Growl Fork is still rocking it. Don't need the extra features in 1.3.x, don't need the Apple Store, and don't need the extra expense. Thanks again, Mr. Metzger!
The latest version is truly better than ever: improved buffering, increased reliability, and smoother playback. I also like how the media server and playback client functions have been separated into two discrete applications.
I neither need nor want the extra features introduced in 1.3 — I just want Lion compatibility, which is exactly the Growl fork delivers: a version of Growl 1.2.x that's been updated to work with Lion. Bravo, Mssr. Metzger! http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/41038/growl-fork
Consider your use case before purchasing Flow... If you are looking for an FTP client, I suggest you find a new host — traditional FTP is insecure and should be put out to pasture. If you're looking for an SFTP client, I can't think of any reason to use Flow instead of ExpanDrive, which mounts remote SFTP/SSH servers as if they were network shares, allowing you to edit files from the Finder just like any other file on your system. ExpanDrive is an indispensable tool for our team and is well worth the few extra dollars. If you're looking for WebDAV support, look elsewhere or just use the Finder — Flow does not have WebDAV support.
The folks behind Plex have created an exemplary media center experience. The bifurcation of the media server from the playback client is a brilliant architectural decision, allowing any device in the home to stream content from one or more media servers. The first time I paused a show in the living room, went to the kitchen to make coffee, and resumed the show on my kitchen iPad right where I left off... Suffice it to say I was impressed.
As if that feature weren't enough, the developers continue to iterate and enhance Plex at a rapid pace. They just added a slew of new features in the latest 0.9.2.x release, and based on the screenshots of the upcoming new and improved iPad/iPhone app, the Plex world is about to become even more compelling. Porting the Plex Media Server component to Ubuntu and unRAID servers is also on the Plex dev team radar, which shows (to me anyway) that they are truly intent on building the most robust media center solution they can.
Like any product, there is always room for improvement. For example, I'd like for there to be better, more-intuitive support for video content that doesn't neatly fit into Movie and TV categories (sports, stand-up comedy, etc).
There are other media centers, and some are quite good. So far, however, I've yet to see one that tops the Plex experience.
Rob Fedson's review below really nails it. I'll add to his review the fact that the BusyCal application surreptitiously installs invasive DRM (via Digital River's eSellerate) the first time you launch it -- without even telling you. Don't want the DRM? You don't have that option, because BusyCal won't run without phoning home to Digital River's DRM servers.
If you can overlook BusyCal's shortcomings and DRM, then of course it might be worth the relatively high cost to you. As is probably clear by now, I'm disappointed in the author's refusal to inform potential buyers that BusyCal installs DRM without the user's knowledge.
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+1
DivX
+2
FOX News Widget
Snowlprd reviewed on 16 Apr 2012
-1
Growl
+2
Plex
Snowlprd reviewed on 10 Dec 2011
+2
Growl
+2
Growl Fork
Snowlprd reviewed on 07 Dec 2011
Plex
Snowlprd reviewed on 17 Nov 2011
If you want to get a feel for what's new, visit the blog and thumb through the "Next Page" links at bottom: http://elan.plexapp.com/
+2
Flow
+1
Plex
Snowlprd reviewed on 30 Mar 2011
As if that feature weren't enough, the developers continue to iterate and enhance Plex at a rapid pace. They just added a slew of new features in the latest 0.9.2.x release, and based on the screenshots of the upcoming new and improved iPad/iPhone app, the Plex world is about to become even more compelling. Porting the Plex Media Server component to Ubuntu and unRAID servers is also on the Plex dev team radar, which shows (to me anyway) that they are truly intent on building the most robust media center solution they can.
Like any product, there is always room for improvement. For example, I'd like for there to be better, more-intuitive support for video content that doesn't neatly fit into Movie and TV categories (sports, stand-up comedy, etc).
There are other media centers, and some are quite good. So far, however, I've yet to see one that tops the Plex experience.
+4
BusyCal
Snowlprd reviewed on 25 Mar 2011
If you can overlook BusyCal's shortcomings and DRM, then of course it might be worth the relatively high cost to you. As is probably clear by now, I'm disappointed in the author's refusal to inform potential buyers that BusyCal installs DRM without the user's knowledge.