VB-23  I have wanted an app like this for a long time and this makes a decent attempt, but I do have some complaints.

First, it strikes me as rather asinine to use the Sparkle framework and still force me to go to your webpage to download an update, particularly when the developer has released 3 updates in less than 2 weeks.

It is rather frustrating that the app seems to lack a key command to close the Quick Look window.

Tagging would be much more useful is the developer would implement OpenMeta.  
(Version 1.3)

VB-23  Is there any rationale to the version numbering scheme used for this app? I could swear the last 4 releases I have seen on MU in the past couple weeks were 3.0, 4.0, 4.5, and now, 4.9.  
(Version 4.9)

VB-23  While this looks like it could be interesting, I don't really feel comfortable with the distribution method and lack of clear information on what it does and how. Does this run a separate instance of Apache, like MAMP, or is it an interface for controlling the one that ships with OS X? I can appreciate the developer's desire to reduce download size, but if this was distributed as a package for use with the standard Installer, I could at least take a peek inside to see what I was installing.

As is it, I am unfortunately going to pass on trying this out.  
(Version 1.0)

VB-23  Are you kidding me? This app tries to compete in a crowded market and expects me to pay $20 based on a video tour? I would like to give the app a fair rating, but I am not about to pay for the ability to do so.  
(Version 1.0)

VB-23  I commend the developer for finding a way to make brushed metal look even more atrocious.  
(Version 1.0)

VB-23  I must say that I find the non-standard interface to be quite distracting, rather than 'fun'. While metaphors can be quite effective, there should still be some abstraction. The provided screenshot recalls a windows app, not a Mac one.

With regard to the journal window, the general consensus seems to be that drawers were a bad interface decision. Your implementation seems to take up too much space for items ('Add New Page', 'Insert Picture . . .') that should be implemented as standard toolbar items.

I am not a dogmatist-Interface conventions should be broken when they contribute to the experience. Delicious Library is a good example; it utilized a new metaphor, but did so in a manner that was somewhat familiar and felt as if it belonged on a mac. The rest of the 'Delicious Generation' went for non-standard eye candy purely for branding, rather than usability.

With the possible exception of your display of bookmarks, your app seems to fall into the later category, only without the professional (and I recognize, expensive) graphic design.  
(Version 1.1)

VB-23  I presently am writing a major research paper and practically live in this app. Having a rather nonlinear method of writing, this application fits my needs almost perfectly. I believe I have tried nearly every other outlining and nonlinear word processor out there for the mac and have not found anything else that comes close to this app in terms of features. That being said, the learning curve for some of the more advanced options is rather steep, and I was not thrilled about having to relearn some things when the author changed the way style sheets were handled a while ago.

I do not fully understand some of the complaints about the number of updates--I assume that they are coming from those who do not actually use TAO, at least not on a regular basis. I look forward to the regular updates and to seeing what features the author adds or refines with every release. Unfortunately, this did, at one point entail relearning aspects of the app as I mentioned above, but I have not had this experience for at least the last 25 releases. Nor have I had any problems with crashes since v1.1b18 or so.  
(Version 1.1b24f)