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| Review - Insider Software's FontAgent Pro 2.1 | | Date Created: 25 Oct, 2004, 10:37 PM |
 FontAgent Pro (version 2) from Insider Software showed up on my radar for the first time last year while working on the Font chapter in my Mac OS X Secrets book. I decided to do my due diligence and give all of the font management programs a "workout."
My first pass at FontAgent Pro was not a stellar success. I didn't understand it. I didn't get why it wanted to move all my darn fonts. And I didn't like the interface. I just didn't click with the program. I was about to "pan it" in the book, when I received an e-mail from Insider Software about their new beta version. So I downloaded it, installed it, and still didn't like it. The interface was better, but I still didn't get it. |
 But the problem wasn't the program. The problem was the rather poor documentation accompanying the software and my subsequent lack of understanding. To their credit, Insider Software followed up with me. And when they learned that I didn't "get it," they took the time to explain it to me.
What I discovered (with their help) was that Insider Software had developed a radical new strategy toward managing fonts. FontAgent Pro is not just a font management program -- it's also a very good diagnostic program that, when properly used, will remove problematic fonts before they cause mischief. |
 The key is in the import process. Everything happens when you import your fonts into FontAgent Pro. At the time of import, fonts are checked for corruption and duplication. Among the other import operations, the program takes apart legacy suitcases containing many faces, matches them with their matching printer files (if they are in Type I format), and sorts them into separate folders. The surviving fonts can then be used in both OS X and Classic without fear of the usual problems surrounding font corruption. Problematic fonts are placed in a separate folder so that you can see what didn't survive the import process.
You might get the impression that I'm fairly enthusiastic about the program. I am. But although I'm a fan of this software, there are some things that "bug me" about it, so let's get down to the pros and cons...
I like that FontAgent Pro keeps you from adding bad fonts if you use it correctly.
I dislike that the import process in FontAgent Pro is not adequately explained or documented.
I like that FontAgent Pro has such great auto-activation support -- which includes Adobe Photoshop.
I dislike that the Adobe InDesign auto-activation support is slow.
I like that FontAgent Pro supports multiple libraries. It's perfect for a commercial printer.
I dislike that the documentation doesn't explain that auto-activation combined with multiple libraries can produce unwanted results.
I like that the program is only 2 MB. As I understand it, it's just a front end to a SQL database.
I dislike that this front end doesn't seem to remember how I arranged my panels and windows when I start it up.
I like that it has such great Classic support. It's hands down the best Classic implementation I have seen.
I dislike that Classic font management does not support multiple users.
I like the cascading sets. It's really handy to put folders of fonts within other folders. It keeps my sets list from becoming a long unwieldy mess.
I dislike that the font search feature is not live like in iTunes or in a Finder window.
I like that FontAgent Pro does not have to be on in order for your fonts to be active or for auto-activation to work (in both OS X and Classic).
I dislike that I can't drag (or option + drag) from the application window to export fonts out of the program to the desktop.
I like the fast drawing WYSIWYG font display in the application itself. I have over 7000 fonts indexed in FontAgent Pro and it can re-render all of them in their own type face in 4 seconds.
I dislike that the font lists are so small and can't be enlarged in the application window. |
 I like that the FontAgent Pro preferences are so simple. There are two tabs and a total of 7 check boxes to deal with.
I dislike... Well... I guess I've run out of things to dislike.
My biggest complaint with FontAgent Pro is the documentation and the way that Insider Software doesn't do a great job helping people understand how FontAgent Pro works, why it does what it does, and how they can get the most out of it. In that respect they remind me of another often under utilized and poorly documented program that you might remember -- ATM Deluxe from Adobe. |
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In fact the similarities between ATM Deluxe and FontAgent Pro are fairly substantial. With regards to it's diagnostic ability FontAgent Pro is probably better than ATM Deluxe. With regards to auto-activation support, FontAgent Pro is not as good as ATM Deluxe was (but it's still better than it's current competitors). Properly used ATM Deluxe (in pre OS 9.1 systems) was as good as font management got in the old days. (Unfortunately for us, ATM Deluxe only works in pre OS X operating systems.) I consider it the "king" of font management programs for it's time. And for the first time there is a worthy OS X heir to the ATM Deluxe thrown.
FontAgent Pro is not only the font manager that I recommend to my clients but also the font manager I use myself. I gave it a 4.5 out of 5 because it pulls double duty. It's both a font manager and a font diagnostic utility. |
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Software Developer........................................Insider Software
Current Version...............................................v2.1.2
License Type.....................................................Commercial
Full Version Price............................................$99.95
Upgrade Version Price...................................$49.95
System Requirements.....................................Mac OS X 10.2 or higher
Type of Software.............................................font management
Type of Software.............................................font diagnostic utility
Font Geek Rating............................................4.5 out of 5 |
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Bottom Line Comparison: FontAgent Pro 2.1 is, in my opinion, the best of the "big four" font management programs. I think Font Reserve is probably a little better than Suitcase. MasterJuggler comes in fourth behind Suitcase. And all of these, again in my opinion, are a great deal better than Apple's own Font Book.
For a more in-depth comparison please see the article named "Font Management Shoot Out" in the Font Management section of Font Geek. |
An Invitation To Insider Software
To the good folks at Insider Software... If you have a new release or a beta version of FontAgent Pro that you would like me to review that addresses some of these problems, please contact me. I would be happy to try out any new release and post an updated review if warranted. |
Full Disclosure
It should be noted here, in the interest of full disclosure, that I currently do some consulting work for Insider Software. This is a relationship that was formed after the writing of my book and after I was "sold" on the product itself as a solution for my customers. I'm an advocate of font management, a fan of their software, and a certifiable "font geek" so they decided to develop a relationship with me. I beta test their software, consult (when they ask) on their feature sets, and work with their marketing division on occasion. This is not to say that I'm not available for consultation to Extensis, Alsoft, or Apple if they wanted. I'd be very happy to talk to those folks. They just haven't called me. |
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