ALEXWEIN  Scrivener: an exceptional value!

This program continues to evolve, and amaze! The developer is listening and has already introduced needed features such as integration with reference manager software and the ability to import footnotes. There are lively discussions about these and other issues addressed here (such as PDF annotation), not all of which will be addressed, I assume, but which are definitely given voice and explored fully by the very active user base.

This program is far and away the best software package I've ever come across for writers, and that's saying a lot given the number of excellent programs that have been developed by top-drawer developers. But Scrivener was and continues to be a dream-come-true for me and many of us who have discovered it. I encourage all writers of every ilk to at least give Scrivener a try and utilize the very clear and enjoyable tutorial, though keep in mind it has yet to be updated to include many new beta features (which won't change I assume until the developer is ready for an official release of the new version).  
(Version 1.055b)

ALEXWEIN  I've been using this program for many months now. It works consistently and as claimed, with only a few minor glitches along the way (mostly related to iDisk issues). I have several backups scheduled for different times of the day and week, including backups to iDisk. It just keeps getting better with each incarnation.   
(Version 5.2.2)

ALEXWEIN  I discovered this program right around the time the first beta was released (it existed in an earlier form as Scrivener Gold) and I have never looked back. I had been looking for a long while for a true writing progam that brought together all the features I needed for bringing information together, researching, and developing a project, not to mention writing it! Scrivener has all of this and more. I've been using it for months now, and I still find it to be such a pleasure to use. It's rock-solid in terms of stability, which it has been through all of its beta incarnations. I have been using Scrivener since the first beta release and had two crashes the entire time. Considering these have all been beta releases and I use Scrivener about 6 hours or more a day, I think this is pretty remarkable.

The developer is a delight to work with. He has integrated countless user suggestions, often when he initially disagrees. The feature set is now locked, since he is aiming for final release. But it is already amazing as is without feeling bloated. And the user interface is intuitive and a delight to interact with.

I can't say enough about this program. At least give it a whirl and see what you think. I doubt it will fit all writer's needs completely, but for many of us, it has been the answer to a lot of searching.

Alexandria W.  
(Version 1.0RCb4)