FontAgent Pro Server Review: A Step in the Right Direction

The recent release of FontAgent Pro 2.0 has generated a lot of buzz in the font management community. As a font developer, I was eager to get my hands on this new version and see what it had to offer. In this article, I'll share my thoughts on whether FontAgent Pro Server is ready to replace traditional font managers like Suitcase.

One of the main concerns I have with font management software is data integrity. I've encountered issues with other programs that delete or corrupt font files, which can be disastrous for a font developer. Fortunately, FontAgent Pro Server seems to handle font formats and conditions without any major issues. The only 'bug' I've encountered is related to font activation, but it's not enough to make me switch from Suitcase.

Suitcase has been my go-to font manager for years, and I appreciate its ability to reveal information about fonts without destroying data or my sanity. In contrast, putting fonts in the right folder on System 10 can be a daunting task. As a font developer, I need to test fonts frequently during the design process, and FontAgent Pro Server's ability to move, copy, or change font locations is a major concern.

I'm not alone in my concerns; many users may find the server paradigm appealing for shared situations like agencies, but as an individual who uses new fonts temporarily before disposing of them, I prefer a more hands-on approach. Font management software should not duplicate, shuffle, hide, or act on font data without explicit user input.

Despite its flaws, FontAgent Pro Server is still a powerful tool that offers some impressive features. The new preview pane allows users to sample several fonts at once in a single line showing. Plug-ins for popular design applications like Illustrator CS, InDesign CS, and Photoshop CS are also available.

However, Insider Software's fledgling Font Book is barely worthy of mention, and Apple's own font management solution seems to be struggling to keep up with the competition. Unfortunately, my experience with FontAgent Pro Server's preview pane was buggy, with most fonts getting cut off at the bottom.

In conclusion, while FontAgent Pro Server still lacks the solid UI of ATM Deluxe and has some irritating bugs, it remains the best font management solution available for OS X. The new Workgroup Edition features a powerful SQL database that can handle large font collections. With its ability to share fonts using Rendezvous and its impressive preview pane, FontAgent Pro Server is definitely worth considering.

Update: Insider Software has released a new product called FontAgent Pro Workgroup Edition, which includes the feature mentioned above. I plan to try this out soon and report back on my experience.

* Powerful SQL database for handling large font collections

* Rendezvous support for sharing fonts with no configuration

* Preview pane samples several fonts at once in a single line showing

* Plug-ins available for popular design applications like Illustrator CS, InDesign CS, and Photoshop CS

* New Workgroup Edition features enhanced collaboration tools

FontAgent Pro Server is a step in the right direction, but it still has some bugs to iron out. While it may not be perfect, it's currently the best font management solution available for OS X. With its powerful SQL database and Rendezvous support, it's definitely worth considering for users who need to manage large font collections or collaborate with others.

Fontagent pro server