BigOven

I'm a long time Mastercook user but since MC isn't being updated or supported anymore I thought I'd give Big Oven a try since it seemed to have a lot of good reviews.  I like that it is directly linked into the website, but the lack of certain features is driving me crazy.  I hate that there is no spell check, and using the USDA database can be aggravating at times since any variation of the USDA phrasing results in a time consuming search for the correct information.  However, I figure since the program remembers my linkings to the USDA database that problem should decrease over time.  But, I recently noticed a new problem and this one, coupled with the lack of spell check, could prove to be the deal breaker...

When I am typing in a recipe, I usually only have to type a couple of letters for the measurement units (teaspoon, tablespoon, etc.) to pop up in the box, however they do not automatically pluralize when the amount is greater than one.  As a result all my recipes say things like "3 tablespoon flour" or "2 teaspoon sugar", etc. Is there some setting I missed or will I have to type the entire word in if I want it to be grammatically correct?

You can either type the whole word, or use the dropdown listbox to choose the plural form.  You're not limited to the choices presented to you in the quick-fill dropdowns; those are only meant to help speed typing.

So, the answer is yes.  I do have to type in the entire word if I want it to be plural. If I wanted to do that I could just use a word processing program (then at least I would have spell check!).  I don't understand all the positive reviews I keep seeing for this program. It has nothing going for it besides the internet integration. The longer I use it the less I like it.  I also just discovered users can't add nutritional information for food not in the USDA database. 

One positive thing I can say is I do really appreciate the chance to download and use the program for a month. I didn't notice a lot of the problems until after I had used it several times. I'd be really, really frustrated if I had purchased the program only to discover a week or two later how many features it is missing. I will definitely give it another try once a new version comes out.  It's a good idea, but it still needs a lot of work. I'll check back in a year or so.

Users can add nutritional information not in the USDA database.  Simply click on the "Nutrients" icon and click "New".

We'll be happy to add automatic-plural-detection of ingredient quantities onto the feature request list for a future version.  While not all plurals may be on the Quick add dropdown, it does allow you to type out the plural form of the ingredient line.  (Screen Capture eases this process a bit by letting you enter a recipe with ingredients, line by line, without having to enter them in the table-based ingredients view.  If you enter "cups" or "tablespoons" on those ingredient lines, they will be carried over into the final recipe.)

Seems like automatic pluralization of ingredient quantities might be a deal-breaker for you.  Totally understandable -- we don't expect that BigOven is perfect for everyone (the converse may also be true).  Sorry the program isn't right for you -- thanks for checking it out, and have a great rest of your weekend!

I'm glad to hear you can add nutritional information for foods not in the database. I had not tried to do that yet.  I just read in another review that it was not possible. I should have checked that out for myself.

I spent most of the evening last night looking for other options, but unfortunately there do not seem to be very many other recipe programs out there that support Vista. I really hope you will consider pluralizing the ingredients (and adding spell check) in your next update, because I think I would really like this program with those features.

I'm really amazed that I got such quick responses to my questions (and on a weekend!).  Your excellent customer service is mentioned in many of the reviews and I can see why.

As the song says, "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with."  I may love Mastercook, but Mastercook doesn't love me.  It doesn't work on Vista and there is no more customer support and no more updates planned. BigOven gets rave reveiws all over the internet; I'll trying entering a recipe using Screen Capture, maybe that will improve my experience.

Thanks for all you assistance!