Virus Scan for PhraseExpress - Professional Edition

Bradley MacDonald Does it work with Office 2010? Or does the version matter?
I have a laptop and a desktop - will one license allow me to run it on both computers - or just one?
Looks interesting.

Jun 27 2010 at 4:52am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH PhraseExpress works fine with Office 2010 as shown in this video:

http://screencast.com/t/YjkyZjY3Njg

Actually, PhraseExpress works independing from the target application and should also work fine in Lotus Notes, Office 2000/2007, OpenOffice, IE, FireFox, Thunderbird, etc.

Generally, You would need a separate license for each installation. However, if you are the only user, we will gladly enable your single license for use with up to three comptuers as part of this promotion.

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 27 2010 at 11:05pm Copy Link

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Jim Maioriello I recently purchased PhraseExpress Easy previously from BitDuJour. What features are included in the Professional Edition that I do not have in the Easy edition? Thank you. Jim

Jun 28 2010 at 7:03am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Please find an overview about the different PhraseExpress variations at http://shop.phraseexpress.com

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 28 2010 at 8:02am Copy Link

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Steven Curcuru Any upgrade discount for those who have bought your Easy version?

Jun 29 2010 at 5:29pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Unfortunately, we cannot issue discounts for customers of the Easy Edition. However, the discount for the current Professional Edition promotion is twice as high as the regular price for the Easy Edition anyway.

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 29 2010 at 6:45pm Copy Link

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Nik Frei Guten Tag Herr Bartels Sie schreiben: Generally, You would need a separate license for each installation. However, if you are the only user, we will gladly enable your single license for use with up to three comptuers as part of this promotion. Ich bin der einzige Benutzer von PC und Notebook. Wie kann ich die Lizenz "splitten"?

Jun 30 2010 at 12:31am Copy Link

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B User How do we avail the offer above - Single License on Three Personal Devices?

//Sandur

Jun 30 2010 at 12:37am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Please send us the license key you have purchased during this promotion and we will configure the license key for you: http://contact.phraseexpress.com

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 30 2010 at 12:39am Copy Link

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B User Thanks will update.

//sandur

Jun 30 2010 at 12:48am Copy Link

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Rick Przebienda Gunnar,

Your statement decided me to buy your product. I could not afford it for my laptop and my desktop. I am very happy and excited to make this purchase.

Thanks,

-Rick

Jun 30 2010 at 1:52am Copy Link

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Rick Przebienda Darn fast response to my request for the upgrade. I am definately impressed by your team.

Jun 30 2010 at 1:54am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Thank you for supporting our work!

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 30 2010 at 1:56am Copy Link

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Jorge Vulpes Hi I will buy now buit I need the same:
Single License on Three Personal Devices: Ihave a netbook,notebook and desktop,Thanks

Jun 30 2010 at 2:01am Copy Link

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Stephane M I am thinking of buying it since it would be possible to install it on more than 1 computer for personal use.

So do I just need to buy 1 single user license and simply install the product on my different computers to activate the product?

Thank you in adance for your help.

Jun 30 2010 at 3:20am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Please send us the license key you have purchased during this promotion and we will configure the license key for use with up to three PCs: http://contact.phraseexpress.com/

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 30 2010 at 3:39am Copy Link

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Stephane M Ok thank you.

Sorry I forgot to ask...
Will the license be still valid for up to 3 PCs the day I will upgrade to a new major version (8.x, 9.x, ...)?

Thanks.

Jun 30 2010 at 3:48am Copy Link

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Tom McMahon I purchased Phrase Express v7 Professional a few months ago at full price and it was worth every penny.

Jun 30 2010 at 4:09am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Hi Tom,

Thank you for the compliments.

Are you the maker of SyncBack? Great software, too - I am also a customer. ;-)

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 30 2010 at 4:22am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Stephan: The special license pack is only valid for this current BdJ promotion today.

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 30 2010 at 4:23am Copy Link

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Ron K PhraseExpress looks amazing. Thank you for offering it here at such a good discount. I have two questions: 1. I switch between two computers several times a day, and I'm the only user of either. What is the most cost-effective way to get PhraseExpress v7 Pro on both of them? 2. Like many others here, I'm a computer hobbyist/enthusiast, and several times a year I reformat my system drive and reinstall everything from scratch. Will that cause problems with PhraseExpress or its activation system? Is there a way to de-activate a license/installation before I reformat, so that I can then re-activate after I reinstall everything?

Oct 3 2010 at 4:47pm Copy Link

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Ken G I use the network version of PhraseExpress v7 - Professional Edition (particularly for my work, notebook and home computers). I have today purchased three more licences via this site. When I add these licences to the Client Manager, the response is that these keys cannot be used with the Network Edition. Is this offer only for the single user version? Can I exchange these for the Network Edition?

Oct 3 2010 at 7:15pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Ronald: Thank you for your kind words. The PhraseExpress Single-User version is licensed per computer. You would need two licenses. You can de-register the license at any time for use on another computer: http://manual.phraseexpre...deregister

You can also license and run PhraseExpress from a USB device: http://manual.phraseexpress.com#usb

--

@Ken: It is a honour that you use PhraseExpress. Your SyncBack backup software rocks! I will send you an email.

Bartels Media GmbH - Oct 3 2010 at 9:17pm Copy Link

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Georg D (maskworld.com) Same question here - can these licenses be used for the network edition?

Oct 4 2010 at 1:45am Copy Link

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Virdra Gongin Kann man auf BDJ heute auch eine DEUTSCHE Version bekommen? Falls ja, wie und für wieviel EUR? (Can I get a German version, too, via BDJ, and if so, what does it cost in Euros?)

Oct 4 2010 at 2:22am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Georg We gladly trade Network Edition license keys for unused Single-User license key and vice versa. Just email the license key(s) to http://contact.phraseexpress.com

--

@Vidra: PhraseExpress is always German/English.

Bartels Media GmbH - Oct 4 2010 at 3:03am Copy Link

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Andreas Hoffmann Hey, don't hesitate! It's a great piece of software and the support is very responsive und helpful - even on a sunday!

Oct 4 2010 at 6:33am Copy Link

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Georg D (maskworld.com) @Gunnar: Thanks a lot! I am in for 20 more licenses even if we do not need them right now. We are using Phraseexpress for quite some time now and absolutely love the product! We have some "edge" case users that wanted to use it for their purposes but where we did not really see the economical benefit. I guess I can make some people happy now! Keep up the good work!

Oct 4 2010 at 6:42am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Georg: Thank you for the compliments!

Bartels Media GmbH - Oct 4 2010 at 6:45am Copy Link

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JesusInsideMe Hello, I done 2 attempts (with different credit cards) to purchase this BitsDyJour.com bargain offer (order 349132965), but the PhraseExpress E-commerce provider (Share-It!) can't finish the process, I have always the same problem with Share-It! when I tried to buy different kind of software. I use PayPal but Share-It! redirects the transaction to their webpage and the payment never can be done! :(, please, somebody here can give me another method to buy this BitsDuJour offer with my Paypal account?. I hope to receive any support today (yesterday I sent messages to BitsDuJour and developer... without response yet! :(. God bless you, bye.

Oct 5 2010 at 4:03pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Jesus: Our apologies for the trouble you may have experienced. Please contact ShareIt regarding any sales related issue as ShareIt is our online vendor: http://ccc.shareit.com/ccc/index.html

Bartels Media GmbH - Oct 5 2010 at 6:46pm Copy Link

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Rasty Groman Hi. I would like to ask if it's possible to use this version (in case of purchase throuht BtJ) for commercial purposes on one computer (in work). Can I use the licence also on other (non commercial) computers? Thanks for your answer

Dec 14 2010 at 2:56am Copy Link

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Mike G Discovered PhraseExpress recently and I've been running the personal-use free version at home. Still learning some of the keyboard commands, but so far it's been awesome.

It's surprising how quickly you grow fond of substituting short phrases for longer things you type all the time. I also like having MS WORD-like auto-corrections everywhere and built-in simple clipboard manager. Unlike MS WORD, PhraseExpress actually watches and learns your commonly corrected words and gives you the option to start correcting it automatically.

This BDJ deal makes it more affordable to buy a license for work. Maybe they'll be inspired to purchase PhraseExpress after seeing it in action. Only negative for me is buying 3 licenses (to have Pro on my workstation, home desktop and laptop) is prohibitively expensive even with this generous discount...

Apr 9 2011 at 2:01am Copy Link

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NK Mike G said, "Only negative for me is buying 3 licenses (to have Pro on my workstation, home desktop and laptop) is prohibitively expensive even with this generous discount..."

One of the features mentioned is USB support. "In USB mode, PhraseExpress does not store any data on the guest computer. All data is solely kept on the USB stick."

I wonder if they consider a 2.5" USB drive a "computer". If so, you could then take the USB drive with you from home to work and plug it in to a different computer. It certainly couldn't hurt to ask.

Apr 9 2011 at 6:52am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Allen: You can run PhraseExpress from a 2.5" USB drive. You may need to run it with the command-line parameter -portable. Please learn more at http://manual.phraseexpress.com#usb

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 9 2011 at 8:00am Copy Link

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NK @Gunnar Bartels: If I did run PhraseExpress from a USB drive in "portable" mode, would I need to buy the Single User version or Network Edition version?

Apr 9 2011 at 10:32am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Allen: Please purchase the Single-User licenses.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 9 2011 at 11:02am Copy Link

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Mike G Allen, good suggestion. However, the convenience of cloud-based computing has me spoiled. I don't think I can go back to the days of carrying a USB drive everywhere I go and plugging it in two or three different computers every day. ;)

I'll probably just go with 1 Pro license for work and be happy to pay at least something to help support a great product.

Apr 9 2011 at 11:07am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Mike: I don't want to spread panic here but you may want to read this: http://dereknewton.com/20...-host-ids/

A cloud-based solution has one serious sync-problem by design: Imagine you share a common phrase file with three others via a cloud storage provider. Now, user A starts editing the phrases. Then, user B starts editing the phrases. Now, what happens with user A's edit if user B hits "Save". ;-)

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 9 2011 at 11:30am Copy Link

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Mike G Gunnar, I'm not sure why you're referring me to information about multiple users. I'm the only person using PhraseExpress on my computers and I can only be in one place at a time. ;-)

My plan is to buy PhraseExpress Pro for work and continue using the free, non-business edition at home. I can occasionally sync manually if necessary. Obviously simple cloud storage is perfectly fine for copying a phrase file that's not in use to another location. That's completely different from online sync technology which I have no intention of using with PhraseExpress. Sorry if I was unclear.

I meant to say that cloud-based computing is already making USB drives seem quaint in general and the prospect of carrying one back and forth every day to run a portable app on multiple computers is not appealing for me.

Apr 9 2011 at 3:10pm Copy Link

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unisorce Will this offer include the option of a single user license enabled for use with up to three computers?

Apr 9 2011 at 4:50pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Unisource: Our apologies for the inconvenience but at this time, a separate license for each computer is required. If you are the only user of PhraseExpress on multiple computers, we recommend to run PhraseExpress from a USB thumb drive which you can use on any computer wherever you go.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 9 2011 at 9:32pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Mike: You are absolutely right if you are one single user and you should be able to save a PhraseExpress phrase file into a DropBox file directory today, already.

However, we clearly warn you, that this is not a robust solution as it can cause hazardous data loss because of the mentioned synchronization issues. We do not recommend and do not support it.

We are aware, that other Text Expander software vendors just totally ignore the hazardous risk of data loss for the sake of marketing their solutions as having "cloud support".

However, PhraseExpress is professional software in its original meaning and we are dedicated to respect our enterprise customers need for robust software that works reliably under any condition.

We have plans to implement "cloud support" but this is a serious task to accomplish and we have to make sure that it also works in multi-user environments without sync problems.

Just to give you an example of the complexity of the subject: Have you ever found a program, that reliably syncs your mobile phone between multiple computers? ;-)

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 9 2011 at 9:51pm Copy Link

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Mike G Gunnar, once again, I have no intention of using DropBox or any cloud-based sync provider with PhraseExpress. You have misread my posts. I was talking about manually exporting/importing .pxp files as described in your online manual.

It's good to see you've spent time thinking about cloud-based sync for future versions. Perhaps we can enjoy discussing it further by email or in your forums.

Apr 10 2011 at 12:55am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Mike: I am sorry for the misunderstanding. I always thought about DropBox as you wrote "The convenience of cloud-based computing has me spoiled." for whatever strange reason. ;-)

OK, you can freely import/export .pxp files from/into PhraseExpress. In v8, now even by simply drag & drop.

You are welcome to post in our forums for technical related questions about PhraseExpress.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 10 2011 at 1:18am Copy Link

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John Killeen Are you offering the same single-user licence you offered on your last BDJ promotion -- to enable the single license for use with up to three computers?

Apr 11 2011 at 12:30pm Copy Link

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carl thorpe Can you tell us about the benefits of PE Pro vs. Autohotkey? I want a program that will replace abbreviations with specified text, and it seems that AHK can do that for me and is free.

Why would I want to purchase PE instead?

Thanks!

CT

Apr 11 2011 at 5:06pm Copy Link

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Check Gold Say I want to reply to an email from John Smith. I click Reply and type:

Hi John

Can PhraseExpress insert the "Hi John" by picking up the name from the To column of the email?

Apr 11 2011 at 7:09pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Our apologies but this is not possible. PhraseExpress works system-wide and is not adapted to a specific application.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 11 2011 at 8:48pm Copy Link

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MK The Policy states:
"Product may be used indefinitely after purchase. Licensed per computer for non-concurrent use only, allowing transfer of a license to another owned computer. Online license activation is required with a hardware footprint, and 1 installation per footprint."

To be clear, does that allow for one installation and use on a dekstop PC and one on a laptop, as long as there is no concurrent use?
Does "transfer of a license to another owned computer" mean you can install on two computers but need to deactivate one to later activate the other?

Apr 11 2011 at 9:17pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Carl: The only overlap between AutoHotkey and PhraseExpress is AutoHotkey's quite basic text replacement capabilities. Other than that, both a completely different programs.

AutoHotkey somehow has a basic Autotext feature but its main focus seem to be sophisticated Windows automation at cost of a powerful but cryptic programming language. It has no easy-to-use user interface and you have to write your own scripts in a text editor. Check out their manual to find for yourself if you are comfortable with its complexity.

PhraseExpress, however, is specialized in text replacement, boilerplate templage management plus easy-to-use automation.

Main PhraseExpress benefits:

* Support for Microsoft Word, HTML and RTF fomatted text and bitmaps

* Text completions can be optionally offered in a popup menu next to the cursor

* Text snippets can be organized in a folder structure

* PhraseExpress auto-learns from your own typing and offers to auto-complete your text input

* PhraseExpress optionally comes with a Client-/Server-architectur that allows to share text snippets in a company network with full control over read and access rights to individual phrase folders.

* Import of AutoCorrect and Autotext from Microsoft Office

* Import from AutoHotkey and Texter

Well, there is so much more: http://www.phraseexpress....atures.htm

So, if you are a hardcore programmer and look out for sophisticated Windows automation, AutoHotkey may be suitable. If you seek out to reduce your typing efficiently, we believe, that PhraseExpress is the best solution available today.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 11 2011 at 9:17pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @M K: Yes, this is correct. Please learn more at http://manual.phraseexpress.com#register and http://manual.phraseexpre...deregister

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 11 2011 at 9:42pm Copy Link

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MK Okay - licensing doesn't seem unreasonable, and a geat price, so just purchased it :-)

Apr 11 2011 at 10:21pm Copy Link

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Gerard Booth I had purchased an earlier version of PhraseExpress, but have been put off from purchasing the latest version due to the use of online activation, however i have finally given in and purchased a licence this morning, purely due to the sheer quality of this software. It really is that good.

Apr 11 2011 at 10:29pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Gerard: Thank you for your continued support. You can bet, that we as a software maker hate any license authorization stuff the most.

It is waste of time while we would love to rather put all our energy into improving the software itself. Here is the address to say "thank you": www.software-serialz.to (Don't visit, it is just a metapher!).

If certain users would be more honest, we would never have been forced to implement online authorization. We went without it in the past and almost had to discontinue the product for that reason. We are very sorry for the inconvenience it may cause. We are open for any suggestion that would help to simplify things while assuring that we get paid for our hard work that goes into improving the software for YOU.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 11 2011 at 10:53pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @M K: Thank you. Great to have you in the "PhraseExpress Family"!

Please don't miss our video blog at http://www.text-expander.com with tons of step-by-step video tutorials.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 11 2011 at 10:59pm Copy Link

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bvssunnydale This is similar to ActiveWords [$50] and/or Shortkeys [$25]. All of these programs are great time-savers. I prefer Shortkeys for text expanasion and ActiveWords for program/site launching - although ActiveWords really can do the abbreviations too (it's just with under 10K abbreviations in shortkeys I'm not inclined to transfer them all over).

Apr 11 2011 at 11:19pm Copy Link

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_*_ I think your software looks wonderful and something that would be very useful.

The one sticking point for me personally is the very restrictive DRM attached to the software.

One install is very limiting, and I have no idea how easy it is to receive additional activations if one should need them, or how many is too many to ask for from your company.

If it were not for this one aspect I would purchase, but as it stands I will choose to pass.

Apr 12 2011 at 12:40am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @M B: Our DRM is just about the same, like other most popular software as well: Windows itself, Adobe, Norton, Avira, etc.

As written earlier, You can bet, that we as a software maker hate any license authorization stuff the most.

It is waste of time while we would love to rather put all our energy into improving the software itself. Here is the address to say "thank you": www.software-serialz.to (Don't visit, it is just a metapher!).

If certain users would be more honest, we would never have been forced to implement online authorization. We went without it in the past and almost had to discontinue the product for that reason. We are very sorry for the inconvenience it may cause. We are open for any suggestion that would help to simplify things while assuring that we get paid for our hard work that goes into improving the software for YOU.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 12 2011 at 1:45am Copy Link

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John Killeen Apologies for repeating myself, but my previous question didn't seem to receive a response, and I'd appreciate an answer before I consider purchase -- are you offering the same single-user licence you offered on your last BDJ promotion, with the ability to enable the single license for use with up to three computers?

Apr 12 2011 at 2:41am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @John: I gladly repeat the answer to the same question asked by Unisorce earlier in this thread: Our apologies for the inconvenience but at this time, a separate license for each computer is required. If you are the only user of PhraseExpress on multiple computers, we recommend to run PhraseExpress from a USB thumb drive which you can use on any computer wherever you go.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 12 2011 at 3:20am Copy Link

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Gerard Booth Fair comments Gunnar, I don't condone software piracy in any form.
In my case I tend to upgrade/modify my system on a very regular basis, therefore hardware activation can be a real pain. You are perfectly justified in protecting your work in which ever way you see fit. I wish people would pay for the software they use and render activation obselete.

Apr 12 2011 at 3:33am Copy Link

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Ken G Could you please advise whether this offer extends to the Network version. If so, could you please advise the best manner to purchase network licenses (as opposed to multiple single user licences). Cheers

Apr 12 2011 at 3:41am Copy Link

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Zhichao Hong I am also interesting in the single license for use with up to three computers before I decided to buy.

Apr 12 2011 at 3:42am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Zhichao Hong: OK, it seems that we are running into something like this here: http://www.iconico.com/di...3&forum=11

:-)

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 12 2011 at 3:52am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Ken: Please purchase the desired number of single user versions and do NOT use them but send us an email with these license keys. We will gladly exchange them with Network Edition license keys.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 12 2011 at 3:53am Copy Link

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John Killeen Thanks for the prompt response. I was confused, because you use the phrase "single-user license", which for most software companies means "one user, unlimited computers". Your type of licence would normally just be called a "single-computer license".

Obviously over the years you have had plenty of time to work out the right licensing scheme for your product, but it might be worth bearing in mind that, for many people, workplaces won't buy productivity utilities such as PhraseExpress, so workers end up buying them for themselves. That often means buying a license covering three computers (work/home/laptop). I know many people are in this type of situation. Even at the BDJ discounted price, that makes PE a very expensive proposition. That's why I never buy single-computer licenses.

Apr 12 2011 at 4:35am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Wm: We are very thankful, that you invested your valuable time to point out, that there are other text expander products on the market, as it would eventually be forgotten otherwise.

In fact, the Text Expander genre seems to be one of the most competitive software businesses for whatever weird reason. Perhaps, other hobbyist programmers recognized that PhraseExpress ranks in top positions of download websites and feel tempted to take a cake. ;-)

However, there is a difference of just offering yet the hundredsixteen's weekend project "Autotext utility" and a professional Text Expander solution with more than 13 man-years of full time software development. PhraseExpress is our core business and we are totally dedicated to it. We would not accept to be #2. We are bold in our passion.

As for the products you mentioned, we would be confused, if you really think, that these programs in particular come even close to what PhraseExpress has to offer.

Actually, PhraseExpress easily combines both in one package at almost half the memory footprint plus add a ton of unique extra features:

* Support of Microsoft Word formatted text: http://bit.ly/fAgDEq

* Floating phrase menus: http://bit.ly/fKMf8w

* Powerful macro language: http://manual.phraseexpress.com#macro

* Input forms: http://bit.ly/hi4kTz

* Self-Learning AutoComplete: http://manual.phraseexpre...#autolearn

* Clipboard Manager: http://manual.phraseexpress.com#cache

* Unparalleled import options: http://manual.phraseexpress.com#import

Please check out http://www.phraseexpress....atures.htm to see a complete list of features.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 12 2011 at 5:21am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @John: Our apologies for the confusion. We really might need to fix the name to avoid confusion. If you need a one user, unlimited number of computers license, the Network Edition license would be suitable as described at http://shop.phraseexpress.com

Again, my apologies.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 12 2011 at 5:23am Copy Link

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Wearsie Jackson Excellent program- Have used this for years! (since v4, I think). I have not upgraded to v8 because v5 is awesome in itself. :)

The vendor has always been responsive and helpful to any queries I've had on upgrades or activations.

You'll be surprised how often you can use this handy software. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Great work to the BDJ team for introducing others to this must have utility!

Apr 12 2011 at 6:29am Copy Link

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Rich Moore If I understand correctly, the network version makes sense for me as well: I'm one user in a home office with multiple machines that I would like to keep synched.

Is there a discount on the networked version as well, or only the single user license?

[Edit:] Ah, OK, I see the reply to Ken above -- so the price is the same for the network version as for the single user?

BTW, I've been using PhraseExpress for a long time (since v3 I think) and can vouch for it's quality and utility, as well as the responsiveness of their support ... my only complaint is the frequency of major version numbers necessitating an upgrade.

Have you considered a subscription option, similar to what Roboform has done with their 'Roboform everywhere' product?

Thanks,

Rich

Apr 12 2011 at 7:15am Copy Link

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carl thorpe @Rich - How often are there major version upgrades?

Apr 12 2011 at 7:22am Copy Link

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Rich Moore @Carl --- I can't say for sure, but often enough to annoy me -- once a year maybe?

Sorry Gunnar, I'm not trying to slam you here, just expressing my honest opinion, and to be fair users are never forced to upgrade (although you must pay attention when an upgrade notification is for a major version -- a few times I've upgraded accidentally).

Again, to be clear, PhraseExpress is a great product -- the #1 feature for me over some of the cheaper/free alternatives is the ability to insert html signatures in outlook.

Beyond that, I use the basic text expansion functionality which is very reliable.

The other advanced features like auto phrase learning (which seem to drive the major version releases) -- may be great for some folks, but just don't work for me due to the varied nature of writing & correspondence in my work.

Maybe the real complaint I've had is the need to buy multiple copies for each machine, and maybe the network version will take care of that.

Apr 12 2011 at 7:44am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Carl: We release major new versions about every 12 months which is pretty much industry standard. Minor updates are free. Major new versions are available at up to 50% discount.

Once you are hooked onto the upgrade interval, our scheme is actually more inexpensive than a standard subscription model.

Bartels Media GmbH - Apr 12 2011 at 7:54am Copy Link

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Roberto anybody swithched from breevy to phraseexpress?

Sep 12 2011 at 12:15am Copy Link

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Simus Karakas i tryed brevy and a few others but phrase express is the best of them. brevy doesn't store formated text and no jpgs.

Sep 12 2011 at 12:39am Copy Link

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Roberto Hello Simus, thanks for your comment.

Im a developer, currently i have many shortcuts used as snippets. Something like:

a href="%(Input)" title="%(Input)"%(cursor)/a

this allows me to input the missing parameters in my html.. can i get the same behaviour with PE?

Sep 12 2011 at 1:04am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH > can i get the same behaviour with PE?

Sure, here is a video demo:
http://screencast.com/t/fIOBFKFxP0en

This would be the macro:

a href="{#input -head URL? -single}" title="{#input -head Title? -single}"{#cursor}/a

Please learn more about the macro functions in PhraseExpress at
http://manual.phraseexpress.com#macro

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 12 2011 at 1:37am Copy Link

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Roberto oh! thanks for the custom video :)

Sep 12 2011 at 1:47am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH You're welcome. Please find many more step-by-step videos on our tutorial website http://www.text-expander.com and in the manual at http://manual.phraseexpress.com

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 12 2011 at 1:51am Copy Link

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Roberto Thanks, count me in. Looks quite powerful, i hope your company can get a bunch of customers and dont increase the prices too much for the pro version :P

Sep 12 2011 at 7:06am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Glad to hear that you like PhraseExpress.

I am happy to tell that we have no plans to increase the price for the Professional Edition at this time.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 12 2011 at 7:14am Copy Link

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G McGeachie Can the program be run as a portable edition or does it need to be installed on the hard drive?
Gerry

Sep 12 2011 at 7:06pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Can the program be run as a portable edition

PhraseExpress can run from a USB thumb drive and automatically turns into portable mode, leaving no trace on the host computer.

Please learn more at http://manual.phraseexpress.com#usb (including step-by-step vide instructions).

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 12 2011 at 11:37pm Copy Link

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J M is the PE v9 planed for this quarter? there is some kind of "upgrade protection".

Sep 13 2011 at 12:30am Copy Link

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yabatopia I have a laptop and a desktop computer. Do I need to buy 2 licenses or is a network edition the way to go? Or do you recommend running PhraseExpress as a portable app from a USB thumb drive?

Sep 14 2011 at 4:43pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Yabatopia: Yes, running PhraseExpress from the USB memory device is the ideal solution in your setup. It also saves you from syncing your phrase library as all your data is carried on the USB memory device.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 12:35am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @J M: We kindly ask for your understanding that we generally do not publish (planned) release dates in order to avoid disappointment if any release may be delayed. If you remember the many delays of the Microsoft Vista release you may agree that software development is a non-linear and unpredictable process - Even for the biggest software company in the world.

If we have a new version we will be proud to tell on our webpage.

Please sign the spam-free newsletter to stay tuned for news about product releases: http://newsletter.phraseexpress.com

The update policy can be found at http://shop.phraseexpress.com.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 12:38am Copy Link

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Tony Jacobson J M: You can see the release dates for the last two versions in the Version History section at http://www.phraseexpress.com/updates.htm

Both were released in December, and Gunnar Bartels said in a previous comment "We release major new versions about every 12 months..."

I can understand Gunnar not wanting to give out a release date, but it looks like December is a good bet.

Sep 15 2011 at 1:26am Copy Link

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Roberto it will be a little painful :)

Sep 15 2011 at 1:39am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Tony: As I was trying to explain, we really have no regular/static release interval. We release new versions if the new version is mature and rock-solid stable, not necessarily just because it is December. :-)

Generally, we never put us in a hurry and rather want to publish mature new versions for reasonable reasons :

* Large companies are using PhraseExpress in "mission-critical" environments. They have departments to slap us with wet towels if we mess up.

* We have a very large userbase and would instantly drown in technical support if we would rush out an instable release just to fit the release into a static schedule.

It may be December. But if anything unexpected happens (changes in the OS that affect compatibility/stability of PhraseExpress or updates of important 3rd party applications such as Office/OpenOffice/Thunderbird) or any other unforeseeable event it may be March 2012 and we won't hesitate to shift the release in case of any afraid.

By the way, the large BdJ discounts more than compensates the first major upgrade anyway. ;-)

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 3:00am Copy Link

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SoftCollector I question to current users of PhraseExpress v8: is it worth the price tag?

There is not time enough to test it - it does look nice and well engineered - but is it worth buying at $48.98? I am sure I would not shell out $139.95 - in my opinion the 'goodness' it brings cannot justify such a price tag, but this is the logic of 'free' competition: if you could sell it for the price of a new car, why wouldn't you?

But back to the point: does it justify the current price tag? Could someone come forward and explain - in real life words - how PhraseExpress v8 is going to make my work faster / better?

I can see that the idea is similar to that used in Trados AutoSuggest, but more details are welcome.

Sep 15 2011 at 3:11am Copy Link

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Roberto softcollector: PE looks like the most powerful textexpander. I was using breevy (i love the breevy user interface and is lightweight, no issues with it).
With PE you can get some extra features. Price is a big cons for me, but i bought and "see" what will happen.
Im just evaluating it, im not a pro user.. but the scripting in PE is great, well documented, and seems to be upgraded frecuently.
Just wanted to be with today's deal, i think i could not pay the full price and i have to see which are the new features in the next upgrade because license is a bit step.
i wish to have PE installed in my pc and laptop, but the license does not allow this. Then, ill use breevy in my laptop. Both are great programs.

Sep 15 2011 at 3:34am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @SoftCollector: Please allow me to comment on the price.

Nobody will ever be able to reliably tell you whether PhraseExpress is worth its price for *you*.

When software is offered at a certain price, a few people comment that it would be too expensive, others will be happy as the software is exactly what they were looking for.

And indeed, there are even people who say, that they would have paid even twice as much because they appreciate the flawless way the product works, the quick email responses, excellent technical support and continuous product updates over the time; including new features where other manufacturers would already have charged for an upgrade.

Of course, we could offer PhraseExpress at a lower price. But then we would need to cut down Q&A, testing, R&D and technical support as a logical consequence.

But we refuse to cut down quality as PhraseExpress is there to save your time. Everybody knows too well, that half-baken software *steals* your time as you need to fiddle around bugs and limitations.

You can find some everyday uses for PhraseExpress in our step-by-step video tutorials at http://www.text-expander.com and all the features explained in the manual at http://manual.phraseexpress.com . A comprehensive list of all included features is available at http://www.phraseexpress....atures.htm

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 3:35am Copy Link

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Alan Since only minor version upgrades are free, can someone tell me when V8 came out?

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 4:24am Copy Link

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Alan It looks like V8 was released Dec 14, 2010. Since we're fairly close to that date is there any kind of upgrade protection that would qualify for an upgrade to V9 if it comes out by end of 2011?

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 4:30am Copy Link

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Roberto 12/13/2010 This is the first release of the new version 8.
12/15/2009 And this is the first (i think) release of version 7.
12/04/2008 PhraseExpress Autotext 6.
07/13/2008 PhraseExpress Autotext 5
12/01/2008 PhraseExpress Autotext 4

im not 100% sure about this, only some google research.

Sep 15 2011 at 4:32am Copy Link

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David Powelstock Is a discount available for the Standard Edition?
david

Sep 15 2011 at 4:38am Copy Link

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Steven Avery Hi,

This is a fine program, $50 is still real $ (but a nice discount) so I will read the posts carefully, read my Donationcoder friends who discuss the various phrase methods.

And probably do a download and trial and give it careful consideration. May also download a competitor or two for comparison.

Kudos to Bits who has been doing more with the ace companies the last weeks and less with the schlockers.

Steven

Sep 15 2011 at 4:43am Copy Link

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Alan @Roberto,
Thanks for the info. I suspect V9 is right around the corner.
I will purchase this today if V9 update is included.
Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 5:02am Copy Link

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bvssunnydale I don't understand how this is any different from a program like (the significantly cheaper) Shortkeys (or similar) - you type in an abbreviation and it expands text.. and what is called a "phrase library" can be just as easily accomplished with a little creativity and a prefix or suffix. Am I missing something?

Sep 15 2011 at 5:33am Copy Link

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Alan I think this product is similar to Breevy, DirectAccess which I also use, but has more features.

I think it's like any other software, if it's worth it to you, then buy it, if it's not then don't.

I am a long time DirectAccess user and have been pretty happy, but am thinking of purchasing PE because it has more features that I feel that I could use. I also have to use USB version so assuming that I can get a free V9 upgrade if it comes out by end of 2011, then I'm ready to buy.

Sep 15 2011 at 5:43am Copy Link

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Roger Thomasson @ Alan

Gunnar (or any other BDJ vendor) is under no obligation to provide you with major release dates, minor release dates, or anything in between.

And regardless, PhraseExpress does not include free upgrades to major versions. It's very clearly stated in our policy tab.

So the answer is no, you will not get a free upgrade to v9 if you purchase PhraseExpress today from BDJ.

-r

BitsDuJour Admin - Sep 15 2011 at 5:56am Copy Link

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Stew Cam I have used numerous text expanders and PE is the best of breed. It is fairly expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of upgrades. However, if you are a heavy user of repetitive phrases, you will justify the expense. For example, PE tells me I used over 400 text expander phrases at work today. Cheaper programs generally struggle with a large bank of phrases. PE makes it relatively easy to organise, search and update phrases. I use the portable edition and find it indispensable. Note that registration is tied to a specific USB stick, so a change of stick requires reauthorisation by the author. I generally avoid such registration schemes, but with PE I am prepared to make an exception.

Sep 15 2011 at 5:57am Copy Link

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Alan @Roger,
I understand they are not under an obligation, but as you know many vendors here do have policies that say that if a new version is released within a certain time then it's a free upgrade.

I also buy a fair amount of products on BDJ including 3 licenses for a product from yesterday, so this is something I take very seriously.

I actually would like to use this via DropBox and thought that the USB version would work for me, though now I'm not sure. Can someone tell me if it would work?

I am the only person using this software, so I would like to be able to find a way to use it wherever I am, work, laptop, or desktop, but I can't install software at work so I have to do either USB or dropbox.

Sep 15 2011 at 6:10am Copy Link

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PK MacGuy PE Pro is expensive at full cost but with this discount it is at a much more affordable level. Major upgrade requires another license... but upgrading is not mandatory... if the current version works fine with you it will continue to work well without upgrade.

Sep 15 2011 at 6:14am Copy Link

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PK MacGuy Can't install PE at office neither so I'd also like to know if I can run PE off dropbox.

Sep 15 2011 at 6:17am Copy Link

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Alan In the manual it doesn't seem to indicate that it needs activation if you switch usb drives so I would think it would work on dropbox, but I'll await the official answer.

http://www.phraseexpress....al.htm#usb

The reason I was interested in V9 was that if a new version comes out in Dec 2011, then it will cost 50% of the price to upgrade to it, so if there is a feature I like I will be paying more than the license today costs.

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining or faulting anyone, just trying to understand how it works so I can get the most for my dollar.

Yesterday I bought 3 licenses for a Subscription plan product which I don't like doing, but it was cheap enough $7 each, and it made sense for me to do it. I will purchase Phrase Express if it makes sense for me.

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 6:24am Copy Link

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Roger Thomasson @ Alan

I understand, but unfortunately there's nothing to be done here. Your decision to purchase will have to be based on the current version and whether or not it suits your needs. Gunnar doesn't yet know the v9 release date, and if he did, it wouldn't matter -- PhraseExpress doesn't include free upgrades to major versions.

Neither of these two facts are going to change in the next 17 hours.

Don't forget, these are the same rules that apply to all PhraseExpress customers, not just those getting a 65% discount :-)

-r

BitsDuJour Admin - Sep 15 2011 at 6:37am Copy Link

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Alan @Roger,
I totally understand and am fine with that.

Once I know if I can use it with DropBox, I will make my decision.

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 6:52am Copy Link

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Roger Thomasson @ Alan

Apologies, didn't realize you were referring to the dropbox question!

Forgive my redundancy :-)

BitsDuJour Admin - Sep 15 2011 at 7:09am Copy Link

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Alan @Roger,
No problem. DropBox is my only current question, so if it will work I am ready to buy.

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 7:23am Copy Link

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K X Is there a way to change the color of the highlighted suggestions in PhraseExpress? In v7 they were blue, in v8 they are black. I'd prefer somethng lighter than black.

Sep 15 2011 at 7:51am Copy Link

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K X @ Stew

You wrote: 'Note that registration is tied to a specific USB stick, so a change of stick requires reauthorisation by the author."

I've only used on desktop PCs. In Settings, there's an option to remove the license so you can move the installation to another computer. Is this process different for a USB installation?

Sep 15 2011 at 7:55am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @K X: You can de-register the license key for use with another installation by yourself at any time and as often as you like. Please learn more at http://manual.phraseexpre...deregister

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 8:18am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @K X: Yes, you can change the color of the popup menu to greates extend: text color, background color, highlighted item text color, highlighted text background color, etc. Please just open the settings and you will easily find the color options.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 8:20am Copy Link

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K X Thanks, I thojught that's how it worked for desktops, I just didn't know if it was different for USB drives.

Sep 15 2011 at 8:21am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @bvssunnydale: Please check http://www.phraseexpress....atures.htm to learn some *major* differences between those programs and PhraseExpress. ;-)

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 8:27am Copy Link

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Bob User Checked the web site but didn't see anything on this.
With the USB version, is it better PE be used on it's own stick with no other programs/files aboard? And what would be a typical minimum memory capacity recommended if I would dedicate it to it's own stick?

Sep 15 2011 at 8:28am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH PK MacGuy: I would not recommend to run a *program* from a DropBox folder as DropBox is not designed for such application. However, in theory, you should be able to extract the contents of the PhraseExpress USB Edition ZIP files into the DropBox folder and run it from there. However, it sounds awkward to me.

I would rather suggest to run PhraseExpress from a USB memory device. Please learn more http://manual.phraseexpress.com#usb

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 8:32am Copy Link

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Alan Gunnar,
I have run quite a few applications from DropBox and I like how it works since I am the only user, and can only be at one place at a time, it syncs to my laptop, desktop or work, where ever I am.

I will purchase the product and hopefully can get it to work on DropBox.

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 8:46am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Alan: Please note that the license will be tied to the *computer* and not to the DropBox folder. You can't "sync" the license across multiple computers via DropBox. Only, if you run PhraseExpress from a USB device, PhraseExpress will be licensed to the USB device (instead to the computer).

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 9:10am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Bob Roberts: PhraseExpress does not need a dedicated USB device. You can also store any other information on the USB stick or run other programs from the USB stick as well.

PhraseExpress takes approximately 8MB plus the size of your phrase file (which is automatically ZIP compressed by PhraseExpress).

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 9:18am Copy Link

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David Powelstock Is a discount available for the Standard Edition, too, or just the Pro?
david

(Hi. Sorry to repeat this question, but it seems to have been overlooked the first time!)

Sep 15 2011 at 9:38am Copy Link

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Alan @Gunnar,
Now I'm totally confused.
If PE doesn't need a dedicated USB device then the license for USB is not tied to the "computer", correct??

You said:
However, in theory, you should be able to extract the contents of the PhraseExpress USB Edition ZIP files into the DropBox folder and run it from there. However, it sounds awkward to me.

so awkward or not, it sounds like it should work. Maybe I'm confused withe the USB Edition, but is that what I just bought?

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 9:46am Copy Link

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Think Again About 2 years ago, I tried some 25 "expanders", incl. very high-priced "medical transcription aids", etc.

PE was the very best of all those, without any doubt and with a very large advance over some others. Many of them are so silly that they just expand shortcuts everywhere, or that they just expand them before SOME signs, i.e. ",", ".", but not ";", etc., etc., or just before spaces, so that you can never use them for the last word of a sentence or a half-sentence, etc., etc., even for paying programs; it goes without saying that PE is quite another world where such problems are unknown.

I didn't buy though, because I had a question, so I dared kindly asking it. All I got as an answer, was a computer-generated thing saying questions weren't allowed but for paying, existing users.

Thus, no question whatsoever in order to decide whether to buy or not - people don't know what incredible a chance they have that Mr. Bartels' willing to take their questions here!

Then, after a LOT of searching in the manual, I finally even found the (partly positive) answer to my question, but the problem was resolved there in not a very elegant way to say the least.

I then thought, with MS Word, I've got all I need, and then, nobody needs the same shortcuts in his text program and in his graphics program, e.g., so the global availability of an expander's shortcuts within every given programme on your system is fine in theory, but rather limited in its practical scope, except for rather special purposes.

I then discovered PE has a free version but that "phones home", in order to stop you if you use it for commercial purposes ; that's understandable, even if those technical possibilities are thus all there that it never will stop phoning home even after you'll have bought the program.

Then I discovered people having bought the standard version were complaining that it did even less than their previous free edition, while the latter one does, of course, less than the professional version on offer here, and Mr. Bartels only said that this was so intended by his company.

Then I discovered some discussions in the web where it got weird: Mr. Bartels got into endless fighting with critics there, when in fact, he HAS got the finest expander program out there in his hands, and thus could be much more relaxed than he was; for me, that went hand in hand with his company's sending out computer things refusing to give any answer to prospects, and I thought it was a pity.

And finally, I analysed my shortkey use without PE - even today I don't use PE for that, even for free, not because I don't want to, but just because I don't need to, and it's not for commercial purposes, so I probably would not automatically be stopped from further use -, and I discovered that, writing a lot of German, that particular problem of the German language to have a lot of "flexitive endings" on most of its words, make it almost impossible to make thorough use of any expander program:

It's male / female / plural / second-case endings, you have a lot of different verb forms, depending on the tense, and on top of that, you have, within the word, very often a flexation from a vowel to some composed vowels, etc., and it's endless; you type the shortcut, and then, on every third occasion or so, you rectify manually what you've got by the expander.

So, Mr. Bartels having got the world's best expander program in his hands, he should introduce some more artificial intelligence into PE in order to deliver the RIGHT form of a given word, depending on the context. This would bring PE there where Dragon NaturallySpeaking has got already, and indeed, most people considering an expander program should consider a voice recognition program first since it could be that it'll fulfill their needs and wishes better than any expander program will ever do.

This being said, USB sticks ain't that ubiquitous anymore, today it's a combination of a portable device with its hard disc (HHD or SSD) and the cloud, whilst USB sticks too easily get lost. So, people willing to use their shortcuts set(s) in the office, at home, on travel... from Mr. Bartels, they must buy 2, 3 licences for a single user, or take the risk and the "fun" of juggling around with a USB stick: If it's normal size, it gets very much in the way; if it's of the very tiny variety, it will even easier get lost.

This is of course since Mr. Bartels doesn't trust his paying customers, and he certainly is right to think that perhaps one out of 4 or 5 would use the same licence for his son or his wife if he, Bartels, didn't made this impossible for him, the unfaithful customer.

Other developers face the same problem as Mr. Bartels, but they take those chances, wanting to act friendly with their paying customers, and knowing that anyway, the son or the wife wouldn't have bought a second licence, and that such there isn't a real loss.

In corporations, it's not that much of a problem since every staff member that is outed one day will be happy then to signal to every rights owner out there that his or her employer uses non-genuine licences, i.e. 1 license bought, 3 people working with it, and not many employers today take those risks any more.

And finally, since PE phones home, technically it would be possible to check for such double / multiple use of the same licences: If it was one user only, he'd use the same sets... and if it was multiple users with the same sets of shortkeys, well, just wait for defections. And, the wife and the son, etc. - wouldn't that be but private use anyway, so what, even with the professional version?

As said, most developers consider those problems the way I try to develop here, more or less, and then they put a minimum of condidence into their customer relationship. Not so Mr. Bartels - and not so Dragon indeed.

Again, Mr. Bartels' got the best text expander of my knowing, and if I hadn't to buy 1 licence for each of my old computers, I'd seriously consider buying, but not being in the need to buy, those bysides, those conditions and weird things AROUND the product put me off.

AND those specific German language problems.

P.S. : A hint, not for those which are really too big, but for lesser plural / female ending problems in other languages. Why not introduce a standardized way for adding them, as such:

ab whatever
ab-s whatevers
ab-e whatevere, and even
ab-e whatevère when applicable in that word in that language,

the "-" being immediately accessible on many keyboards, whilst the "," or "." also are but are needed for their usual punctuation means.

You could even do something like
mn man
mn-s men

With such a short word, this would be ridiculous, but the order of things here being, make it easy for the user to put in a standardized suffix to shortkeys that PE then expands right to the rules of that word in that language; the same with a lot more endings; you could even introduce forms like

d do
d1 done
d2 have done
etc., etc.

If there is such a function already, all the better; as said, it's been some time I've tried PE.

AND, don't just offer PE here 3 months before a major new release is out. Be WITH your customers, and a lot more of prospects will be with you, as loyal customers. In programming, the strictest way is the good one; with customers, the easy way is best.

Sep 15 2011 at 10:10am Copy Link

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Alan @Gunnar
In your manual it states:
You can enforce the USB mode in PhraseExpress even if you do not run the program from a USB stick by launching the program with the command-line parameter -portable. Please find more information in chapter "Command line parameters".

All I want to do is use PE that I just bought. I'm not trying to be a pain but how can I run this from DropBox or in USB mode on a non usb drive?

If you want to send me a private email, I'm fine with that. I promise, it's only me, no one will ever see my license key, and I'm going to be the only one ever using it.

I actually do like the idea of occasionally phoning home to make sure I'm the only user, I'm fine with that.

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 10:18am Copy Link

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SoftCollector @Think Again

Well done - great review!

Sep 15 2011 at 11:16am Copy Link

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Alan I activated it on my laptop, then deactivated so I could try it on DropBox. It is now saying my license key is invalid.

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 11:21am Copy Link

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Alan Now it accepted it, so please ignore or delete my last message
Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 11:23am Copy Link

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Alan It doesn't look like it will work with DropBox. I suspect it's because even though it has been stated that PE doesn't require a dedicated USB drive, which is correct, I believe it does lock it to the usb device, and since DropBox really isn't a device (No Hardware serial number for example), it just won't work.

I'll have to live with that and will have to buy a USB drive just for this one program.

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 11:26am Copy Link

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H. H. Hallo,
since it´s only a short time for testing, and earlier versions didn´t have the feature I´ve the following question:
does PE 8 now allow to directly choose a phrase not only via shortcut or contextmenu, but also directly from the tree-structure with phrases (meaning, that just marking the phrase in the tree and than using a shortcut-command like strg+w for inserting it in the word-document.
The software TexManager 4 does have this ability, but probably only works with MS Word.
Thank you for answering in advance
H.H:

Sep 15 2011 at 11:35am Copy Link

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Jean Sibe Lost my interest due forced USB device usage, I don't want to carry any USB device just due one program, nowadays when you have multiple computers, cloud services...

For me it would be totally OK to always "phone home" and check if license key is running at some other machine, meaning license would be Per User instead of Per Computer.

I mean, this is software / application, not whole Operating System. I understand Microsoft is restricting Windows per computer.

Sofware publishers could maybe learn from Beyond Compare and its flexible licensing (http://www.scootersoftwar...kb_license)

Don't want to be rude but Phrase Express has huge emphasis regarding productivity, I am thinking about wasted time and productivity and seeing people clicking on "Safe removal of device", another click, click... waiting... removing USB, inserting to another computer, waiting for computer to recognize, opening Windows Explorer, navigating to USB, folder, launching program. Not so effective.

Sep 15 2011 at 11:52am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @David Powelstock: Professional Edition only as advertised.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 12:08pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Think Again: PhraseExpress does NOT "phone home" at all. It would not only be unethical but also unlawful. The software is digitally signed and we are a registered company. We could not do business for 13 years if we would spy out our users. Period.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 12:15pm Copy Link

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Bob Hughes I would really like to purchase this software, however I am concerned about some of the things I have read about the licensing restrictions.

Please clarify, if I use a desktop pc at the office, a desktop pc at home, and a laptop when travelling, then does your licensing agreement requires me to purchase 3 licenses?

I understand about the USB device option, but this option does not work easily for me as I do not have any available USB ports on two out of three computers.

Please assure me that your licensing agreement will allow a single user to use PhraseExpress Professsional Edition on multiple computers.

Sep 15 2011 at 12:19pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Bob Hughes: One license is required per computer (or USB memory device) as stated at http://shop.phraseexpress.com

If you lack an USB port, you can add additional ports with an USB hub.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 12:25pm Copy Link

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Bob Hughes Of course I could add a USB hub, but this is not practical when travelling with a laptop on an aircraft and trying to fit not only a laptop on the meal tray but a USB hun as well!

You did not directly answer my question about licensing.

If I use a desktop pc at the office, a desktop pc at home, and a laptop when travelling, then does your licensing agreement requires me to purchase 3 licenses unless I use the USB key option?

Thanks,
Bob

Sep 15 2011 at 12:29pm Copy Link

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Alan @Bob
Actually he did answer you, one message above.
Yes, if you don't use the usb option, you would need one license per computer.

Alan

Sep 15 2011 at 12:39pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Bob Hughes, if I tell you that one license is required per computer and if you tell me that you want to use it on three different computers, do you really ask me, how many licenses you would need to purchase?

3 computers x 1 license per computer = 3 licenses.

We would love to only charge one license per *user* (as it is the case with the Network Edition) but unfortunately, the Stand-Alone Edition software would not be able to figure out if it would be used by just one user. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 12:43pm Copy Link

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Bob Hughes Sorry, I did not see the first part of your reply regarding the licensing agreement as stated at http://shop.phraseexpress.com.

However, your sarcasm does not help to sell your product, or endear me to your company

Sep 15 2011 at 1:05pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH You are welcome. It was no sarcasm, it was a question and an answer.

If you read my reply as being sarcastic, you apparently found something that could be worth to be sarcastic about.

I haven't found anything like this and was just trying to be helpful. Please, take my apologies for any confusion.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 1:15pm Copy Link

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Bob Hughes Sarcasm = stating the obvious when you have assumed that I had understood your previous comment instead of giving be the benefit of a doubt. In this context, your comment was offensive "if I tell you that one license is required per computer and if you tell me that you want to use it on three different computers, do you really ask me, how many licenses you would need to purchase?" 3 computers x 1 license per computer = 3 licenses.

I can do simple math 3 x 1 = 3.

What I find unbelievable is that you do not license your software per user as many programs do today, especially when so many people use more than one computer.

Sep 15 2011 at 1:21pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH In my previous reply, I already tried to explain the reason of our license policy in advance:

We would love to only charge one license per *user* (as it is the case with the Network Edition) but unfortunately, the Stand-Alone Edition software would not be able to figure out if it would be used by just one user.

We try to provide a viable work-around with the Portable mode which gives users the opportunity to use one license on an unlimited number of computers. As a bonus, your data is carried with you, saving you from any syncing issues.

If you have no USB port available in your individual setup, we unfortunately can't help.

> I can do simple math 3 x 1 = 3.

I am happy to see that you can perform such calculations and it is very nice that you demonstrated that to us, Bob.

> stating the obvious

I am sorry to tell, but it was not obvious to me that you asked the same question again even after I already answered it in this thread. I was a little bit confused whether you really asked the same question and just asked for confirmation. I am sorry for my confusion.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 1:39pm Copy Link

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Bob Hughes More sarcasm "I am happy to see that you can perform such calculations and it is very nice that you demonstrated that to us, Bob."

I hope your customer service does not resort to this approach as does your performance here.

Do you really think that your sarcastic attitude is going to help you sell more licenses?

Sep 15 2011 at 1:43pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Glad that you mention our technical support quality.

You can find our level of technical support at http://forum.phraseexpress.com and in this thread at BdJ.

If you scroll above, we answer technical questions in a timely manner, including step-by-step video tutorials as you can find earlier in this thread.

I am happy to assist you with any additional *product*-related question.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 1:52pm Copy Link

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Bob Hughes Thanks for returning to a more professional approach.

OK, assuming I can make the USB-based approach work, if I need to move Phrase Express over from one USB drive to another, how will Phrase Express handle the transition from a licensing point of view?

In other words, how does Phrase Express "know" that I am transitioning from one USB drive to another?

Sep 15 2011 at 1:58pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH You can de-register your license at any time for use with another installation. Please learn more at http://manual.phraseexpre...deregister

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 15 2011 at 2:01pm Copy Link

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Bob Hughes One more question...what if I accidentally lose my USB memory device. Since I could not deregister Phrase Express from the lost USB memory device, how could I transfer Phrase Express to another USB memory device?

Thanks,
Bob

Sep 15 2011 at 7:00pm Copy Link

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Steven Avery Hi,

ok, I tried to come up to speed on some issues. It looks like the missing link here is that for many of use the free version of PhraseExpress is sufficient, since it is a full version and we are not using it for work.

In my case, I would be happy to recommend it to the client-work environment with 20 PCs if it is a real productivity tool.

Using the free version also eliminates concerns about upgrade frequency and costs and having two PCs in the house and stuff like that.

Now, PhraseExpress had a history where they overly nagged (as pointed out e.g. on Snapfiles) however they say this is fixed. If so, fine, if not then the representations are off.

So, as it stands now, I will download and use the free version. If the nag problem is off-base, then on to Breevy. If all is fine, then I will use and recommend as "best of breed".

PhraseExpress makes the point that this free version is a full version. That is their decision, and if it is handled properly it more than balances the concerns with frequent versions, upgrades and multiple computers. A business environment that shells out $ for Office and PaperPort and backup and security programs and this and that can weigh the decision, and the cost for many is easily handled (although the computations of PE may be a bit optimistic, self-serving). Even a home biz can probably handle this, using Bits and any discounts that arise.

The question is whether there is any "gotchas" involved for non-professional home use, hopefully not. If the reports are good, I will start up quickly in the PhraseExpress world

Principle beginning use example: "1T316" expanding to a formatted versions of the Bible verse "1 Timothy 3:16" which I normally get by going to Bible software and then cutting and pasting, and then doing a little extra formatting.

Steven

Sep 15 2011 at 10:56pm Copy Link

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Due to the overwhelming response Bartels Media GmbH has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Sep 16 2011 at 12:00am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Bob Hughes: No worry, in such rare case of USB stick failure we will gladly reset the license key manually for you.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 16 2011 at 2:01am Copy Link

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Roberto 20 minutes ago my computer keyboard was totally "dead".

i opened the process manager with the mouse, and PE was using 15% of CPU and around 9mb of RAM.

I killed the process and the keyboard back to response again.

Before the big lock, i was in Google Chrome, and i started a snippet with a word+tab in a web form (just easy snippet).

Im on windows xp sp3... now im fear a little... :-|

Sep 16 2011 at 2:23am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Steven Avery: As you noted, the free edition is free for personal home use *only*. It must not be used in professional/commercial environments. Please find more information at http://www.phraseexpress....eeware.htm

What is offered here at BdJ is the *Professional* Edition. The free edition, however, is based on the Standard Edition only.

You can find an overview about the PhraseExpress editions at http://shop.phraseexpress.com including videos of the different features if you click on a feature description in the comparison matrix.

With Breevy, you try to compare a one-man part-time hobbyist project with a professional business solution with a track record of 13+ man year development time.

PhraseExpress' unique text prediction feature, networking with a Client-/Server-architecture, advanced phrase selection options, batch editing, support for formatted text, smart unwanted Autotext detection, Typolearn, Rapidtype, reliability measures of loading/saving your data for secured data integrity, etc.

It is really way too much to mention here. Please find a comprehensive feature list at http://www.phraseexpress....atures.htm

Breevy’s current feature set is somehow between PhraseExpress v3 (from 2006!) and v5. You can easily click through the improvements we have implemented into PhraseExpress since then: http://www.phraseexpress.com/new4.htm

If Breevy does all what you believe you could ever need, you should use it and pass on the discount we provide here. However, please be aware, that your requirements may change while you dig into the software.

You may then find yourself paying twice if you realize that you badly need a feature that is not included in any alternative product.

Chances are little that this could happen with PhraseExpress.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 16 2011 at 2:49am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Roberto Porcar: This BdJ forum may not be the best place to handle support inquiries as we don't permanently monitor it. Please head over to http://forum.phraseexpress.com where our support staff gladly helps you.

A good start would be http://manual.phraseexpress.com#ts

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 16 2011 at 2:50am Copy Link

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D H I would like to ask concerning Citrix support in Prof edition. Our company uses PowerTerm IBM through Citrix Neigbourhood Agent. Will it work?

Sep 16 2011 at 7:37am Copy Link

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Eddie Tex Just to clarify re: the USB activation process. Even if I decide to migrate my stuff to a newer/faster USB stick in the future, I still have to contact you to reactivate?

Sep 16 2011 at 10:29am Copy Link

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Alan No, you can remove the license from your old usb and then go to your new usb and activate the license.
You only have to contact them if the old usb can't be unactivated because it's lost, destroyed or not working.
Alan

Sep 16 2011 at 10:54am Copy Link

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K X This is a link to the manual's section on USB. Be sure to read the part (blue link in that section) which says "Register PhraseExpress."

http://www.phraseexpress....al.htm#usb

Keep in mind "No PhraseExpress must be installed on the host PC if you want to register PhraseExpress running from a USB stick."

"Remove license from PhraseExpress

A license key can only be used for one installation. If you wish to use your license key for another installation, please unbind the license association from the current installation first:

Open the PhraseExpress main program window and select Help - Remove license from this installation."

Then you can activate it on a new USB.

More details are in the manual (the above link).

Sep 16 2011 at 12:06pm Copy Link

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K X I had asked earlier about changing some colors which are black in version 8, but blue in version 7. In case anyone else was wondering, I found that there's a place to customize colors under Settings.

http://www.phraseexpress....s_settings

Sep 16 2011 at 12:12pm Copy Link

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K X @ Eddie

In case you were wondering:

"Multi-language support

PhraseExpress supports Unicode for multi-language phrases and also offers you to switch the keyboard language layout automatically during keyboard input.

This enables multi-language users to use different language within a single phrase with correct display of the characters.

Or you can highlight any text and let PhraseExpress change the language scheme on demand."

Sep 16 2011 at 12:17pm Copy Link

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Eddie Tex @ K X

Good to know. Thank you.

Sep 16 2011 at 1:14pm Copy Link

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K X I just noticed on their website that there's a PhraseExpress newsletter.

http://www.phraseexpress....letter.php

I've bought two previous versions of PhraseExpress on Bits, but haven't been getting the newsletter (I assume that's because it's an "opt-in" newsletter), so I've posted the link in case any other users might not have known about it.

@ D H

I don't have personal experience with Citrix, but I've seen this statement on PhraseExpress site: "If you want to use PhraseExpress on a computer that has a Citrix/TerminalServer and/or -Client installed, please purchase license keys of the Network Edition."

http://www.phraseexpress....9/shop.php

Sep 16 2011 at 2:31pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @D H: Yes, the Network Edition works fine with Citrix.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 16 2011 at 4:29pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Eddie Tex: Would http://manual.phraseexpre...deregister help?

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 16 2011 at 4:32pm Copy Link

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Eddie Tex Yes. I understand now. Thank you.

Sep 16 2011 at 5:10pm Copy Link

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H. H. Hallo, (@ author)
inbetwen I tried to compare PE8 with TexManager 4 (www.texmanager.de) and think, that Texmanager has some advantages - especially
1. the possibility to slect the hrase within the treestructure and simply inserting them in a word documet via coouble-click or ctrl+w (not only using the tree for oraganizing the phrases)
2. allowing to store formatted text (or is this also possible in PE8 Pro?

Do you plan to make it possibile to directly insert phrases from the tree- database (e.g. via drag&drop or coubleclick or shortcut) in the near future - I think it would be an important improvement for handling hte phrases, since using the right-clickmenu needs more time, when one has a great number of text-phrases.?

Thank you for answering and considering in advance
H.H.

Sep 16 2011 at 9:57pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @H H: PhraseExpress Professional Edition even allows you to select phrases from a compact *floating* menu that floats on your desktop for quick access. Learn more at http://manual.phraseexpress.com#float

Such floating menu can contain any subfolder for quick access.

The main benefit of this method is that it saves a lot of desktop space. PhraseExpress doest not require to keep a bulky full main program window open like the mentioned Texmanager program which would occupy too much of the desktop space.

Additionally, if you drag & drop phrases out of the tree structure from the opened main program window, PhraseExpress export the phrase folder into the dragged file destination. Exported files can then be re-imported or loaded via drag & drop into any other installation.

This allows you to quickly re-organize yor phrase file or export parts of your phrase file in a snap.

--

Of course, PhraseExpress can store text formatting in HTML, RTF *and* native Word format.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 17 2011 at 1:05am Copy Link

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SoftCollector @ Gunnar

I bought PE as part of the sale on this price and have been testing it extensively ever since.

It is indeed an interesting piece of software and I like playing around with it. I cannot say it has saved me a lot of time by expanding phrases, since normal writing (and even email drafting) is not as repetitive as one might think, but I did automate beginnings and endings of emails and even created phrases, containing canned responses. It has been fun.

I would also like to propose some changes that I hope the developer will find useful:

1. When phrases are offered they can be inserted by pressing numbers. For some reason, however, the num lock button seems to always be in the wrong position. Maybe PE can switch it on - at least after a fresh restart? Or revert it automatically (as an option) after a configurable period of time?

2. When several phrases a offered it does indeed make sense to press numbers to select and insert them, but when there is only one proposition, it may be better to insert it by pressing Enter, then start looking for the "1".

3. I was a little perplexed by the open and import commands. When 'open' is used it actually erases the custom created phrases. If you have spent a lot of time refining them and have not backed them up, this could turn into a disasters.

Kind Regards,
SC

Sep 21 2011 at 2:38pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Softcollector: Thank you for purchasing PhraseExpress.

1. Sounds like a good idea but I can't promise anything at this time. We will check, whether we can add such feature. As far as I know, Windows should remember the last used NumLock state. If not, as a workaround, there may be free utilities to perform the requested feature but I am not sure. Google may help.

2. You can always directly insert the currently highlighted item in a phrase popup with the default confirmation key. I would recommend to set it to the ";" in US keyboard layouts as it is located right next to the ENTER key. Please learn more at http://manual.phraseexpress.com#popup

3. PhraseExpress NEVER deletes your phrases if you just open a new phrase file. However, it unloads the current phrase file and loads the other phrase file, Just like almost any program, e.g. Word. Word does also not delete any previous document just because you "open" a new one. The old phrase file must still be available on your hard disk. Please learn more at http://manual.phraseexpress.com#location

PhraseExpress also creates backups of your phrase file: http://manual.phraseexpress.com#backup

Please send future technical support inquiries directly to http://support.phraseexpress.com as this webpage here is a Software Discount page, not the PhraseExpress support forum. We actually don't monitor this page after a promotion is finished and inquiries may be left unanswered here.

Thank you for your understanding.

Bartels Media GmbH - Sep 22 2011 at 12:30am Copy Link

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Due to the overwhelming response Bartels Media GmbH has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Nov 25 2011 at 12:53am Copy Link

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Ben Does anyone know when this deal will be back again?

Ben

Feb 20 2012 at 1:55am Copy Link

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SoftCollector Dear All,

1. I have been using PE v8 for over an year now, and it has grown on me. It would be fair to say that although I spent quite a bit on buying it (from the standpoint of what a 'typical' software license on sale costs on BDJ), it was money well spent, as I typically spend 8-10 hours daily in front of my computer and I use PE a lot. So it saves me time. Also, I simply like playing around with software, and in this respect PE can keep you happily occupied for years!

2. I have been constantly honing and fine tuning my phrase file, and currently I am opening web pages, running software, inserting repetitive phrases, playing music, using it as a clipboard manager, spell checker of the fly, etc. I really miss it, when I have to do things 'the old way' (manually, on my own) – for example, when sitting on somebody else's computer.

3. There are very few shortcomings. Sometimes it cannot correctly paste the contents of the clipboard into the space where the cursor is. This can be seen for example when trying to rename a file in Directory Opus by pasting the new name from the clipboard to overwrite the old one. This needs to be looked into. Also, yesterday I wrote quite a long review on www.amazon.com, and at the end of it I tried to paste a phrase via PE and it erased the contents of the review!

4. Also, I am running the portable version, and one occasion Windows restarted unexpectedly (not the PE's fault), and my phrase files got somehow messed up. Fortunately, I had had it backed up at another location, so I was able to recover it.

5. All in all it is a great piece of software, and I recommend it enthusiastically. After 13 months of daily use I feel I have hardly scratched the surface of its capabilities!

Best Regards,
SC

Oct 22 2012 at 6:21am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @SC: Thank you for the nice review. If you have paste issues, please check for other programs that might affect windows focus changes (MouseWhiz or other mouse or keyboard related programs etc,). Please also check http://manual.phraseexpress.com#ts - For technical support, please visit http://support.phraseexpress.com

Bartels Media GmbH - Oct 22 2012 at 6:33am Copy Link

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SoftCollector Dear All,

This is awesome software, and my best buy on www.bitsdujour.com so far.

A few questions to the developer:

1. Can the discount be applied to the upgrade price from v8 Pro or is it intended for new licenses only?
2. What is considered Pro usage of the software – in which case the purchase of a license is required?

Kind Regards,
SC

Dec 21 2012 at 12:42am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH 1. The discount is valid for new licenses only. Returning customers get up to 50% discount at http://upgrade.phraseexpress.com anyway.

2. The promotion is for the Professional Edition. Please contact http://contact.phraseexpress.com for general licensing questions.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 21 2012 at 12:54am Copy Link

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umike Your policy states "Online license activation is required with a hardware footprint, and 1 installation per footprint".
Can the pro license be used in USB version phrase express where I will be using the phrase express in different pcs (through a portable hard disk)?

Dec 21 2012 at 3:45pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Yes, the license will be associated with the USB stick hardware and you can use it on any computer.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 21 2012 at 3:49pm Copy Link

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H. H. Hallo,
is it now possible (or will it be possible within the near future) to drag and drop phrases directly from the main- phrase-tree (the main organizer window) to target program, or is it only possible with floating menus?
The lack of the ability to make the selection from the main phrase tree (which still would give the best overview) in former versions had hold me back (together with the restrictive hardware-footprint handling) from making my purchase. The portability is an improvement, but what happens if the usb-stick is not readable any longer (I experienced it more than once)?
In TexManager (www.texmanager.de) (it is possible to choose directly from the main phrase-tree (disadvantage: only works with micosoft office).
H.H.

Dec 22 2012 at 5:27am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH You can drag & drop phrases from the floating menu and it works very nicely. The feature is included in the Professional Edition anyway. If you drag & drop folders from the main program window, such folders will be exported as phrase files. If a USB stick is broken, you need to buy a new one. PhraseExpress can't fix your broken USB sticks. Your license will still be valid for the new USB stick if it breaks occasionally.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 22 2012 at 8:57am Copy Link

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Roberto some review of the new version v9, and comments of the users below:

http://lifehacker.com/596...t-expander

Dec 23 2012 at 10:55am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH The very best review is the one, you make yourself. You can try PhraseExpress before making any purchase decision: http://download.phraseexpress.com

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 23 2012 at 11:10am Copy Link

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Karl M. I like PhraseExpress, but the free version doesn't really work well and the paid versions are much to expensive for a private person.

Dec 24 2012 at 1:56am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Karl, please visit http://support.phraseexpress.com for technical issues. This promotion here is to solve the price issue for you. ;-)

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 24 2012 at 3:13am Copy Link

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Karl M. Sorry, Gunnar. But $70 doesn't solve the price issue for me.

And the technical issues with the free version cannot be solved, as you know. It's simply how your application checks if it is used for business.

Dec 24 2012 at 4:28am Copy Link

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Tony Jacobson Hi Gunnar. Is the file format compatible between V8 and V9? I already have a V8 license for one computer, and migh buy another for a second computer. I don't update the file frequently, but it would be handy to be able to copy an updated file from one computer to the other. I'm sure this will work from V8 to V9, but will it work from V9 to V8?

Dec 24 2012 at 6:15am Copy Link

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RPP.SysAdmin.a This is my experience with PEX v8. I am open to discussion with Mr. Bartels, but after extensive communication with Mr. Schmidt at PEX, I cannot recommend the Pro edition of this program for reasons of weak technical support. This is not a technical support forum but it is a consumer feedback and general question forum. I do not make this post joyfully, but have invested many hours trying to work with PEX support and my experience deserves sharing. I am currently using Breevy, because it is not broadly incompatible with the drivers of my computer. PEX keeps the users phrase file encrypted and the user has no access to their abbreviations in a flat text file format. No export option exists. PEX may want to comment on why they do not allow export of the phrase information that their customers may have spent years creating. In order to switch to Breevy and part ways peacefully with PEX, I asked for an export of my phrase file so that I might load these abbreviations into Breevy. My request was denied by Mr. Schmit. End of Story. Bottom line: if you have a pen-based computer or even a laptop with touchpad, you should be aware that you MAY encounter conflicts with the drivers, and if you do, my experience was that PEX will not help you.
respectfully, Roy Planalp

The following is tech support info. I am not asking for a response to this, but include it to demonstrate the credibility of my posting:
I have had 3 problems with the software. #1. constant loss of contact with the PEX server from my laptop, which were answered by "sorry, our software does not support interruption of the network connection; wait for v. 9 which will incorporate a timeout feature to reset the dropped connection quickly." No timeline given for v. 9, and now that v. 9 is here, I must pay for the upgrade to repair the problem. I would do so, but "fortunately" for me encountered #2 before I bought v. 9 #2. I encountered extensive conflict problems between PEX and the drivers of my computer. My computer is a tablet PC convertible laptop running Windows 7 on the most broadly accepted platform, the Fujitsu LifeBook. It has drivers for the pen interface made by Wacom, and the Synaptics touchpad. When attempting to address these issues Mr. Schmidt pointed me to a tech support webpage of PEX which is entirely PEX-centered, meaning, no interest in changing PEX or adding compatibility options, rather, it is oriented to finding drivers that conflict and disabling these. It is not practical for me to disable my pen and touchpad drivers to use PEX. Disabling and reenabling drivers requires a reboot of the computer. #3. PEX refuses to give me the abbreviation information I created on PEX before the incompatibility problems got out of hand. So I must put everything into Breevy by hand.

Dec 24 2012 at 7:59am Copy Link

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Mark Johnson Some questions:

Is there anywhere that gives a description of the new features in each version? I notice that the current version is 9, but the videos are for version 5. Since it costs $70 to upgrade from one version to another and it appears that a new version comes out roughly once per year, I would think there should be a lot of new features with each new version but I do not see anywhere on your website that new features are listed.

Is it possible to have the spell checker work in some programs but not others?

Does the application fully support Windows 8's metro interface?

Thank you,
Mark.

Dec 24 2012 at 8:36am Copy Link

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Mark Johnson Actually just after typing in the above I found this page which answers a couple of my questions:
http://www.phraseexpress.com/new9.htm
Wow, if all those features are new in version 9 then that is a huge improvement from 8 to 9!

However, that page does bring up an additional question. I work with Microsoft Sql Server daily. When I saw that the product can use Sql Server for a data store I was thinking MS Sql server. However, on this page I see explicitly Firebird Sql Server. Is Firebird the only Sql server that the product works with, or will it work with MS Sql Server also?

Thanks!

Dec 24 2012 at 8:43am Copy Link

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DH007 Just single question to a developer: Do you offer a free service or option to export my created snippets to plain text or other not proprietary format? Simply answer yes-no. This is the major thing to consider buying this software. I read Roy Planalp post and it makes me a little bit scarry.

Dec 24 2012 at 9:02am Copy Link

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Mark Johnson I came back here to ask the same basic question...
in the application itself I do not see an export option.
How do I export the phrases that have been entered?
If there is not currently an option to export phrases, when will this be added to the application? This is critical!
Sorry, but this is important enough that there's no way I'll buy unless an export option is currently available or will soon be available. My data belongs to me and I have to be able to access it.

Thanks!

Dec 24 2012 at 10:36am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH You can export phrases as RTF-/HTML-/Microsoft Word-formatted text or unformatted plain text by simply inserting it into the desired target application. You can insert phrases by hotkey, by autotext, from the task tray icon popup menu or from a floating menu that can conveniently reside on your desktop. You can also export any phrase folder by simply dragging the folder from the tree view onto the desktop. Such exported files can be easily re-imported into another PhraseExpress installation.

It doesn’t make sense to export phrases in another format as PhraseExpress stores a lot of information along with each phrase that no other target application would be able to understand, e.g. proprietary hotkey/autotext trigger information, variables that contain restriction to certain target programs or users and additional parameters.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 24 2012 at 11:19am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Tony: PhraseExpress v8 can read PhraseExpress v9 phrase files but PhraseExpress v8 cannot read PhraseExpress v9 because v9 introduced many new features that have been unknown at the time of developing PhraseExpress v8. Hope this helps.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 24 2012 at 11:20am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Mark: Your data is totally yours. Just create PhraseExpress from existing contents of any source files you want by copying it into PhraseExpress. You still have all the information in the source documents. PhraseExpress won't delete it. Just keep all source documents and you keep your data in the original format of the source files. When PhraseExpress saves your text snippets, however, it adds proprietary data that can be understood by PhraseExpress only to provide all its rich extra features. There is no other programs that could understand the extra information added by PhraseExpress. So, if you keep your source text files, you always have access to your original data.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 24 2012 at 11:30am Copy Link

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DH007 "You can export phrases as RTF-/HTML-/Microsoft Word-formatted text or unformatted plain text by simply inserting it into the desired target application. You can insert phrases by hotkey, by autotext, from the task tray icon popup menu or from a floating menu that can conveniently reside on your desktop."
OK, this is one-by-one approach that is time consuming. Once again : Can I export ALL my created snippets from the database to plain text or other not proprietary format in a single batch or simple keystroke or whatever one calls it and not one-by-one?
You did not answer my question. Please could you reply?
If I should spend my money I need to have strong data to make decision.
My second question is: Is the note on deleting bad posts from forum and poor support true as mentioned in Roy Planalp post true? I made some investigation on google with the name of your company and I do not know what I should think.

Dec 24 2012 at 12:08pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Planalp: We invested many hours to answer any your large number of elaborated emails/forum postings and even added new functionality (not bug fix) to PhraseExpress tailored to solve your issue. I believe, there is not much more a user could ask for than getting a custom extra feature for a $70 purchase. We have now to accept that we failed to meet your sophisticated expectations. Our apologies. Michael

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 24 2012 at 12:12pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Daniel: To avoid redundancy, please check my answer to Mark. // There is no need to speculate about our support quality - You can easily get a first-hand impression by visiting http://forum.phraseexpress.com – It is public and open. You can also find our forum disclaimer there. Customers can also email to us if they prefer it over forums. // If you search google, you will find people saying that we eat cute little kitty cats. But, ...no, we don’t. Hope this helps. ;-)

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 24 2012 at 12:39pm Copy Link

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Ralph Bressler Is the trial only of the standard version? I can't seem to find some of the features mentioned for the professional version in the trial.

Dec 24 2012 at 1:24pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Ralph: The trial version should include all features. Please make sure to download & install latest PhraseExpress v9.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 24 2012 at 1:30pm Copy Link

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bvssunnydale Hi, can the auto "detects typed text" which prompts with suggestions, I presume, feature be turned OFF? (I'm assuming it's like a lot of programs "auto-correct" feature which some people like but others - like me - find profoundly annoying). Thanks for the help.

Dec 24 2012 at 2:51pm Copy Link

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bvssunnydale Hi, can the auto "detects typed text" which prompts with suggestions feature be turned OFF? (I'm assuming it's like a lot of programs "auto-correct" feature which some people like but others - like me - find profoundly annoying). Thanks for the help.

Dec 24 2012 at 2:52pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @bvssunnydale: Yes, the text prediction feature can be configured and disabled: http://manual.phraseexpre...#autolearn

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 24 2012 at 3:02pm Copy Link

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RPP.SysAdmin.a This comment has been deleted due to a violation of the rules

Dec 24 2012 at 3:37pm Copy Link

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Steven Avery Hi,

This situation of not having a straight simple export of the basic data (to something like a .cvs or .txt file) should just about always be a deal-breaker, as it was for Roboform.

Thanks to the posters who raised the question. At times, this is a symptom of other problems as well, but even by itself it makes a no-go.

I'm out.

Steven

Dec 24 2012 at 7:39pm Copy Link

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Great News! Bartels Media GmbH has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Dec 25 2012 at 12:11am Copy Link

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Roberto I see some deletions here already. I will share my experience with the technical support if anybody interested.

I dont want to violate any rule, my feedback about PE is a great product with a not too much great customer service.

My messages about bugs were closed and deleted in their forums (and not solved).

I was thinking it was my bad luck or they had a bad day, but yesterday I read some comments about their customer service.

If they improve some kindness with users maybe this is the best macro software... until then I'll search a less powerful alternative.

sorry.

Dec 25 2012 at 3:11am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Dear anonymous "Roberto": Thank you for your ongoing interest and involvement with PhraseExpress. Everybody can easily verify our support quality as we run a public support forum at http://forum.phraseexpress.com - We certainly wouldn’t do that if we would have a policy of hiding issues. I believe, everybody agrees, that it would be stupid to run a forum in such case. PhraseExpress is used by hundred thousands of users. If we wouldn’t manage the forum, it would quickly be impossible to navigate. Of course, your personal matters are extremely important to you and us. However, please allow us to decide which is relevant for the general(!) user base, thus worth to keep in the forum. If we wouldn’t run a forum but email-only support, nobody would ever hear about your personal support case either. Please look at our forum as a user-driven knowledge base or FAQ rather than an archive of every posting ever made. We answer every single support customer inquiry if possible. Of course, we can’t provide a solution for every possible problem, for instance, if customers believe that there is a compatibility issue with a very specific input device, our hands are tied as we are not able to keep stock of every existing input device on this planet. That is, why we provide a free demo version, that allows all users to check PhraseExpress for compatibility with their individual system configuration before making a purchase decision. By the way, while you claim, we would provide poor support, have you recognized, that we work our butts off for you even during Christmas holidays? ;-)

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 25 2012 at 7:02am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Steven: Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for PhraseExpress. Your idea of "straight simple export" may be based on a misconception, that PhraseExpress would be limited to replacing a text string A with a longer phrase B. PhraseExpress, however, does so much more: An Autotext or hotkey can trigger a text expansion *optionally*; PhraseExpress allows to assign multiple Autotext for the same phrase; it offers to adapt the letter case of the output phrase depending on the letter case of the Autotext. Hotkeys and Autotexts can be restricted to certain programs or users; phrases are organized in a customizable folder hierarchy which can’t be reflected in a simple plain text format; same goes for the proprietary macro automation language that are embedded in the plain text snippets. Then, there is the unique text prediction feature which uses data which is impossible to export in a meaningful format as it is stored in a complex multi-level matrix of word connections. For the last 10 years, we carefully selected and implemented new features into PhraseExpress only, if they fit consistently with the whole feature set. As of today, PhraseExpress is the only Text Expander on this planet that supports RTF and HTML and native Microsoft Word text formatting. All this extra formatting information just couldn’t be exported to “straight simple text”. It would have to be encoded somehow. If we would offer the “simple” approach as you suggested, you personally may be fine with that. But you are not alone: If we would offer such feature, thousands of other users may use it as well and may start complaining (for very good reasons) that all the text formatting would be lost in the exported file. Others may complain that the program/user restrictions settings are not exported or that the folder hierarchy would be lost. We kindly ask for your understanding, that adding such “quick & dirty” feature would create enormous support problems and it is against our quality standards anyway. Last but not least, it is very important to understand, that PhraseExpress IS a proprietary application as it provides a unique feature set.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 25 2012 at 7:39am Copy Link

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Kelly Major I've wanted this product for a long time but I do need the pro version since I have small business. I've never purchased it because the limitation of 1 install is unrealistic in todays world. Who doesn't have at least a desktop and a laptop. I would consider 2 installs the absolute minimum especially at the normal pricing. Some time ago I had an email exchange with the developer about this and although responsive to my emails he wasn't going to budge on this point. I think this policy is unreasonable and has probably cost them far more money than it's made them.

Consider this scenario. I have a hosted Exchange account and I have Outlook installed on my Office workstation where I do 99% of my "business" work and on my Laptop for those occasions where I need to travel or handle an email when I'm out of the office but it's use for business is extremely limited. I couldn't use the "free" version because it's going to see the business related emails on my email account on the laptop because my email is an exchange account. So even though it's business use is nearly zero I would have to buy a second license which I have not been nor am I now willing to do.

To the vendor; please reconsider this policy to allow for at least 2 installations. If the policy doesn't change I doubt I'll ever upgrade since the upgrade cost is 50% of the product price which is the same price as todays offer.

Having said all of that, I've purchased a license for my office desktop workstation because the price of this deal made it worth tolerating the aforementioned issues to evaluate the sofware over a long term. It's too bad I'll never be able to install it on my laptop.

- KEM

Dec 25 2012 at 11:11am Copy Link

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Steven Avery Hi,

Bartels, I fully understand that two programs will not have exactly the same data .. one export, the other import. That is common in computer programs, one man's export is somewhat different than another's import.

Nonetheless, you, as a vendor with proprietary data, are supposed to supply the basics, which is simply :

a) the short phrase
b) the long expansion

You can definitely explain that this is a basic export. Perhaps you would add a bit more (e.g. an RTF option). You are NOT expected to export your special coding, like conditional processing. (e.g. Do this phrase if you are in Eudora email, or if the User is Max).

Afaik, there are no industry standards that you could use there, even if you wanted (as, e.g. with a .cal file for calender export and import, which is why calendars must have have such a function. A calendar is not expected to export all its functions but it is expected to do what it can unto the industry standard).

So nobody expects you to do what is essentially impossible, or nonsensical (a new specialized complex export, with a file-layout explanation, blah-blah). You are not asked to pioneer a new industry standard. If some one wants that type of specialized export, they can contract you out for that.

The simple fact is, you do not supply the basics.
So, as I said:

I'm out.

===================

I'll listen again when you have the basics of export down pat. Just announce that there is an option for basic export. Your price is still high, even with the discount, but at least I would could give a real shake-out and comparison without the dead-ending aspect.

We ran into this problem with Roboform, and there are always various excuses given by the vendor. Yours were comprehensible, but ultimately evasive, and they still do not supply a real reason why you do not put the basics into an export that another program (or a printout) can handle. And I will conjecture that your program does not have a simple, solid printing function either, since the user or alternate program could then print-to-file and pick up the columnnized text for input.

===================

btw, your writing like this:

BartelsMedia
-- Dear anonymous "Roberto" --

has long been off-putting. Do we have your actual name and location ? Are we supposed to ? And why do you write in this manner against anybody who you perceive as possibly critical (although Roberto's posts were clearly earnest). For those interested, this came up before on the Donationcoder forum, I was not involved in the discussions, they are still there for the reading.

===================

Steven

Dec 25 2012 at 12:36pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Kelly: Did you know, that PhraseExpress can run from a USB drive on any of your computers with a single license? Another benefit would be that your phrase file would roam with you without any need to sync online between multiple computers.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 25 2012 at 1:08pm Copy Link

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Kelly Major @Bartels Media Yes I'm aware of that but as I understand it if I use the USB option then it is licensed on that 1 USB drive *only* and that presents other undesirable issues:

1) I don't want to have to remember to carry a USB drive around every time I take my laptop with me and then all of the rest of the time keep that USB drive plugged in to my desktop workstation. If I forget and leave it in my laptop and I'm at my office workstation then I can't use PE and vice-versa.

2) My laptop only has 1 USB port and I often use it for other purposes so using PE that way is really impractical. I don't really want to tie up a port on my workstation all the time either.

Unless I'm mistaken the DropBox would be the ideal sync solution between my desktop and laptop if I could run it on my laptop.

Thanks for your suggestion though. I'm afraid that just isn't an option I'm interested in.

- KEM

Dec 25 2012 at 1:29pm Copy Link

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Tony Jacobson I think the concerns about access to data are valid. I agree that a simple text export will leave out meaningful information, but I don't agree with the user's data being encrypted (unless they choose to encrypt it). PEX files are encrypted zip files. The application would work just as well with an unencrypted zip file.

PEX can import data from six other products (AutoHotkey, GhostTyper, TextExpander, Texter, InstantText and ShortHand), but no other product will be able to import your PEX data because of the encryption. While I will continue to use PEX for my simple needs, I could not recommend this application to one of my customers because of the data file encryption.

Dec 25 2012 at 1:33pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Tony: Thank you for using PhraseExpress. I explained earlier in this thread that it is very easy to access your data. The phrase file is encrypted as our sample phrase file contains copyrighted materials that we wouldn't be able to offer otherwise. PhraseExpress can load and organize many ten thousands of phrases in a single phrase file with high performance which required a reasonable investment into research & development to create a smart and efficient phrase file format and sophisticated storage organization of various phrase parameters. You hopefully agree that we have limited interest to share this valuable business information with competitors.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 25 2012 at 1:50pm Copy Link

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Ralph Bressler On the page which describes the free edition I found the following sentence.

"PhraseExpress includes all features of the Professional Edition."

I was under the impression that features like preserving Word formatting and floating menus were found in the Professional version only. Which is true?

Dec 25 2012 at 3:28pm Copy Link

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Roger Thomasson @ Steven

We've moved your comment to the forum, a more appropriate place:

http://www.bitsdujour.com...ta-formats

BitsDuJour Admin - Dec 25 2012 at 8:01pm Copy Link

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Roger Thomasson @ Wearsie

We've responded to your off-topic comment here:

http://www.bitsdujour.com...-discounts

BitsDuJour Admin - Dec 25 2012 at 9:38pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Ralph: Forms and MS Word formatting is included in the Pro Editon only.

Bartels Media GmbH - Dec 25 2012 at 10:11pm Copy Link

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Ralph Bressler So, the statement on the website is incorrect and misleading and should be changed!

Dec 26 2012 at 2:33am Copy Link

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Pim Joosten I have a desktop and a laptop and am the only user of these computers. I never use them at the same time. In one of the older comments you wrote: "Generally, You would need a separate license for each installation. However, if you are the only user, we will gladly enable your single license for use with up to three computers as part of this promotion." Could I make the same arrangement? TBH: if I have to purchase one license per computer I most likely will not buy it, as an expense of $140 in total just for me is simply too much. I do know there is a portable option, but I do not want to have to use a USB stick constantly (I very barely use USB sticks anyway).

Thank you for considering this.

Jun 3 2013 at 12:59am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH In this case, we gladly extend the license for use with two computers. Please contact us at http://contact.phraseexpress.com and send your license key.

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 3 2013 at 4:28am Copy Link

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Pim Joosten Thank you. I really appreciate this!

Jun 3 2013 at 6:15am Copy Link

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mix624 There is other great options, to expensive (even at $69).

Jun 3 2013 at 9:07am Copy Link

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Rosalind Share I can confirm the excellence of Phrase Express and the software support. As to what it is worth, I think this 50% discount a deal and I doubt you will find a product that offers the same functionality and support, but that is only my opinion.

Jun 4 2013 at 10:39am Copy Link

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Fadi Hi,
If I need to use this for personal use, do I need the Professional Edition?, is there any advantage for buying the Professional Edition over the Free Edition for personal use?

Thanks

Jun 5 2013 at 8:42am Copy Link

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Joe M Fadi, I have been using the free version for personal use for a bout 8 months. I have also used the USB version. They both work great. It is the same program as the pro version.

Jun 5 2013 at 2:24pm Copy Link

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Roger Thomasson @ Fadi, Joe

The Professional Edition includes a some substantial features that the Free Edition does not:

- Floating desktop menus
- Text snippets with native Microsoft Word formatting
- Input forms (http://www.phraseexpress.....htm#forms)
- Dynamically link external MS Word documents into text snippets

BitsDuJour Admin - Jun 5 2013 at 2:24pm Copy Link

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DELETED_AT_USER_REQUEST_mikolajek Can this discount (in full or in part) be applied against upgrade from Standard to Professional version? Such option would be great!

Jun 6 2013 at 3:52am Copy Link

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bvssunnydale Hi, does anyone know if there's an online direct comparison between this and Shortkeys, and Breevy? or have any personal experience? Thx.

Jun 6 2013 at 6:13am Copy Link

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Heidi-Ann Kennedy-Fourkiller Very fond of this program, yet even at half off, the program is out of acceptable expenditures for our non profit organization. For those those that can empty the penny jar. . . this is a very worthy piece of software.
Highly Endorse.
Sincerely,
Heidi-Ann Kennedy
Scientific Frontline

Jun 6 2013 at 6:13am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH What happens if the PC crashes and PE needs to be re-installed?

No problem. Just send us an email in such case.

What happens if the PC gets old and I need to reinstall PE to my new PC?

Please read http://manual.phraseexpre...deregister

Does professional version has portable edition, and is it included in today's deal?

Yes, indeed.

@ bvssunnydale: Please check http://www.phraseexpress....atures.htm

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 6 2013 at 8:14am Copy Link

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Roger Thomasson Responding to the very first comment of this promotion, Gunnar has generously offered to extend these PhraseExpress licenses for use with 2 computers instead of one.

As specified, you must email him to get the license extension. Please don't post requests here, they won't see the light of day.

We're not going to let any more complaints through regarding installation or pricing terms. If you've included an unrelated question to such a comment, feel free to post it again without the redundant parts.

BitsDuJour Admin - Jun 6 2013 at 8:17am Copy Link

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Roger Thomasson @mikolajek

Today's promotion is as advertised and does not apply to upgrades.

BitsDuJour Admin - Jun 6 2013 at 8:21am Copy Link

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Ed Ward I purchased and used PhraseExpress for a while but have stopped using due to an annoying feature - a box w/ text options would appear while I'm typing and I would then have to choose from the selections shown. This interrupts flow and requires more time than simply entering the remainder of the word manually.

Perhaps there is a way to "turn off" or adjust auto-complete (e.g., don't show for words 15 characters), but I opted for a simpler program instead.

Curious if any other users have encountered and if so, how you deal with this feature?

Jun 7 2013 at 8:38am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Ed: I wonder why you haven't contacted http://support.phraseexpress.com - We are there to help.

Perhaps there is a way to "turn off" or adjust auto-complete

Right-click items in the popup menu for options. Of course, the popup can be disabled. Please learn more about using popups in the manual at http://manual.phraseexpress.com#popup

don't show for words 15 characters

PhraseExpress has that: http://manual.phraseexpre...n_settings

Curious if any other users have encountered

Please check out our vivid support forum at http://forum.phraseexpress.com

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 7 2013 at 8:48am Copy Link

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Charles Beauchamp Quite impressive for doctors in the USA who need help in ICD-10 coding if your ICD-10 coverage is extensive.

Jun 8 2013 at 10:52am Copy Link

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Ed Ward Thank you - I guess I've gotten spoiled by programs that both powerful and so intuitive/easy to use that a manual isn't required.

Jun 8 2013 at 10:52am Copy Link

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HJ B I installed the program and, as an initial test, I created an abbreviation to type in a short phrase. I set the typeface and sized it to 12 point. I then open MS Word and tried the abbreviation. It worked, except the result was in 7.5 point. After several more efforts, I increased the set size to 20 point. That produced a 12 point result in Word.

I am concerned that if there is this kind of deviation, there may be others, as well.

Has this previously been reported? Is there a fix.

I am using Windows 8 64 bit and Office 10.

Jun 8 2013 at 10:54am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Ed: PhraseExpress is easy as 1-2-3 but it offers a lot of features if you start digging into it. That is, why a manual comes in handy. Most users consider the popup menus as useful. If you dont like them, you would just to remember to right-click unwanted items for options.

@HJ B: PhraseExpress offers support for a variety of text formatting: HTML, RTF and the Professional Edition additonally supports native Microsoft Word format. HTML output style may depend/vary on stylesheets applied by the receiving application. Please try RTF and Microsoft Word format instead if in doubt.

Bartels Media GmbH - Jun 8 2013 at 11:26am Copy Link

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Georg Baker any idea when this deal is coming ?

Jul 4 2013 at 6:49am Copy Link

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Joe M Why not just try the free version. Maybe that is all you need.

Jul 5 2013 at 12:32am Copy Link

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Georg Baker for 1. I'd like to use it in my business and 2. Would like to support the development, but current pricing is over the top for me

Jul 10 2013 at 8:17pm Copy Link

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Ela S. In fact, this is one of the must-have and world-best text snippets programm for frequent writers. For example, inserting reference links with date and exact format (eg Harvard citation) become a cinch.

The main difference between professional and the free version for me is the floating window menu, which accelerates the work flow once again enormously.

Now is this price for 1 year free upgrades only as offered on your website? Would there be a discount for 3 years upgrade as well?

Thanks for your kind clarification.

Mar 24 2014 at 3:45am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Thank you for the kind words. The promotion is for the 1 year free upgrades version only at this time. Of course, PhraseExpress continues to run after this period.

Bartels Media GmbH - Mar 24 2014 at 3:47am Copy Link

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Patrick Biegel How much would an upgrade cost me? I have version 9.xx. Thanks for your answer and have a nice day!

Mar 24 2014 at 5:12am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH This promotion offers the regular license. Upgrades for existing licenses are available at http://upgrade.phraseexpress.com

Bartels Media GmbH - Mar 24 2014 at 5:19am Copy Link

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bvssunnydale This would be probably be a good deal if the license was portable, or it could be installed on multiple computers. I use a program called Shortkeys and its pretty good (and a lot cheaper and even portable). I'm not saying I won't get this (I've been trying and discarding these abbreviation programs since my PRD+ DOS days), it's just that the competition is very stiff in this market and everyone has multiple cpus, which makes this a bit cost prohibitive..

Mar 24 2014 at 3:07pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH We are happy to confirm, that PhraseExpress IS portable and can run from a USB thumb drive without installation on a computer. You would license that USB stick which can then be used on any computer with a single license.

Please learn more at http://manual.phraseexpress.com#usb

Bartels Media GmbH - Mar 25 2014 at 2:17am Copy Link

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Georg Baker Brilliant, been waiting for this for a while... Thanks.

I just purchased it and just want to know if I can activate it on a USB stick and my PC ? I travel around a lot and thus need the USB version but hate to stick the thing in every time I work in the PC ? Would it work ?

Mar 26 2014 at 5:58am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH Our apologies for the inconvenience but PhraseExpress is licensed per computer.

Bartels Media GmbH - Mar 26 2014 at 6:29am Copy Link

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Steven Avery Hi,

Has there been any improvement on the issue of setting up a straight simple export of the basic data (e.g to a .cvs or .txt file)? Without doing it one by one.

Thanks.

Steven Avery

Mar 26 2014 at 2:03pm Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Steven: Thank you for asking the same question again. Your idea of "straight simple export" may be based on a misconception, that PhraseExpress would be limited to replacing a text string A with a longer phrase B. PhraseExpress, however, does so much more: An Autotext or hotkey can trigger a text expansion *optionally*; PhraseExpress allows to assign multiple Autotext for the same phrase; it offers to adapt the letter case of the output phrase depending on the letter case of the Autotext. Hotkeys and Autotexts can be restricted to certain programs or users; phrases are organized in a customizable folder hierarchy which can’t be reflected in a simple plain text format; same goes for the proprietary macro automation language that are embedded in the plain text snippets. Then, there is the unique text prediction feature which uses data which is impossible to export in a meaningful format as it is stored in a complex multi-level matrix of word connections. For the last 12 years, we carefully selected and implemented new features into PhraseExpress only, if they fit consistently with the whole feature set. As of today, PhraseExpress is the only Text Expander, we are aware of, that supports RTF and HTML and native Microsoft Word text formatting. All this extra formatting information couldn’t be exported to “straight simple text”. It would have to be encoded somehow. If we would offer the “simple” approach as you suggested, you personally may be fine with that. But you are not alone: If we would offer such feature, thousands of other users may use it as well and may start complaining (for very good reasons) that all the text formatting would be lost in the exported file. Others may complain that the program/user restrictions settings are not exported or that the folder hierarchy would be lost. We kindly ask for your understanding, that adding such “quick & dirty” feature would create enormous support problems and it is against our quality standards anyway. Last but not least, it is very important to understand, that PhraseExpress IS a proprietary application as it provides a unique feature set.

Bartels Media GmbH - Mar 26 2014 at 3:04pm Copy Link

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bvssunnydale Got an email from PhraseExpress saying they DO have a portable version, which implies that the BitsDuJour "Fine Print" tab saying it can be used on ONLY one computer might not be entirely true. I'm hoping the standard version is a deal too because none of the extra features in the pro version make much difference to me. I'm writing this only (or especially) so that others will know there is a way to run this as a portable app.

Mar 27 2014 at 1:47am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @bvssunnydale: Indeed, the Standard Edition can also be used in portable mode. This promotion here is about the Professional Edition which can also be used in portable mode.

Bartels Media GmbH - Mar 27 2014 at 2:45am Copy Link

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Steven Avery Hi,

However, it is no mystery that export is rarely meant to be a complete mapping. It is only meant to be an aid, and as such is "lossy" .. like .jpg compression. This is well known.

Export .. Import .. Tweak.

If HTML and RTF are truly rare in this field, then they could easily fit under Tweak.

Unusual and unique features would not be expected to be included in an export.

You have an import function, where you gladly utilize the export function from other programs. The lack of turnabout is noted, and still rejected.

Steven

Mar 27 2014 at 9:17am Copy Link

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peter schleifer I've read the above with much interest.

"ask the same question again", especially in combination with "misconception", is condescendancy and should be avoided here imo ( ;-) ), at least with regards to subjects of real interest.

PE is a text expander, but of the very sophisticated (and thus, expensive) kind; Phrase Expander (PhEx) is another one in that range, also with a price way over 100$ if you want to bells and whistles.

It seems that PhEx has got a very smart text expansion feature in its Prof. version, a little list for other possible replacements of what you will have typed at a given time, and which is not present (yet) in PE, and from findings in the web, it appears that some commentators judge PhEx "superior" to PE in light of that feature (and their respective experience with it, so its practical value appears to be hight); some commentators even own both programs, or more precisely say they switched from PE to PhEx for that reason.

So this is a fine example of the "need" or at least the high interest in having an import/export function for abbreviations/shortstrings, both ways, in both programs, instead of retaining the respective clientele within the original tool, for fear of too much manual work when leaving (Just imagine thousands of such abbrevs). I personally miss the experience with both programs in order to pretend to judge which one might be "better" or preferable, but I noted, with much interest, from the above, that PE "does" formatting and appears to be compatible with MS Word formatting (So what about compatibility in/out with Word shortstrings, too? And perhaps that might be/become a common transfer format, then?)

From just some light experience with PE, years ago, and from screenshots of PhEx, I can say that both programs offer partition of your abbrevs into numerous collections, but that within PhEx (today), this has been realized in a very handy way, and you can freely combine those (Imagine somebody writing in several languages, and in several areas (private mails, business, to name just the most general ones); both aspects were not realized with that quality in PE at the time (yet); see the screenshots for PhEx in this respect where this combination has been realized in clickable tree structure: very neat.

Now it's evident that beyond being a text expander, PE has become, over the years, quite a "complete solution", also for various "macroing needs", and its "macroing power" is impressive indeed; it's just that (from my testing years ago at least) PE's macroing capabilities had been realized in a quite non-traditional way, i.e. most dedicated macro tools out there let you do macros more or less in a similar way, but which is quite different from what I then saw in PE, and I clearly preferred the general way of doing macros then, not as presented by PE then.

In the meanwhile, I've become acquainted with AHK (Auto Hotkey), in which I both have scripted numerous (often quite elaborate) macros, and have been doing all my text expansion needs, together with combining (or switching between) various abbrevs collections by shortkeys (whilst menus for this would be possible, too) - I have to admit that these don't include formatting, i.e. neither my needs, nor my possibilties with AHK include those... and above, we learn that PhEx doesn't cover them either (?).

So I'm very happy with AHK and its scripting capabilities, personally, but I admit that extensive scripting might not be for everyone as they say, your mileage may vary; perhaps of interest in this respect: Trying to script with PE had been beyond my means, some years ago, whilst then, scripting in AHK has been easy and "natural" for me, but I'm sure there has been some development re "accessibility" in PE on that matter, in the meanwhile.

Now back to the "argument" (which makes more than 2/3 of the developer's post above) that PE offers so much additional functionality beyond "just text expansion" (which is undeniable, independently of the respective utility or benefit of every such "goodie" and which will depend on your respective personal preferences) that export (what about import, then?) of even just the bare, naked plain text abbrevs-plus-expansion lists would cause too many support probs.

Well, this is a false argument imho, and here's why: First, the developer could clearly communicate that export is possible, but will be confined to numerous plain-text word lists (= one text file for each abbrevs collection), e.g. in the form abbrev tab expansion newline abbrev tab expansion and so on. Second, in most cases, users WOULD THEN LEAVE, be it for PhEx, for AHK, for any other text expander, or even for dictating sw, so no further "support" would then be necessary.

Third, even continuous users of PE might feel the necessity of sharing some of their abbrevs collections with somebody who doesn't own PE but who owns a competing text expander or just MS Word (and who could not install PE free instead, because the "personal" version of PE claims " business use" even in cases where you don't do business with it, but simply address letters to other people's biz, which is the case for anybody today - at least that had been my experience with PE some years ago, and which had me quickly discard the free version then).

Here again, point 1 would apply, i.e. PE users sharing their collections with users not owning PE themselves (or just PE users who would like to use their collections on pc's they don't have an additional PE licence for!) would know beforehand that all they could export would be the bare plain text "resolutions", nothing more, and anybody would clearly understand that all those bells and whistles PE offers on top of that, would NOT be transferable on top (and even when the "receiving application" had some similar functionality), so here again, no support needed, especially if PE's export wasn't "from PE straight into competitor x" (and which possible probs on THAT side), but just to the above-described plain-text lists, from which then (current or ex-PE) users would be on their own to either import into that other tool (or as THAT tool's developer to make it possible to import such lists).

The same principle of making basic-but-robust export possible applies to so-called "outliners" (of which many are on offer regularly in this forum). Some of them make available "clones", i.e. items in the tree that can be replicated on other positions in that same tree, but all outliners offer some sort of export, whilst it's clear as day that such "clones" will NOT be exported then, but just the original items will; the same goes for cross-references and other specific strengths of some outliner or the other. (There are even some ancient askSam users who accepted to lose formatting of content, by switching to MyInfo; both progs have been often here and thus are both known to bitsters.)

So, "careless" users will use all their program will have to offer, and then either will be stuck with it, or will have to abandon parts of their work when they switch to something other, and users wary of such possible switching will just use "exportable" core functionality, refraining from using (or from "abusing") additional functionality whose loss-on-export would not be acceptable to them; in PE, this would apply to formatting of abbrev "resolutions", and it's safe to assume that users would use their PE, together with formatting, within PE, but without those, whenever they don't have PE available (anymore, or on other machines).

So, the above "support argument" falls flat, imho, and as it stands, the (real? total?) absence of export of PE abbrevs works as a hindrance to ever switching to any competition, might this effect be intentional or not.

Mar 27 2014 at 9:27am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH @Peter: PhraseExpress has a "very smart text expansion feature" for a long time. Please check http://www.phraseexpress....mplete.htm for latest improvement in our technology. PhraseExpress can organize phrases in multi-level folder structure. It never has been different since 2002.

Bartels Media GmbH - Mar 27 2014 at 10:01am Copy Link

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Patrick Biegel I wanted to update from Phrase Express version 9 to 10 and I bought this software less than a year ago. I think that with the purchase I got the right to get this update for free (1 year of updates) but Phrase Express from Switzerland wrote to me, that I have to pay for the update! I don't think that this is fair, because this software is not cheap and as far as I know, at least one year of upgrades is included like you can see on the website (sometimes 1, 2 or 3 years, depending on what you have bought). What is the problem here? If this does not work the upgrade policy is very strange!

Mar 29 2014 at 9:27am Copy Link

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Bartels Media GmbH We have changed licensing from v9 to v10. v9 was licensed per major version as advertised at the time of your purchase.

With beginning of PhraseExpress v10, which is offered here with a 1 year maintenance term, you can opt to get free upgrades for either 1, 3 or 5 years. Additional options are available at http://shop.phraseexpress.com (with out the discount as advertised here).

Important Notes: This is not a subscription and there are no recurring fees. You can use the software after that term. It does not expire.

Bartels Media GmbH - Mar 29 2014 at 10:48am Copy Link

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Georg Baker Ver 11 coming up as a special any time soon ?

Oct 27 2015 at 12:35pm Copy Link

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Pascal User Hi,
Is there a deal for the enterprise edition ?
Best regards
Pascal