Filed under: Software, Internet Tools
RapidWeaver 3.6 released
Realmac Software today has released the much-anticipated new version of RapidWeaver, their powerful WYSIWYG software that does a great job of filling the gap between iWeb and Dreamweaver. This new v3.6 ushers in a significant list of new features, such as:
- Themes Styles - no more digging in HTML and CSS to customize your theme (unless you really want to)
- 6 completely new themes
- Snippets - manage chunks of frequently used code instead of copy/pasting or constantly re-typing
- New Flash Slideshow - completely rewritten and can now pull images from a Flickr feed
- Improved blog, including tags and inline comment support
- Easy creation of Lists
- Detailed Publishing
- And much, much more
Also, due to RapidWeaver's "skyrocketing" popularity, RealMac Software introduced a redesigned website today that includes a full-featured add-ons section where users can browse themes, plug-ins and code snippets, which of course also means 3rd parties nowhave one central RapidWeaver community where the can highlight their products.
With everything involved, I can completely understand Realmac Software's decision to make v3.6 a paid upgrade - current users (including MacHeist owners) can purchase a v3.6 license for $25, while a full license costs $49. A demo is of course available, so head over to the shiny new Realmac Software site to see everything RapidWeaver has to offer.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JT said 12:37PM on 5-24-2007
Sorry but the paid upgrade really p*sses me off. That plus paid extra themes... it seems the guys are getting REALLY greedy. I've been always frustrated by the software limitations (lists, tables...), and none of the additional gizmos will compensate the lack of basic features, at least for people that are a bit demanding.
Not for me, thanks.
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Nik Fletcher said 12:42PM on 5-24-2007
JT,
As the first paid upgrade in almost 3 years, greedy doesn't seem like the best chosen word...?
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Isaiah said 12:46PM on 5-24-2007
Blocks 3.0 -- Freeform Layout for RapidWeaver released today too!
http://www.yourhead.com
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eggstone said 12:57PM on 5-24-2007
I don't think these update is worthy $25, just few more themes, adding tags to the blogs, lists, tables, not that big deal... I mean, rapid weaver is still a great software, but the upgrade price is still too expensive.
Also, I am still waiting for next version of iWeb, which integrates with Leopard. If then, rapid weaver make some revolutionary updates, I would probably thinking about upgrade. Well, still 5 months to go...
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Aaron said 1:06PM on 5-24-2007
The upgrade does seem a little steep what is offered, but, I will reserve judgement until I can take a closer look. I am already disappointed by the fact I bought the program about a month before that MacHeist package, and could have for the same amount of money a whole lot more.
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AlMeister said 1:36PM on 5-24-2007
The steep price for the upgrade has got me steamed too. I mean, the thing is full of bugs. They should be more appreciative of the users who put up with all the bugs from the early days. And as a software developer myself, I'm not unsympathetic to the amount of work that goes into it. But when the bugs haven't been worked out properly in the previous version (makes me think their name is MS), and now it's a paid upgrade at 50% of the cost of a full license, yeah that's greedy.
@2, Nik;
yeah, but in 3 years they only put out 2 updates. And one was mostly a bug squashing effort.
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Dan said 1:50PM on 5-24-2007
The 'Rapid Weaver' link in the RSS feed of the article linked to TUAW and not to Rapid Weaver. Poor form.
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Mary said 2:22PM on 5-24-2007
Very, very disappointing. This could and should be great, but is very difficult to use smoothly because of far too many bugs. To expect users to pay again for something this flawed is arrogant at best. Forget it, I'm going elsewhere.
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Nik Fletcher said 2:44PM on 5-24-2007
Al,
Since I bought RapidWeaver 2 and a bit years ago, it's been 3.1 (3.1.0 through to 3.1.3), 3.2 (3.2.0-1), and 3.5 (3.5.0-1). To my mind that's seven updates. But if you're not counting interim releases, then I'll keep schtum :-)
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DrWho said 3:36PM on 5-24-2007
Yikes - not much RW love here today....
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Julian said 3:38PM on 5-24-2007
Nik Fletcher -- I clicked on your name link -- it seems from your site that you work for or are otherwise affiliated with the makers of RapidWeaver. You perhaps gain financially from this software? If so, it seems to me that this might be something you should disclose in your spirited defenses of the upgrade proce. If not, perhaps you could explain the meaning of your website's main link and phrasing.
I am a Rapidweaver customer -- own two licenses, but feel this is a steep upgrade for what to me feels like the first non-nearly-purely maintenance update (and somewhat limited at that) , so will most likely pass.
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AJvK said 4:08PM on 5-24-2007
Aaargh... just bought RW 2 months ago, and now I have to fork over 25 Euros to be able to use the new features? I feel ripped off...
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kcourte said 4:26PM on 5-24-2007
This fantastic piece of software continues to improve and evolve. Kudos to the Rapidweaver team.
Elsewhere, I find it particularly ironic some mention 'greedy' and then rattle off features that should be included for people who are 'demanding'. That fails to reconcile on any level.
I'm also perfectly content with the paid upgrade price. The app has had several updates in the last few years for no additional charge. Alas, you can't please everyone.
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nick said 4:26PM on 5-24-2007
Super Lame. Next time I'll just pirate the app instead of buying.
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Nik Fletcher said 4:31PM on 5-24-2007
Julian,
You are indeed correct, and for not fully disclosing that I apologise. Since March of this year I've worked Part-time for the developers. Prior to that, I was merely a RapidWeaver user who helped people as time permitted on the RapidWeaver forums.
The reason my own site was taken offline and message put up (and I failed to realise that the URL had been stored on TUAW since before the new comment forms arrived) is that I'm providing bandwidth for the downloads of RapidWeaver, and I don't particularly want to strangle my bandwidth!
Defence of it 'spirited'? Yes - with hindsight it was perhaps a little too spirited and, unintentionally, lacking complete partiality and transparency.
Thanks for calling me on this, and hope this message clears everything up. -Nik
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kcourte said 4:35PM on 5-24-2007
Pirating is super lame.
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Julian said 5:29PM on 5-24-2007
Nik,
Kudos to you for your quick and responsible response to my question.
Julian.
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Nigel said 6:00PM on 5-24-2007
The new feature set definitely seems to be in line with a point release, but the pricing suggests a major release. Are we to pay $25 for all future 3.x releases? And how much will 4.0 cost?
I think RealMac are penny pinching here. For a small software shop, it seems a risky path to take. Why anger a loyal following?
I'm probably going to hold out for 3.7 and see what happens.
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Marek Sumara said 11:58PM on 5-24-2007
I count myself as among the very fortunate, as I picked up the MacWorld UK free download of RapidWeaver 3.5.1, and was surprised to find that upon downloading RW 3.6, I was given the opportunity to buy it at the upgrade price!
Sweet. A nice introduction to RW. Now let's see if I can adjust from iWeb (great, easy, beautiful, but bloated) and BBEdit (I'm an old hand coder at heart).
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Wes said 1:38AM on 5-25-2007
Just picked up RapidWeaver last week (3.5.1) to build a website for my Youth Group and I've had nothing but great experiences with it! There are some features that would be great to implement into my sight.. which are subsequently offered in this update.. but at the same time.. $25?? Serious? I'd have to agree with Aaron on this one. Too steep for what it's offering. But we'll see.
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