Extensis Universal Type Server: Font management for workgroups

I've managed a couple of different Extensis X1 font servers for my clients and I have to say I consider it a colossal waste of money.

Aside from the "license management" (that none of my clients actually used), I fail to see what the product offers that can't be accomplished with an AFP share and FontExplorer X. Load all the fonts onto a central read-only volume, add them with FEX. When you modify those fonts, clients go and resync. My experience is that standard font set changes on average of once or twice a year.

The X1 server was something like $1500, plus an extra $100 for every client, not to mention the machine dedicated to run the server (which needed it's own -- separately licensed -- client running 24/7).

The corruption checks never worked, and the client caused all sorts of problems (conflicts with office font caches causing every font to be separately reported as corrupt, tiger booting to spotlight when a font was added from the network and set to be always active, the list goes on) and it is frankly super fracken expensive to run.

I'm glad that extensis is continuing to push forward and improve -- and maybe this version will actually address all the problems and it will finally run smooth as butter -- but I still can't see how their server product adds $3k+ value to the typical agency.

I suppose it comes down to how concerned you are about license compliance.

When I saw this announcement, I immediately had questions about how they can control font use based on it's license? I mean, is there some new technology we've not been told about that is going to limit a font being used based on the hardware it's on (aka DRM?)

If so... there are LOTS more questions.

Hi Joseph,

We have very attractive pricing for non-profit organizations. If you
need a
(http://www.extensis.com/en/products/font-management-for-professionals.jsp)professional
font manager for less than ten people, Universal Type (http://www.extensis.com/en/products/universaltypeserverlite/what-is-it.jsp)Server
Lite might be the way to go. Download a
(http://www.extensis.com/en/products/universaltypeserverlite/free-trial.jsp)30-day
trial, or give us a call (800-796-9798) so that we can help you with
your needs.

Cindy Valladares
Product Marketing Manager, Extensis

hahahahahahahaahaha!

Cute. Teh lite version is >a grand.

I'll stick with FEX for managing my 14 workstations.

Burn in hell Extensis.

I groomed you, I had patience when you stopped working for me, I tried to save you for many years by throwing cash at you and yet, you never performed. You acted like an open wound crippling me at every turn.

And then... on one evening of great despair, I saw her across the room. I didn't know her name. She seemed a stranger to me, and yet, so familiar. "Who are you?" I asked. Her sweet moist lips pushed against my ear and she answered:

"Call me X. Font Explorer X."

I never even looked over my shoulder to say goodbye to you Extensis. But now I do. You sicken me with your wicked ways. You are a trap, luring people and hiding all of your filth. I only hope that your demise is slow and painful.

My life has never been so sweet since I left you.

Umm...... have you never heard of LinoType FontExplorerâ„¢ X? LinoType looks to be far more powerful, not to mention free!!!

Amazing Idea, unfortunately it is out of budget when i can manage them myself. I work for a church and the administrative assistants sometimes shoulder some of the design-load. It would be cool to have this, maybe on next years budget.