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New Recipe Software

Discussion in 'Food & Cooking' started by pete, Dec 20, 2009.

  1. Dec 20, 2009 #1
    pete

    pete Moderator Staff Member

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    As I stated, in a post in the Late Night Cafe, I recently got a new computer and it has Windows 7 on it. This has caused some problems with some of my older programs....by problems I mean they won't work with the new 64-bit operating system.

    Unfortunately, one of those older programs was Mastercook 7.0. I have also heard that the newest Mastercook, 9.0 has issues. Is anyone out there using another recipe software program that they would recommend and do you know if it is compatible with Windows 7. Another very important feature would be for it to be able to import Mastercook files and convert them as I have thousands of recipes in Mastercook and do not relish the thought of having to re-input them all. I don't need a professional system that costs hundreds of dollars and does all the inventory, food costing, etc., just a good solid program made for the average non professional. I mainly use it for storing recipes, and don't really have much need for all the shopping lists, menu planners etc. that come with Mastercook style software, but I don't mind if it is there, it just won't be used.
     
  2. Dec 20, 2009 #2
    phatch

    phatch Moderator Staff Member

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    I wouldn't want to spend money on something as Mastercook will likely issue an update soon.

    If you can find something to read your archive that's where I'd go in the shorterm.

    But this is all one reason I just use text files and rely on the system search tools. Of course I don't get nutrition breakdowsn or some of the other things.

    Phil
     
  3. Dec 20, 2009 #3
    petemccracken

    petemccracken

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  4. Dec 20, 2009 #4
    pete

    pete Moderator Staff Member

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    Pete, I agree. I love Mastercook and would hate to lose it. I hope you are right and I get it up and running. Thinking I might have to buy 9.0, update the old 7.0, and then rig the new one to run on Windows 7.0. I've heard that the company that got Mastercook from Sierra isn't very interested in keeping it updated, that's why I'm not holding my breath that they will come up with an updated Mastercook that works well with Windows 7.

    Phatch, but doing it that way can you easily pull up all your recipes that contain certain ingredients?
     
  5. Dec 20, 2009 #5
    phatch

    phatch Moderator Staff Member

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    If you know how to limit the search tools, the easiest is by having it just search the directory with your recipes.

    Phil
     
  6. Dec 21, 2009 #6
    petemccracken

    petemccracken

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    Mastercook 9.0 is only $19.95 direct from ValueSoft, DO NOT BUY THE DOWNLOAD VERSION, IT IS CRIPPLED! It is NOT difficult to install on VISTA or Win7, as long as you follow the guidelines set forth in the link below and do NOT let Mastercook control where you install it!

    BTW, if you use FireFox as your browser, there IS an add-in that is far and away superior to the Mastercook Web Import Bar and far safer, I believe it is called, wait for it, RecipeFox ;)

    In fact, for numerous recipe sites, a single click will import the recipe and pictures, if any, directly into Mastercook with no manipulation.

    Will ValueSoft upgrade Mastercook? Well, selling it for $19.95 kinda answers that question, doesn't it? Not sure what a dedicated programmer costs with the associated overhead but it would not be a surprise if it took, oh say, 20,000 copies to pay the base costs for an upgrade, that is a lot for specialized software.

    Personally, if they would upgrade to the latest U.S.D.A. Nutritional Database, actually just link to the current database would even be better, I'd probably be sorely tempted to part with $50-$100 for that version.
     
  7. Dec 21, 2009 #7
    pete

    pete Moderator Staff Member

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    Pete have you heard anything about "Living Cookbook"? It's been getting a lot of great reviews, but I don't know anyone, personally that has used it.

    What link?
     
  8. Dec 21, 2009 #8
    welldonechef

    welldonechef

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    I use Living Cookbook on a daily basis. I have a review set out. I don't want to cross any community policy, so if you go a google search:

    living cookbook site:welldonechef.com

    It should be the first response that comes up. Inside I have an extensive review of the program.

    I hope that helps you out!
     
  9. Dec 21, 2009 #9
    petemccracken

    petemccracken

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    Sorry, I meant the links previously posted in this thread
     
  10. Dec 23, 2009 #10
    gary2232

    gary2232

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    I am looking to buy some type of recipe software. Reviews list # 1 Big Oven #2 Living Cookbook and # 3 Mastercook. But reviews are not always the best form of info. What do you all recommend? If Mastercook is what everybody is using it may be the best choice when it comes to sharing user knowledge. I am looking for something I can add my own recipes too, Create categories or what ever comes to mind. I pickup a lot of recipes and techniques from friends and books and need to store them. To often when I need this stuff and I can not find the paper I took notes on……… Thanks for any advice.
     
  11. Dec 23, 2009 #11
    petemccracken

    petemccracken

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    If you decide on Mastercook, DO NOT BUY THE DOWNLOAD VERSION, IT IS CRIPPLED!

    Mastercook allows, virtually, an unlimited number of separate cookbooks and provides menu planning, meal planning, shopping lists, searches, cost analysis, and nutritional analysis, albeit with an older USDA database. Besides the ability to export in text format, Mastercook allows sending a complete cookbook to another Mastercook user.

    Living Cookbook, as I understand, uses a SINGLE file to store all recipes.

    I'm not familiar with Big Oven, so no comment.

    My choice??? I've used Mastercook for over ten years and I like it, it does take a little bit of work to get familiar with all the features.

    There also is an add-in for FireFox browser that allows a single click import from a multitude of web sources as well as item by item for the unsupported sites