Using DVD Profiler Software on Mac & Other Queries

[LFCRules]

Wow, a brand new forum to play with :grin:

A bit like a few others recently, I am really thinking of spending this years bonus money on a new laptop, and delving into the world of Mac. One of things which are going through my mind is what I use on my current laptop (IBM Thinkpad :eek: I work for them, so get a good discount), and whether they'll work ok on a Mac:

1) DVD Profiler (used to catalog DVD collection), from intervocative's own webpage, they say this is not Mac compatible. However, they suggest using Virtual PC as an emluator. Anyone else do this with DVD profiler?
- what other software do people use to catalogue their DVD collections on their Mac's other than DVD profiler. I've heard Delicious Library looks good.

2) Simple question for Mac users, I've currently got a Western Digital 500Gb hard drive connected to my laptop using USB2.0, and it's formatted in NTFS format. Will this be a simple plug and play connection to a macbook? I've not got that much on it, but I'd prefer not to have to reformat it if I don't have to.

3) One thing I really like about my IBM laptop, is the excellent online support and downloads of software upgrades it supplies. Am I right in assuming Apple have the equivalent that will notify, download, and manage software updates where required?

That's all for now, but I'm sure I'll come up with some more :smashin:

Cheers, Andy

[theronster]

I use Delicious Library - it's very pretty, the only complaint I have is that there is no way to specify what region your discs are. I think you might be able to configure it a bit to sort that out though.

As for the drive - I'm not sure - one sec I'll check...

OS X will read NTFS, but not write to it - if I were you I would format the drive to either HFS or FAT - Macs can handle both of these. HFS is probably better as it's OSX's native file format.

Software Update? You betcha :thumbsup: ! Configurable for Weekly, Daily or monthly checks. It's a dream.

[ahin4114]

I must admit I didn't try running my copy of DVDProfiler on the mac, though I did consider it.
I bought myself a license for delicious library and I have put all of my DVD's onto there (and started on my CD's and books actually). It doesn't have a fraction of the information or functionality of DVDProfiler, but I have had chats with the developers there about approaching Intervocative for access to their database. I've also thought about writing something to achieve just that (if only I had the time).

If you just want a list of the DVD's you have, and a way of tracking who's borrowed them then delicious will do the job. If you want all the hyperlinked actor and director information and detailed into on all of the discs (which I rarely used anyhow), then DVDProfiler might be your only choice.

Problem is that nobody at Intervocative has heard anything about 2.5 going gold in over a year, and certainly nothing about further development after that, so you may be holding onto a lemon?

[ahin4114]

With regards to the disc, you may (or may not) have issues using the disc utility to format as HFS. There appears to be a defect in the software when formatting some USB external drives. Firewire connections don't suffer apparently. I had to use command line tools to get mine formatted, it's not pretty, but at least you've got the option. Let us know if you have problems and I'll try and jot down how to do it.

[LFCRules]

I use Delicious Library - it's very pretty, the only complaint I have is that there is no way to specify what region your discs are. I think you might be able to configure it a bit to sort that out though.

As for the drive - I'm not sure - one sec I'll check...

OS X will read NTFS, but not write to it - if I were you I would format the drive to either HFS or FAT - Macs can handle both of these. HFS is probably better as it's OSX's native file format.

Software Update? You betcha :thumbsup: ! Configurable for Weekly, Daily or monthly checks. It's a dream.

Appreciate the info :thumbsup:

There's not a lot I've got on the hard drive yet, only PC weekly backups, my Itunes collection, and pics. I suppose these can be uploaded to the laptop harddrive and then reformatted. Good news about the software update also.

Problem is that nobody at Intervocative has heard anything about 2.5 going gold in over a year, and certainly nothing about further development after that, so you may be holding onto a lemon?

Yeah, but what a very good lemon it is :smashin:

I know what you mean though, it's great, but without investment, it's not really going anywhere. I do use occassionally the cross listing of actors and films when looking for a film someone was in, but on the whole I use it to scroll through the collection to find something to watch, as it's easier than scrolling through the shelves and shelves and shelves of DVD's I have :grin:

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated :clap:

[LFCRules]

Got another question, do you guys use your Mac's to synchronise phone numbers with your mobiles? My motorola phone tools software looks to be PC compatible only, and sync's with Outlook express. How would this be done via a Mac??

[ahin4114]

Depends what Motorola you're using. Check out www.markspace.com, the missing sync might do what you're after.

I'm toying with the idea of buying it at the moment, but they've only just officially said they'll support my phone, and I'm waiting for a few more die hards to test the water first.

[glynhughes]

Missing Sync from Markspace works for me - I can sync contacts, calendar between my iMate-type Windows pocketPC phone and Mac.

It was a bit of a chore to set up as I recall (a year ago - so that might have been improved on) but it works.

I tried PocketMac originally (no trial - had to buy it) and that was a disaster. Again, that was a year ago so might be worth a look.

In both cases, definitely look for recent user feedback on current versions. Always take the free trial of there is one.

[LFCRules]

What about security on a Macbook Pro? My IBM laptop has an integrated finger print reader, hard disk password, bios password, windows password, and all on an embedded security chip. Plus I also keep it locked via Kensington lock. This, in theory, makes it pretty secure if nicked.

What sort of security is available on Macbook's?

[LFCRules]

On answering my own question :grin: I found an application called Undercover, by Orbicule. Anyone here use it?

Undercover (http://orbicule.com/undercover/)

[flugger]

On answering my own question :grin: I found an application called Undercover, by Orbicule. Anyone here use it?

Undercover (http://orbicule.com/undercover/)
no but it looks very cool.

the macbook pro has a kensington lock slot

[pixelpixel]

no but it looks very cool.

the macbook pro has a kensington lock slot

Yep useful, but I once was at a training course when someone walked away with all the machines. They broke the tables in order to remove the locks. :(