Movie Collector development ceased, any alternative?

[steve62388]

I’ve been using the macOS app Movie Collector for a number of years. I have spent considerable time carefully curating my database with personal tweaks. I sent a support email to them and have just had a reply back that they have already abandoned development for macOS. Pretty frustrated that they have made no announcement about this at all (I subscribe to their newsletter). Like a lot of companies now, they are pushing heavily into a web based subscription model. It’s not something I want to get involved with because if your let your subscription lapse your database becomes read only.

Can anybody recommend an alternative?

 

[Ritsuka]

Delicious Library maybe.

 

[KaliYoni]

Delicious Library

Now there's a name I haven't heard for awhile. Is it still being supported and updated by the developer? I came close to buying DL, along with a barcode reader, a long time ago (long enough ago that my interest was sparked by seeing DL's booth at MacWorld!). But DL's dependence on continued access to an Amazon API for autofilling data fields made me a little leery...so I never pulled the trigger on the purchase.

----------
just found this

https://flic.kr/p/8wSUD4

 

[HDFan]

Pretty frustrated that they have made no announcement about this at all

The existing app will continue to work but won't get any new updates.

I received several emails about the change. Since I love the CLZ Barry app for scanning in new movies I have no problem paying the small annual cost. They have great support, and are continually improving their products. That costs $. Their developers should be rewarded.

 

[steve62388]

The existing app will continue to work but won't get any new updates.

I received several emails about the change. Since I love the CLZ Barry app for scanning in new movies I have no problem paying the small annual cost. They have great support, and are continually improving their products. That costs $. Their developers should be rewarded.

What exactly did it say in the emails? I know they have been pushing their subscription service hard, but I have seen no mention that macOS would be abandoned. When did you receive them? Nothing has been said about it in their newsletter (I keep them all) or on their blog. Aren’t these exactly the sort of places where it should be announced?

 

[steve62388]

Delicious Library maybe.

I’ll check it out. Thanks.

All other suggestions welcomed.

 

[HDFan]

What exactly did it say in the emails?

2021.02.02

Hi,

This is CLZ Alwin, with important news for all users of our Mac editions:

This has been a very difficult and painful decision, but ...
As of yesterday, February 1 2021, all development on the "Collector" software for macOS has been discontinued. Also, the subscriptions for the Mac editions are not available in our shop anymore, not for new users, not for renewals.

We are recommending all users of our Mac software to switch to our Connect web-based software ASAP, using our Trade-In offer: we will transfer your remaining Collector subscription days to the Connect edition, plus we will add 4 extra months for free.

I understand this may come as a surprise and that you are disappointed about this. But I am sure that after switching to Connect, you will appreciate the easier-to-use and easier-to-manage software and more importantly, the full attention of our development team, resulting in regular updates with new features and improvements.

What does the discontinuation of the Mac development mean for you?​

• Don't worry, your Mac software will keep working for now. You can still use it, as long as it is still compatible with macOS and our online services.
• There will be no more updates for the Mac editions. That is, no more new features and improvements, but also no more maintenance/compatibility updates.
• We will still answer simple support questions about using the Mac edition, but we will not be able to provide 2nd line support for technical problems.
• You cannot renew your subscription for the Mac edition anymore.
• To enjoy the benefits or your remaining subscription days, we recommend all Mac users to switch to our Connect web-based software ASAP.

What are your options right now?​

Of course, the best and recommended option is to take our Trade-In offer and switch to our excellent Connect web-based software. But, to be complete, these are your options:

1. Switch to Connect using our Trade-In offer (RECOMMENDED).
2. Switch to the Windows edition, e.g. using Parallels, VMWare, etc..
3. Switch to using the CLZ mobile app, e.g. on an iPad or Android tablet.

The Trade-In offer for switching to the Connect web-based software​

If you switch to Connect with our Trade-In offer, we will trade-in your remaining Collector subscription days and will transfer them to the Connect edition, plus we will add 4 extra subscription months for free.

So the sooner you switch, the more you can benefit from the Trade-In!

Ready to make the switch? Here’s how to:

• First, make sure your CLZ Cloud is up-to-date.
  Start your Collector program, and from the CLZ Cloud menu, choose Synchronize.
• Then, login to your account at my.clz.com.
• Finally, find the box that says “Trade-in offer”,
  then click the button that says “Switch me over!” and follow instructions.

Of course, you can try Connect first. Here’s how:

• First, make sure your CLZ Cloud is up-to-date.
  Start your Collector program, and from the CLZ Cloud menu, choose Synchronize.
• Now login to Connect with your existing CLZ Account, using one of the links below:
  Movie Connect / Book Connect / Music Connect / Comic Connect
  This will automatically start your 7-day free trial.

Full details about the advantages of Connect can be found here:
Movie Connect / Book Connect / Music Connect / Comic Connect

Why are we taking this step?​

We have been working on the Mac editions since 2005, so it is very hard for us to say goodbye to these products. But we have to discontinue them now, for the following reasons:

• The number of subscribed Mac users has dropped below the level where it is financially feasible for us to keep maintaining the software, let alone develop it further. Many Mac users have already made the move to our Connect web-based software, others have gone mobile only, some may have stopped using it altogether.
• The quality of the Mac software has always been subpar, which has become worse in the past few years, especially compared to the well-designed and stable Connect and mobile editions. At Collectorz.com we want to deliver quality software only and the Mac edition does not fit that bill anymore.
• The maintenance of the Mac software has proven to be a nightmare, with necessary compatibility fixes each time a new macOS arrives. Last year we had to spend 3 weeks of development just to make our software Big Sur compatible.

Common questions and their answers​

• Q: Can I transfer my existing data to the Connect web-based software?
  A: Of course, all you need to do is sync your data to the CLZ Cloud.
• If I switch to Connect, can I keep using the CLZ mobile app?
  A: Yes, you can, nothing changes there, you can still use the CLZ mobile app, syncing it with the CLZ Cloud. Connect is only a replacement for the Collector software on your Mac.

Got other questions or concerns? Just contact me!​

Finally, if you have any other questions or concerns about the discontinuation of the Mac editions or about switching to Connect, contact me here and I will personally get back to you.


I am confident you will find that Connect is an excellent alternative,


Alwin Hoogerdijk
Collectorz.com / My.CLZ.com / CLZ Help Center / CLZ Online Shop


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[steve62388]

Thanks for posting. I didn’t get it. I suppose they didn’t want to post on their blog or newsletter because it would worry the Windows users. Bit weird they notified users after development had ceased, companies almost always give a notice period. It gives the impression of a rushed decision, perhaps something went wrong?

Their ‘Why are we taking this step?’. Reason 2. I don’t understand this, it was always stable for me.

Once we push all the b.s. aside, just like a lot of developers they are moving to a subscription model because it’s more profitable. I bet the Windows version will be dumped too, it’s just a matter of time.

It’s death by a thousand cuts. All these subs are really starting to add up to a lot of money, more than I have ever typically spent on software each year. I won’t be signing up to their Connect service. There are so many subscriptions and I have to prioritise, a film database that becomes read only if you lapse just doesn’t make the cut.