Mac software update for Fine Woodworking Archive
bamadoc
| Posted in General Discussion on
I purchased the Fine woodworking Archive DVD a couple of years ago. I loaded it onto my Mac and it has worked fine. Unfortunately, the software is 32 bit and the upcoming newest Mac OS will only launch 64 bit programs. Does Taunton have a newer version of the program available? I don’t want to lose the ability to access my paid for archives.
Replies
The 2019 archive is optimized for 64-bit.
*edit - Upgrades are now available. Call Customer Service at 866-325-2495 or email [email protected].
That’s great but I don’t really want to pay $99 just to get software that allows me to access the archive that I have already purchased. Can I just get an update to the software?
Two options.
Don't update your software. I'm a pretty heavy computer user and I'm still using 10.7 Lion on a 2009 Mac. The whole industry is predicated on maintaining profitability by "outdating" your software/hardware prematurely. Ben will be more than happy to sell you a new 2019 archive. :)
Second option. If you choose to update, you can use a Virtual Machine to run the 32 bit software. There are a number of VM programs that will allow you to run old software. There are some open source programs (free) and some non-open source that offer free "light versions" that will likely work. Google is your friend.
I updated my MacBook pro to Mojave 12.14.6. Now when i try to open a 32-bit app, it gives me a warning that, for example, Fine Homebuilding/Fine Woodworking, A.K.A. 32 bit programs -- won't work with future OpSys upgrades -- and then it opens the archive. Yes, my MacBook is a "late 2013" model, so that may help, but I am like you, not going to pay for yet another version of the library. Not going to buy a new MacBook Pro, either. Nor an iMac. That "warning" spooked me, but it opened anyway. I might not even buy a new FH or FW library update until i finally get a 64-bit Mac. I never needed to be at the front of the tech race, and I haven't bought a "new" computer when my current ones work. None of my computer use currently depends on 64-bit chips/programming. Heck, I use a 2010 iMac (just for my workshop, don't even go on line with it) and it works just fine for what i use it for.
I'll try a VM program, first.
" The 2019 archive is optimized for 64-bit." Pretty typical Fine Woodworking response, just give us some more money. Just cancelled my online subscription. Wont be getting any more money from me. Sad!
Mike-
The original post asked "Does Taunton have a newer version of the program available?". So, since he owned the archive, he'd be able to upgrade to the 2019 version for a small upgrade fee. That's how the archives work. We don't expect people to buy it at full price every year. I'm sorry you didn't like my answer to his question, but I did in fact answer his question as it was asked.
I'd say your complaint is with Apple, not Fine Woodworking. Why should they give you a new, more updated product for free because Apple changed its software -- or because you decided to change to a new OS? Will you be demanding free upgrades from the makers of all of your 32 bit programs as well?
Send some nasty letters to Apple, and tell them you'll no longer buy their product if they insist on making all of your existing software function.
How about developers have known about it for a while, as this 64bit only thing has been on the cards since its announcement back in June 2017. I fully understand that developers have to be paid by someone and that's why lots companies are going to a subscription model to support future development. Still, doesn't mean it doesn't stink.
When is the 2019 archive going to be available?
I have the 2018 archive, but haven't gotten any notifications yet.
Hopefully Ben Strano will see this and reply.
Where can one find the information about upgrading to the 2019 version if one already owns the 2018 version? I purchased the 2018 in September and was unpleasantly surprised when I discovered it would not work with MacOS Catalina.
I emailed Fine Woodworking customer service last week (as is listed as the contact in the help info for the app). I explained the situation, asking if there was an upgrade option given I purchased it 2 months ago and the response was extremely disappointing. The customer service person said something along the lines of "We can't find a record of your magazine subscription so we can't help you. Please give us your account number for further assistance." It was like the person didn't even read my email or understand what I was asking.
I replied and explained that there is no account associated with the archive that comes on USB and DVD and that I don't have an annual subscription and again explained that I was asking about if it would be possible to upgrade to the 2019 version and how much it would cost, or do I have to buy the product again.
This was the reply I received to my clarified query:
"Our new archive product, that is currently in development, will work within the new MacOS without issue.
We are unable to locate your account using your email address, therefore we cannot issue a refund for your purchase."
I never asked for a refund. I'm not looking for a refund. I just want to know, is it possible to upgrade from the 2018 version to the 2019 version? If so, how much does it cost, and how do I go about upgrading?
At this point, I am extremely disappointed with the customer service I have received. The rep does not seem to be actually reading or understanding my email.
After about a week's worth of time, clarifying the misunderstood request, waiting a couple days for a reply, I am about to just give up on Fine Woodworking, which is a shame because I really like the magazine content. But I refuse to support a company that doesn't even appear to try to understand a customer's needs.
Shoot me an email MostTornBrain, [email protected]. We'll get it straightened out.
Ben, I looked on the site but could not find any info about an upgrade. Can you provide info on how to do an upgrade.
I have often thought about buying the archive, seems like a quite useful tool as is all of the FWW site. But with unlimited, I think I get the same access without the archive USB stick getting lost, or more likely, copying it onto my hard drive.
I went ahead and purchased this year's collection at full price (well, with coupon code). I didn't see any option to upgrade either (I've purchased the 2018 as well). It's not very clear, if there is an option.
Ben Strano said, "The 2019 archive is optimized for 64-bit." System Requirements for the 2019 version say, "Mac OS X v10.8, 10.9, 10.10, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13." That suggests that the archive is still not compatible with recent Mac OS.
I too am running OS-X 10.15. Can we get a definitive answer on whether the 2019 archive will work or not with 10.15?
I too bought the 2018 version. Can we get an answer to how one can obtain the 2019 version with an upgrade price?
Thank you,
Aram
I'm still on MacOS 10.13 High Sierra (which I think is 32 bit) however the version of the archive I have (circa 2010) throws an error:
I get an error when opening a magazine:
"Director Player Error
Unknown Symbol
Member 31 of castLib 4
Script Error. Continue"
Clicking Yes does not work.
Please advise.
I have the same issue: the FWW Archive no longer runs on Catalina because FWW application developers either IGNORED the 32-bit warnings or whoever manages that aspect of their business REALLY thinks that we’re going to shell out more $$ to access a product we’ve ALREADY BOUGHT OUTRIGHT (not licenced, we bought it free and clear). It’s profoundly disappointing to witness this kind of cavalier, money-grabbing behaviour from a publication that’s supposed to represent QUALITY and CRAFTSMANSHIP. What standard of quality does your software adhere to? Where’s the craftsmanship when you buy something from them and then they deliberately let it BREAK because they think they can put their hand in your pocket again? What if I bought a chisel on Monday and Friday the handle falls off because ‘the newer chisels have devices to hold the handles firmly in place and only cost another $99’. Do you think I’d buy from that seller again? Good lord. If I were them I’d get a fix out for this, it’s just a software issue of recompiling the reader application to be 64-bit. Seriously, this isn’t complicated.
PocketHandyman-
Like I said at the top of this post the 2019 archive is optimized for 64-bit. Call Customer Service at 866-325-2495 or email [email protected]
The upgrade is not $99.
Just spoke with a very helpful person (Kerry) from customer service. She told me the upgrade to the 64 bit version was $20 (quite reasonable). Unfortunately, they are all out of stock of both DVD and USB, and would be unable to take my order until the new batch comes in....probably November. Guess we will have to wait to place our upgrade order for a while.
And I should have followed up on my earlier post. I talked to customer service at some point when I was buying the 2019 archive and they made a switcheroo and I ended up only paying the $20 upgrade price (which seemed reasonable for the new years worth of issues).
I won't say the app isn't worth anything (as, hey, the search is nice), but the meat of what you're paying for is the content. Even if the app stops working, there's still the folder with the pdfs of every issue.
I think Taunton Press should or could publish a printed black and white type archive in note book binder form. This could be added to on a year by year basis. Wouldn't this resolve some or all of these issues? Wouldn't this also future proof this as well?
Here's the current situation:
1) Ben Strano emailed suggesting I reinstalled the product - no change.
2) Customer services say they can't give me an updated product.
3) Customer services say that 2019 archive is sold out.
4) Customer services say that 2020 archive will be out early 2021.
5) Currently I can't buy ANY products as I'm in Europe and there are GDPR issues. They have passed this to their law department to answer me whether I can buy the product in 2021, no answer so far.
Not impressed. Should not have to re-purchase a product to sort out a software issue. And anyway, purchase currently impossible so stuck. Very poor customer service, TBH.
Regards,
David Carter.
Equally disappointing and frustrating. We’ve bought a software product and what we’re asking for is a *working* version of the software, that will help keep us as readers/subscribers. That’s the value of FWW letting people DOWNLOAD it to permit using our purchases. It should NOT be tied to a physical disk or USB stick. If we have the archive data, it’s a very straightforward thing to update the program that indexes and displays the magazines. Another $20?? No thanks. I’ll see what Popular Woodworking has online. Or Woodworkers Guild of America. FWW is enjoyable, but certainly not the only source for quality woodworking info.
If you think that Popular Woodworking is a current alternative for Fine Woodworking, you are sadly mistaken.
I don't understand the vitriol toward FWW. Over the years, operating system upgrades have made a lot of software unusable. I never blamed the application vendor -- they didn't alter the operating system, or install it.
They re-wrote the entire thing, though. It's not just replacing a simple, small .app file. It's five GB of data that they probably aren't set up to serve.
Also, if you play any games on Steam, you may note that a Catalina install broke most of them because of the 32-bit lockout. Given that it was a free, non-required OS install, it's a bit of caveat emptor.
It would be nice if there was a better solution than buying the $20 upgrade archive (that's not currently available), but there were multiple factors at play here, and when I knew Catalina would break 32-bit, I decided that was a risk I was willing to take.
The particular issue I'm facing is NOT specifically related to an OS Upgrade, although could be a side-effect of one. In fact, as it happens, I'm using an old mac (mid 2010) and an old OS 10.13 (High Sierra) which is the newest MacOS variant Apple is willing to serve up to me.
The issue I'm facing, is a Director Player Error (specifically something to do with the "Xtra INM Impressario2Pages") which pops up annoyingly and randomly throughout most of the application, and prevents some functionality working at all. This is patently because Adobe Director is no longer a product produced or supported by Adobe and the components that used to work on MacOS like the Player and its extras like Impressario2Pages no longer work - either because of code-rust or just because MacOS upgrades broke them.
I'm blaming Taunton/FWW for this situation since they (or whoever they commissioned to put this together) chose a heavyweight component like Adobe Director with which to put it all together when a much simpler framework like HTML 2.0 would have been fine and would have worked for approximately a billion years in the future.
Since Adobe Director no longer exists, it seems rational to me to re-frame the application in something more portable and future-proof and offer this new container as a free upgrade to existing owners of the archive. We have purchased a copy of the contents of the archive - I personally don't care how it's accessed, as long as it works. Asking me to pay for a duplicate archive in a different format seems punitive and potentially as fragile in another 10 years time (I bought my archive circa 2011).
Regards,
David Carter.
David,
There is a folder of PDFs as part of the archive. I'm not sure a more future-proof system exists. We have an online-index that is updated every issue. Again, this helps make your folder of PDFs fairly future proof.
I should add, that is seems as though you know enough about software to know that nothing is future proof.
Thanks Ben.
I'm aware of the PDFs. It's the ability to search and open files is useful. I wasn't aware of the online index, it looks good but not exhaustive.
Perhaps I should write my own search engine.
David.
Another option, David, is to use a database viewer to open the mysql file that contains a database of the text of all the issues, cross referenced with issue numbers, page numbers, etc. That is assuming the version you are using has a mysql file included - the version from 2018 did, but it could be older versions used a different method to index the articles.
It's not a perfect solution, but if the original viewer with the built-in search is no longer working on your older Mac, that might be an option if you are familiar with databases and your version used that database format.
Cheers,
Brian
Using the MacOS Finder, while on your "Desktop", try doing this:
Type CMD-N or choose 'New Window from the 'File" menu
Type CMD-F or choose 'Find' near the bottom of the 'File' menu.
Choose either your computer or your home folder in the 'Search' line
Below, where the word 'kind' appears, click on 'Any' to show a list of file types
Click PDF
Enter what you want to search for in the 'Search' line. You can use AND or OR for additional search criteria
Press the return key
Now you have a list of all PDF's that match your search for free. By 'right clicking and choosing Finder, a contextual menu pops out to allow finding the enclosing folder, sharing, quick look, compressing, info, etc. Most of the search features are already built into the Finder for free. Exploring the Finder 'Search' command, you’ll find there are many things you can do including multiple criteria, hidden files, system files, saved searches, etc. Apple has already provided you with one of the most powerful search tools available for the Mac. Since MacOS has already indexed your files, it is quite fast — you just might have to spend a little time to teach yourself on how to use it.
I'll say it again. I use computers, don't write software. If that's the requirement for using the FWW, I guess I don't get to use the one i purchased last year (2019).
I will take Ben up on his offer. Waaay in the past, when Microsoft updated to a new edition, anyone who paid for the previous edition got the new one for a nominal price. (Back about Win 3.11, 95, and I think 98). $20 for FWW is reasonable. I guess.
I completely agree with KasiloLeif. We should not have to struggle through alternative ways to make our purchased products useable. I understand the nature of capitalism is planned obsolescence, but come on. Things purchased in 2019 should be future-proofed through to 2023 at minimum. I wonder if the upgrade requests are piling up, and revenue for archive sales is down? If FWW had been transparent about this at the time of purchase I’d gladly pay $10, but certainly not $20 every year, for a patch that works. How about it Taunton?
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