Microsoft Visio Professional 2007 Review

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(More customer reviews)I been using Visio Enterprise 2003 for the last 3 years with Sql Server 2000. My only use of visio relates to database modeling. Once the drawing is been approved, I simply used "Update" option to update database. The update option is a time saving feature in a rapid application development environment for changing relationship, keys and constraints. Writing those changes back to Sql Server is a smooth process.
Recently i changed my development environment to SQL Server 2005 and figured out that Visio 2003 Enterprise does not work with SQL Server 2005. So I decided to buy visio professional 2007 to use the single feature of database modeling.
Upon installation, I figured that there is no option for writing changes back to SQL Server 2005 in either version of Visio (2003 Enterprise, 2007 Professional). In simple there is no "update" or "generate" command in visio professional 2007.
Put it simple. If you want to use database modeling and hoping to write those changes back to SQL Server 2005 with visio, DON'T BUT IT......IT WILL NOT WORK

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Office Visio 2007 makes it easy for IT and business professionals to visualize analyze and communicate complex information systems and processes. Using professional-looking Office Visio 2007 diagrams you can improve your understanding of systems and processes gain insight into complex information and use that knowledge to make better decisions for your business. Using Office Visio 2007 visually document design and fully understand the state of your business processes and systems with a wide range of diagrams business process flowcharts network diagrams workflow diagrams database models and software diagrams just to name a few. Make diagrams more useful by linking them with underlying data to provide a more complete picture. Office Visio Professional 2007 will make it easy for IT and business professionals to visualize analyze and communicate complex information systems and processes with clear compelling diagrams. By using Office Visio 2007 people will be able to easily visualize information from multiple data sources to better understand the current state of systems and processes analyze information visually to highlight key trends and exceptions and share diagrams broadly for effective and efficient decision-making.GeneralCategory:Office applicationsSubcategory:Office applications - projects / processLicense Type:Complete packageLicense Qty:1 userLicense Pricing:StandardDistribution Media:CD-ROMPackage Type:RetailPlatform:WINSystem Requirements / OS Required:Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or laterUNSPSC CodeUNSPSC Code:43233004Product IDUPC:882224157476Manufacturer Part:D87-02785

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Print Workshop 2007 Ltd Ed - jc Review

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(More customer reviews)This product is okay, but if you're like me and use Windows 7, this product is a little too "old school". There was really nothing I could use this for. You would really be better off getting the newer version.

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CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 Review

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(More customer reviews)The Corel line of graphics software has always carried the burden of being the second choice and often the second experience of Adobe software users. Those who encounter the software after experience with the main Adobe-produced rivals (Illustrator and Photoshop) will experience it very differently than those who are looking to learn professional graphics from the start with Corel.
Though I am a very experienced user of Adobe products, I tried to experience Corel Draw (the vector graphics portion) and Photo Paint (the bitmap graphics portion) with an eye toward evaluating it as someone who wasn't already comfortable with a different interface, but who was interested in a professional level graphics package, as well as someone who may decide to transition away from the pricier Adobe products. I will offer my perspective from both of these viewpoints:
As a newcomer to pro graphics:
There is a lot of power and flexibility. Photo Paint offers alpha channels, lighting effects, masking, and a good selection of filters for those who want to "play" with images. It is able to open and save to a variety of file formats and can rasterize vector images. A lot of functions are quite intuitive (e.g., image straightening, filter effects), though programs with the breadth and depth of a professional program have a great many levels and no one who is new to them can grasp them immediately or without underlying knowledge of what all the terms mean. It's important not to mistake this graphics package as one designed for the hobbyist or person looking to modestly tweak images for web pages. The complex functionality it possesses is to allow folks working in industries that need finer work to get it done and it certainly allows for that and more.
In terms of how easy it is to understand the programs, CorelDraw is definitely a lot tougher to grasp, but that is the nature of vector graphics programs. However, I do believe that the way in which points (which are called "nodes" in Draw) are edited when working with Bezier curves could be more intuitive. Having to select each node and change its type by clicking a button in order to alter the way in which the control handles work is tedious. It'd be much better to have a modifier key to "break" curves where desired.
The help files and tutorials are excellent and I had not trouble tracking down information to help me do what I wanted to do. However, an absolute beginner will likely need to do the video training for more hand-holding than I required. It's hard to get your head around the way computer graphics work, but Corel certainly provides the tools to try if the user is willing to take the time to learn. The software can only take you so far when it comes to something this complex.
Corel also provides a huge variety of templates, clip art and fonts which Adobe does not. This makes the entire package more appealing to folks who work in publishing but do not create custom content and mainly want to tweak clip art or stock images.
As an experienced Adobe user:
One immediately resists every part of the interface which does not conform to what one is used to in Photoshop and Illustrator. This is much more troublesome in CorelDraw since drawing works best when one can use the tools effortlessly to gain the desired result. If you're looking to make the change to break free of Adobe's higher prices, the first thing you have to do is be patient with the interface differences. Some gritting of teeth may be involved. You'll likely find, on the whole, that some things are better in Corel's interface and some are worse compared to Adobe's, though Adobe's interface has a more professional and polished feel. The filters in particular sometimes have a cheesy and clunky feel to them, though they are easy enough to use.
The second thing you have to do is make sure that all of your native file format files (.ai and .psd) have been saved into more universally accessible formats (EPS, TIFF) as neither PhotoPaint nor Draw will reliably open all Adobe native format files. In my tests, native Photoshop files always opened but sometimes with missing layers. When I attempted to open an Illustrator native file, I was told the file was compressed (though it was not) and that it needed to be re-saved in an uncompressed state. Resaving as an EPS file fixed the problem.
Conclusions:
* If I wanted to prepare myself for work in the graphics industry and wanted something less expensive than the Adobe CS package, I'd not hesitate to buy this suite to learn the ins and outs of professional graphics, particularly if I were planning on working freelance. However, I'd keep in mind that most publishers will work in Adobe software and I may need to learn their software eventually if I were to pursue office work.
* If I were working in a publishing industry which did small amounts of editing of vector and bitmap images and needed to do color adjustments for professional printing, I'd seriously consider the Corel Suite though I'd investigate how effective the color separations worked for my particular needs. However, I would not rely on it for layout work (nor would I rely on Illustrator or Photoshop for layout) unless I only worked with flyers, brochures, posters, or other very short documents.
* If I were an Adobe user looking to break free of the expensive shackles of Adobe software, I'd have to think long and hard before making the change as there would be some productivity loss getting acclimated to the interface and some differences in functionality that I may not want to accept.

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CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 lets you tackle creative graphics and design projects withconfidence. New tools make it easier and quicker than ever to deliver any creative project, fromlayout and photo editing, to illustration and bitmap-to-vector tracing. Powerful text and layoutenhancements give you the look you want plus market-leading file compatibility makescollaboration easy. Updated high-quality content, a step-by-step Hints Docker and new tutorialswritten by experts get you started fast. Professional and aspiring designers along with anyonewho needs to express creative ideas will be able to turn their ideas into professional results: fromdistinctive logos and signs, to striking marketing materials and eye-catching web graphics.

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IMSI FloorPlan 3D Home Design Suite Version 10 Review

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(More customer reviews)I own both the IMSI (FloorPlan 3D Version 5) and Punch (Architect 4000) software titles, and the following are my own conclusions. I have no vested interest in either manufacturer. I have a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, and have taught interactive computer graphics, so I guess I am more than usually familiar with computers and design.
I designed my previous home using the IMSI package, and after using it to capture the design, I passed it along to a draftsman to create drawings for the permitting process. I found that the package was easy to use (although a bit weird), and that it generally worked great. When we moved in, the home was absolutely spectacular! So, when we moved to another state to retire, we decided to repeat the process. Even though I still had the IMSI software (Version 5) and it readily installed onto XP, I thought that surely there had been improvements. So, I took the time to find the "best package out there". The reviews I read said that the Punch (Architect 4000) package was rated best, had the most features, blah, blah, blah. So I bought it, in spite of paying approximately 3X what I would pay for the latest IMSI version of FloorPlan 3D. The manual is about an inch thick, but I started wading through, thinking that this was the learning cost of a really good package. The manual seemed reasonable and there are TONS of features (read complexity), but when I actually tried to use the program, I couldn't get anything done. Everything was hard to do. Then, and this was the killer for me, whenever I saved data, I could never read the file back in. I tried everything, and eventually thought that it was my fault, so I went back to my old IMSI package because I had a house to design.
I quickly got up to speed because IMSI wins out hands down for its simple user interface. I struggled with both initially, but soon found that IMSI's wall layout tool, while weird, was useable. It's ease of use (tailorable wall heights, pushing even non-rectilinear wall segments around, changing wall thicknesses, immediate demonstration of dimensions and room square footage, changing wall and floor materials, colors, and texture, etc) allowed one to work pretty quickly. I was never able to use Punch's layout editor efficiently. Ever! Forget saving the data so you could work on a design again. Even just creating a simple layout was a huge struggle. Unless you knew the design beforehand, it was very difficult to lay out a floor plan interactively. This was what IMSI was good at. Even with a fully designed floorplan, I had trouble with the Punch program.
IMSI was also the easiest in viewing your design in 3D. Again, the viewing tools were weird and somewhat non-intuitive, but eventually useful. Punch's 3D viewer was totally useless, and I was never able to control the views, no matter what I did. And, "Hey!", I taught computer graphics.
After spending many hours getting a complete design (from my working with IMSI) entered into a freshly-reloaded Punch, I again tried to save my work. When I went back to work on it some more, it was unreadable. The file was there, but there was some formatting error that made it unreadable. I was furious, but thankfully, I had the IMSI design captured. So, I had a decision- Waste more time trying to debug a program I had paid 3X more for than the IMSI FloorPlan 3D, or spend my time getting work done on my house plan. Actually, I downloaded a free upgrade to Version 5.1 and got busy. Now I am thinking of purchasing IMSI's Version 11 as I am finalizing our house plan and like some of the new features and abilities of the new software.
To be candid, neither software package was bug-free. IMSI occasionally doesn't allow you to move a wall, but that is almost always because there is some constraint that is disallowing the modification. I found Punch to be even more restrictive. While I was able to export the IMSI design as a vrml file and e-MAIL it to my son to review, Punch had the greatest number of export file options. Too bad it always lost my saved designs. Neither package really creates beautiful 3D graphics, but IMSI's simple renderings were adequate for previewing the design work. I also liked IMSI's design methods using internal room dimensions. But, neither program made it clear how to proceed in starting a design from scratch. Nowhere did they tell you whether you could design the 2nd floor first, whether you had to layout the foundation beforehand (Punch), etc.
Finally, I should mention that I wanted to input site information for my lot, but that was too costly in terms of time. Interestingly, I downloaded Google's free Sketchup software, imported my IMSI design (in dxf file format), and was able to place it on the terrain using a Sketchup to Google Earth tool, and then interactively view it in 3D on my 10 acre lot using Google Earth. I found out that I have some serious grading and fill work to do on the build site.

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FloorPlan 3D Design Suite 10 makes designing your dream home and garden simple! Easy-to-use tools give you the power to transform ideas into stunning photorealistic 3D images you can view, navigate, and share. Whether you're remodeling your kitchen or bath, planning your garden, or designing your dream home, FloorPlan 3D has it all

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Punch Home & Landscape Design Suite with NexGen Technology Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this after using the Better Homes & Gardens Home Designer Suite. At first, it looked like it had potential as it appeared to be much more flexible and feature laden. Unfortunately, it has too many problems. Simple things like selecting walls and moving them, copy and paste, and 3d walk-through are either poorly implemented or bug-laden. I was hoping to find a support release that would improve on what appears to be a first run, buggy release - but there is none.
I searched their forums and they don't even have a dedicated forum for this product. I contacted support and inquired about maintenance releases and dedicated product forums (like they have for their other products) and was told they have none and suggested I contact tech support. I don't need to beta test software and spend time with tech support for basic functions that should be implemented properly - so I'm sending it all back for the money-back guarantee.
Also, the green features appear to be "thrown in". When clicking the special green icon, you just get a few tips that are mostly common sense. When you try to delve deeper, it's just a link to a page Punch! made that has categories of external links to external sites on the internet that could be found using a search engine.
As an aside, I've found TurboFloorplan from IMSI to be the best of the 3 programs I've tried - though I'm stilling learning it.

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Project Runway Review

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(More customer reviews)After buying the game I started playing it and just a few hours later I was done with the season and that was the end. If you start a new one afterward it gives you the same challenges but might have a different clothes you may have to choose for the challenge.
I wished this game went on to different seasons with more challenges or something to make it more challenging for the player. It was just too easy and can be finished within a day then it gets boring after that. I say that it wasn't worth it to buy.

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Gameplay Join Heidi, Tim, Nina, and Michael as you face the fiercest challenges of your burgeoning fashion career. Project Runway lets you play through a whole season of wild and wonderful fashion challenges. From creating a look for a rock star, to designing the next high school uniform, the pressure is on to take your personal sense of style to the next level with nearly unlimited options for style, fabric, color and a multitude of choices for models, make up, and hair. Gameplay elements include:
Design Challenges - Jump into a real season of "Project Runway"and face a wide range of wild and wonderful design challenges includinghaute couture, cheerleading uniform, hip hop and punk costumes, schooluniform, newspaper dress, and more.
Garment Studio - With nearly unlimited options for creativity,imagination, and originality Project Runway's garment studiolets you create unique fashions choosing from an enormous selectionof color, fabrics, material and accessories.
Model Selection - Choose the model who perfectly reflects yoursense of design and flair. Options are available for skin tone, haircolor and length, facial features, even ethnicity.
Hair and Make-up Salon - Get your model runway-ready with theperfect hair and makeup style. Select from a wide assortment or haircolors, lengths, and textures. Then apply lipstick, blush, eyeliner,mascara and eye shadow to match.
Catwalk - With designs and models in place, it's time to showoff to the judges. Now you become the model, strutting down the runwayand working it for the judges as you walk the walk and strike your poses.
Photo Shoot - Travel to exotic international destinations andsee your model and original designs photographed in a wide range ofcities and environments.
Quick Play and Fashion Career Modes - Jump in and play anyProject Runway mini-game, whether it's creating a design, hangingout in the make-up studio or strutting down the runway. Or go rightto career mode and create a new profile, unlocking new garments, hairstyles,makeup and accessories as you go.

System Requirements Key Game Features
Star in the Bravo Network's "Project Runway," the #1 fashion design reality show.
Model your own designs on the runway using easy mouse controls to walk, strut, and pose.
Design your own fashion line or tackle unique Project Runway challenges.
Create different looks in the hair and makeup studio-from natural to futuristic.
Select the model who perfectly matches your fashion style.
Get tips from Project Runway celebrities and contestants who are your mentors and judges.

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Omnioutliner Professional 3.0 Review

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(More customer reviews)Any software that tries to be all things to all people will ultimately fail.
Omnioutliner Pro is not that software. It has a very limited scope in terms of what it tries to do. And almost succeeds.
Let me start with the issues that I have with this software. The essential piece that is missing is EXPORT functionality. Sure it will export to various formats. HTML. RTF. Some Limited WORD and EXCEL export capabilities. And a few more. But it doesn't export to the apps formats that most users might need. Calendar. Mail. Not even OmniFocus - from the same company.
BUT as a consultant I still manage to use it on a daily basis and for multiple purposes.
There's the basic list making of course. But I also use it to organize my thoughts when I need to create a presentation, report, a training plan, or a simple meeting plan. The reason that I make such heavy use of this app can be summed up in one phrase - USER FRIENDLY.
This small app with seemingly limited use makes it very easy to get a quick start on most of the tasks that I come up against during my day. I have also found a report and some free templates on [...] that allows me to extend my use of it even further.
Is the THE MUST HAVE APP for your toolbox?
No. But if you have it, you'll probably find yourself turning towards it more often than you thought.

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X-Rite EODIS2 Eye-One Display 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been increasingly more interested in my photography hobby and came to the eventual realization that monitor color and luminance calibration was necessary. It just did not make sense, spending sometimes hours post processing a photo on my computer, only to have it show up with different colors on somebody else's screen or printer.
I have never before calibrated any monitors or TVs and considered, in addition to this product, the Spyder 3 Pro and LaCie Blue Eye. I finally decided on the Eye-One Display 2.
I have now calibrated my dual LCD monitor setup (Dell 2405WFP and 2408WFP) and Dell XPS 17" laptop with complete ease and great, consistent results. Because I actually have 2 separate PCIe video cards, calibrating dual LCD is as easy as calibrating one with Windows Vista 32 bit.
PROS:
1. Cheaper than LaCie Blue Eye, which is highly regarded by certain website reviewers (although more expensive than Spyder 3 Pro)
2. Same hardware to the well regarded LaCie Blue Eye
3. Better ability to reproduce black on LCD as per a website review than Spyder 3 Pro
4. Ability to measure and calibrate luminance
5. Very simple easy mode for those who want speed and to not have to understand the complexities of color calibration
6. An advanced mode, which was actually fairly easy for even me to use (and I have no prior detailed knowledge of color technologies)
7. Software allows you to see the before and after effects of your calibration effort by showing a color chart and a small portrait of a woman.
8. Install CD contains very easy to use complete video tutorials on how to calibrate.
CONS:
1. On Apple Macs, dual monitor calibration is supposedly easy. But with Windows XP/Vista, it is not a straightforward task. Because I actually have TWO separate PCIe video cards, calibrating dual LCD was as easy as calibrating one under Windows Vista 32 bit.
A dual monitor setup with a SINGLE video card can be calibrated individually under Windows XP with a workaround solution, as per suggestions I've found from a Google search. I am not sure if the workaround works under Vista, but it seems plausible.
2. More expensive than Spyder 3 Pro (although cheaper than LaCie Blue Eye)
TIPS:
1. On the Dell 2405WFP 24" LCD panel, the monitor will not allow user customizable contrast control if you choose a DVI input for that monitor. I am not certain why this is since my 2408WFP allows this. The only downside of this, is that you cannot use the advanced mode for the Dell 2405WFP, since that mode requires the user to manually change some monitor settings, which include contrast.
2. Consider whether or not you need the more expensive Eye-One Display 2 version vs. the cheaper "LT" version. If you do not need a customized white balance or different gamut or even know what I'm writing about, then you might be completely fine with the "LT" version. I am not 100% certain if the "LT" version will measure and calibrate luminance, however. This could be an important difference.
3. If cost is an issue, I would also research the Spyder 3 Pro system. Although I chose the Eye-One Display 2, I realize now since seeing the vast differences from my pre-calibrated images to my post-calibrated images, that color calibration is essential. It is probably better to calibrate with almost anything vs not calibrating at all.
4. Also realize that the Eye-One Display 2, Spyder 3 Pro, and LaCie Blue eye hardware can be utilized with 3rd PARTY SOFTWARE! A Google search will show that there are indeed even FREE 3rd party software that you can use to drive the hardware. Some forum members seem to write positive results with some of this software.
5. If cost is no object, serious consideration should be given to the more expensive LaCie Blue Eye. A Google search shows that this is a very well regarded system. (The Eye-One uses the same hardware as this Blue Eye.)
6. Go the X-rite website and look at the current version numbers of the software and compare it to what your installer disk has. Instead of using the install CD, I downloaded the newest versions from the website. I believe only 1 or 2 out of approximately 5 files I downloaded were newer from the website, but this is always a good idea. Some of the files are very large and you will definitely need a broadband connection. Burn these files to your own DVD, so that you can then install the software on each of your computers or laptops to use the calibrating hardware. The install CD is still very useful as it has the really useful tutorials.
I hope this review was helpful as it is certainly confusing as a novice to determine which calibrator to use!

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The Xrite Eye-One Display 2 is an, easy-to-use, powerful solution thatprovides the best monitor profile quality ever! With enhancements toboth hardware and software, you'll achieve consistent, predictable coloron all types of monitors (LCD and CRT). Eye-One Display 2 features anenhanced sensor providing higher repeatability, faster measurements andhigher sensitivity in the dark areas for better control in shadow detailand a more neutral gray scale. Its lightweight, sleek design is the sameas the original Eye-One Display and comes with an Ambient light head(which also acts as a dust protector), a built-in counterweight for LCDdisplays plus an integrated suction cup for CRTs. The included Eye-OneMatch 3.6.2 software has an easy-to-use interface and even provides anEasy Mode for great results with a few simple clicks. And for allmonitors supporting the DDC/CI standards, you'll achieve one button pushmonitor profiling. The Advanced Mode allows experienced users to achieveindividual and best possible monitor calibration with new features suchas selection of different monitor white points, custom luminancesettings and detailed profile summary. When you're ready to profile allyour input and output devices, use the generous upgrade voucher* towardsthe purchase of other Eye-One solutions.

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