Dear Dinosaur, Skkkoooootch over. I don't understand more than a teaspoon of what you are talking about. If that makes us dinosaurs...then you have more company than you realize:)
Butterfly (I think I like being a dinosaur if it means I don't have to understand this compie techie stuff )
I've been reading all the responses that you have received already. I have owned EQ since version 4. I don't have a computer drawing background with other programs. I love software that comes with books - and EQ does. If you step through all the lessons, you will have a good handle on the program. The website is quite good, and there are several discussion forums, with lots of experienced help with problems. I would recommend the program, and I love all the new things that have been added to version 6.
Are you kidding?? About 10 years ago I was a compie geek the likes of Broderick's character in WarGames! See, I KNOW I was w-a-a-a-y smarter
12 years ago ... and then I had kids! :) I swear, motherhood kills brain cells!I"m feeling REALLY dumb right now - the thought of learning and tackling a new kind of app just leaves ... in the fetal position!
I didn't buy it today, though ... I was going to meet with the QS owner and talk about featuring them in my eZine as a Spotlighted quilt shop and she had a personal emergency. So I'm thinking tomorrow ...
So by tomorrow, I won't just be FEELING dumber than a box o' rocks, I'll KNOW I am! :)
Whew! I was going to buy a book anyway (the one Sally recommended), but it's easier when the app comes with a good book. I'll end up obsessively reading it and then the other book - then maybe I'll load EQ itself!
Sorry about the rant, but most apps nowadays don't come with books - they come with those Flash based tutorials and "help pages." I HATE those. I can understand not pubbing a book to save a few trees, but if you saw how much paper I normally have to use to print out the basic instructions ... you'd see I'm easily killing twice the number of trees they're saving!
EQ6 is wonderful. I was running it on an XP but got a new laptop with Vista and the change was no problem at all.
I did have some computer graphics experience designing houses, kitchens and baths, etc., but EQ6 seemed to be one of the easiest programs to learn.
I have hit a couple of design snags, (not the program but my ignorance) and when I contacted EQ support I was pleasantly surprised at the quick and helpful response. I think it is really unusual to get such individual help from a software company.
Connie, I was also surprised that you are a manual reader. I thought I was the only weird one around.
Jerry in North Alabama
EQ has the capability to do most,if not all, of what you want. I know that there are all sorts of ways to divide circles, and relatively easy ways to draw them. You can always snap to a grid, that you set, as well as snap to a line and such. I haven't gotten as into the new version as I should, and never did completely learn EQ5, but do have a lot of fun with both.
Version 6 has improved the drawing part too, so that you can more easily trace a bitmap pic in the program.
I do love the program and am very glad I have it. Just should spend more time with it (and less on solitaire )
Pati,in Phx
Anne Rogers wrote:
EQ also comes with the "standard" help files -- very good ones, actually. However, it has one additional thing that not many other programs have: it has wonderful videos of how to do some things! Those are really helpful! :)
One caveat: I couldn't watch the videos on my old G3 with VPC, though I can now. I think a friend of mine was able to watch them on her G4, though.
Jerry, I'd be lost without manuals!
And I'd have to agree with her. I love mine!
I used to have my iBook hooked to a larger monitor, but then I still had the portability factor when I wanted to take a slide show to my quilt circle meeting or just wanted to write emails outside on the terrace. :) Now I don't have my larger monitor hooked up most of the time, not because it's difficult (it's not) but because the screen on the MacBook is so nice that I don't need the larger one.
:D
I've never owned a PC, so I can't compare. I've only used them in libraries or that sort of thing, and only occasionally.
Yes to both of those -- and you can scan in your own fabrics, as on EQ.
Now that's where QP falls down. They're not very consistent with how often they do update them. :S
It's at .
LOL!
You're very welcome, Connie. Question away -- I'll try to answer, though I won't guarantee anything. ;)
Howdy!
Another fan of reading the manuals. Got a whole drawer of them, left from the original homeowners here, added to every time I buy something that comes w/ a manual.
I can program VCRs (still), home security systems, use (rarely) the fancier stitches on my Janome, find the seat adjustment switches in my car, even get the right size tires put on the Cruiser: all because I read the manuals. I figure the automobile manual is in the car so that I'll have something to read in an emergency (an emergency being when I have to wait & didn't bring a book ). That's how I started learning all about the Mercedes-Benz diesel engine, circa 1977: the original manual was in the car 15 yrs. later! ;-D Got the iMac manual right here, too, having read it but not needing it, the iMac being such a sensible system. Oh, yeah, Manuals Be Good!
Ragm> >
Manuals are great but DH learned that I am much easier to deal with at a auto breakdown if I have a burger in my hand. Since I got rid of the mini van I don't think as much about that though.
There are always quilt magazines in my car and the manual too.
The new manual with the Janome here is not terrific but it has helped me figure more than a few things out. The bosch washer manual is worn out and about as worthless as it was new. Taria
Sandy Ellis> Howdy!
I have a few colleagues that have them and they LOVE them. It's a joke how Mac people are always trying to "convert" PC people, you know? Well, my friends are now trying their best to convert me from a G4 to an Intel!
One of my friends went from a G5 to an Intel and said it was almost like a religious experience! :)
The MacBooks are up to what? 19 inch screens? Which is funny - I can remember when a 19 inch screen was considered TOO big! And one of them would set you back a good $700 ...
But I am saving up my pennies (pennies? more like $10 bill, LOL!) for a MacBook. I chose a desktop model years ago simply because of the monitor size issue, but that ain't an issue anymore! :)
PCs have their good points (which it's rare to hear a Mac person say, I'm sure). I've used both and both are good machines. BUT you have to take more bad with the good with PCs, IMHO. I'm living quite nicely without any anti-virus software, thank you very much. But I DO use an anti-virus app on outgoing mail and files - since even though we Macs can't get them, we can still pass them on. :/
Ah. See, I was hoping not to have to scan in any fabric. I have a scanner, and I use it all the time - but why scan if I don't HAVE to? So I was hoping for either stash updates (and I think the app is called Stash, isn't it??) or just updates from EQ.
So which do you use more? EQ or QP? Or does it depend on what you're doing?? And if you had to have only ONE which would you choose??
WOW!! Awesome link!! Thank you!!!! Now I just have to decide which one to take first ...! Do you enjoy the classes? Are they user-friendly? It seems awfully cheap, though ... meaning, not expensive. I'd have assumed that they'd charge more. Not that I'm complaining! :)
You've been a font of information - better than the internet! :) You oughta have your own classes!! :)
Thank you so much AGAIN!! :)
That's an awesome recommendation!! I once spent literally 9 hours on hold with HP!! So I'm usually leery of tech support (I run when I hear those ominous words) so it's nice to hear that if I have an issue, I can get help pleasantly and quickly.
Pfft. I read anything that doesn't bite me first. I've read hubbies manuals on statistics - and now, you want to talk about the stereotype of VCR programming directions ..... No, seriously, I don't make a move until I've read the manual! :)
It's not weird, though! In our house, we call it "safe sex!" If you don't read the manual, you might get "blanked!" :)
Videos?? Really?? Okay, if you hadn't sold me before you have now. My biggest hurdle will be to learn the app (well, that and get VPC to play nice) ... and with all the info (plus the classes at Quilt U), the book, etc, I think I might just understand it after all!
But I still reserve the "right" to ask you questions! :)
Pfft. Are you asking for another rant? :) It's Apple making older computers obsolete (the ONLY time you'll ever hear me bad mouth Apple). First to go were the serial port support, then Quicktime (the video format most apps use and what Apple uses natively since they own it). Also, G3s were shut out of the latest OS upgrade (most G3s can't use Tiger v 10.4.5). Next with Leopard (supposedly) they'll shut out ALL G3s and most G4s.
My daughter has a G3 iMac (the DV collector's edition) and doesn't want a new one - she loves the one she has (she even named it!) and yet we're getting her a new one anyway for Christmas because she can't even watch her videos on iTunes anymore! They literally won't play. Not because her computer got any weaker - but because the newest version of iTunes and QT have written her "processor" out of the code (over-simplified explanation).
Sorry ... end of rant. :/
But really, thanks again for all the help!! I definitely know where to go when I have questions! I just hope I don't end up abusing your hospitality! :)
BTW, I've already signed up for a class at Quilt U. And I'll be signing up for the classes on EQ 6 that are coming up, too! :) Thanks again!! :)
Then I'll let up. ;)
So you can imagine how I felt going from a G3 to an Intel. ;)
I think they're still at 13", but I could be wrong. The MacBook Pro is larger, though. I had a 15" iBook, and that was nice, but it wasn't as portable as a smaller one would have been. I really like my current Mac. :)
:)
Sometimes they do give us sets of fabrics, but it's not really regular. With EQ, you do have to buy the Stash sets, but they also give out a free palette every month.
It does depend on what I'm doing, actually. I've had QP longer, so I'm more familiar with it. But I'm getting better at EQ now, so it's sort of a toss-up for some things. If I had to have only one, I really don't know what I'd do, but I suspect I'd go with EQ because of the support.
I've only taken EQ classes there, so I can't talk about any of the others. However, the price is actually awfully reasonable, and the way it's set up is very user-friendly. There's always a forum so you can ask questions and share pics of what you've done. I don't know how easy it would be to learn -- for example -- hand appliqué this way, but it's great for EQ. :)
LOL! Thanks, but all I want is for people to enjoy their Macs and quilting as much as I do. :)
And you're welcome AGAIN!! :)
I know you were asking the other Sandy , but I feel like answering, too. ;) Yes! I do read the manuals before I do anything with whatever it is that came with them. I don't want to mess anything up. DH isn't much for manuals, and he also isn't much for technology, so I handle the VCR, the DVD player, the Mac, etc. When we used to have to put things together for Christmas for our young (at the time) DDs, I read the instructions, he did the manual labor.
It sounds as though we're living in the same house!! :)
In our house we have a saying : Reading the manual is like "safe sex" - if you don't read it first, you're probably going to end up "blanked!
'Course, if I'm not around, hubby will bypass the instructions entirely. He once assembled a GAS grill using the "force" - he had three screws, two bolts, and a ignition switch looking thingie left over. Needless to say, I didn't touch the damn thing first, last or anytime in between.
It did work, though. Go figger. :)
I think you'll be happy -- if you aren't, just throw a tantrum until your new Intel Mac arrives. ;)
Okay!
No, this was a function of VPC not being able to work fast enough on the G3 processor.
I don't think, in all honesty, that Apple has a corner on that market. All of the computer manufacturers have a vested interest in making sure that we all want/need a newer model with more bells and whistles. And -- again in all honesty -- I think sometimes some of the bells and whistles we all want require an updated machine. Even EQ apologetically told us that there was no way to make EQ6 compatible with anything prior to WinXP, and EQ is famous for trying to keep everyone happy.
I'll let you know *if* that happens.
Which class did you sign up for?
Oh, no, I wasn't getting at THAT about you. I meant only that the Intels have to be THAT awesome!!
LOL, the day one of my friends (really, the non-communicative type) got HIS, he sent me an e-mail each time he opened a new app. I got 12 e-mails in ONE day from this guy - when usually, I'd be lucky if I got one in a MONTH!
So, the Intels HAVE to rock!! :)
Probably nearly the same as when I went froma PC to a Mac! (Though I was a Mac person before the PC - learned on a Vic20 and then went straight to a Lisa!!).
Yeesh ... you're right. MAcBooks top off at 134 while the Pros top off at 17. Still I've heard that the screens are so sharp you feel like you could actually grab hold of images on the screen!
That's still light years better than having to spend hours scanning in fabric. Then there's also the concern about sizing relative to other swatches. : /
I'd pay the what? $20 isn't it? for the swatch sets - and getting a new palette each month free ain't bad, neither! :)
Hmmm ... that's what I figured., EQ seems to be light years more popular than QP. I figger there's probably a reason, right? I mean, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that QP is for PCs too, right?
I thought as much - I can't really see learning hand applique (or hand quilting) via net, but EQ should be exciting and an eye-opener. I'm taking a class on "Math for Quilters" under "Other" ... I've always had a hard time remembering how to figure out fabric requirements and I NEED it. Also figuring out squares/triangles has always been sketchy for me, too.
And it's obvious! :) You've really been a HUGE help! I REALLY appreciate it!! Thank you so much!!
PS - EQ oughta send you a check - you really sold me! Um, Apple owes you some $$, too! :)
(((Sandy))) :)
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