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Bookpedia User Reviews (25 posts)Write A Review
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Jul 12 2009
*****

SJHA  I use Bookpedia regularly to keep track of my books which are distributed among four different places. I have nothing but praise for this application. It is fast and stable, importing is quick and simple, and the programme is customisable to suit the user's preferences. A five-star product!  
(Version 4.5)

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Jun 11 2009

TIAGO  I own licenses to both DVDpedia and Bookpedia but have never been able to really use the softwares, because the Info Views are so bad. Delicious Library on the other hand is beautiful to look at (it has a truly designed interface) but it doesn't offer all the functionality of the 'pedias.

Oh... How I wish the "Info View" in all these 'pedia apps was not ugly as hell... And yes I tested them all, including every single extra listed in the site... There's not a single one that looks even slightly "designed"... they're just "put together".

How hard is it to hire some real and talented designers to create amazing and professional looking templates to make the apps "look" as good as I know they "are"? What good is it to rely on user contributed templates if (apparently) only amateur and/or bad designers seem to give it a try?

This is just a comment... I will not post it as a review (with stars) because I really believe these apps ARE good and I really hope they LOOK good in a near future... But still, the lack of proportion, alignment and visual hierarchy to the information, in all these view templates is incredibly low quality...

I know taste is a matter of personal opinion, but I truly don't believe ANY good designer can take a look at those templates and not be disgusted.  
(Version 4.4.3)

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Jul 5 2009

BRUJI  Thanks for your feedback. Of course we're sad to hear that you deem the info view templates lacking but fortunately the info view is based on HTML which means it is fully customizable. You can edit any of the existing templates to fit your style or you can write your own from scratch. Take a look at the Bookpedia Help file under 'Working with Bookpedia > Customizing info view templates' for more information about that.

More importantly we'd love it if you were to share your amazing templates with the rest of the Pedia community. Just send them to us and we'll put them up on the Extras page for download and we could even update our current included templates. If your are not HTML savvy a design would also be appreciated as it would allow us to see what you have in mind. We're always working on improving the Pedias, including the templates, and we love getting input from our users.  
(Version 4.4.3)

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Dec 26 2008
*****

LONDONSKATER  An excellent product, meant for serious use. I bought Delicious Library years ago and never touch it. It's a toy application. I love the long list of search libraries, the Z39.50 servers and the export to Bibtex!

I can actually use this application for bibliographies with a very high level of accuracy. Brilliant!  
(Version 4.4.1)

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Nov 28 2008

GLOBETROTTERDK  I don't have an iSight camera with my G5, so I would be first and foremost interested in this app if there were alternative barcode scan methods. How about barcode scan and sync from an iPhone?  
(Version 4.4)

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Nov 30 2008

BRUJI  You can use pretty much any barcode scanner to enter barcodes into the Pedias. The cheapest option is probably the CueCat which can be found on eBay for about $10. Otherwise you can also use regular webcams instead of the iSight to scan the barcodes. Take a look at this post in our forum about cameras and scanners that work well with the Pedias: http://www.bruji.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2637

(Alternatively you can also type in the UPC/ISBN or keywords to start a search.)

Unfortunately our barcode scanning code doesn't work on the iPhone yet since it relies on video frames rather than still frames. But we're hoping that we might be able to incorporate that in the future as well.  
(Version 4.4)

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Nov 30 2008

GLOBETROTTERDK  According to the CueCat site:

"Since January of 2002, the database servers which provided this machine-readable code to Internet URL linking are no longer in operation. The desktop client, which requires a registration code, is no longer supported, nor can these codes be generated for the Windows PC or Apple OS-X software."

Sounds like a web cam option is the way to go.  
(Version 4.4)

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Nov 30 2008

BRUJI  You're right that CueCats do not function anymore the way they were originally supposed to. But they still work as regular barcode scanners.   
(Version 4.4)

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Oct 20 2008

KEDOS  I'm testing this and Delicious Library. I prefer bookpedia in features, but also think it's stupid that I can't have combined libraries and would be forced to purchase multiple apps to do the same thing. Also, I'm looking for iSight support because I don't want to manually enter hundreds of books. With delicious library, I stick my book in front of the camera and it's immediately in my library. In Bookpedia, I sit there for several minutes just trying to get the book to scan. When\if it finally does, it takes a while to search for it. Delicious Library just seems more efficient. Perhaps the scanning problem is because Delicious Library allows you to scan the entire bar code and not just the main portion? I'm not sure, but Delicious gets my vote for now. To the developer, let us know when you perfect the barcode scanning as has been done in Delicious, and please consider combining these apps into one.   
(Version 4.3.2)

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Apr 19 2008

XPLICIT  What about a single "pedia" for all my media stuff? One application for every different kind is somehow annoying.

Come on, four apps which do nearly the same, that's a laugh.  
(Version 4.2.1)

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Apr 19 2008

BRUJI  The main reason the programs are separate is because we want them to be good at what they do - if you have large collections then putting them all together into one application will mean a slower program and less specialized features.

It also allows us to keep the price low for users who are only interested in one application. (And for those interested in more we offer bundle discounts.)

Having said that though, the Pedia programs do have some integration between them. You can link a Bookpedia book to a DVDpedia movie, for example. Sure, you're using two programs but clicking on the link will take you directly to the other program with the related entry highlighted.

Alternatively, there's also the Amazonpedia widget or Spotlight which allow you to search all your Pedia libraries at once (as well as Amazon with the widget) so you don't have to have all the programs running just to check for an entry.  
(Version 4.2.1)

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Jan 28 2008

JOERG73  Does the new version 4.1.2 support the iSight of the current MacBook Pro? I tried the 4.1.1 and 4.1.2-demo without any success.  
(Version 4.1.2)

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Feb 5 2008

BRUJI  The very latest Macs have a different iSight and we're working on getting our code to include those. It's proving a lot trickier than we anticipated originally but hopefully we'll have a solution soon.  
(Version 4.1.2)

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Apr 25 2008

BRUJI  Have you tried the latest version, 4.2.1? We've completely re-written the iSight code and users are reporting that it's working great with their MacBook Pros now.  
(Version 4.2.1)

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Oct 18 2007

JOSHP  Two feature requests: 1) Sort by author name should sort by the last name. 2) There should be a field to input numbers for position within a series, and the books should automatically be sorted within their series. Both of these features already exist in Delicious Library. I am just waiting for this program to catch up.  
(Version 4.0.4)

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Oct 26 2007

BRUJI  You could always sort the author by last name in Bookpedia. Just hold down the Option key and sort the author column.

There is also a Series field which you can use to input the series for a book (or use an additional custom field if you want to keep the series and position within the series separate) and then sort the custom column followed by the series column. That'll sort the series together and then where those are the same, it'll be sorted by position in the series. In this manner you can sort up to 6 columns deep.

Catching up is impossible - we're way ahead. :)  
(Version 4.0.7)

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Oct 26 2007

JOSHP  "Catching up is impossible - we're way ahead."

Hahaha! I needed a good laugh. Delicious Library sorts authors correctly by default without needing some bizarre keyboard combination, and already has a field for number within a series without the need to add one. It also sorts within a series automatically. This crazy sort and then sort within a sort is counter-intuitive, and in no way "ahead."  
(Version 4.0.7)

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Dec 27 2007

BRENTB  Since when is holding down the option key a "bizarre keyboard combination"? Plus, as long as you're getting picky about fields that you'd like, but no one else has ever mentioned, let's be picky about your grammar: holding down the option key is (1) not a combination at all, given that it's only one key; and (2) even if you were talking about two keys, that would be a combination of keys--not keyboards.

Your argument that Bookpedia is not way ahead simply because it doesn't do what you want, exactly the way you want it, is a joke. Bookpedia is way ahead because in total, it's a better app, and a much better value than Delicious Library. And yes, I have used D.L., and I've also tried Books.

I don't work for Bruji, and I have nothing against D.L. it's a nice app--but that's my opinion. And it disgusts me that after you offer feature requests, and the developer is kind enough to respond, and offer suggestions on how to do what you want, that you would come back with rude, adolescent remarks.

If you like D.L., because that one feature is important enough to you, then go use it.  
(Version 4.1.1)

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Dec 27 2007

JOSHP  Yes, the developer was "kind enough to respond"... by being a cocky jerk. I don't have a problem with the advice he offered, only with how he expressed himself (much in the same manner you have a problem with my response). Criticizing my word choice is just childish and accomplishes nothing but highlighting your own problems. The point I made stands: the modifier key when clicking and the weird way this program sorts is counter-intuitive. The application does not behave how a standard user would expect it to, and is very un-Mac-like. There is no reason for any book catalog to sort by first name by default.  
(Version 4.1.1)

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Oct 1 2007

ADFASDFASDFASDF  Their apps are a HIT, both in quality and price. Best buy!!!  
(Version 4.0.3)

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Jan 27 2007

DRHJARNTVATT  I would never buy this as long as books is free  
(Version 3.4)

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Sep 26 2007

GUNTIS  Your choice. You've saved few dollars, but I bought Bookpedia and I am satisfied, and I don't care for those few dollars. I'm happy to support quality Mac software developers.  
(Version 4.0)

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Dec 1 2006

FREEDMAN  The icon says this bversion is 3.3, but the "About" menu of the program says it is 3.2.2. When you go to te "Check for Updates" menu, it says this is not the latest version. The other pedias released today do not have this problem.  
(Version 3.3)

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Apr 8 2006

MRFIZX  I've found that Bookpedia (and the other 'pedia apps) are just faster. Even though they aren't an all-in-one solution like Delicious Library. It took a little over a minute to scan each book (by Firewire camera, not iSight) in Delicious, but only half that in Bookpedia. Still a long time in my opinion (with about 1000 books left to scan in), but less time total. Scrolling and searching time was even worse in Delicious [this was on an iMac G5 with RAM maxed at 2G, BTW]. Both apps need some speed tweaking, but Bookpedia needs less.  
(Version 2.3)

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Oct 15 2005
****.

ANONYMOUS  i think i found a problem that i hope the developer fixes.... When i go into preferences and then save it, book pedia always quits....  
(Version 2.2.2)

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Oct 15 2005

NORA  Could you send me the crash report and console log - they can be found in ~Library/Logs/CrashReporter/Bookpedia.crash.log and Library/Logs/Console/User/console.log respectively. Those will help us find the bug much easier - thanks.

Nora  
(Version 2.2.2)

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Sep 4 2005
*****

ANONYMOUS  I've used DVDPedia for quite some time and liked it enough to register, but I've waffled on the databases for books and cds, trying out pretty much every thing else out there and even buying some, like Readerware and Delicious. I never thought that Bookpedia and CDpedia would serve my needs. I finally gave them both a try and now I've settled on the three 'pedias' as the apps to use. The functionality and features are the best I've found and they produce better reports with less work than any other app I've used. Great work!  
(Version 2.2)

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Aug 25 2005
****½

REFLECT_TRUTH  I have been in need of a good book cataloging application for quite some time. After testing several different options, I have narrowed my search down to two programs: Bookpedia and Delicious Library. I have compared the pros and cons of each. If you wish to view them follow the link below to the MacOSXhints.com forum.

http://forums.macosxhints.com/showthread.php?t=43807

Developers are encouraged to view.  
(Version 2.1.4)

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Aug 14 2005

ANONYMOUS  delicious library is my preference  
(Version 2.1.4)

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May 27 2005
****½

ANDYAU  My problem solved by rebuilding the database from the help menu. Thanks anyway Bruji, you offer good support...even though I didn't need it in the end. (adding more stars!)  
(Version 2.0.1)

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Jul 15 2005

CONOR  Thanks. When changing to the new date format, there were some date fields that we forgot to update in the early release version. The database rebuild takes care of fixing the dates to work with the new version.  
(Version 2.1.2)

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May 26 2005
**½..

ANDYAU  The database still doesn't update correctly. All the information appears in the Edit pane but nothing appears in the Draw (running OS10.4.1)  
(Version 2.0.1)

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May 26 2005

NORA  Could you send us your info.xml and info.rebuild.xml files? They are located inside your Bookpedia data folder: ~Library/Application Support/Bookpedia. That way we can take a look at what might be going wrong with your drawer information and why it's not being displayed correctly.

Our email is support@bruji.com

Kind regards,

Nora   
(Version 2.0.1)

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Dec 29 2004

ANONYMOUS  We experienced some hosting problems from the 25th till the 29th of December that affected our email server. If you sent us an email during that time and haven't received an answer from us yet, please do resend the message since it might not have reached us.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Nora & Conor

Bruji.com  
(Version 1.2.2)

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Sep 10 2004
**½..

HERVé S.  cannot digest accentuated characters

french translation really poor

tested 15 european ISBNs (english, spanish, french, italian), found 2

in comparison, Books (free) found 12, Booxter got them all. Chosen Booxter, in spite of its slightly poorer interface...  
(Version 1.1.3)

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Aug 17 2004
****½

STEVE HUFF  ahem.

http://www.apple.com/itunes/  
(Version 1.1.2)

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Aug 17 2004

ANONYMOUS  Something in your throat?

Yeah, iTunes can can look up a CD at the CDDB and rip a compressed copy of a CD to its library. That's it. Yippee. You can't browse your physical CD library in the iTunes window without ripping your entire collection. With over 1000 discs in my possession, I hate think of the wear and tear on my Mac's CD drive that little endeavor would take.

An ideal CD catalog program would function much like DVDpedia, where you can type in a title or UPC and it would retrieve artwork and info from Amazon and allow you to note things like purchase date, price, loaned out to a friend, etc.

Hope you get your throat unclogged soon.  
(Version 1.1.2)

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Dec 20 2004

ANONYMOUS  I think he/she was really referring to the fact that the interfaces are so similar looking.  
(Version 1.2.2)

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Jun 19 2006

NICECAMAN  I'll Huff and I'll puff and blow your interface down ;-)  
(Version 3.1.1)

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Aug 16 2004

ANONYMOUS  After purchasing the excellent DVDpedia and hearing a rumor about a forthcoming CDpedia, I was quite excited as there are no acceptable CD cataloging apps out there, free or otherwise.

Unfortunately, the author seems to have been sidetracked by this project: yet another book cataloging program, of which there are many excellent free options. Too bad.  
(Version 1.1.1)

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Aug 18 2004

ANONYMOUS  Don't worry - CDpedia is coming. But it's hard to completely stop development on other projects while working on new ones.

Nora  
(Version 1.1.2)

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Aug 16 2004

JIMW  This very well may be a good product (I have not used it), but with all of the competition and similar products available, many of them free, the smart shopper will do some research first and examine other options first to decide which product will fulfill their needs rather than to accept a couple of comments at face value without any details. That way they can make an informed decision before spending their money, if they need to.   
(Version 1.1.1)

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May 19 2004
*****

JOSHUA LINDQUIST  This is the best book organizing tool around. Well worth the price! It's simple and clean interface is a joy to use!  
(Version 1.0.1)

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May 12 2004

ANONYMOUS  These are the same folks who make DVDpedia - the finest DVD library organizer around and WELL worth the price!

I had so much fun organizing my DVD collection now it's time to start on the books!

Can't wait to check it out.  
(Version 1.0)

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