Notation software? Notion?

sungfw · Post by **sungfw** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:22 pm

Actually, elephant, I agree with virtually every one of your criticisms of Lilypond (and Nisus Writer and Word, for that matter). Just thought I'd mention it as a possibility.

Have you checked out Harmony Assistant (Myriad Software)? Coming from Encore, it was a fairly easy transition for me.

It allows you to choose automatic or user spacing, as well as automatic or manual beaming; auto or manual note modifier placement (accents, staccato, fermata, trill, mordant, etc., via the menu bar; and fairly extensive control over the look of the final output (has an "engraver mode setup" menu that allows you to define default note, lyric, accidental, grace note spacing in 1 pt increments (72 pts/inch), in addition to click-in-place/drag-n'drop placement).

Most defaults can be changed via a mouse click or two.

Defaults for keyboard (speed) entry are reasonably intuitive (but can be changed to suit your preferences via the Config > keybord shortcuts menu): note entry for C3-F#4, chromatically, is (A-W-S-E-D-F-T-G-Y-H-U-J-K-O-L-P-;-'-] â€” that is, the ASDFGH row = white keys, QWERTY row = black keys; (you can define keystrokes for C0-B8 ); <ret> = rest, 1=whole note, 2=half, 3=quarter, 4=eighth, etc.).

FWIW, I'm still using Word 4.1 for Mac. Problem is, I'll be upgrading to a Macbook Pro later this year, and Classic is a no-go on Intel Macs, and NeoOffice, MarinerWrite, etc. are as bad as Word, so I'm hurtin'â€”that's "hurtin' " not "huntin' ," although I'm huntin', tooâ€”for a WP.

sungfw · Post by **sungfw** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:52 am

the elephant wrote:Harmony Assistant? Is there a Mac version?

I am pleased with the Finale interface most times. I am really after page layout capabilities.

Mac version can be downloaded here.

Rick F · Post by **Rick F** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:05 am

lgb&dtuba wrote:Rick, if you're using this for personal stuff take a look at Allegro. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that Finale has but costs quite a bit less. The Finale site has some comparison tables so that you can see what features are common to both and what things aren't there until you step up to Finale.

I say personal use just because it probably cannot share files back and forth with Finale if you are collaborating.

It does have the same learning curve though.

Thanks Jim,

So Allegro won't load Finale files? I have about 300 or more files of Finale on my PC that I still need to access (.mus files).

I know Printmusic will load .mus files because I swap files with our music director at church.

Just want to be certain.

Thanks.

Rick F · Post by **Rick F** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:14 am

the elephant wrote:Okay, digging up an old thread here. I just got my Notion demo DVD this afternoon.

<snip> So I just uninstalled the application. Now there seems to be no way to uninstall the security extensions and I cannot remember the the name of the product. Dammit.

Not sure what version of Windows you use, but you probably can do a 'system restore' to get rid of those other applications. I've done that a few times with WinXP when a Windows update didn't go right or... when the latest Media player update had bunches of garbage attached to it.

Just a thought.

lgb&dtuba · Post by **lgb&dtuba** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:44 pm

Rick F wrote: So Allegro won't load Finale files? I have about 300 or more files of Finale on my PC that I still need to access (.mus files).

PM sent.

sungfw · Post by **sungfw** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:33 pm

Rick F wrote:Not sure what version of Windows you use

Elephant mentioned Nisus Writer, which AFAIK, was a Mac-only app. That, and the mention of needing to run a Unix Terminal command, mean he's probably running a Mac.

Elephant, check your install logs (private/var/log/install.log) and receipts folder (Library/Receipts and User/~user/Library/Receipts). One or more of them should have list the name of the extension. Also, look for a BOM (bill of materials) or plist, both of which will contain the name of the extensions.

Another approach is to right-click the installer package for the security extension and select "Show package contents" in the popup menu, and poke around in the contents folder for the name of the extension.

Or just say, "Aw, screw it," wipe the drive, and be done with it.

Rick F · Post by **Rick F** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:03 pm

sungfw wrote:
Rick F wrote:Not sure what version of Windows you use
Elephant mentioned Nisus Writer, which AFAIK, was a Mac-only app. <snip>

Oops, missed that. Sorry

_______________

sungfw · Post by **sungfw** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:23 pm

the elephant wrote:Got it! Thanks! And as a Mac person I never "right click" anything; I control click! (Ah, the one button rodent.)

Sorry. I spend my days doing CADD in 3D on my G5 Dual, so a one-button mouse is only slightly less worthless to me than Lilypond.

BVD Press · Post by **BVD Press** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:43 pm

the elephant wrote:[

Got it! Thanks! And as a Mac person I never "right click" anything; I control click! (Ah, the one button rodent.)

Never?? I am on a MAC as well and can't imagine Finale without the right click. I have one finger one one hand attached to the right click and a finger on the other hand getting a blister from using command-s. If you do use Finale a lot, it might be worth the investment.

Elephant: I am curious if you are using Finale 2008 and what you think?

BVD Press · Post by **BVD Press** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:13 pm

the elephant wrote: I am using 2006 right now. It fairly sucks hind booby. One of my colleagues just got 2008. He was in 9.2.2 with Finale 2001. Oh my, but he is impressed with the new version!

I am considering getting it. But I am on a bit of a boycott of MM! for the time being. I hate that company.

It is definitely a love hate relationship for me. 2008 is a big step up from 2006, but it still has a long way to go. I would wait until 2009 comes out. From what I understand, there will be some major additions to the program and many bug fixes. Not sure I believe the bugs will be fixed completely, but I have had a few email conversations with the CEO and as he said the proof will be in the next version. I can hope!

Is a "hind booby" a "butt-cheek"?

sungfw · Post by **sungfw** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:10 am

BVD Press wrote:
the elephant wrote: From what I understand, there will be some major additions to the program and many bug fixes.

Oh, joy, new bugs ... err, features. What's the point of squashing a few dozen bugs when you go and introduce a couple hundred new ones? (Bet they'll screw with the keyboard shortcuts, too.)

BVD Press · Post by **BVD Press** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:55 pm

sungfw wrote:

Oh, joy, new bugs ... err, features. What's the point of squashing a few dozen bugs when you go and introduce a couple hundred new ones? (Bet they'll screw with the keyboard shortcuts, too.)

I couldn't agree more, but I can always hope and dream!

Elephant: I was just pulling your leg, err tit!

tbn.al · Post by **tbn.al** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:33 am

schlepporello wrote:Phrases like that kinda leave you grinnin' like a goat eatin' stickers, don't they?

You have to have some East Texas roots to bring that one up. I haven't heard that in over 50 years. True sayin'. My grandpa had goats. He also had a sticker patch and East Texas stickers are the worst. LOL