No comments about 123 Copy DVD Gold 09.

4 comments about Write Brothers Dramatica Pro Win/Mac.

1. This has helped me organize the scenes in my novel.
   
   It's helped me decide which characters I needed to develop my story better.
   
   You not only need a Protagonist, you need (of course) an Antagonist (the Main character, the Impact character) and a Consider Character, Reconsider, Logic, Conscience, etc.
   
   It also makes sense that a good novel has more than one thoroughline, more than one areas of conflict.
   
   I'd give this 5 stars for me, but for others, it may be too bothersome to figure out how it works. I had to read about 500 pages on how to use it, why certain characters are essential, what thoroughlines will work with what, etc. and I still don't feel I know how to use everything this program offers.
   
   I see that there's a book on Amazon, Dramatica: A New Theory of Story (Paperback), that may explain more of how to use this software. You may instead like to write your novel and use books like the Plot Doctor or Scene and Structure and others.
   
   Good luck!



2. I have found Dramatic Pro to be an excellent tool in helping formulate and organize novel-length suspense stories. It's comprehensive and it makes you thoroughly think through the structure and flow of your story. The software does what it claims to do and it is based on successful story components. I've read other individual's reviews that were less than complimentary and I would have to say that their expectations of this software were probably beyond what the software said it could do. No writing software that I know of will lead a writer through the writing process. It's not like greeting card software that lets you pick and choose every element of the creative process and then you just print the result. But what this software does do is challenge you to not forget, and to properly develop, those key ingredients and components in any story that make the difference between one that other people like to see or read or one that gets ho-hum responses. Just learning the importance of having an Impact Character is enough to turn a mediocre story into a much better one. When you analyze successful and unsuccessful books or movies, more than half the time the difference can be traced to the development, or lack of development, of one or more Impact Characters. Dramatica Pro forces you to pay attention to through-lines, problem creation and resolution, and every element that could possibly be part of a story. But this software does require patience and the personal desire to get things properly organized. If you lack patience, then don't buy this software. If you don't like the fact that almost all successful stories have predictable elements, then you will not like this software because it will lead you down a path that you probably don't want to follow. If you have no tolerance for a jargon learning curve, then don't buy it. And if you are looking for a muse to stimulate your creative juices, then you shouldn't even be looking at any computer software - go find a pen pal. In my opinion, Dramatica Pro does what it says it can do and I really like the way it does it.



3. This is only helpful if you are brainstorming a writing project with no real clue on what you want it to be about. I usually have a passion for the story before I write it and have some idea about where I want to go. If you are the type that begin with vague concepts and story ideas this may help you, but don't be surprised if you give up half way through and start writing it freely with out these writing construct and parameters that can at times stifle your story creativity, flow, and passion. It almost reminds me of referring to the APA Manual when I wrote graduate term papers.



4. I was excited when I read all about this product. I got it and tried to learn it, I even joined a list on their site. Problem is, everyone on the list was having a lot of trouble learning it. Some were even talking about starting an online class to teach others how to use it. One of the problems is the developers of the program came up with a whole new theory of story which you have to learn to use the program. Now, you have to ask yourself, "Do I want to spend my time learning to write, or do I want to spend my time learning to use a very complicated theory of story and a program that could take months or even years to learn how to use?" Or ask yourself, "Did Shakespeare start this way?"

2 comments about Line 6 GearBox Silver Bundle with Toneport D.I. USB Recording Interface.

1. I was initially just looking for a D.I. box so that i could record rough song compositions straight into my Mac without all the noise. I happened upon this while searching online, I know the LIne 6 name and figured what the hell it's only a 100 bucks, a DI with a bunch of amp models and FX. What I didn't expect was the range of FX and models and the great sound quality and flexiblity. Like i said i was originally only looking to record very rough comps to share with the other guys in the band, but now i have the full fledged recording bug because my ideas are sounding so good. Granted it's not sudio quality, but I don't like the overly glossy recording sound anyway.
   It's very easy to use and install, I use it directly into garage band. I just wish it had more classic marshall models.and in hindsight i probably would have paid more for the powered preamp version rather than the DI version i bought. but it's all good.



2. Pretty straight forward and easy to use. I was looking for a digital interface so I could plug my guitar into my computer to record on Garage Band. The UX1 seemed to have the most bang for my buck. It's got some great guitar amp sounds Line 6 UX1 Tone Port Music Computer Interface ( Windows / Macintosh )and bass amp sounds, I probably won't use them all but at least I have the options. It has the 1/4 inch guitar input as well as the XLR mic input so I can mic my amp if I want to. I believe it was worth the money and would recommend it if you're looking for a digital interface with amp sounds.

5 comments about Inspiration 8.0 CD-ROM [VISTA & OSX].

1. This product is amazing. I recommend this product to any person who wants to stay organized. Me, being a teacher, use it in the classroom for taking notes all the time. It's a great way to get your kids to have fun and learn by taking notes all at the same time!



2. I have used Inspiration software for years as a teacher, Educational Technologist, mother, and now as an educational consultant. While I always enjoy new bells and whistles on any new software, I am so glad that the fundamental elements of this software have been enhanced to make it more user-friendly. Even if you are not technologically inclined, this software can be used as soon as you open it up. My kids (4 and 2 years old) love making relational charts. We made an animals one after we came home from the zoo. It is great for teaching relationships as well as organizational thinking.



3. My 15 year old daughter has been using this software for 3 years now. She has a very difficult time with writing assignments, and this software has really made a difference. She uses this software for all of her written assignments. The fact that Inspirations takes you from idea/concept mapping, to an outline, then on to your final draft is amazing. This software really works for children with learning disabilities!



4. First of all, let me just say that this is solid software. It is available on both Windows and Mac. I will say that I've only used the 30 day trial version, but to the best of my knowledge, it's not in the best interest of Inspiration to offer a trial program that is only a fraction of what the whole product is, seeing that it is a 30 day trial. Please correct me on this one though.
   
   The full version of the software is at an affordable price, compared to similar software, such as SmartDraw, MindManager, and Microsoft OneNote.
   
   Inspiration allows for the user to present information visually. As far as seamless features are concerned, it has room for improvement, but I like the features such as the "Create" button which is on the Main toolbar. This feature allows one to select a part of a diagram such as a circle, box, rounded circle, cloud, or other shapes, and then proceed to add another attached shape to show relationships, and either to the right, left, below, above, or any four diagonal positions, connected to the original shape. Hope that makes sense.
   
   However, as far a seamless aspects of it are concerned, I've had a bit of trouble. When trying to edit text in a text box that is stretched out a considerable amount horizontally and is also large (50 or more), it is a bit tricky to do so. This is because when one wants to edit only a certain amount of text in a text box, they must double click on it, which in turn zooms in, greatly into the text. You may understand how this would create problems when a text box is spread out horizontally. I tried playing around with it, and figured out a way to edit a certain amount of text in a text box, but it is not very seamless. It includes selecting all of the text in a text box via CTRL+A and then pressing and holding SHIFT and then clicking at the conclusion of the text I want to edit.
   
   As far as other features are concerned, incorporating a pretty decent dictionary into the program is a plus in my book. You can also insert a word that you look up, into a text box or into a shape (incorporated into a diagram) It includes a dictation, albeit it sounds a bit too much like Mr. Roboto (if he were real), I give the creators of Inspiration credit for adding such a feature.
   
   The "Rapid Fire" feature, from using it so far, seems like neither "rapid" or "fire". I've yet to really figure out how to use it. It is meant to be a brainstorming feature, but seems to fall short. I will give it some more usage and update this review if I come to find out how to use it effectively.
   
   Something else I like is the option to add "Notes", which are boxes that are distinguishable from the shapes of the diagram and are easily perceived as just that--notes, by a box that allows for a colored outline and colored fill inside the box (for "fill" think "inside of a shape", in computing terms). In addition to this, it seems to allow for a text document within a document, as the "Notes" box allow for one to scroll up or down--I'm just not sure how I would use the scrolling option, and I believe other reviewers have said the same thing in regards to different features of this product. Can I transfer a file to PowerPoint or MS Word, and still have the file retain all of the characteristics and affordances of this software? I haven't been able to yet, and speaking of transferring.
   
   I need to, and users or potential buyers of this program should familiarize their self with different files and their properties. There are a lot of files one can choose from to convert a file made in Inspiration when transferring to a different program. (Plain Text, Encoded Text, Rich Text Format, HTLM Document, various word document files and including 2007, Single File Web Page, and a few others). I believe all have benefits and trade offs.
   
   One more feature I like is the ability to insert hyperlinks into a file. One can include a web page, document, a file, such as a picture or sound, or another inspiration document. One cool way to incorporate this, and I'd like to do this for classes I'm taking this semester, is to include a hyperlink to part of a lecture I've recorded and edite and shortened, and then insert it as a hyperlink into a file in a program such as Inspiration.
   
   Inspiration also allows for a variety of pictures, and they seem to be rather updated. The main trade off is that the photos aren't that high of resolution, but that is a trade off one makes when variety is offered in form of selection of pictures is concerned as well as lesser price. I say this, because when increasing the size of the pictures, they become distorted. The art, on the other hand, which can be inserted just like a picture, is lower picture quality, but can be increased in size, and still retain its resolution, but not for all of them. Also, one more major drawback is that the pictures and art have no label as to indicate what they are exactly, such as in Microsoft programs.
   
   In conclusion, I've yet to find one program that seeks to allow the user to create and re-visit information visually for a modest price and affordable to a student. I believe Inspiration is more so geared to K-12 teachers, but is of value to those not in that group. I would like to see Inspiration improve some of the aspects I mentioned, especially the ones that would not take much investment to do so, such as allowing for easier use of editing large text that is spread horizontally, adding margins onto the working space, and allowing the user to know what it is they are looking at as far as pictures/art are concerned.



5. Existen otras herramientas en las que los diagramas de flujo ayudan a organizar las actividades en un proyecto de investigación, pero ninguna iguala a Inspiration en cuanto a la capacidad de plasmar conceptos y actividades en forma gráfica. Para mis asistentes de Investigación, los mapas mentales construidos en este magnífico software ilustran con rigor científico la ruta de un proyecto, con sus pposibles alternativas y les permiten a partir de ahí desarrollar nuevas ideas.

1 comments about Acoustica Mixcraft 4 - Windows.

1. Garage Band on steroids but for the PC - quick to learn (many aren't) and allows both audio and MIDI recording. Zero latency (delay between playing and hearing/seeing the results). Makes you want to practice.

No comments about Adobe InDesign CS4 Upgrade.

4 comments about Logo Design Studio Pro.

1. A few years ago, I bought a product called "The Logo Creator". It was an excellent value. I needed to upgrade, so I bought the LogoDesign Studio Pro. I figured that it would be the next step up in features and flexibility. Wrong. It comes with only very basic graphics that look like what goes into a grade school program. Nothing professional about it. To get good fonts and even simple "swooshes", you have to buy the add-on packages. I wasted my money.



2. when deciding to update my current company logo, I thought - hey, this says "professional logos made easy..." on the box. Basically it sucked. Could not import any of my own extensive library of clip art, and the art that came with the software was horrible. Could not create a simple name logo without an opaque background, so what I created was essentially useless, unless inserted onto a solid white document.



3. When you open Logo Design Studio v3.5 you are blasted in the face with a large advertisement for a legal services website. And this is with the registered (paid) version 3.5.
   
   There is no way to remove this advertisement, I have complained to their support department and have been totally ignored.
   
   I do not pay for adware, however in this case, I was tricked. They added this advertisement and called it an upgrade! I could find absolutely no functionality improvements.
   
   Needless to say, I will not be doing any more business with this company.



4. Not sure about the problems others were having with this software, but I have no problem creating logos with a transparent background (you just need to export it as a transparent PNG or GIF). The legal website that is shown in the program is meant to be a resource to help direct people to an affordable trademark alternative if you are even interested in this.
   
   The software itself also allows you to create graphics for just about anything, not just logos. You can manipulate the look of text (text with outlines, wavy text, text that projects out like the intro to Star Wars, text you can curve around a circle, etc.). You can add a wide variety of effects; adjust colors; draw shapes; insert nearly any graphic or clip art (jpeg, bmp, png, tiff, wmf, emf, and more); you can even create icons in the software and save it in ICO format.
   
   The new version (3.5) of Logo Design Studio Pro now includes over 5000 pre-designed graphic objects (some average, some extremely well done...just depends on individual taste) and over 1200 pre-designed logo templates. This more than doubles the amount from the previous Pro version and is the greatest value that you can find anywhere online or in retail...Summitsoft's commitment to regular updates and freshening up the template and object content is probably what makes it the #1 selling logo design software available.

No comments about Magix Movie Edit Pro 12.

3 comments about Apple Garageband Jam Pack: Remix Tools.

1. With Garage Band's standard-issue synth patches and loops, it was hard to make new music without using the same sounds more than once. With these Jam Packs, I can get lost just finding loops to use - which is a really good thing! Definitely worth the money!



2. this product is great it comes with lots of loops, and plenty of new instruments, it makes it alot easier to make hip hop beats.



3. GarageBand is so much fun but its so limited. This gave me so many more options. Looking forward to trying the other ones.

3 comments about eMedia Earmaster 5.

1. I got this product because I wanted to practice pitch recognition (i.e. hear random pitches, match them with the right note (a flat - g sharp) The product gets 2 stars because the box and ads say it has pitch recognition, but does not explain what kind. (You discover that when you open the box, download the software, and destroy your chance to return it.)
   
   **(041708) In response to a comment: What it DOES do is pretty good. For that I'd rank it four stars. (The average of those two issues ends up as a 3.)
   It allows practice of intervals, note patterns, "which note is higher" excercises, etc, as well as letting you choose between "classic"/guided exercises, jazz type exercises, or customizing the lessons it has available. It even allows you to select what type of intervals to practice (ninths and fifths, just seconds, major/minor chords, etc). It also allow you to respond and see your practice sessions using piano or guitar formats.
   It's a decent product, but its packaging does not explain itself well.



2. Ear Master has two components that have sold me to the product. Besides the conventional ear-training excercises, there is an area dedicated to jazz ear training. For those of us who improvise, wish to improvise and just wish to improve...the excercises allow you to "hear changes". Also there is a section that allows you to isolate any area that is giving you problems (ex>sus 2 versus sus 4 chords harmonically) and constantly have excercises given to you to really learn and eventually HEAR the change. I highly recommend this to any musician.



3. I'm just learning Music Theory so this is a little more complex than what I'm looking for right now.
   
   I like the exercises and know they will help me when I'm ready, but I wish they'd make these softwares more fun. Yes, I am an adult but, why can't I choose the look of my tutor? The one here looks so somber, really old and depressing.
   
   And since it is a software and it's in our technology, why can't the tutor talk. I like that better, the tutor speaking, telling you the lesson (like a real teacher in a class). Music Ace Deluxe and Harmonic Vision Music Ace do that and it makes learning more fun.
   
   Anyway, there's a trial version for this, see if it works for you.