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  • Font Explorer X Pro vs Suitcase Fusion 2

    #1
    Hello all,

    I apologize if this has been asked before, but I ran a search and didn't anything.

    I've been using Linotype Font Explorer X for about 6 months. First on my Mac Pro at my old job and now on my unibody MBP. I was waiting for a new version to be released which supported CS4 and was told by Linotype one would be forthcoming. Unfortunately they neglected to tell me it would be a paid upgrade So I'm a little upset they decided to go paid, but can't really blame em. So now that its paid I'm trying to decide between FEX and Extensis Fusion 2. I haven't really used Suitcase on the Mac before as I've always been Windows based before I got my Macbook. I have used the older Windows versions of Suitcase (8.x/9.x) and the newer Suitcase for Windows but those pale in comparison to the Mac versions.

    Can anybody help me decide between the two? I already have my fonts imported into FEX 1.23 and have a few sets. I've downloaded the trial and the interface refresh is nice and the few small updates are nice but it doesn't seem to offer a wole lot over the previous (free) version. The other caveat is through the end of February they're offering it for 50% off the normal price which makes it only $40 and 60% less than Suitcase. How much better (or worse ) is Suitcase than FEX? Its kinda hard to try to test 2 font managers at the same time. Kinda like trying to evaluate 2 anti-virus software concurrently.

    Thanks

  • #2
    Pay the $40 for FEX. Its worth it.

    Comment


    • #3
      Ditto.

      I'm using the trial version on all of my machines, and will purchase it.

      Suitcase doesn't do it for me. At all. I had lots of problems that disappeared when I switched to FEX.
      This post is brought to you by the letter E and the number 9. Those are the buttons I push to get a Twix out of the candy machine.
      "I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process."

      Comment


      • #4
        We bought Suitcase and had a lot of problems with it. I was pretty happy when we got FEX for free. I'd pay $40 for FEX. It's still cheaper than Suitcase and far more stable.
        It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?" – Winnie the Pooh

        Comment


        • #5
          Ditto.

          Comment


          • #6
            What they said.

            I switched to FEX because it was better. The fact that it was free was just a bonus.

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks everybody for the replies. I think I'll go with FEX. I hadn't used Suitcase in a while and didn't know if its stability had improved.

              Comment


              • #8
                OK, just to throw a spanner in the works, I received an e-mail today from these folks, who are releasing a font management app: http://bohemiancoding.com/?Fontcase

                Disclaimer: I know nothing about this company or software and I was not a beta tester. I have not downloaded it because I'm currently evaluainting FEX Pro for work.
                This post is brought to you by the letter E and the number 9. Those are the buttons I push to get a Twix out of the candy machine.
                "I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process."

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by garricks View Post
                  OK, just to throw a spanner in the works, I received an e-mail today from these folks, who are releasing a font management app: http://bohemiancoding.com/?Fontcase
                  They looks like a very basic font manager. They don't list a comprehensive feature list and I didn't see anywhere where they state it supports font activation or auto activation.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by garricks View Post
                    OK, just to throw a spanner in the works, I received an e-mail today from these folks, who are releasing a font management app: http://bohemiancoding.com/?Fontcase

                    Disclaimer: I know nothing about this company or software and I was not a beta tester. I have not downloaded it because I'm currently evaluainting FEX Pro for work.
                    I have a friend exploring that one now. When I get the review I'll post it. And I promise to delete the expletives.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Cool, PH. I'm happy with FEX, and I'm fine with FEX Pro so far. I'll be interested in your friend's review, especially any CS3-4 auto-activation action.
                      This post is brought to you by the letter E and the number 9. Those are the buttons I push to get a Twix out of the candy machine.
                      "I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process."

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        garricks, any comments on some of the advantages of going Pro with FEX? We're using the free version at work right now, and really like it.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I'll see what he says, I got that same link from him yesterday. I know he's played around with it. I'm with Urst also, how's the FEX Pro? Enquiring minds and all that

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by urstwile View Post
                            garricks, any comments on some of the advantages of going Pro with FEX? We're using the free version at work right now, and really like it.
                            Here is a list of the changes in the Pro version from the previous free version 1.2.3, which I pulled from the website.

                            Font management
                            • Enable/disable fonts
                            • Clear font caches
                            • Clear application (Adobe®, Microsoft®, Quark®)
                              font caches
                            • Enable/disable sets and smart sets
                            • Sets and smart sets
                            • Support for Apple®´s font collections
                            • Font family view
                            • OpenType® style linking view
                            • NEW: Activation control with application-based
                              sets and font request view

                            Font information
                            • Customizable preview
                            • NEW: Customizable list view
                            • Detailed preview
                            • Character view
                            • Character information
                            • Improved Font information
                            • NEW: Kerning pairs
                            • Export as image/zip/disk image


                            System integration
                            • Spotlight support
                            • Works on Mac OS 10.4.x
                            • NEW: Works on Mac OS 10.5.x (note this isn't entirely true I've been using FEX 1.2.3 on my unibody MBP with OS X 10.5.5 and 10.5.6 with no problems. probably now its "supported")


                            Missing-Font Handling
                            • Systemwide auto-activation of fonts
                            • Adobe InDesign® CS1/CS2/CS3 plug-ins
                            • Adobe Illustrator® CS1/CS2/CS3 plug-ins
                            • NEW: Adobe InDesign CS4 plug-in
                            • NEW: Adobe Illustrator CS4 plug-in
                            • NEW:Adobe Photoshop® CS3 plug-in
                            • NEW:Adobe Photoshop CS4 plug-in
                            • QuarkXPress® 6.5/7.x plug-ins
                            • NEW:QuarkXPress 8 plug-ins

                            Miscellaneous
                            • NEW: Configurable toolbar
                            • Integrated font store
                            • NEW: Font store can be hidden by user or server admin
                            • Conflict handling
                            • Document font scanner
                            • Growl support
                            • NEW: Backup functionality
                            • NEW: Quick Install functionality
                            • Universal binary
                            • NEW: Connects to the all new FontExplorer X Server
                            • NEW: Support included
                            • Overall interface and functionality improvement


                            Help functions
                            • Setup assistant
                            • Auto updater
                            • Comprehensive application help
                            • Online FAQ archive
                            • NEW: Integrated PDF manual

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Well those Photoshop auto-activation plug-ins might be worth the price of admission, if they really work.

                              And what's the kerning pairs dealio? It shows you the kern pairs in the font? Or allows you to alter them? Meh on the first option, if it's the second one.

                              The one thing I really liked in Quark, which InDesign doesn't feature, is the ability to set custom kerning for certain pairs pertinent to the document, rather than application wide. And there was another program I used to use (no, not Fontographer) that let you create suitcases with custom kerned font as well, back in OS 8 or 9 days, I've completely forgotten what it was called.

                              Comment

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