Finale Forum

OK, I give up. Has anyone actually been able to post a file to this forum? If so, how is it done?



Well, it will not allow .pdf either. So now the extension has been changed to .txt even though it is really a pdf. If it makes it, change the extension back to pdf...

OK, one more time. Apparently, this forum does not allow the posting of files with the extension "xlsx". Now trying as a pdf...

Repost as it appears the file attachment did not make it.

This is an open letter to the Finale development team and to the users of Finale in general.

Using Finale V25 on Windoze.

According to Finale's website, I have used Finale software notation products since June of 2002, now well over 15 years. During this time I have made approximately 400 scores with Finale, and have contacted the Customer Support team on numerous occasions. While some of these were simply pleas for help and guidance on how to do something, most turned out to be weaknesses or actual failings of Finale which were forwarded to the Development Team.

I am writing now to entreat the Development team to turn their attention to my list of issues with Finale. As this list is too long for this email, a spreadsheet has been attached.

Users of Finale are encouraged to review and to add your voice. I am sure many of you have encountered and drawn attention to many, if not all, of the issues on my list. Perhaps if a sufficient number of us raise our voices, the Development Team will respond.

Please review and comment.
Thanks!

Since this is an independent forum, there is a good chance the development team won't read this. But you never know if they might be lurking here.

Zuill

I can't actually see an attachment. Is there one?

Lists of bugs have been regularly collated and sent to MM over the years. MM are, evidently, working hard on improving in Finale. But of course, they have limited resources, and will have their own list of priorities, which may not match yours. (Or mine.) They will certainly "take it on board", but don't expect to have it all done by Christmas.

Apropos of nothing: Six years ago, I became an Apple Seed Tester and reported my first bug in November 2011. They fixed it in High Sierra, released last month.

I can't see a spreadsheet?

New users can't attach.

I'd very much like to see your letter. Do we know what it takes for a new member to be allowed to post? A period of time? A certain number of posts?

N.

How about loading the file to Dropbox and then posting the link?

It will be interesting to see the ratio of bugs to feature requests

Well, it appears that you cannot upload files (perhaps other than .mus or .musx), nor can you make a post that contains a url, so I cannot show you the dropbox location here.

However, you can go to makemusic.zendesk.com - the other MM forum - and search for my post 115008188567, also called Open Letter to Development Team. My reply to that post contains the dropbox location where you can download a pdf of the file.

Thanks!

mii78 wrote:Well, it appears that you cannot upload files (perhaps other than .mus or .musx), nor can you make a post that contains a url, so I cannot show you the dropbox location here.

The Dropbox location is:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kve2yayz0v5si ... s.pdf?dl=0

The zendesk thread is here:

https://makemusic.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/ ... pment-Team

MikeHalloran wrote:It will be interesting to see the ratio of bugs to feature requests

Most of them are "Why doesn't Finale do it like this?". Some of the issues can actually be fixed, e.g. turning off Multi-measure auto update.

I know we all get emotionally involved in our work processes, but you're not going to get MM enthusiastic about your requests by aggressive ranting and telling them "whoever did this should be fired", "you should be ashamed", etc, etc.

mii78 wrote:Well, it appears that you cannot upload files (perhaps other than .mus or .musx) …

The issue is the file name extension.
As you have found out, .mus and .musx are allowed.
But not (e. g.) .pdf.
However, you can upload compressed files (e. g. .zip files) here
If your file has a file name extension that is not allowed, then compress the file first.

I have found over the years that Finale can do most anything. That's great! The problem is figuring out how to make Finale do it.
I also have learned that learning how to use Finale eliminates a lot of the "bugs".

I am to the point now where Finale is actually fun to use. There are still annoyances, of course.

I agree that an angry or ranting letter is likely to be dismissed out of hand. Perhaps it can be reworded.

mil78, I'd suggest if you don't already, follow this group regularly. Some of your concerns have been addressed already (Preferences, slurs flying high off the notes, etc.). The Finale experience here goes very deep - many of us make a living using Finale and have come to terms with its shortcomings. I daresay that this should be your first stop for technical assistance.

N.

Also, as a new poster here, your ability to post attachments is limited. After you have a few posts to your credit, this restriction is removed.