Does Anyone Else Use a Macintosh Computer To Do Appraising?

[Stone]

It has been interesting reading this thread. I hope to find a way to go back to running a Mac, although my next purchase (this summer) will probably be another pc. Maybe the next one?. (yes that makes me part of the problem)

I'm glad to read that there are others out there who feel the same way. I don't think people who have been running PC's forever understand just how dependable Macs are. The idea that Macs are "cooler" is nice, but the real emphasis should be ease of use. After a few years of running a PC, it still drives me crazy from time to time. PC users are so used to tweaking and patching their operating systems that periodic freezes and errors are just part of the routine. The discussion is always about this new OS freezes less. I miss an OS that virtually never had any sort of issue.

 

[Em Tee]

I would love to get some help on running Macappraiser. We had an old mac running Macappraiser 3.0 forever. We recently upgraded to a newer Mac and 3.7 and now all our URARs print out with the printing squished together, like one big word. The people at Bradford have been no help and we're extremely frustrated. I think we're going to be forced to switch to a PC. Bradford makes a program that converts mac docs to pc docs. The biggest problem is that the sketches don't convert. It's all very very irritating. Also, we can't do photos on macappraiser since it will only import .pict photos and all ours are jpg. If I were just beginning, I would say stay away from the Mac - there's too many problems!!!

 

[Ken Martin]

Mary
Not sure what could be causing your printer problems. You might try reloading the printer software. I was visiting an appraisers office today that is all Mac's. I used to work with him and he called me for some computer assistance. He is using Performas with MacAppraiser 3.7 and has them connected via Appletalk. Printing is done on Epson color printer and an HP laser. Photos are taken with the Sony Mavica (jpg) with no problems.
After I left him, I also used Mac's. I had a IIci, a Performa, and an Imac with MacAppraiser, and a Classic II for bookeeping. I used a Kodak 240 for photos (jpg). Used the program that came with the camera to take photos off the camera and stored in a folder on the Imac. At the time I felt the ease of placing photos in file very easy and never had a problem with it. I scanned in maps, plats, etc. with ease. My problem was that there was just not enough blank pages to permit scanning sufficient pages.
You're right about the sketches not converting in Toolbox, but that appears to be standard with all conversion programs. When converting Toolbox files to Athena, it only converts the major form.

 

[airphoto]

Mary/Ken,

I have found, at least in Toolbox, that if one opens a standard viewing program (ala "Kodak Imaging" in WinDoze) and outline your picture with a viewing box (by dragging the mouse) and copying that box, that you can then simply paste what you copied into the picture area in the software .. no need to import a *.jpg or *.bmp or otherwise .. the cut and paste feature takes care of the housekeeping.

Try it!

 

[Dee Ann Casey]

You seem to have used MacAppraiser and the PC version of Toolbox for a long time. Why did you switch to Alamode instead?

I just ordered a demo of MacAppraiser/Toolbox so I am interested in getting some feedback.

Also, you mentioned that you had a hard time adding extra addendum pages into the report--what did you do to remedy this problem?

 

[Dee Ann Casey]

This last post is for Ken Martin. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Ken Martin]

Dee Ann

I converted from Mac to Windows when I took on 2 trainees that had Windows laptops. I was ready to change because of the limitation on adding addendum pages in the Mac. I then later found a similar limitation in Toolbox. All was well until the VA switched to Ecommerce. Doing VA new construction, we have to scan in all the plans and spec pages which can go up to 10 scanned addendum pages. MacAppraiser has only a couple of pages available, Toolbox 9.7x has some blank pages, and also some blank map pages that could be used. Toolbox Version 10 should be great, however it has been in the development stage for quite some time and is not fully functionable yet. Alamode's Athena is here today and just about any amount of addendum pages can be added. I have just about all the bells and whistles that comes with Athena including Pocket Total. All is well.

 

[pat hearns]

Hi,
I've read some of the informative posts from the few Mac users and am hoping that some, or at least one of the savvy Mac techs (DAVE BIGGERS - are you out there?) one can help me with mine. I am using a IMAC - OS X running virtual pc/windows 98. I am having one heck of a time trying to install a HP psc 950 All In One i.e. printer, scanner, copier, fax. Windows asks me from which drive i wish to install - A: D: D/Win95/98, etc. Of course, the Mac has only a disc drive.

The printer does shows up on the HP list, and should, I believe automatically recognize or go to auto installation process but it dosen't. I have tried the various methods, even using the start up disk. Either way, it will not install. have checked the usb port connections, all is well on that end. Have successfully installed the printer on OS X (initially, not without multiple failures) but have been told that i need to install on the Virtual PC side too. Have browsed the Microsoft site, and the HP site, read, help files etc and don't know where to begin. I am hoping that some suggestions might save me some tedious searching and precious time.

Thand you.
Pat

 

[George W Dodd]

"I am just getting set up in my home office and am currently in the process of deciding which software to use. I have narrowed it down to either ACI, WinTotal or DayOne. "

Dee Ann,

I had been a user of DayOne products since the days of DOS. BUT NOT ANY MORE :x

Try to make a tech call to DayOne: leave a message and we'll get back to you ... maybe sometime a week later. :x

Software features don't work, features aren't there yet, don't worry a patch will be comming out soon. :x

A 100 day money back guarantee! HA. Not gonna happen! Just order their "palm package" and see what happens if you don't like it and want to return it! All of a sudden it's third party software! :x :x :x

I am now a user of WinTotal and I would be happy to tell you why!

Tech support, customer service, and quality software. The folks at alamode are great. Need help, give'em a call.

WinTotal: great features, great intergration, happy appraiser!

About operating an OS within an OS ... Not a good idea. Buy an inexpensive PC and use XP for your appraisal work. I've been a user of Win2k pro and WinXP pro for a while and can tell you that they are very stable OS.

Good luck.