MacGourmet.com

Nutrition 1.2.3 Now Available

2008-07-07T08:16:00.004-04:00

Nutrition 1.2.3 is now available. The new version resolves a problem introduced in 1.2.2 that was preventing calculations for some recipes.

For a full list of the changes, please see the release notes.

MacGourmet:Nutrition can be downloaded from the Nutrition page.

For MacGourmet Deluxe users, you don't need to worry about this update. You will be able to receive Deluxe 1.0.2 using the built-in software updater, when it becomes available shortly.

MacGourmet Deluxe: The Bundle You've Been Waiting For

2008-07-03T13:56:00.000-04:00

Last week saw the release of MacGourmet Deluxe from partner Mariner Software. Deluxe is essentially the same as MacGourmet with all three optional plug-ins added, for one discounted price. What's different? Other than pricing and packaging, nothing, but it's a very convenient way to buy and keep everything updated, whether you buy the download or the retail boxed version. The boxed version also makes a great gift!

For a limited time, current MacGourmet users can upgrade to Deluxe for $9.95 by visiting the Mariner Software site and entering their MacGourmet serial number when they place an order. MacGourmet Deluxe: It's everything, all in one box.

(Still have questions about Deluxe? More answers can be found here: MacGourmet Deluxe/Mariner Q & A)

Cookbook Updated to Version 1.0.2

2008-07-03T08:34:00.002-04:00

Cookbook 1.0.2, a free, minor update is now available.

This update fixes a problem that could cause your cookbook to either not get created, or in some instances, cause MacGourmet to crash.

MacGourmet:Cookbook can be downloaded from the Cookbook page.

For MacGourmet Deluxe users: You don't need to worry about this update. You will be able to receive Deluxe 1.0.1 using the built-in software updater, when it becomes available shortly.

MacGourmet, Mealplan, Cookbook, and Nutrition all Get Updates

2008-07-01T09:01:00.000-04:00

MacGourmet 2.3.3, another free, minor update is now available.

This update fixes a handful of issues, and updates the web importer for FoodNetwork.com. For a full list of changes, please see the release notes.

As always, MacGourmet can be downloaded from the MacGourmet download page.

Also released today are updates to all 3 plug-ins:

Mealplan 1.0.3 is now available. It resolves printing issues for Leopard users, and fixes a handful of issues. For a full list of the changes, please see the release notes.

MacGourmet:Mealplan can be downloaded from the Mealplan page.

Cookbook 1.0.1 is now available. It resolves some cookbook creation problems, an occasional crasher and fixes a handful of issues. For a full list of the changes, please see the release notes.

MacGourmet:Cookbook can be downloaded from the Cookbook page.

Finally, Nutrition 1.2.2 is now available. It resolves fixes a couple of calculation errors. For a full list of the changes, please see the release notes.

MacGourmet:Nutrition can be downloaded from the Nutrition page.

For MacGourmet Deluxe users, you don't need to worry about these individual updates. You will be able to receive Deluxe 1.0.1 using the built-in software updater, when it becomes available shortly.

MacGourmet:Cookbook Released

2008-06-24T17:30:00.001-04:00

Cookbook, a brand-new new plug-in for MacGourmet, adds the creation of real PDF cookbooks to MacGourmet.

Pick from a variety of cookbook styles, create chapters and specialized image and text pages, and specify the order of the recipes in each chapter. MacGourmet's new cookbook builder allows you to optionally include a cover image, table of contents, and an index of ingredients. It also allows you to create a PDF suitable for upload to print-on-demand services like Lulu.com, CreateSpace and CafePress. Cookbook is the perfect thing for building that family cookbook you've always wanted to create.

If you want to see a sample of what's possible with Cookbook, you can download a sample creation to get an idea of some of the things that can be done with it. With Cookbook, you can choose from a variety of cookbook styles, there are a bunch available.

Cookbook is available in the same way that Mealplan and Nutrition are, as an optional add-on to MacGourmet. You can to try it out, and if you like it, you be able to add it to MacGourmet for an introductory price of just $9.95. If you don't need it, you won't be forced to pay an upgrade fee to get something you don't want. Cookbook is also part of MacGourmet Deluxe which is available from Mariner Software, if you choose to purchase that product bundle.

To find out more about Cookbook, and to download it, visit the Cookbook page at MacGourmet.com.

MacGourmet, Mealplan, MyRecipes.com Importer Get Updated

2008-06-24T09:15:00.003-04:00

MacGourmet 2.3.2, another free, minor update is now available.

This update fixes a handful of issues, and updates the web importers for FoodNetwork.com and Epicurious.com. For a full list of changes, please see the release notes.

As always, MacGourmet can be downloaded from the MacGourmet download page.

Additionally, Mealplan 1.0.2 is now available. It includes support for localized date display, a new portrait-styled planner printout option and additional fixes. For a full list of the changes, please see the release notes.

MacGourmet:Mealplan can be downloaded from the Mealplan page.

Finally, if you haven't seen it already, the MyRecipes.com site importer was recently updated to handle changes at that site. It can be downloaded from the web importer page.

Food & Wine Importer Updated

2008-06-06T15:53:00.003-04:00

Just a quick note: the Food & Wine site importer has been updated. You can download the latest version from the web importer page.

The next version of MacGourmet will include more encoding support, so this will also improve Food & Wine imports, as they seem to use a lot of encoding characters not caught previously.

Announcing The MacGourmet Plug-in SDK

2008-06-05T08:31:00.002-04:00

Are you, or someone you know, a Mac developer? Are you, or someone you know, interested in being able to extend the features of MacGourmet?

If yes, and yes, head on over to my blog and see the full MacGourmet Plug-in SDK announcement.

The MacGourmet Plug-in SDK is essentially what I used to make plug-ins like Nutrition and Mealplan. It's also behind the file importers and exporters, and the web site importers.

I'll be making the Plug-in SDK available upon request, so that others can add some of the things they've been dreaming about to the product.

Updates Galore: MacGourmet 2.3.1, Nutrition 1.2.1 and Mealplan 1.0.1

2008-06-02T10:35:00.003-04:00

MacGourmet 2.3.1, another free, minor update is now available.

This update fixes a handful of issues. For a full list of changes, please see the release notes.

As always, MacGourmet can be downloaded from the MacGourmet download page.

Nutrition 1.2.1 is also available and resolves a few minor issues. For a full list of changes, please see the release notes.

MacGourmet:Nutrition can be downloaded from the Nutrition page.

Finally, Mealplan 1.0.1 is now available, and along with some minor fixes, this update adds planner notes. Planner notes allow you to add items to your planner that are not recipes. For a full list of changes, please see the release notes.

MacGourmet:Mealplan can be downloaded from the Mealplan page.

Cookbook Unveiled: Looking for Beta Testers

2008-05-22T08:50:00.002-04:00

Cookbook, a brand-new new plug-in for MacGourmet, will add the creation of real PDF cookbooks to MacGourmet.

Pick from a variety of cookbook styles, create chapters and specialized image and text pages, and specify the order of the recipes in each chapter. MacGourmet's new cookbook builder will allow you to optionally include a cover image, table of contents, and an index of ingredients. It will also allow you to create a PDF suitable for upload to print-on-demand services like Lulu.com, CreateSpace and CafePress. Cookbook is the perfect thing for building that family cookbook you've always wanted to create. If you want to see a sample of what's possible with Cookbook, you can download a sample creation to get an idea of some of the things that will be possible...

Cookbook will be available in the same way that Mealplan and Nutrition are, as an optional add-on to MacGourmet. You'll be able to try it out, and if you like it, you be able to add it to MacGourmet for an introductory price of just $9.95. If you don't need it, you won't be forced to pay an upgrade fee to get something you don't want. Cookbook will also be part of MacGourmet Deluxe.

Cookbook is getting close to release and I'm looking for some help shaking out any remaining issues. If interested, just click on the link to send a request to macgourmet [at] advenio.com. Thanks!

Real Cookbooks...

2008-05-15T09:36:00.001-04:00

Two easy ways to make real cookbooks...

Coming soon to MacGourmet...

Download a sample creation to get an idea of some of the things that will be possible...

Upgrading to MacGourmet Version 2.3: Updating Your Plug-ins

2008-05-07T12:11:00.005-04:00

There's been some confusion about the fact that MacGourmet 2.3 requires you to update your plug-ins. Please note that there is no additional purchase required, and that you just need to download the latest versions. You can download Nutrition here. You can download any web site importers here.

If you repurchased Nutrition, thinking you had to, please contact me for a refund. All of the updates are free ones, so no additional purchases are required. Sorry for any confusion.

Announcing: MacGourmet 2.3, MacGourmet:Mealplan 1.0

2008-05-06T09:20:00.001-04:00

MacGourmet 2.3, a free, minor update with some great new features, is now available.

Also available today is Mealplan 1.0, a new optional plug-in that adds meal planning, menus and more to MacGourmet. Mealplan includes a weekly meal and recipe planner, menu and planner printing and integration with iCal. Mealplan is available for $9.95 and requires MacGourmet version 2.3.

MacGourmet 2.3 includes the following changes:

Mealplan: A new optional plug-in that brings meal and menu planning to MacGourmet

MacGourmet 2.3 adds support for Mealplan. Mealplan is an optional plug-in that adds easy to use meal planning and menus. Mealplan includes a weekly meal and recipe planner, menu and planner printing and integration with iCal.

All-new shopping list editor

MacGourmet 2.3 includes a simple pantry/favorites and column ordering/hiding functionality added. The shopping list columns are now auto-filled based on your pantry and existing shopping lists.

All-new shopping list recipe box display theme, and print theme

Shopping lists are now displayed in a much cleaner way. There is also now a print theme specifically for shopping lists called "Notebook" and a new display theme: Stacked, that is geared more towards widescreen displays.

New print theme: "Formally"
This new theme includes more information in the printout, like nutritional info, if calculated.

Widescreen mode gets new mouse-over popups that display more information

If you hover your mouse over a row in the table, more information will get displayed. These can be turned off in preferences if you want.

Nutrition is now a "1st class" feature when the plug-in is installed

Nutrition 1.2 now has a more integrated menu in the main menubar instead of being in the Tools menu. Version 1.2 (also released today) is required for MacGourmet 2.3.

Helpful Context-Sensitive Tip "Blurbs"

Instead of displaying standard "blank" image when an empty list is selected, helpful context sensitive tip "blurbs" are displayed. You can turn these off in the Help menu.

Better Window Management
MacGourmet does a better job of keeping the editor on top of the main window, so that it doesn't get "lost" in the background.

Automatic updating using Sparkle.
A much improved way to keep your copy of MacGourmet up-to-date.

Send recipes to MarsEdit for posting to your blogs

MarsEdit is a powerful and flexible blog editor that supports all of the well known weblog systems.

Improved application and document icons
Slight improvements make the files associated with MacGourmet easier to identify.

Many bug fixes and small enhancements
See the Release Notes for the full list of changes.

Want to be in a Magazine Ad for MacGourmet Deluxe?

2008-04-13T13:26:00.005-04:00

One benefit of the partnership with Mariner Software is that they are going to be advertising MacGourmet Deluxe in popular Mac magazines, right along with their other applications.

They are currently running a series of magazine ads that feature interesting people doing interesting things with the products they sell. So, are you an interesting person using MacGourmet in an interesting way? Want to be featured in an ad for MacGourmet Deluxe? If you answer "yes" and "yes" then send an email message to macgourmet [at] advenio.com telling me who you are, what makes you interesting, and how you are using MacGourmet!

Mealplan Revealed: Looking for Beta Testers

2008-04-09T09:30:00.003-04:00

Mealplan, a brand-new new plug-in for MacGourmet, will add a whole new suite of ways for you to use the recipes in your library.

Plan your weekly meals and print schedules for each week. Make and print menus. Send your meal plans to iCal in one easy step. Mealplan can do all this and more.

Mealplan will be available in the same way that Nutrition is, as an optional add-on to MacGourmet. You'll be able to try it out, and if you like it, you be able to add it to MacGourmet for an introductory price of just $9.95. If you don't need it, you won't be forced to pay an upgrade fee to get something you don't want (MacGourmet 2.3, which is required, will be a free update). Mealplan will also be part of MacGourmet Deluxe.

Mealplan is getting close to release and I'm looking for some help shaking out any remaining issues. If interested, just click on the link to send a request to macgourmet [at] advenio.com. Thanks!

New to the Test Kitchen: MacGourmet 2.3 Beta 3

2008-04-04T13:00:00.001-04:00

The latest beta of the next MacGourmet update, version 2.3 is now available for testing in the Test Kitchen, along with updated versions of Nutrition and the Amazon.com Shopping plug-ins. Note that the plug-in format has changed, so to use these new versions, you'll need to use MacGourmet 2.3. The details can be found in the Test Kitchen.

Version 2.3 has the following changes:

All-new shopping list editor, with simple pantry/favorites and column ordering/hiding functionality added.

You'll want to add some often used items to your favorites list. Auto-fill when creating new shopping lists depends on existing shopping lists, and favorites. So, if you want item aisles, categories, and stores filled in when you make a new shopping list, you'll want to have a master shopping list you keep/and or a well managed favorites list.

Improved application and document icons (Still being revised).

All-new shopping list recipe box display theme, and print theme. Shopping lists are now displayed in a much cleaner way. There is also now a print theme specifically for shopping lists called "Notebook."

New display theme: Stacked, that is geared more towards widescreen displays.

New print theme: 'Formally', that includes more information in the printout, like nutritional info, if calculated.

Widescreen mode (the new default) gets new mouse-over popups that display more information. If you hover your mouse over a row in the table, more information will get displayed. These can be turned off in preferences if you want.

Nutrition is now a "1st class" feature when the plug-in is installed, it has a menu in the main menubar instead of being in the Tools menu.

Instead of displaying standard "blank" image when an empty list is selected, helpful context sensitive tip "blurbs" are displayed. You can turn these off in the Help menu.

App does a better job of keeping the editor on top of the main window, so that it doesn't get "lost" in the background.

MacGourmet now has automatic updating, which will get tested in the beta. Please turn update checks to "Automatically" in Update preferences.

So If you're interested in helping test the new version, just head on over to the Test Kitchen and grab the files. Current testers can just let their beta 2 copy update automatically.

Also coming soon, the full details and beta for meal planning...

MacGourmet Deluxe/Mariner Q & A

2008-04-03T17:15:00.001-04:00

With the press release officially announcing the partnership with Mariner Software to release MacGourmet Deluxe, I thought I'd post some basic questions and answers about what this really means to new, future, and existing MacGourmet users:

Q: What does this all mean, really?
A: MacGourmet Deluxe is an all new "bundle" that will make the current version of MacGourmet, packaged with all the features you can optionally add to it (like Nutrition, with a couple more in the pipeline), available in retail stores around the world. If you are a current MacGourmet user, nothing really changes for you, unless you want to upgrade to Deluxe (see below). Version 2.3 will be a free update, as will Nutrition 1.2, and you will still be able to buy MacGourmet for $24.95 and add Nutrition to it if you want to, just like you always have.

Q: Why did Advenio do this?
A: This partnership allows MacGourmet to be available in many ways it wasn't before, and it provides much needed help with the things that people have been waiting for, like a German and French version of MacGourmet. Among other things, this parnership also makes it possible to do things like show MacGourmet at Macworld.

Q: Does this mean someone else will be developing MacGourmet now?
A: Nope, MacGourmet will still be developed and updated in the same ways it always has. This partnership doesn't change the development of the product or ownership.

Q: Will the original version still be offered?
A: Yes, the "standard" version will still be available for sale for $24.95, just like it always has been. You can also add Nutrition to it, just as before, and you'll be able to add Mealplan to the standard version as well (more on this later). Nothing on that front changes. MacGourmet version 2.3 will also be a free upgrade.

Q: Will I have to upgrade to Deluxe just to get new features?
A: Nope, you don't have to upgrade unless you want everything in one package.

Q: When will it be released?
A: It is expected to be released on or around late May/early June.

Q: How much will MacGourmet Deluxe cost?
A: $49.95 - boxed for retail, $44.95 - download.

Q: Can I upgrade from the original version of MacGourmet?
A: Yes, if you want to, an upgrade to Deluxe will be available for sale for $9.95.

Q: How can I upgrade to MacGourmet Deluxe?
A: When the time comes, you will be able to purchase a new license from the Mariner web site using your existing MacGourmet serial #. You will then be issued a new MacGourmet Deluxe serial number.

Q: Is there a competitive upgrade?
A: Yes, an upgrade will be available from competing products for $29.95 (proof of purchase required).

Q: What will happen to the Advenio site?
A: For the most part, nothing. What this partnership does is allow MacGourmet to be available in retail stores around the world. It also gives us a great partner that will help make MacGourmet an even bigger success.

Breaking News: Advenio and Mariner Software Partner for MacGourmet Deluxe

2008-03-25T22:58:00.006-04:00

Mariner Software "unofficially" broke the news today of a new publishing partnership between Mariner and Advenio for a new product to be known as MacGourmet Deluxe. More details will be released over the next few months, but you can read the news here: Announcing our new product!.

This is great news for MacGourmet, as it will open many new markets for the product, and will allow many things people have been asking for, like localizations, to move forward finally. Keep following MacGourmet News for the latest updates, as they are announced!

[Update: Just to clarify, for most of you this won't change much, as MacGourmet development will continue more or less how it always has, nothing changes on that front. The publishing partnership will, however, make MacGourmet available in retail outlets around the world. Note that this is not an acquisition or transfer of ownership of any kind.]

[Please note: I had to reject a couple of anonymous comments (something I don't normally do) because they were based on inaccurate assumptions. If you have any concerns, please feel free to email me and I'll clarify what I can.

Meal Planning for MacGourmet

2008-03-24T14:23:00.001-04:00

Mealplan for MacGourmet.

Plan your meals, print your menus.

Details coming soon...

MacGourmet.com Back Online

2008-03-20T07:33:00.002-04:00

After an extended outage (caused by an incompetent web hosting provider) MacGourmet.com is back online and things should be working normally again. Please bear with me as I work through the support backlog. I apologize if your support email bounced or got lost during the outage. If you think this happened to you, please try sending your request/comment/question again. Thanks!

(Please also note that the forums will be down for a while, and some images will be missing until I can move them over to the new server)

TheMacWeblog Asks: MacGourmet for iPhone?

2008-03-09T14:05:00.003-04:00

TheMacWeblog (now down) posted their 5 Mac Applications that should really, really be iPhoneized (and why the developers would make a mint) and sent me some questions regarding MacGourmet on the iPhone. My responses were posted in a follow-up (which like the original article has now been taken down), but I sent them the following:

Can you see MacGourmet coming to the iPhone or iPod Touch?

Absolutely, and I've said as much already:

In my year-end summary
When Apple announced their intentions: Apple's Plan to have iPhone SDK in Developers Hands by February Means MacGourmet:To Go, Coming Soon!
When the iPhone was released: MacGourmet iPhone Support is Coming...

So I think you can see that yeah, I'm on the record as wanting to do this. I'm the MacGourmet developer, but also a cook and user too, so I want a nice iPhone way to take my recipes, notes and shopping lists with me too. I was also one of those "crazy" people waiting in line the day iPhones when on sale, so it's a platform I'm personally excited to develop for.

It's that Time Again: Looking for Beta Testers

2008-03-04T09:24:00.001-05:00

The release of MacGourmet 2.3 is nearing, and I'm looking for "brave" people who are interested in giving the new version a go before the release is final.

Version 2.3 will be a free update, and will include a lot of "under the hood" changes. While the all-around changes in the new version are significant (significant enough to have an all new "recipe box" icon and new document icons), one really visible change is the all-new shopping list. It's now more flexible, and includes a simple "favorites" list that can be used as a pantry if desired. The favorites list will allow you to create predefined shopping list items, items that can dragged and dropped to your shopping list to quickly add commonly used items.

The new shopping list is also smarter. If you have shopping lists that have aisles, stores and categories filled in, or you've added items with these filled in to your favorites, these values will be automatically filled in for you when you create new shopping lists. If you're someone who uses shopping lists a lot, and have had problems with them or things you've wanted to see them do that they didn't, just send email to macgourmet [at] advenio.com to be added as a tester in the next week or so.

Additionally there are a lot of little things that have been done to improve the product, changes I'll detail in a later post.

Support and Shipping Delays for the Next Couple of Days

2008-02-14T12:23:00.001-05:00

Yesterday New England was hit by a snow and ice storm that knocked out power in much of the area. Please be patient with any support and shipping delays as I wait for the power here to be restored, hopefully by some time tomorrow.

Thanks!

Michael

MacGourmet 2.2.6 Now Available

2008-01-29T09:15:00.000-05:00

MacGourmet 2.2.6, another free, minor update is now available.

This update fixes a bunch of outstanding issues and includes more improvements when running MacGourmet on Leopard.

For a full list of changes, please see the release notes.

As always, MacGourmet 2.2.6 can be downloaded from the MacGourmet download page.

MacGourmet 2.2.5 Now Available

2008-01-03T10:07:00.000-05:00

MacGourmet 2.2.5, another free, minor update is now available.

This update fixes a few outstanding issues.

For a full list of changes, please see the release notes.

As always, MacGourmet 2.2.5 can be downloaded from the MacGourmet download page.