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CreativeTechs's picture
66 pencils

What is the best font manager for Mac OS X?

We recently put four major font management utilities through a series of head-to-head comparisons: Apple's Font Book, Extensis Suitcase Fusion, Insider FontAgent Pro, and Linotype's FontExplorer X.

Take a look. I haven't been able to find a breakdown like this anywhere else. I'd appreciate any feedback:

http://www.creativetechs.com/tips/fontmanagement/

We were shooting for more than an isolated software review. This project compared these four major font managers on three key criteria:

- Installation and Setup
- Interface
- Auto-Activation

I broke down what I like and don't like about each utility. More importantly we've created almost an hour of QuickTime video clips showing these different font managers in action.

This project site does not officially go live until Monday morning. Any quick feedback would be well appreciated.

Email:
Web: www.creativetechs.com
Tagline: Left-brain support for Right-brain Pros.

Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.

JimD's picture
2617 pencils

Very well written, from a user's point of view!

CreativeGuy

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Visit The Graphic Mac for graphics and Mac OS tips, reviews, tutorials and discussion.

Ivan's picture

Hey Jim! I haven't seen you around for such a long time. Don't blame you the speed was unbearable.

JimD's picture
2617 pencils

The slow load-time was a killer for a while. Still, I've been dropping in as often as I can. It's been pretty busy for me lately.

CreativeGuy

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Visit The Graphic Mac for graphics and Mac OS tips, reviews, tutorials and discussion.

mascarnhas's picture
2 pencils

I've used Report and although its great, I've had better luck with WheresTheFreeSpace. It is Modeled after a PC application that is very popular called Treesize (but its for Mac).

Art D. Rector's picture
2639 pencils

Bookmarked it cuz I'm getting ready to upgrade.

Thanks.

excursioner's picture
2 pencils

I always used Extensis Suitcase but now I'm really loving FontCase. Is like iPhoto or iTunes for digital type.
Here's the web page:
http://www.bohemiancoding.com/fontcase/

Mauricio Fernandez Rosiñol
excursioner.net

natobasso's picture
3954 pencils

Definitely prefer FontExplorer. Auto loads fonts when needed, allows sets, and is very intuitive.

illusions too's picture
1 pencil

Great and informative article. I know it took some time to write that. Any chance you'll have time to update it a bit to include the new contenders such as FontExplorer X Pro?

natobasso's picture
3954 pencils

Thanks for that, glad you liked the post. I won't be buying FE X Pro so won't be reviewing it. Send along any info and I'll post it and credit you!

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