up. The OCR is like all OCRs: subject to tons of errors, but such is the state of mainstream OCR. So, I do not hold poor OCR against it. The UI is a bit cumbersome to use, so I deduct a full star. The features are crippled compared to the full version. $40 more for a few more features is not worth it unless you are a business that runs on PDFs.
The biggest problem I noticed is ease of use is pretty bad. Often I am simply trying to select txt in a field I just created, but instead it makes a new text box. Also, editing text is also cumbersome. Sure it ultimately saves me the, but the UI could be gone over with a finer tooth comb. It feels like a Windows app in many respects because of the bad UI decisions. One should not need a manual to do such simple things. I wish it worked more like InDesign or Quark, but a full blown native Postscript Layout Editor would be too much to wish for for less than $100.
I imagine I will get a bit of use out of this, but mainly I will probably edit badly written forms. I used it to change the one multiple choice answer for the question, “Why are you leaving us?” with the actual reason that they didn’t account for having added no value and making my life more—not less—difficult. I also was able to fill out a form much more easily rather than print a copy, fill it out and rescan it. So this saved much time.
Bottom Line: Worth it if you have to print fill out and scan documents to send back often, or if you deal with a lot of PDFs. A cumbersome and non-standard Mac interface mar what is potentially a great time saver.
The price is right, and I anticipate businesses could save a lot of money by buying even the non-Pro version, printing less and training and allowing staff to OCR documents—as long as a person checks each page against the original document an corrects it.
OWC directed me to use this app after I purchased memory that turned out to be defective. 8GBs took a lot time to go through, but having the diagnostic made exchanging the RAM painless. OWC is great anyway. Since Rember is free, doing what it needs to and getting out fast, I have to give it 5 stars overall even though it looks ugly (which is fine—even preferable to a pretty app that uses more RAM than it needs to.)
If I could add one feature, it would be a loop completion estimate and a total test time estimate. (i.e. “Estimated Total Time: xx:xx” “Time Elapsed: xx:xx” “Estimated Loop Time: xx:xx” “Current Loop Elapsed Time: xx:xx”) This would save everyone who uses this app from having to come back and check every 15 minutes on tests that can take hours.
To the Dev: Thanks for making this app, it does just what it needs to do. You might want to mention that multiple loops will make it so all memory is tested (if the comment below is true) and offer people the option to quite all apps and even the Finder temporarily to free up RAM.
I tried this app a few years back and found it difficult to figure out how to use. I found the need for something like this again, and tried it again. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize I needed a different version for Lion so setting it up wasn’t working (the site wasn’t incredibly clear about that months back: It is the standalone app you need for Lion BTW. The System Prefs Pane does not work). So finally, I tried it yet again, saw the warning, and got it running fairly quickly.
I’ve read the first page of reviews: you don’t _have_ to be a geek to use this app, but it helps. If you know a few Unix shell commands and are willing to learn, you will be well rewarded. Since GeekTool free and anything you leaner can be used in the CLI, you won’t be wasting money or time.
My favorite feature is the ability to make things float over everything else. (I wish it would optionally bring things to the front automatically for a second when updated.)
I already knew all the essential shell commands, so once I got a working version, it was easy to adapt to. (Note: any command that self-updates in place such as “top” will cause problems since GT takes care of refreshing.)
I found just loading the security, system and kernel logs works well, and is light on the processor load (since displaying logs is essentially a tail command: 0.1%CPU {2.53GHz/DC} & ~30MB RAM). Also, I loaded uptime, calendar, and a few other slow refresh commands. It you find that geek tool is taking up too many resources, lower the refresh times.
If you read the sites about configuration, there are a ton of helpful tips, and prebuilt sets one can download. Try DuckDuckGo.com and look for “GeekTool” with “tips” or “configuration” if the developer’s site isn’t enough. (I noticed documentation is getting better on the dev site last time I checked about a month ago.)
BOTTOM LINE: If you want to know what is going on in your system without buying various monitoring programs, want complete configuration, and are willing to read a bit, GeekTool is well worth your time.
Air Media Server works flawlessly as long as your connection is fast and your computer has enough processing cycles free to transcode on the fly. I found in testing that AMS can bring a 802.11g router with light traffic to its knees (The router had to be restarted: I figure it was a cheap router).
Also, transcoding adds a considerable amount of lag time from hitting play. Earlier versions would sometimes fail to start streaming because of slow (weak signal) WiFi & heavy transcoding delay. It might still happen with newer versions for iOS, but I have yet to encounter this problem.
It will play movies that are already compatible with iOS with no processor hit, and instant streaming. So, I usually transcode with handbrake if I know that I will be streaming the video. But it is nice to know I don’t HAVE to if I don’t have time. Internet sharing works surprisingly well, but again, make sure that your home’s ISP has fast upstream for best quality, and you have a static IP or use something like dynDNS so you can find your server far from home.
Use of this app is dependent on you having a need for it, and quality is completely dependent on your hardware. If you have a slow network, you will have a worse time. I was using a dual core MacBook Pro (2.53GHz) and the transcoding took up almost all available processor time. This is not a big deal, since for most people, the machine will be idle anyway.
Of the problems I did have almost none of it is AMS’ fault. It is very quick and easy to set up as well. This should appeal to less technically advanced users. Essentially you launch the app and chose which folders to share. (Optionally one can change processor load and if you wish to share over the internet.) On your mobile device: you launch AMClient, select the AMS (or enter its IP if it is over the internet), browse the folders, and hit play.
I should note that I got the iOS app for free (via AppsGoneFree {AppAdvice.com}) when it was discounted to free for a day, so I am probably rating it higher than someone paying full price for the iOS component.
The bottom line is Air Media Server is a quick and easy way to start streaming content to you mobile device with no hassle assuming you have modern equipment.
UML helps me convey things much more quickly than explaining things over and over slightly different ways until someone gets it.
And ArgoUML allows me to maker those diagrams quickly and easily. I consider it a bonus that it is free.
My only negative criticism about ArgoUML is that it doesn’t support UML 2.0. If it did that, it would be 5 stars easily. As far as stability and speed go: If more Java Applications ran this well, Java might not be a niche language on OS X. Of course being a Java app, the launch time is glacial, but once it comes up, all is good.
I got this when it was half price a few weeks back. I do not think it is worth the full $40 price because it only mounts (S)FTP volumes. But for $20 it is worth saving the hassle of bending over backwards to do quick file transfers.
What is sweet is that I can now run a CarbonCopyCloner scheduled backup automatically whenever I mount the drive. Before I had to set up an rsync.
I would probably chose Transmit over ExpanDrive if I still bought Transmit. (I don’t buy upgrades to transmit because I now use Coda which is also from Panic Inc.) But for $20 it was an okay buy. I would easily give this app 5 stars if it was more reasonably priced in the $10–$20 ballpark.
Everything IPNetRouterX does can be done in the command line… if you like spending hours doing something that should take minutes that is. With that said, here is my review:
I had IPNetRouter back in the OS 9 days and eventually was able to afford a real router that did everything IPNetRouterX does, but that router cost me about 3 times what this software did, not including the additional network interfaces I had to get.
Today I need a quick way to test a network setup, and IPNetRouterX came in quite handy. If you have a machine you leave on all the time anyway, IPNetRouterX would be a good solution.
I GUI is easier to use than 15 years ago, but it is still pretty complex. Luckily the in program help is extensive and actually useful (unlike most app’s in-app help).
IPNetRouterX gives the user full control over their network, and allows one to do complex setups with much less effort than traditional CLIs. It took me (literally) a minute to setup my mac as a gateway between two networks and test software to see if it would work before purchasing anything.
In conjunction with IPNetMonitorX, IPNetRouterX gives one a network overview with minimal fuss. I would recommend the package that includes both over individual purchases.
If you log into routers and configure them everyday, you do not need this app, but if you don’t (and only occasionally deal with routing, etc.) then give this a try. Given that both are a free trial, you have nothing to lose but time by trying the suite. And in my experience the apps actually save time.
Crashes on launch under 10.7.3. Deleting the preferences files does not solve the problem. Console log is as follows:
PageSender Fax Center[9329]: *** Terminating app due to uncaught exception 'NSInvalidArgumentException', reason: '-[__NSCFDictionary setObject:forKey:]: attempt to insert nil value (key: TB Item Identifiers)'
Incompatible with 10.7.3: crashes on launch and cannot be reopened even after deleting the plist. Here is the error:
PageSender Fax Center[9329]: *** Terminating app due to uncaught exception 'NSInvalidArgumentException', reason: '-[__NSCFDictionary setObject:forKey:]: attempt to insert nil value (key: TB Item Identifiers)'
For an expert user like myself, Boom is a little too simple. I really like the visual display of the EQ effects on the frequencies, but a parametric EQ and the ability to monitor the output and show distortions and a spectral graph would be more my speed. I got Boom in the last MacUpdate Promo bundle.
Also, I use Airfoil to transmit the audio to my iPhone so I am not tied to headphones plugged into the machine all the time. But with Boom, I have less feedback than Airfoil.
Also, it looks like I cannot choose to EQ the Airfoil audio stream. It seems as if I can only EQ the System Output. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) I use separate audio cards and outputs all the time, and I route system sounds to the system output and all others such as music to either Airfoil or a USB or FireWire Audio interface so I don’t get annoying beeps while listening to music.
If Boom were to (1) add more feedback as to what is actually happening live (including a distortion "redline"), and (2) allow me to select source and output I would up my star rating by at least 1–1.5.
[Version 1.3]
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PDFpen
Noivad reviewed on 19 May 2012
However, recently it came in very handy for quickly editing a document and tagging another up. The OCR is like all OCRs: subject to tons of errors, but such is the state of mainstream OCR. So, I do not hold poor OCR against it. The UI is a bit cumbersome to use, so I deduct a full star. The features are crippled compared to the full version. $40 more for a few more features is not worth it unless you are a business that runs on PDFs.
The biggest problem I noticed is ease of use is pretty bad. Often I am simply trying to select txt in a field I just created, but instead it makes a new text box. Also, editing text is also cumbersome. Sure it ultimately saves me the, but the UI could be gone over with a finer tooth comb. It feels like a Windows app in many respects because of the bad UI decisions. One should not need a manual to do such simple things. I wish it worked more like InDesign or Quark, but a full blown native Postscript Layout Editor would be too much to wish for for less than $100.
I imagine I will get a bit of use out of this, but mainly I will probably edit badly written forms. I used it to change the one multiple choice answer for the question, “Why are you leaving us?” with the actual reason that they didn’t account for having added no value and making my life more—not less—difficult. I also was able to fill out a form much more easily rather than print a copy, fill it out and rescan it. So this saved much time.
Bottom Line: Worth it if you have to print fill out and scan documents to send back often, or if you deal with a lot of PDFs. A cumbersome and non-standard Mac interface mar what is potentially a great time saver.
The price is right, and I anticipate businesses could save a lot of money by buying even the non-Pro version, printing less and training and allowing staff to OCR documents—as long as a person checks each page against the original document an corrects it.
Rember
Noivad reviewed on 19 May 2012
If I could add one feature, it would be a loop completion estimate and a total test time estimate. (i.e. “Estimated Total Time: xx:xx” “Time Elapsed: xx:xx” “Estimated Loop Time: xx:xx” “Current Loop Elapsed Time: xx:xx”) This would save everyone who uses this app from having to come back and check every 15 minutes on tests that can take hours.
To the Dev: Thanks for making this app, it does just what it needs to do. You might want to mention that multiple loops will make it so all memory is tested (if the comment below is true) and offer people the option to quite all apps and even the Finder temporarily to free up RAM.
GeekTool
Noivad reviewed on 19 May 2012
I’ve read the first page of reviews: you don’t _have_ to be a geek to use this app, but it helps. If you know a few Unix shell commands and are willing to learn, you will be well rewarded. Since GeekTool free and anything you leaner can be used in the CLI, you won’t be wasting money or time.
My favorite feature is the ability to make things float over everything else. (I wish it would optionally bring things to the front automatically for a second when updated.)
I already knew all the essential shell commands, so once I got a working version, it was easy to adapt to. (Note: any command that self-updates in place such as “top” will cause problems since GT takes care of refreshing.)
I found just loading the security, system and kernel logs works well, and is light on the processor load (since displaying logs is essentially a tail command: 0.1%CPU {2.53GHz/DC} & ~30MB RAM). Also, I loaded uptime, calendar, and a few other slow refresh commands. It you find that geek tool is taking up too many resources, lower the refresh times.
If you read the sites about configuration, there are a ton of helpful tips, and prebuilt sets one can download. Try DuckDuckGo.com and look for “GeekTool” with “tips” or “configuration” if the developer’s site isn’t enough. (I noticed documentation is getting better on the dev site last time I checked about a month ago.)
BOTTOM LINE: If you want to know what is going on in your system without buying various monitoring programs, want complete configuration, and are willing to read a bit, GeekTool is well worth your time.
Air Media Server
Noivad reviewed on 19 May 2012
Also, transcoding adds a considerable amount of lag time from hitting play. Earlier versions would sometimes fail to start streaming because of slow (weak signal) WiFi & heavy transcoding delay. It might still happen with newer versions for iOS, but I have yet to encounter this problem.
It will play movies that are already compatible with iOS with no processor hit, and instant streaming. So, I usually transcode with handbrake if I know that I will be streaming the video. But it is nice to know I don’t HAVE to if I don’t have time. Internet sharing works surprisingly well, but again, make sure that your home’s ISP has fast upstream for best quality, and you have a static IP or use something like dynDNS so you can find your server far from home.
Use of this app is dependent on you having a need for it, and quality is completely dependent on your hardware. If you have a slow network, you will have a worse time. I was using a dual core MacBook Pro (2.53GHz) and the transcoding took up almost all available processor time. This is not a big deal, since for most people, the machine will be idle anyway.
Of the problems I did have almost none of it is AMS’ fault. It is very quick and easy to set up as well. This should appeal to less technically advanced users. Essentially you launch the app and chose which folders to share. (Optionally one can change processor load and if you wish to share over the internet.) On your mobile device: you launch AMClient, select the AMS (or enter its IP if it is over the internet), browse the folders, and hit play.
I should note that I got the iOS app for free (via AppsGoneFree {AppAdvice.com}) when it was discounted to free for a day, so I am probably rating it higher than someone paying full price for the iOS component.
The bottom line is Air Media Server is a quick and easy way to start streaming content to you mobile device with no hassle assuming you have modern equipment.
ArgoUML
Noivad reviewed on 25 Apr 2012
UML helps me convey things much more quickly than explaining things over and over slightly different ways until someone gets it.
And ArgoUML allows me to maker those diagrams quickly and easily. I consider it a bonus that it is free.
My only negative criticism about ArgoUML is that it doesn’t support UML 2.0. If it did that, it would be 5 stars easily. As far as stability and speed go: If more Java Applications ran this well, Java might not be a niche language on OS X. Of course being a Java app, the launch time is glacial, but once it comes up, all is good.
+1
ExpanDrive
Noivad reviewed on 25 Apr 2012
What is sweet is that I can now run a CarbonCopyCloner scheduled backup automatically whenever I mount the drive. Before I had to set up an rsync.
I would probably chose Transmit over ExpanDrive if I still bought Transmit. (I don’t buy upgrades to transmit because I now use Coda which is also from Panic Inc.) But for $20 it was an okay buy. I would easily give this app 5 stars if it was more reasonably priced in the $10–$20 ballpark.
IPNetRouterX
Noivad reviewed on 25 Apr 2012
I had IPNetRouter back in the OS 9 days and eventually was able to afford a real router that did everything IPNetRouterX does, but that router cost me about 3 times what this software did, not including the additional network interfaces I had to get.
Today I need a quick way to test a network setup, and IPNetRouterX came in quite handy. If you have a machine you leave on all the time anyway, IPNetRouterX would be a good solution.
I GUI is easier to use than 15 years ago, but it is still pretty complex. Luckily the in program help is extensive and actually useful (unlike most app’s in-app help).
IPNetRouterX gives the user full control over their network, and allows one to do complex setups with much less effort than traditional CLIs. It took me (literally) a minute to setup my mac as a gateway between two networks and test software to see if it would work before purchasing anything.
In conjunction with IPNetMonitorX, IPNetRouterX gives one a network overview with minimal fuss. I would recommend the package that includes both over individual purchases.
If you log into routers and configure them everyday, you do not need this app, but if you don’t (and only occasionally deal with routing, etc.) then give this a try. Given that both are a free trial, you have nothing to lose but time by trying the suite. And in my experience the apps actually save time.
PageSender Fax Center
Noivad reviewed on 25 Apr 2012
PageSender Fax Center[9329]: *** Terminating app due to uncaught exception 'NSInvalidArgumentException', reason: '-[__NSCFDictionary setObject:forKey:]: attempt to insert nil value (key: TB Item Identifiers)'
PageSender Fax Center
Noivad reviewed on 25 Apr 2012
PageSender Fax Center[9329]: *** Terminating app due to uncaught exception 'NSInvalidArgumentException', reason: '-[__NSCFDictionary setObject:forKey:]: attempt to insert nil value (key: TB Item Identifiers)'
Boom
Noivad reviewed on 20 Apr 2012
Also, I use Airfoil to transmit the audio to my iPhone so I am not tied to headphones plugged into the machine all the time. But with Boom, I have less feedback than Airfoil.
Also, it looks like I cannot choose to EQ the Airfoil audio stream. It seems as if I can only EQ the System Output. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) I use separate audio cards and outputs all the time, and I route system sounds to the system output and all others such as music to either Airfoil or a USB or FireWire Audio interface so I don’t get annoying beeps while listening to music.
If Boom were to (1) add more feedback as to what is actually happening live (including a distortion "redline"), and (2) allow me to select source and output I would up my star rating by at least 1–1.5.