SHANE C SMITH  CDFinder is probably the best cataloguing software for the mac. However this program is in dire need of a facelift. The user interface could be a lot better and easier to use.   
(Version 5.6.1)

IMARC845  I'm a very long-time CDFinder user. I think I started with it back at version 1.6 or so...

I've always found it to be exactly what I need for all of my indexing. It's made the transition with me from CD to DVD to Hard Drive archives. I can search over 350 archive files in less than a minute and subsequent searches take much less than that. (Some of my HD archives have over 100,000 files on them.)

I've always found Norbert Doerner to be responsive to user requests and bug reports. And the application's indices are cross-platform compatible with CDWinder for Windows.

Yes, the user has to establish their own methodology for how to flag media. I happen to like not being pinned down to someone else's idea of how discs/files should be cataloged.

I've always recommended CDFinder and will continue to do so. If you don't like it, feel free to look elsewhere. But I see no reason to badmouth what works so well for so many people.  
(Version 5.6.1)

BRUCEANDERSON  I just burned two data CDs to be delivered to a client and I noticed CDFinder launched automatically after each burn to index the discs. How do I stop this? I can't find any setting in Toast which would do this, and I can't find any setting in CDFinder that would do this either. This seems like the sort of thing the user ought to be able to control.

What the heck is going on?  
(Version 5.6)

LOUKASH  CDFinder is still the most competent removable media cataloging software out there. I'm checking out other similar products regularly, and so far none can match CDFinder in terms of power and flexibility. Not to speak of the first class support, of course. I'm a registered user since 2000. Over the years I have sent many improvement suggestions to Norbert. In the meantime quite a lot of them have been implemented, including the cataloging of Disk Image files in the current version, which has been one of my top feature requests since many years (but apparently not easy to implement!).  
(Version 5.5)

KSCHLOBYNSKI  I just found CDFinder when it was on special offer at MacZOT, and I am very glad to have finally found my new disk cataloger.

This is one powerful application, but yet pretty simple to use.

And instead of visual gimmicks, CDFinder offers real bang for the buck. I have dumped my stuffed 37 hard disks on it, and CDFinder chewed them just fine. I love that fact that I can actually see the nice thumbnails in all list modes as well, that is rather helpful at locating a photo visually.

The developer reacts quickly to questions and offers great and friendly support.

Simply awesome!  
(Version 5.5)

HOVER  From CDFinder main site about DiskLibrary and FileFinder:

( http://www.cdfinder.de/en/en/comparison.html )

"Developer of DiskLibrary has no proper supplier identification on web site, no company name or adress, no tax number, no legal entity description, no nothing"

According to the comment below i don't found this company very honest to use fear and doubs against other developers as mentioned in this deliberately wrong and obsolete catalogger comparison page and personally, i prefer to use Filefinder which has globally the same features for a lower price

... and too many minimalist five stars reviews here...  
(Version 5.5)

BENP  Is there a reason why this app is consistently (for 1+ month, if I'm not mistaken) at the top of the "Weekly Popular" list on the home page? I really doubt that's the case - no matter how good it is.  
(Version 5.5)

COLETTE  not the best, but 1 of the best!

works very easy.  
(Version 5.5)

SHANE C SMITH  This is probably the best catalogue software going, however the interface is in need of a redesign. Please, no more pop up windows.  
(Version 5.5)

WIM WAMAN  The best disc catalogue app out there for years already and I guess for years to come if they keep the updates coming. Bought this one, never looked any further.  
(Version 5.5)

O. SANTOS  Great app!! I highly recommended. You'll ask yourself how did I do backups without it!  
(Version 5.1.1a)

BONBONS  The best.

I use it since I use Macs, never had problems.  
(Version 5.1.1a)

NORBERT M. DOERNER  -> CORPSECORPS

"I've never been thrilled with this new dual paned interface" - We

are sorry to hear that, as this two pane interface was one of the

most requested new features of CDFinder 5, and that is something that

all similar applications now also have... But don't worry, just turn

it off by moving the divider all the way to the right, it will stick

there and stay there, so you are back to the old interface quickly.

"Also, my monitor is 24", 1920x1200 and when i set the type larger,

the rows stay the same, cutting off the descenders or even the bottom

portions of the characters" - You very likely want to increase the

size of the icons, too, as that will increase the height of every

column, accommodating any font size you need... Use the handy size

slider for any view to accomplish that quickly.

"The UI is kinda screwy" and "In any case, the UI needs work" - Uh,

these are not very helpful hints ;-) What exactly don't you like?

"Horribly slow disc scanning" - Actually, CDFinder is as fast as any

other similar tool, as we have established a couple of times here

already, but you really MUST make sure to have comparable settings,

for example the creation of FileCheck values for every file of course

take a long time, as does the reading of Finder comments, or file

versions, or photo metadata, or photo thumbnails, or audio metadata.

That is documented in detail in the CDFinder Users Guide, in chapter

2.4.  
(Version 5.1.1)

CORPSECORPS  After using it more extensively to attempt to bring organization to my chaotic disc collection, i'm finding various aspects of the software i didn't mention quite irritating.

There just doesn't seem to be an overall consistent scheme for organization here. The right pane is redundant and the UI kinda screwy.

I could do without the features than so horribly slow disc scanning and do WITH a more coherent, intuitive method of organization.

A bit pricey, too, especially considering the rest.

.  
(Version 5.1.1)

CORPSECORPS  I've never been thrilled with this new dual paned interface i'm getting more crashes with 5.1.1

Also, my monitor is 24", 1920x1200 and when i set the type larger, the rows stay the same, cutting off the descenders or even the bottom portions of the characters. 8^/

.  
(Version 5.1.1)

NORBERT M. DOERNER  CDFinder 12 Year Celebration!

To celebrate 12 years of CDFinder, we have prepared a bunch of special offers, such as a special price for the CDFinder Private License, and new CDFinder Business Packages, as well as rebates for license extensions.

Offer valid from now until May 18, 2008, 12:00 noon in Germany.

http://www.cdfinder.de/en/anniversary.html

Thanks again for all your excellent feedback in the past 12 years, and stay tuned for the next 12 years of CDFinder development!!!  
(Version 5.1.1)

CAPTVIJAY  Is it possible to have spotlight style GUI in menubar which will help me search specific thing in catalog with no need to first launch program and then searching.  
(Version 5.1.1)

NORBERT M. DOERNER  ->GLIOMA

Please turn off the cataloging of photo previews, photo metadata, and audio metadata when comparing CDFinder to DiskCatalogMaker. Both applications have roughly the same speed when used with similar settings, but CDFinder can read so much more additional data than DiskCatalogMaker, so make sure you use the proper settings for a real fair comparison

Also, make sure you really use CDFinder 5.1, as that has yet again improved speed when cataloging said metadata.

Then compare again and let us know fo the results!

Thank you very much!  
(Version 5.1)

GLIOMA  I've used CDFinder for a couple of years and have always liked it. But I started using DiskCatalogMaker for one simple reason. CDFinder is too slow. My catalog has about 150,000 items. To update the catalog, CDFinder requires 5-10 minutes. DiskCatalogMaker rescans and updates the catalog within 15 seconds. If CDFinder could improve its algorithm for scanning and updating volumes, I would return to it.  
(Version 5.1)

WALT9500  I also use CDFinder for many years now, and I really don't agree to what DDOGGEREL writes.

The interface of CDFinder 5 is much sleeker and nicer than ever before, and you can customize the new display much better than before (you can make the lists even much smaller now).

Oh, and you use Command-Up to navigate one level up, as I already could in all previous versions... ;-)

And if you drag the divider in the main window all the way to the right, the right list will go away and stay away.

But quite frankly, I love the fact that CDFinder shows me the content of the selected catalog in the main window already.

With the new update to CDFinder 5.1, this becomes even more incredible, and if you ever have the need to finally get to organize your data, CDFinder is the one tool for the job.

The new GPS search in CDFinder is very cool, a good reason to finally get a decent GPS device to track where I take my photos...  
(Version 5.1)

DDOGGEREL  I've used ealier versions extensively, and found it very useful (especially the ability to change file/folder names within the catalog for items stored on optical media). I don't know of a better program on OSX for cataloging large numbers of discs.

However, I find that the new v5.x interface is off-putting enough that I have been sticking with v4.7 for a while now. My biggest complaint is that the display within the windows is extremely inefficient, with tons of wasted space everywhere (huge indentation and tab values, large interline spacing, very large "header" area on all windows, unnecessary and undefeatable pane interface on the main window, etc). An additional annoyance is the fact that some key commands have changed or been removed (eg in versions up through 4.7, cmd-minus would navigate one level up, whereas in v5.x it shrinks the text & icon size).

To a certain extent, this inefficiency in the graphical display of data and window structure is endemic to the latest developments of OSX (which itself is a shame), but I think that even within those parameters, things could be greatly improved with CDFinder.  
(Version 5.1)

NORBERT M. DOERNER  -> CAPTVIJAY

Thanks for your review! We are glad that you like CDFinder, and that you have taken your time to give us feedback!

To 1: Yes, we are aware of that, but the amount of data to be searched can become very large very quickly, and that could make such a feature relatively slow (we have lots of customers using more than 5000 catalogs). But we are thinking about a solution for this.

To 2: But you can! Just open the Get Info window for a catalog, and just right to the icon of it, you have a small menu that allows you to copy and paste icons. This also accepts icons copied from the Finders Get Info window :-)

To 3: Use Command-Arrow-Up to go up one level, or use the Navigation entries in the Special menu to get back to the top of a volume (there will be a keystroke for that in CDFinder 5.1). Also, use the Tab key to quickly switch between the left and the right view.

To 4: Yes, that would be really nice indeed. We are currently evaluating the new CoreAnimation abilities in Leopard to see what we can do (Apple had decided NOT to give developers the chance to use CoverFlow directly - yet)

Again, thanks a lot for our excellent feedback!!  
(Version 5.0.2)

CAPTVIJAY  It is one of the best Media cataloging applications. Supports import from almost every type of catalog format. Easy to use. It is very solid app from stability point of view. Toast integration is a real good feature. It shows Meticulous approach of German engineering.

But it lacks few things...

1. It would be rather easier for user if search interface is like iTunes where you start typing and it will accumulate list of disks.

2. It doesn't allow any icon or graphics to be associated with disk. I would rather like to save Graphics from Amazon.com or imdb graphics with each movie that I add to catalog.

3. Once I double click some disk on right hand pane it displays its content but there is no easy way to go back like Finder allows you.

4. ITunes cover-flow interface would be great addition to view disks.

Overall 4 stars. Thanks to author for striving to develop a great software. Wish to see more updates soon.  
(Version 5.0.2)

LARAINE  I'm unable to test version 5 (because I doubt my Quicksilver 733 could run Tiger very well). So this review is for 4.7. I've never had any problems with CDFinder, except the price. I wondered why I hadn't purchased it long ago, because I liked it so much, and found out when I needed to catalogue more than 25 CDs/DVDs and got on-line to pay for it. Cost is, by necessity, a big issue in this household (we don't use older, second-hand Macs for fun!) and I felt $39 was far too high a price so, after getting myself thoroughly irritated spending days downloading every similar piece of software I could find (all the while cursing Telecom New Zealand left right and centre for their inexcusably bad rural phone lines) and trying them out, I opted for DiskCatalogMaker.  
(Version 5.0)

SMTIPS  I'm a long time CDFinder user, it's the absolute best cataloging app available on any platform.

That said...I'm not real happy with this new version for the following reasons:

1. I don't like dual windows in the interface. I'd rather have a single list view. I realize some users have complained about the single window thing in previous versions, but I for one dislike Apple's column views, and panes...call me an old-timer if you like. Give the user a choice...it's all about choice...and just like Apple's non-turn-offable paned view in the finder (I mean in save windows and such, I can't change it at the system level to be the way *I* would like it to be), this new version of CDFinder gives no option to turn off the panes and use the "old style" CDFinder window that I've been so used to and like so well.

2. Comic Sans text does not work in CDFinder 5 windows. All y's and p's and anything else with a lower leg on it has that leg cut off making it look stupid.

3. I have not verified with a burn of my own, but according to a friend, and according to the update notes, CDFinder is directly integrated with Toast, and CDFinder launches and asks to catalog every time you burn a disk with Toast. My friend was asking me if I know a way to stop that behavior because he knows what a huge proponent of CDFinder I have been for years (Indeed, every chance I've had I've raved about what a fantastic app this is to my friends and family). Unfortunately I can find no such pref within the program to turn off this integration. If there is one, I've missed it.

Thanks again for the great program! I think until I'm offered interface and integration choices I'll stay with 4.7. Progress is great, but progress does not have to mean forcing things on the user he can't turn off. The Toast thing really bugs me....I don't want to catalog *all* the disks I burn and don't need an app making me close it again when I don't need it.

Cheers :) Still a near perfect rating, Features just need a little adjustment.  
(Version 5.0)

KOBALT  In the previous version I could double-click a folder found through the search function and that folder would open and show me its contents even without having the relevant CD loaded. Alas, no more! Folders found through a search are no longer interactive like that. Great pity. I think I'll have to go back to v4.7.  
(Version 5.0)

GRYPHONENT  I too registered version 3 long ago... and my key is still working after many years and some major upgrades. CDFinder is rock solid and reliable, has been throughout the years, and now it even looks great! Thanks for keeping up the good work and keeping the spirit of shareware alive!  
(Version 5.0)

SNOZDOP  The "Brand new user interface" seems a bit broken in places.

After searching existing catalogs, the "Found Items" window appears, but there are blank areas in the space above the search results, with just a few vertical and horizontal dividers and a right-facing arrow.

If I click on an item in the Found list, then a couple of the blank spaces are populated with the Disk and Folder name, but the rest stay blank.

I've no idea what these areas are for! It looks unfinished.

In fact, the whole user interface layout, even after its overhaul looks quite un-Mac like and inconsistent with the OS and other apps.  
(Version 5.0)

STEVEHOPS  Awesome! The only, and I mean only, file cataloger that will catalog and print the comments field. And this has so many features that it is the best File/CD/Hard Drive cataloger hands donw.  
(Version 4.7)

WELLU  I've used DiskTracker on the Mac before and Advanced Disc Catalog on PC and naturally I've been looking for a crossplatform option so I can access catlogs on both. If you need this like me. there is no other way to go! You just need to copy or host on a network the folder(s) containing the catalog files.

So far I've been nothing but pleased with the applications (CD Finder on PC). I've also noticed that the application makes different files for each disk. This is great for further organizing catalogs into different groups/folders compared to other apps that just make one big file containing the catalog data.  
(Version 4.6.2)

WILMA  Wow, I thought my files were pretty well-organized until I got THIS program. Now I can find EVERYTHING, quickly and easily! The search function is sophisticated and powerful, the whole program intuitive and easy to use. Documentation is excellent, and support from the developer is fast and responsive.

CD Finder made it SO easy to manage my files that I just consolidated 18 years of backups -- nearly a million document files. FileBuddy, another great program, removed duplicates. Now I have 8 data DVDs to search instead of 30. What a great program!

Tip: If you are going to do searches that bring up thousands or tens of thousands of files, uncheck "Use Finder icons" in the Appearance section of the Preferences. This prevents long delays while CD Finder gets icons from the files.  
(Version 4.6.2)

WRODO  Great Software, I've been using it for years. Always compatible with old catalogue files. Search is fast and reliable. Never had problems with characters like ü and other german "Umlaute". Besides, the UI could be nicer. Always had great personal support from the developer. AFAIC it's worth the money. AFAIK it is carbon-based, meaning it will give the developer a hard time making it Unicode-aware. I have no idea how many licenses he sells a day, but I bet the time he invests is not well-payed. :-) Give him some time and remember which version you bought and which you are using (no upgrade fees in a long time).  
(Version 4.5.1)

CRYING  Developer continues to ignore support of file name in other languages, while continues to brag about "much improved" selectable "interface languages" - How useful is it when you can choose say chinese as an interface language yet the program sees file name in chinese as completely unsearchable "éCêº". Searching also getting sloppy and slow. You can only use a maximum of 2 criteria in searches. I am starting to look at "FileFinder" and "Catalog" as possible upgrade, despite the hassle of converting my database of more than 600 cds.   
(Version 4.5.1)

KUBA  CDFinder doesn't know diacritics - he use "c¡" instead of "è" etc. It's great only for english speaking users. That's a pity!  
(Version 4.5)

MICK MANDERS  I find this application absolutely indespensible.

It is so easy to use, intuitive and reliable.

10 out of 10 in every category.

Well done! Great product

…Mick Manders UK  
(Version 4.5)

ANONYMOUS  Still does not support unicode file names, at least no Chinese name support. With all the talk about multiple interface languages including even Chinese, this is quite a surprise. All in all, still very much the best on this platform, but quite useless if I need to search for a file with Chinese name  
(Version 4.5)

ANONYMOUS  Yay!

Always liked this the best of several catalog tools i've tried.  
(Version 4.5)

MONTY  While I find this software a must have I really wish v. 4.5, or at least some news on it would be released.

On Panther I would give it a 4.5 rating but since it, after several months, still doesn't "play nice" with Tiger I'd give it a LOUSY rating!

Your paying customers have WAITED FOR A LONG TIME (I'm not one of them but my employer is).

Please give us some news!!  
(Version 4.3.2)

BøRRE BRATVOLD  This is the best software ever!  
(Version 4.3.2)

ANONYMOUS  Make stored infos readable for Tiger please a.s.a.p.!!!!!  
(Version 4.3.2)

JEFF MCNAIR  This is just wonderful! I have collected hundreds of data CDROM disks in the past years, and with CDFinder, I can finally quickly find anything. As I also have a lot of MP3 files on these disks as well, the search features regarding the special MP3 meta data make this product alone worth every cent.

And I have read on the devleopers web site that the next version will even also search my local disks with Spotlight! I love this!

Of course, it would be super nice to have a somewhat more polished user interface, it currently still looks a bit old in some places. But that is just eye-candy. The feature set is just amazing!  
(Version 4.3.2)

MADDIN  Wonderful application! Simple to use, and quite fast. For me, it is the best!

It could use some more cool features, such as storing photo previews and such...  
(Version 4.3.2)

ANONYMOUS  great update to a great app. can't wait for it to go X-only!  
(Version 4.3.2)

ANONYMOUS  what about Unicode?  
(Version 4.3.1)

ANONYMOUS  There seems to be a bug in the find window, because everytime I select search by "size" or "length" the App crashes! (Mac OS X 10.3.7)  
(Version 4.3)

STEVE  Wow, the improved user interface looks great! I guess the app now has made the jump to Mac OS X really nicely. I just wish it would read the EXIF and IPTC comments of pictures soon...  
(Version 4.3)

ANONYMOUS  I downloaded this because Disk Tracker doesn't seem to weant to catalog comments from the Finder. Apparently neither does CDFinder. I catalog a data DVD & none of my finder commends show up in the catalog. Is this a problem unique to me (2 apps with the problem) or what?  
(Version 4.2.2)

ANONYMOUS  I'm not so sure I like the way CDFinder dumps all of your stuff together as opposed to something like Disk Tracker that supports separate tracker files. With Disk Tracker I can archive my catalog contents files & then get them off my computer until I need to see them maybe a year or so down the road. With CDFinder I cant do that, atleast not that I'm seeing. Imagine trying to use something like File Maker that forced you to keep all of your databases in the same file. Thats rediculous, but thats exactly what CDFinder is doing.

I always prefer document based applications whenever possible (iTunes for example SHOULD be document based though its not). I'll play with it but at first glance I'm not sure I like it. Maybe it'll grow on me.  
(Version 4.2.2)

CHARLES DUNCAN  I just upgraded to Panther and was devasted wehn CDFinder 4.0.2 did not work. I was so pleased to be able to download CDFinder 4.2.1 and everything is working just like before.

I could not do without it. Many thanks.

Charles Duncan Australia  
(Version 4.2.1)

RAMON  Without this, I have no idea how we would organize our archive! We are an advertising agency, and CDFinder is helping us manage our jobs. The best thing is that it works in our network on all attached computers, so everyone can search the archive himeself. Awesome.  
(Version 4.2.1)

WOLFGANG  Yes! The contextual menu module for Mac OS X rocks! I can finally catalogue my disks directly from inside the Finder. Way cool!!!!  
(Version 4.2.1)

ANONYMOUS  I have been using this utility for years and the best thing--apart from its functionality, which is fantastic--is the fact that the developer is actively supporting it. Many great utils die a little death after a time, but Mr. Doerner gives this app loving attention, and has for years.

Highly reccommended.  
(Version 4.1.1)

MACHOMAN X  One of the few shareware apps that I've tested and bought. Essential to running my small design studio. Excellent work!  
(Version 4.1.1)

NORBERT M. DOERNER  Roadmap:

We plan to add support for reading picture information later this year. That will contain picture sizes and color depths, as well as EXIF and IPTC meta data.

As real picture previews require a lot of memory and disk space, we will have to create a very fast and powerful method of storing them first. But this is also planned, but no release time frame yet. Stay tuned!!  
(Version 4.1)

ANDY  This cataloging software is the best there is for Mac out there...! And there is a Windows version available, too !

What I'm still missing is the cataloging of pics and video, perhaps with previews / thumbnails ?

What is there already is brilliant, though. Perhaps some comment from the developer on the roadmap ?  
(Version 4.1)

ROBERT COLE  It could be a bit faster, and I would love to see AAC support in it.

But it can already read a huge amount of extra data from my disks, even TAR carchive contents, MP3 info, and much more. A lot of stuff that other tools have been promising for years...

Very good value for the price!  
(Version 4.1)

MACSRULE  Excellent program couldn't backup to CD's and ever find anything without it.  
(Version 4.0.2)

LEE HARRISON  CD Finder does exactly what it claims to do - and does it better than any shareware catalog utility I've seen. I cataloged about 50 CDRs in batch mode, took maybe 20 minutes. Including coffee break.

If you need a paper copy just export & print.   
(Version 3.1.2)