aText for Pc

I picked this software because I did not like the policies of the main competitor, who sell what I think is an expensive product then require repurchasing for every OS update. I thought this would be an alternative, but it seems every major OS update makes the software stop working, and El Capitan is apparently never going to be supported in the App Store version (I mean, it’s been over six months now). So, bought the software in August or September 2015 and got my shortcuts all set up. Mid-September, upate to El Capitan and the software, which I use constantly for work, doesn’t function. Follow instructions to download web version and “transfer” license. All is working OK. Several weeks later, I changed the hard drive on my computer, and had to go through the whole thing again. This morning (Feb. 15, 2016) I restarted my Mac, which had slowed to a crawl for some reason, and I get the notice that my trial period is up and I need to purchase a license. What the ^#$! ? I’ve been through the transfer from App Store routine *twice* and it apparently didn’t take. I bought this to make my work faster, not to futz around with copy protection on the utility software. *Fix the App Store version!* The only reason not to fix the App Store version is if the developer can’t be bothered *or* it’s doing something that is now against Apple’s policies (which do change) that the developer can’t fix.

The app does not work with El Capitan, and while the author has provided a workaround to help fix this, it seems that with the latest update of El Capitan, this work around no longer works. It’s a great tool, when it works. However when it stops, it really does mess things up. I just received the “trial expired” notice again, and this means that I can’t access the tool, nor can I access any of the shortcuts (which of course I need … murphy law, right). With no active updates happening since April 2015, it’s probably a good time to move onto something else.

I tried this a long time ago and was frustrated with inconsistent perormance. Forget all that. The developer is refressingly honest, says sandboxing is a royal pain for some apps (he’s in good company). SO—just go ahead and get the inexpensive version from his web site (NOT sandboxed). 21 day free trial. Only 4.95. I was able to use my previous App Store version to authenticate the web site version, saving my small investment already made. Take a little time to learn how to configure it (very flexible). Can also do scripts and images. Don’t forget to hit the Apply button as needed. And you can save your configurations. Have no idea why someone complained about iOS. BTW — I was just plain tired of my old text expander. It kept popping up with a offer for paid upgrades. And those with subscriptions? Forget about it. Be sure to quit any other text expander to avoid conflict. Also no need to use System Keyboard shortcuts, so just delete them too. (Unless you’re wedded to them and they don’t conflict.) Works well, good price, no subscription, no hounding for paid upgrades. Exchange the price of a fancy latte for a real time saver. [This review is totally unsolicited and uncompensated].

I have no idea why there are so many complaints about this app. I have been using it for a long time and it is a massive time saver, since a lot my job consists of sending quotes for services performed…some are repetitive, but detailed and vary in levels of service. I can send a ‘custom’ quote to a potential client in a matter of seconds. The info I usually send would normally take 15-30 minutes to edit every time, so as you can see, the biggest part of learning the software is knowing the shortcuts/keystrokes that build the expanded text. A comma, follwed by a couple of letters or a word, can fill a page with "pre-editied” information in a split second. I love this app and don’t want to know what my life would be like without it.