KBEAT  I see what you did there.  
(Version 4.0.237.0)

KBEAT  Two things immediately grab you when using Google Chrome; it's very ugly and it's very fast. For now I'll stick with Safari which is fast enough and much better looking, but Chrome has a lot of promise.  
(Version 4.0.237.0)

KBEAT  Craig,

I don't pretend to know what the target user or average user of VueScan is, or who Ed intends to use it. I do know that I've always that of it as a swiss army knife of scanner apps. It'll work with just about any scanner you throw at it, on just about an OS you run. It is simple to use and generally always works.

It is not, in my experience, the most powerful scanner software, and I don't personally know any professional shops who use it. Most publishers and archivers I know use the pro version of SilverFast or twain directly to Photoshop. Heck, the twain plug in that comes with my Canon offers more features than VueScan, if I need to dig deeper.

If you want a decent, clean scan the built in scanning features of OS X work well. I prefer, as do a lot of other professionals, to do image and color correction with Photoshop and Aperture, rather than scanner software, so for me the advanced features of VueScan are unnecessary. If you want to be able to get a decent scan, from virtually anywhere in the OS to anywhere in the OS, Snow Leopard's tools works great. Clearly they don't apply, nor do I suggest they do, if you need to scan using Linux and Windows as well.  
(Version 8.5.35)

KBEAT  I used to love this app, and for older scanners it's still a God send. However, it's become dated and is in need of an overhaul. I'd like to see it become a Cocoa based app with a built-in update engine, but Ed's desire to maintain Windows release parity make this unlikely.

As a result, I no longer use one of my all time favorite Mac apps. Snow Leopard has made scanning so easy, that with a modern scanner there is no reason to use third party scanning tools, even the ones that come with the scanner. I can get quality scans from my Canon 8800F using Image Capture, Preview, and even Print & Fax in System Preferences. You can scan directly to a folder, iPhoto, Aperture, Mail, or Preview. Scanning capture is also built in throughout the OS using the services menu in apps like Pages.

Again, I'm not knocking VueScan, or Ed who has done a remarkable job updating the app to support thousands of scanners. I'm simply questioning it's value under Snow Leopard with newer scanners, especially in light of VueScan's dated architecture and lack of update engine.  
(Version 8.5.35)

KBEAT  Amen KENBOTWINICK, you said it perfectly.   
(Version 9.0.1)

KBEAT  It works, it actually works. Launch the app, start playing songs in iTunes, and magically the lyrics will appear in the song. No errors, no user input, no problems.

After trying widget after widget after widget, I have to admit I'm a bit stunned. It can't be this simple can it? I don't have to look them up? I don't have to tell it to copy the lyrics to iTunes? No "lyrics not found" messages?

I'm amazed it took this long for someone to make a lyric tool for iTunes that actually works, but hats off to you for finally getting it right. Great job!  
(Version 2.0.4)

KBEAT  Great way to bring GPS to Aperture. If you've been envious of "Places" on iPhoto and are looking to fill in the gap until Aperture 3 arrives with it's own version, then use Maperture Pro. It's easy, intuitive, well-designed, and simply fun.

I use my iPhone to gather GPS logs when I'm out shooting, and Maperture Pro to marry the data to my RAW images. It's a beautiful combination and a great way to get into GeoTagging.  
(Version 1.2.4)

KBEAT  I've not seen that behavior either. I customize the window size and it always opens to the last size I set. Trash your prefs and/or reinstall Firefox.   
(Version 3.5)

KBEAT  Yeah, they were very useful for smaller screens like 13" laptops. This really should be an option in the preferences. I had adjusted to them and really grew to like them.  
(Version 4.0)

KBEAT  Misha,

As we've said, the link in the email receipt does not work.  
(Version 5.0.4)

KBEAT  I'm running into the same issue. The link for downloading the DVD .dmg doesn't work, and the only thing I can get to is download the patch. So as far as I can tell there isn't anyway to obtain TechTool Pro from the bundle purchase. No response from MacUpdate on the issue.  
(Version 5.0.4)

KBEAT  It's got the nicest UI for sure, but it's missing far too many features compared to clients like Nambu or TweetDeck to be called the "best hands down." Once you've used Groups, for example, it's hard to live without them.

1.2 broke URL previews for me. Anyone else?  
(Version 1.2)

KBEAT  Very fast and very good looking. The "Top Sites" feature is really cool, and makes checking out your favorite sites quick and easy. So far, in about an hour or so of testing, it's worked great without any bugs or crashes. Did I mention it's fast?  
(Version 4.0b1)

KBEAT  I've got a huge collection of DVDs and Video Games, and have long wanted a first class library management tool. I've tired FileMaker, web based utilities, Delicious Library, and a few lesser known shareware programs, and I can say this is hands down the best of the bunch. It's easy to use, feature rich, very snappy even with large collections, and takes full advantage of Leopard's features. Heck, with the cover flow feature in the finder, I rarely have to open it other than to add new titles. It even has a nice iPhone companion app.

I wish they offered an "all in one" version of the pedia apps, but that's really the only complaint I have, and that's not really a complaint. If you're looking to manage your collection of DVDs, Games, Books, or CDs on a Mac, the Pedia apps are the best tools for the job.  
(Version 4.4.1)

KBEAT  A horribly disappointing mess. After the long wait, the hype, the awards months prior to release, this app had a lot to live up to. Sadly, it fails on most fronts. Its performance is terrible, the interface is quirky, and it's overly cumbersome. Pretty? Absolutely. Usable? Not so much. I wanted to love this app as I'm an eye candy guy when it comes to interface, but I just can't.

For my money, DVDpedia, Gamepedia, etc. are the best library management tools available on OS X right now. The coverflow support in the finder means I rarely have to open the actual apps, and with the iPhone support and regular updates, they keep getting better. I wish they offered an "all in one" version, but perhaps that's part of the key to the speedy performance of the applications.  
(Version 2.0.6)

KBEAT  The plug-in works great. It's Noise Ninja and is without peer when it comes to removing the noise that's all too common at high ISO settings with digital cameras. It's limited, as are all Aperture plug ins, by the fact that unlike all other Aperture editing tools it's destructive. That's not the devs problem however, rather it's a limitation of the Aperture plug-in architecture.

If you don't use Photoshop, the price is a bit steep. If you do, it's a good deal for a must have tool for your photo toolbox.  
(Version 2.0.5)

KBEAT  Very nice! G10 on Aperture here I come.  
(Version 2.4)

KBEAT  Do you run/own a small business? Have you actually priced these systems? The price for LightSpeed is incredibly competitive. It's quite common for such systems for small to medium sized businesses to run $50,000 and up.  
(Version 2.7.1)

KBEAT  What part of enter your name ABOVE the serial number field, not IN the serial number field do you find contradictory?  
(Version 2.2.1.7b)

KBEAT  The most significant difference between the two apps is developer support. As soon as a new version of OSX is released, a new version of Cocktail, with compatibility updates, is released. If a problem with Cocktail is discovered by users, the developers jump on it very quickly.

Contrast this with OnyX which has been languishing since 10.5.2 and is unusable for many. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. I bought my Cocktail license years ago and have enjoyed great support and quick updates. One can debate the necessity of such apps, but if you decide to employ one, you'll find no better than Cocktail.  
(Version 4.1.3)

KBEAT  I got it installed, thanks. I should have more clearly stated that people are having a hard time getting the plug-in to load properly. Although, I didn't have that issue.

The problem I'm having is that Hydra creates 32-bit files, which Aperture doesn't support. These files, once they're created, crash my entire system the moment I attempt to edit them. It makes no sense for an Aperture plug-in to create a 32-bit tiff, as they are incompatible with Aperture! So unless I'm missing some crucial step, how do you edit the files created in Aperture using the Aperture bricks?  
(Version 1.5.2)

KBEAT  So far, you're the only person I've come across who has gotten the Aperture plug-in to work. Most people can't even get it to load and install properly. I got it working, but it creates 32-bit files that crash my system as soon as I attempt to edit them.

I was really hopeful for this plug-in, as I want to save myself a trip to Photomatrix, but so far I'm very disappointed. I left a note about the issues on their support forums, but so far it's gone unnoticed.  
(Version 1.5.2)

KBEAT  An okay piece of software that does more or less what it's supposed to do, although I've had to deal with a few bugs.

Bugs are okay, in that they are a fact of life when dealign with software. An since Qdea, like most companies, releases software patches to deal with them, it would not be an issue. It would not be an issue that if, if it weren't for Qdea's horrendous licensing policy. Rather than being based on the version you own, it's time based.

So, for example, if you have version 5.0.6, and they release a patch that fixes a bug in version 5.0.7, you'd think that patch would be free, right? Nope, not if you bought version 5 twenty four months ago. You'll have to pay for a full version upgrade to get a .01 patch.

I'll happily pay for an upgrade when it brings new features to the table that I can use. But I simply won't pay for .01 bug patches. As a result, Qdea lost a customer and I moved to a competitor.   
(Version 6.0)

KBEAT  When it comes to HDR merging, this is the gold standard. I get great results much more quickly using this program than I can with Photoshop CS3. I would even recommend the standalone version over the plug in they offer, as it allows you more control and better batch processing. My only gripe is that at $99, it's pretty expensive for a one trick pony.

If you've been using the built in "merge to HDR" feature in Photoshop, I'd suggest downloading the free trial from hdrsoft and seeing how it compares. Don't do it unless you're prepared to drop 99 bones, because you won't want to go back to the hand work after you do.

There's an HDR plug in on the way for Aperture that I have high hopes for as I'd love to be able to stay in Aperture throughout my workflow, but it would have to be one heck of a plug in to measure up to Photomatrix.  
(Version 3.0.2)

KBEAT  I'm running it on a MBP on Leopard and 4.3 launches just fine natively, and is much speedier than 4.2.  
(Version 4.3.7191.6508 )

KBEAT  Absolutely superb update. Apple has taken feedback from their customers and immediately addressed most of the remaining issues with version 2. I was just working on a project and saying "I wish Aperture would ...." and the very next day Apple releases 2.1 which gave me the tools and fixes I wanted.

Aperture has become my primary application for photo management and touch up. Now, with the latest update I stay in Aperture 95% of the time. With the rumored HDR & tonemapping plug-in on the way, I'll be 100% Aperture if it works as well as Photomatrix.  
(Version 2.1)

KBEAT  I want to echo what others have said. The product is superb, second to none. The companies policies as they relate to existing customers and upgrades are horrific. You feel as if you are being punished for having used their product already and wanting to upgrade. If it wasn't such a great tool, I'd go elsewhere, and that's a shame.  
(Version 4.1)

KBEAT  Yes, I have the same issue, even with the newer .49 release. It's even more aggravating, because using the new Real 11 to play the large Windows Media files doesn't exhibit the same behavior. They open and play immediately.  
(Version 2.2.0.49b)

KBEAT  An incredibly handy application when maintaining a mixed environment of old and new Macs. Also, it's simply a lot of fun to review the history of Macs for anyone who remembers using the old machines.  
(Version 5.0)