DGOMBAU  Warning. Tried to download a TV episode tonight, to watch tonight. Not an unreasonable expectation, since my verified download cable connection is 12mps.

But whoa - the HD version quoted a FOUR HOUR download. Even the SD version at 530 MB was a one-hour D/L. At 12mbs it SHOULD take 6 minutes, not 60. I tried stopping and reconnecting over a 40 minute period, just in case there was heavy demand. But no, it stayed the same.

Seems that iTunes servers are running at dial-up speed.

Not unreasonably I emailed iTunes Support and asked for my $2.99 to be refunded, since even the SD version will be way to late to watch.

Will let you know the Apple response. But I am not holding my breath.  
(Version 9.0.2)

DGOMBAU  Whether or not I agree with the validity of your comments, I am curious why you felt the need to purchase upgrades since PS 5.5, if you felt that was all you needed, or 7 for vectors).

Computers and software will always do and continue to do the job you originally purchased them for. Software does not stop working and run out of time. There is no obligation to upgrade if the upgrade does not offer anything you need.

For example, I have not upgraded to Snow Leopard, because I use an Epson R1800 printer, and had just nailed color management with Leopard. That combination does the job I need, and frankly I don't want to spend more weeks switching to Gutenprint, then tweaking and troubleshooting (or buying a new printer) to achieve correct color.

If you are happy with a version, it works for you, and the upgrade does not represent value or means you have to upgrade equipment to simply do the same task, then the solution is don't upgrade your software.  
(Version 8.0)

DGOMBAU  There is much to like about this program. However, I have yet to find a way to fix a movie length as an absolute and then adjust lead in and lead out etc within that fixed length.

I am guessing that most users embed the final clip within another video as an edit. In which case, you want to be able to specify clip length.

PTM lets you fix the length of the motion component only, not the actual clip length, as far as I can see. Then you have to do mental arithmetic to add in the head and tail length. It is not hard math, just counter-intuitive.

Please tell me I am wrong and there IS a way to set and LOCK the clip length.  
(Version 4.2.5)

DGOMBAU  Whether ProShow is better or not is irrelevant in this forum. The product is Windows only, so it is a moot point. And the fact that there is no version for Mac, a recognized platform of creatives, sends a clear message they are not interested.  
(Version 3.0.6)

DGOMBAU  I use it a lot. It is quick and simple to reference iChats. I use these IMs a lot, and often need to refer to something I said or was told.

And it is easy to delete chats and buddies. Just Reveal in Finder and delete the little chat file. Then the chat disappears from the window in Logorrhea.  
(Version 1.3.1)

DGOMBAU  Photo To Movie is one of the few programs in this genre that allows you to see the audio wave form. This makes it easier to match slides to the beat. I like the ability to readily manipulate clip durations and behaviors, as well as choose paths and intermediate key frames. Overlap and dissolve is a very useful function, and it is easy to add titles and credits, and end up with a slideshow that fits the music length, or you can choose to have the slides finish before the music and fade to black.  
(Version 4.2.3)

DGOMBAU  Yes - I am having the same problem. It is a 2 minute AIFF file created from SonicFire Pro, and I am on a MBP 2.6 with Leopard.  
(Version 1.3.7b)

DGOMBAU  Have been comparing Lightroom 2 with Aperture 2.

I do a lot of panos, and Lightroom has a simple integration with that Photo Merge feature in Photoshop. Aperture is a cumbersome, multi-step export operation.

Aperture has a much more usable touchup and healing capability, whereas Lightoom is pretty basic. And Aperture has integration with Apple Photo Books.

Still have not decided whether I like the gray palette of Aperture, or the black one of Lightroom.

Currently I shoot with a Nikon D200. But I used to own a Nikon CoolPix 5700, and Aperture will not recognize the 5700 file format, for the thousands of images I took with the 5700. Lightroom will.

Anyone have any comments to add to the above?  
(Version 2.1.2)

DGOMBAU  Have been comparing Lightroom 2 with Aperture 2.

I do a lot of panos, and Lightroom has a simple integration with that Photo Merge feature in Photoshop. Aperture is a cumbersome, multi-step export operation.

Aperture has a much more usable touchup and healing capability, whereas Lightoom is pretty basic. And Aperture has integration with Apple Photo Books.

Still have not decided whether I like the gray palette of Aperture, or the black one of Lightroom.

Currently I shoot with a Nikon D200. But I used to own a Nikon CoolPix 5700, and Aperture will not recognize the 5700 file format, for the thousands of images I took with the 5700. Lightroom will.

Anyone have any comments to add to the above?  
(Version 2.1)

DGOMBAU  This tool works well for me. I bought it ages ago on a friend's recommendation, and used it to fix problems on my old G4 Sawtooth (upgraded), rescue my G4 Titanium 1G, and now my MacBook Pro 2.6G (check only and do minor Finder repairs so far).

It has worked every time and got non-functioning systems up and running. I like being able to determine whether the problem is a sector issue with the drive itself, or just a mangled volume structure. And being able to nip minor problems in the bud saves bigger headaches.

This week, I upgraded to 4.6.2 DVD using my MicroMat account and previous V4 serial number. I got the DVD within a couple of days, and the total cost with shipping was under $35.  
(Version 4.6.2)

DGOMBAU  I compared ChatterBlocker with SonicMood. Both are similar, yet offer different experiences. Under MUPromo, bith were the same price. I chose ChatterBlocker because it gave me a little more choice to single out the sounds I wanted, rather than a melange.

ChatterBlocker also allows the choice of combined sounds, maybe not quite the range, as well as instruments, and respective volumes for each.

Working in home office, I doubt I will use the voice chatter, but I can see how for corporate settings this would be good. I have to contend with 50,000 HP mach leaf blowers, and endless neighborhood barking that make me feel like I am living in a dog pound.

Uh-Oh - there goes another screaming leafblower. Time to scream out the window "Use a ***** rake!", or simply up the master volume on ChatterBlocker.

ChatterBlocker masks most of this and saves my sanity!   
(Version 1.1.3)

DGOMBAU  I saw this in demo by Josh, then DL'ed the fully functional trial trial. It is very useful, easy, powerful and exceptional value. I particularly like the bitrate calculator, the bitrate quality sample generator, deinterlace option, and the overall simplicity of settings and use.

At one tenth (or better) the price of the some others, you need use it only a few times to get value for your money.  
(Version 1.0)

DGOMBAU  I like the new FTP setup. Also, I compared it with other programs, and its upload and download speeds are faster. NIce to be able to see the server and own directory side by side.  
(Version 5.0.1)

DGOMBAU  Never MInd. I discovered the "Throttle", that is accessible when downloading. I reset it to "Unlimited", and got my former speeds of around 450KB/sec (on cable) back again.

I like the new FTP feature with the side-by-side panels.  
(Version 5.0)

DGOMBAU  When I upgraded from SD4 to SD5, my download speeds from various sites dropped from between 400-500KB/s to 62KBs. Anyone else have this experience? I am still using Tiger (until I buy a new system).  
(Version 5.0)

DGOMBAU  Had no problems like this. In fact was running VideoBox and FLVR concurrently for a while.

Sure, FLVR was on automatically, but if browses a lot of videos, they stacked up up the list and it takes some work to distinguish which one you want from the YouTube random alpha-numeric titles.

And the pulsing (albeit subtly) symbol tended to be a little distracting.

It would be nice to have some kind of way to have VideoBox launchable after you view a video you want to capture.

On balance, I decided to let FLVR go.

But you should be able to continue using FLVR. Just because an app is upgraded doesn't mean you have to adopt it.  
(Version 2.5)

DGOMBAU  Videobox 2.4 is even better than FLVR. I like the fact that it now even names the clip from its metadata, rather than having to change it from the file name.

The developer, I found to be responsive. Replied well within 48 hours (and even apologized for the delay!). Hey, that beats the heck out of Time Warner Cable!

Some reviewers have explained how with tweaking and fiddling, searching and renaming, YouTube videos can be DL'ed manually. But who wants to!

Videobox makes it easy, and that is a priority to me. The convenience is well worth to small price tag.  
(Version 2.4.2b)

DGOMBAU  Very easy to use (once you figure out which sites it will work on, eg flickr). Nice to see images full screen.

Like many others in forums, I found that after installing, I had freezes with Safari, and in fact the whole system, requiring the hard shutdown and reboot.

Removed it from Input Managers folder in the Library, and Safari now seems to be fast and stable again.

Maybe there may be a process I can go through of reinstalling things. But I am not a tinkerer I would prefer life to be simple.  
(Version 1.5.15)

DGOMBAU  I have been trying it in demo mode, and it is nice and easy. I place a value on my time and don't want to have complex apps that have to be configured in conjunction. MacScan is simple and gets RID of those despicable tracking cookies. If that was all it did, it would be worth the cost for that alone.

Tracking cookies are insidious invasions of privacy. How DARE they! It is like someone with a clipboard and video camera trailing you whenever you go shopping at a mall, and recording everything you look at or pick up, as well as everything you browse in a bookstore.  
(Version 2.5.1)

DGOMBAU  I read here or on another forum that removing Speed Download Input Managers folder helped. I tried this and it (at least so far) seems that Safari no longer crashes. User(you)>Library>Input Managers>SpeedDownload Enhancer (folder). Oh yeah, I also Repaired Permissions at the same time. I should have done it in stages. But looks like one of 'em works. And SpeedDownload also still seems to work.  
(Version 10.4.11)

DGOMBAU  If you, like me and many others, did a software update to Mac OSX 10.4.11, you will likely find that the new Safari has an added feature, the Auto Self-Quit. To turn off this feature, either remove every single plug-in you have ever bought and have come to rely on with Safari (likely a couple of days work), or switch to Firefox. Hopefully Apple will see all the issues and post a more stable and forgiving update to Safari.  
(Version 10.4.11)

DGOMBAU  I like just how easy it is. Sure, you can go into folder and look for biggest files then convert, etc. for free. But I place value on my time and ease. This is nice, easy and works without futzing around.

Found a couple of nice features - hold option key when opening to stop sending it to your iTunes, and click on the meaningless YouTube filename in the window to rename it - cool.

What more could one ask for?  
(Version 1.0)

DGOMBAU  This is a great tool - especially for people who want to photograph streets, interiors, and framed artwork. These subjects really show up lens distortion, and LensFix CI does a simple yet powerful job (like Calico does for panorama stitching) of "just making it right". License is a small price to pay for such a timesaver.  
(Version 4.0b25)

DGOMBAU  As an exhibiting photographic artist, and podcaster on consumer digital photography, I was looking for something that would address both needs. This software does that.

It is so simple in its interface, it almost feels like it is "too easy" to give the sophisticated results it does. Yet it does give stunning results. Even with a less than perfectly taken series it finds and matches all the points, as well as adjusting exposure - including that problematic sky exposure matching and blending.

Excellent value for the price - pays for itself in a couple of painless panos. I could get addicted to this.  
(Version 1.3)

DGOMBAU  I am a long time user. Is there a way to create a batch number for a series of scans at one time, then have the software automatically add sequential numbering to each new scan in that batch.

Alternatively, give the "same name" warning before the scan takes place.

Thanks,

Jim  
(Version 8.4.18)

DGOMBAU  Aha - I tracked down (on SoftPedia). Trial version encodings are limited to 20 seconds. That is a shame - hardly enough to evaluate.

I am sure that the developer loses potential sales that way. Many people (like me) make their purchase based on actual full use for one or two small projects, rather than the disabled or time-limited version.

Here is some advice - if you prefer, shorten the evaluation period to just two weeks, but allow people to have full functionality to try for this time. That way, serious testers find out how good and indispensible the product really is, and will gladly pony up the dollars to buy.

And if you are afraid that some people will exploit you and dowload a freebie so they can use it a few times then not buy it, do you think these users would buy it anyway?

How about it guys? Here is a Cleaner user, waiting to take advantage of the cross-grade offer. I just want to try it properly before I decide.  
(Version 4.2.2)

DGOMBAU  Downloaded this to evaluate and compare with Cleaner 6.5 as my video compression tool of choice, with a committed view to purchase if it excelled.

However, I ran into a short time-limit on conversions. Was this the case? 30 days is plenty to evaluate, even 15 days.

But a 30-second limit does not let me compare. I need to test the full capacity to render a couple files in total. Even a week's trial would be OK with a full version.

But don't be parsimonious (stingy) with the length of clip. So what if a few people use it once or twice for a job they need and don't buy. You lose more sales to folks like myself who say, "Well, if I cannot really tell how good it is, I will pass."

Or did I miss a setting somewhere?

Very serious question.  
(Version 4.2.2)

DGOMBAU  My comment was simply to state that it works only with DVD+ (as you point out, that is clearly stated). That means it does not work with DVD-

Since DVD+ burners have only been introduced to the Mac range relatively recently, there would be many legacy Macs for which this app would not be applicable.

Not so much a problem, as an awareness for older Mac users.  
(Version 1.0)

DGOMBAU  I had initial problems with the program not finding a file it needed. But after giving my system a workover with Onyx and then a full TechTool Pro overhaul, and finally repairing permissions, it installed just fine.

Maybe it is more persnickety than most [ tech terminology ;-) meaning susceptible to minor file inaccuracies].  
(Version 10.1.9)

DGOMBAU  This works only with DVD+ it appears. That means it is only of use to those users of the latest Macs with DVD+ capability.  
(Version 1.0)

DGOMBAU  to OTHERICORD:

1. Please attend to your own spelling and grammar. You dropped a comma, and S and an E. Apologies if English is your second language.

2. Using caps is bad etiquette - it means that you are SHOUTING (or just too lazy to use upper and lower case).

3. The current icon is fine - Thanks Peter Borg for being a developer that does not feel compelled to add a picture of your grinning kid to the icon.  
(Version 2.2.5)

DGOMBAU  One of the best value for money little apps/utils around! As a photographer and videographer, I want videoconference images to be correctly exposed and color balanced. This does it beautifully.

Oh, how I wish all my contacts would use iGlasses - I am visually distressed by the faces of non-users in deep shadow, or that are uplit with strange magenta tones ;-)

Buy it, use it properly!  
(Version 1.3.5)

DGOMBAU  After struggling with Retrospect Express and Maxtor FireWire drive, I switched to a LaCie drive with Silverkeeper. Man, what a difference in backing up a boot drive. SK - 20 mins Vs. RE - several hours!

The SilverKeeper/LaCie boot drive booted first time. The Retrospect Express/Maxtor One Touch II combo, has always been temperemental. The first One Touch has been incredibly flakey.

In fact, Silverkeeper 1.1.4 will back up both the boot drive and a second internal hard drive for media files, with a single click.  
(Version 1.1.4)

DGOMBAU  Sorry - signup lost my comments.

I use an Epson R1800, which I like a lot. I also much prefer Discus (3.15 at this stage) to the klunky Epson software that comes with the printer. Now that is a software that looks like a cross between an old Windows and Mac OS7.

Have yet to try Discus 4. But with 3.15 with the R1800, you need to make sure Paper Size is set to A4 CD, and all the printer doors and flaps are is the right positions.  
(Version 4.0L)