Users of Linotype FontExplorer X may want to hold off on the 10.5.2 update ... if it's not already too late. It seems to start up fine, but once you do, clicking a stack will cause the Dock to hang; that's just one symptom, there are problems reported with several applications crashing while FontExplorer X is running.
Suspicions are circulating that a change in font handling may be the culprit, but FontExplorer X is the common thread in most complaints. There are discussions going on at creativebits, Apple.com and at the FontExplorer X discussion board. If you're a Leopard user and a heavy user of FontExplorer, you'll probably want to watch those discussions to see the solution when it surfaces.
Thanks Ivan!
Update: Seems like the problem is solved, version up. And let's have a round of applause for responsive developers while we're downloading.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-12-2008 @ 8:04AM
Gregg said...
I've had the hanging Dock problem and I don't run FontExplorer X. I don't think it's related.
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2-12-2008 @ 8:06AM
Brett said...
I guess don't use stacks while activating some fonts in font explorer, until either apple or linotype fixes this issue.
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2-12-2008 @ 8:33AM
Speddy said...
Lino's FontXplorer is "Free ware" so use at your own risk. It took months before they updated it to work with latest Quark, so don't hold your breath. And literally, if you risk using a free font manager to depend upon for income (designer...) then you should expect this.
On a positive note, make sure you use the Combo 10.5.2. I've not seen anything on my nor another Mac Pro I updated, but those use Font Agent Pro to manage fonts and sets. And remember kiddies, whenever a new update come out, have that backup ready...
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2-12-2008 @ 8:41AM
Tony said...
Speddy, being free doesn’t make it worthless. This isn’t quite a piece of homebrew by a one-man-band, it’s a professional piece of software paid for by a large corporation. It’s free in the same way that iTunes is.
Linotype have just emailed me to say that a 10.5.2 version of FontExplorer X is “imminent”. Let’s see how long it takes them to finish off …
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2-12-2008 @ 8:46AM
Floggy said...
I'm not having this problem at all, on two machines; a G5 and MBP Intel, so it can't be LFX itself, per se. Maybe specific fonts are an issue?
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2-12-2008 @ 9:03AM
Todd said...
I ended up reverting back to 10.5.1 thru time machine last night after font explorer hosed our machine last night.
Linotype please fix this ASAP.
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2-13-2008 @ 3:47PM
DJCarbon43 said...
How is this Linotype's fault? They can't test for something that isn't in existence yet.
There was only breakage after Apple pushed out an update, not vice versa.
2-12-2008 @ 9:08AM
GLacy said...
One work around. Since Linotype FontExplorer doesn't need to be open all the time. You can open it to add fonts and then quit it. The fonts will stay open until you close them in Font Explorer. Font Auto Activation needs to be turned off. That is working for me.
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2-12-2008 @ 9:17AM
Alex Brooks said...
@Speddy, I completely disagree, FX is one of the best font managers out there and it just happens to be free. If they charged as much as some of the other manufacturers do; I'd still own it.
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2-12-2008 @ 9:50AM
kaust said...
Broke M-Audio's FastTrack Pro too. Need a fix for this ASAP. Will probably revert back to 10.5.1 as a result.
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2-12-2008 @ 10:09AM
matthewgerber said...
I was having problems with this right after the main system update, but it resolved itself after running the graphics update. Haven't seen a problem since then.
I actually assumed it was due to the client software for my Belkin Wireless USB Hub, but that worked after the graphics update as well.
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2-12-2008 @ 10:20AM
Nick said...
wooo a poster!
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2-12-2008 @ 10:24AM
Nick said...
Didn't mean to put that last comment…
I just downloaded an update to FontExplorer X this morning. I didn't read the release notes too carefully but they mentioned fixing a problem by updating to 10.5.2. Also, by testing, it seems that the problem has been fixed.
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2-12-2008 @ 10:32AM
Tony said...
That’s it, Linotype have just released a bug fixing update.
Quick response, I think. Only took them a few hours.
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2-12-2008 @ 10:35AM
RobK said...
A new version of FontExplorer X was released TODAY. Download Version 1.2.3 from:
http://www.linotype.com/2631/freedownloadmac.html?PHPSESSID=3076354aeaf7f231f0e76d3049a8cbe2
Bug fixed. Let's move on.
P.S. FontExplorer X is a great FREE Font Manager. I have never needed anything else. FontExplorer X just rocks and it is FREE.
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2-12-2008 @ 10:49AM
Mark Anderson said...
FontExplorer rocks, as do the developers. They have always been very good to respond to issues, and I'm sure this will be no exception.
And for now, just disable Auto Activation in FontExplorer before you apply the 10.5.2 update.
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2-12-2008 @ 11:37AM
Frank said...
sorry, speddy -- i agree with those who say font explorer is awesome. i think your problem with fontex stems from the point that you're still using quark...
: P
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2-12-2008 @ 12:07PM
mr. dave said...
ooooh…burn!
2-12-2008 @ 2:12PM
Brady J. Frey said...
Font explorer is fantastic; better still than some of the features of the long stagnated Extensis. Looks like you're a lone voice Speedy!
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2-12-2008 @ 7:55PM
Scott M. said...
I love FontExplorer X, it's a great piece of software. And I've used just about every font management (ATM, FontJuggler, Suitcase, etc) software since my first Mac Plus back in '87. (Font/DA Mover anyone?)