Software

Designers, you’ll love me for this

by Cinda Baxter on April 19, 2010

in Design, Software

Heads up to those of you who design invitations, logos, etc.—I just tripped over a crazy little $40 software program that’s worth twice that, at least. If this had been around back when I was designing invitations and logos, well….let’s just say it would have made my life a whole heck of a lot easier. [click here to continue…]

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1P at half price

by Cinda Baxter on October 30, 2008

in Deals, Software

Attention all Mac users: If you haven’t tried it yet, here’s your chance (and a question: What the heck are you waiting for???). The world’s best password manager, 1Password, is being offered at half price through MacZot, today only. It’s no secret I’m a big fan; of all the utility programs in my world-—and there are many-—this is the one I absolutely, positively can’t live without.

To read my earlier post about the virtues of 1Password, click here. To grab this baby at terrific savings, click here.

Heads up, though…this deal expires at midnight tonight, so you’d better grab fast. After that, you’re on your own with the first graders and stale candy corn.

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It’s shipping! It’s shipping!

by Cinda Baxter on October 16, 2008

in Software

Several media sites are reporting that Adobe’s CS4 began shipping today, in spite of last week’s speculation they’d hold off ’til month’s end.

Means I’m back to bouncing up and down at the door every time a delivery truck rumbles along the street….

If you haven’t ordered yours yet, the $200 pre-order discount is still good for upgrades. Still not sure how “pre” fits when the item is currently being sold, but hey, who’s gonna look that gift horse in the mouth?

Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

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CS4 release pushed back

by Cinda Baxter on October 12, 2008

in Software

Crud. According to Toolfarm (one of Adobe’s Platinum Resellers), the new Creative Suite won’t ship until October 29th-—two weeks later than the original October 16th date publicized earlier.

Means I can take a break from bobbing up and down at the door every time I hear a delivery truck rumble down the street. Still…this is like Santa sending an email to say Christmas will be delayed until mid-January.

::: sniffle :::

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To CS or not to CS?

by Cinda Baxter on September 28, 2008

in Software

Several of you in the stationery world are using Adobe’s Creative Suite, typically either CS2 or CS3. Much to our collective consternation, Adobe has sped up the development cycle, already announcing CS4-—a scant 18 months after its predecessor. At several hundred dollars a pop, that’s a bit quick for stores on a budget.

To upgrade or not to upgrade…that is the question. In the past, my experience has been that to successfully jump from an older generation of software to the next, one has to ”step up” through each incremental stage (ie, moving from version A to version C required also buying version B, which can be pretty darn pricey). This time, thankfully, you can leapfrog over CS3 and jump straight from 2 to 4, which is what I’m opting to do. In fact, Adobe’s feeling particularly Santa-like these days, also allowing the original CS crowd to catapult all the way from chapter one to chapter four without paying the piper. Sweet.

Thankfully, they’re offering a pre-release discount for upgrades, whacking $200 off the price. Just visit their site then scroll down and click on the “Upgrade Eligibility” link to verify your dusty copy of software can be whipped into shape for $599 instead of the $799 full price tag. The “pre-release” moniker has me a bit stumped, though, since all the press I’ve found says the release is coming any day; this preemie offer runs through February 2009.

Also…do some trolling online and you just might find additional savings. I managed to locate a promo link that ran me through the Adobe store, but sliced yet another $89.85 off. If you’re interested in the same, drop me an email (on the right). I’ll shoot you the link.

At the end of the day, is it worth it? Can $600 be justified so soon? You bet. The changes made to InDesign alone get my vote. For the skinny on those, visit JimD’s rundown on CreativeBits.org. He’s been playing with a beta copy for a while, and has a pretty good nuts and bolts review of that part of the CS4 package.

Now, if only I could find a way to explain to the FedEx guy why I’m bobbing up and down like an over-excited puppy every time I hear his truck rumble up the street….

Gimme my CS4. I’m ready to roll.

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1 Great Guy

by Cinda Baxter on July 7, 2008

in Customer Service, Software

I’m a big believer in good product and even better customer service. This afternoon, I’ve been reminded yet again what that looks like, and it looks like 1Password and Dave Teare.

Rather than give you the whole sales pitch about how great I think 1Password is (and believe me-—I do), let me sum it up this way:

1. I don’t have to remember anything any more. Dave’s software does that.

2. I don’t have to worry about security. Dave’s software does that too.

3. I don’t have to worry that if I get hung up, someone will be there. Dave and the rest of the group at Agile Web Solutions have pretty much sewn that baby up too, with a smile and a heartfelt “we’re here to make you happy” approach that never, ever wears out.

My techno life is divided into two realms: B1P (before 1Password) and A1P (yup, you guessed it). Toss 1P’s online sibling My1Password into the mix, and you’ve hit perfection.

Seriously, this guy and this company redefine A+, as does their software. Check it out. You’ll thank me for it later.

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