Filed under: Software, Bugs/Recalls, Leopard
10.5.2 breaks Linotype FontExplorer X, or vice versa
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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gregg said 8:04AM on 2-12-2008
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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Brett said 8:06AM on 2-12-2008
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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Speddy said 8:33AM on 2-12-2008
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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Tony said 8:41AM on 2-12-2008
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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Floggy said 8:46AM on 2-12-2008
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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Todd said 9:03AM on 2-12-2008
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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DJCarbon43 said 3:47PM on 2-13-2008
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.
GLacy said 9:08AM on 2-12-2008
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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Alex Brooks said 9:17AM on 2-12-2008
@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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Mark Anderson said 10:49AM on 2-12-2008
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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kaust said 9:50AM on 2-12-2008
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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matthewgerber said 10:09AM on 2-12-2008
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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Nick said 10:20AM on 2-12-2008
wooo a poster!
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Nick said 10:24AM on 2-12-2008
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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Tony said 10:32AM on 2-12-2008
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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RobK said 10:35AM on 2-12-2008
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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Frank said 11:37AM on 2-12-2008
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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mr. dave said 12:07PM on 2-12-2008
ooooh…burn!
Brady J. Frey said 2:12PM on 2-12-2008
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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Scott M. said 7:55PM on 2-12-2008
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?)