Archive for the ‘Product Review info’ Category

One copy each of iBank 3 and iBiz 3 have been offered to the Kachemacs for review. These apps look great for small businesses. When I asked why one would switch from Cha-Ching, which I highlighted in May, to iBank, I got this reply:

Good question about switching to iBank. Cha-Ching and some of the other finance apps out there are great choices for users whose needs are more basic. We find that a lot of our users are coming from mainstream apps like Quicken (which a lot of Mac customers dislike), or moving up to iBank for its robust features.

iBank 3 was written specifically for Leopard, and supports direct downloads from most banks; iPhone sync; investment portfolios; tax support; and a whole lot more (see this page for a better overview). People with more complex financial situations or even small businesses use iBank.

There’s a review we saw yesterday (here) that explains this all in a way – the writer preferred simpler apps that were more suited to his own needs, but recommends iBank to anyone who has more demanding requirements from their finance app. (One of the comments from an iBank user echoed this.)

All of our apps are available as free trial versions, so give it a spin and let me know what you think!

~Scott Marc Becker
Marketing Director
www.iggsoftware.com

I have a box of books I got for the Kachemacs to review! Titles include:

Mac OS X Leopard for Dummies
Mac OS X Leopard for Dummies Just the Steps
Mac OS X Leopard All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies
Mac OS X Tiger for Dummies
Mac OS X Tiger Book
Mac OS X Tiger All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies
MacBook for Dummies
iPhone Fully Loaded

Thanks, Wiley & Sons! All Dummies step forward for these key reference volumes! Remember, test drive these manuals for 30 days, write a book report for our website, and the book is yours to keep and use forever! It helps you, and your feedback helps the author and publisher. Please let me know if any of these interest you and I’ll get it to you.

The Omni Group has given me licenses for their software for the Kachemacs to review. Let me know if you are interested in any of the following:
OmniDazzle
OmniFocus
OmniGraffle Pro 5
OmniWeb

The Omni Group has been around for a fair while, and is known for quality Mac exclusive software. Check out their website for more information.

CJR Tools is looking for reviewers for the iPhoto ‘08 guide and private course. Also available is iTunes 7 in 6 Easy Lessons.

Let me know if you’d like to participate in this program.

Just in, we have some great titles from O’Reilly. Now available for review:

Switching to the Mac, Leopard Edition
Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac
Office 2008 for Macintosh

Thanks, O’Reilly! I need help from the Kachemacs finding homes for these handy references.

I have been approached by a marketer from Eltima Software concerning their new version of SyncMate for Mac.  This is syncing software for Mobile devices.  If anyone uses a handheld or a smartphone on their list and wants a review copy, let me know and I’ll get you one.

I have some more items for review.  They are $5 each and you get to keep the software when you do the review within 30 days.

Mac OS 10.5 Leopard

Bento from FileMaker (database program).

These are courtesy of Apple’s User Group program.  Please send me a message if you are interested in either of these programs.  I have purchased both of them for myself in the past and have found them to be worthwhile, although I could use a bit more experience with Bento.

We are recognized as a Mac Users Group by TidBITS and Take Control Books.  This means savings on books for members.  Take a look at Take Control Books for a number of Mac related titles.  The primary distribution method for these books is e-book format, which is a PDF file you can read on your computer or print yourself.  Hard copies are available, too.  E-books are free shipping and immediate gratification.  Here is the code for our 10% discount:  CPN31208MUG

We also have generously been given a complimentary copy of titles in their library.  We will be reviewing some of these books, so if you see something you’d like to read and review let me know.

Take advantage of your benefit as a Kachemacs member.  Review a book.  You’ll be reading it anyway if you are interested in the material.  Remember, reviewed material is yours to keep  if you follow the guidelines posted in this blog thread.

I have compiled, with the help of the AAUG (Anchorage Users Group), a document to guide the product reviewers.  Anyone who reviews has 30 days to follow these guidelines and produce a written review to be published on the site.   The product may also be featured in a meeting, where the product and the reviewer would attend and share with the group.  Please read if you are interested.

kachemacs-product-reviewer-guidelines.doc

I have these items currently up for grabs:

Facebook, The Missing Manual (book)

Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor (software)

Remember, after your review is finished you may keep the items.