MacTarot 1.9

Okay, I admit it: when I comes to Tarot software, I'm really picky.

When I work with Tarot software, I want to feel a virtual deck of cards in my hands. I want flexibility. I want lots of spreads (and the ability to use custom spreads on the fly). I want the ability to work with virtual decks -- cards I scan in from my own private library. When it comes time for a reading, I should forget that I'm using software at all.

Especially in its earliest versions, the excellent Orphalese Tarot set the standard for Tarot software ... but it's for Windows only, and, like millions of other people, I've made the move to the Mac. (The Orphalese Tarot is, by the way, the only piece of Windows software I miss at all!)

And so, with high hopes, I downloaded -- and subscribed to -- MacTarot. I started out with version 1.7.5; this week, the programmer released an upgrade to version 1.9. Is this new version of MacTarot the Tarot software of my dreams?

In a word: nope.

I'm sorry to report that MacTarot is inflexible and rigid, with none of the polish, beauty, or usability normally associated with Mac software.

I hope you like Celtic Cross or 3-Card spreads; MacTarot won't accommodate anything else. Into these two spreads, you will deal the program's default Rider-Waite deck -- and no others. Do you read reversals? You do now; MacTarot gives you no other choice. Want to use a deck you've scanned yourself? Too bad; the program won't let you.

If you prefer to use your own interpretations, you'll be forced to ignore MacTarot's canned card meanings. (Will you be surprised to learn that I don't care for 'em?) If you're a big fan of the original Battlestar Galactica, though, you'll probably get a kick out of hearing the canned interpretations read aloud by the new speech feature -- it sounds exactly like an old-style Cylon warrior.

Rather than focus on adding flexibility or eye candy to MacTarot, its programmer is hard at work converting the program into a subscription-based ($25.00 per year) online experience.

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of Mac-based programs to pick from ... so, when I gotta work with Tarot on a computer, for now, at least, I'm stuck with MacTarot. Unless I'm missing something, though, I've only got a few more months to do so ... MacTarot "expires," forcing upgrades by rejecting your paid registration once a year.

I asked the program whether this review was too harsh; I received The Devil: "There may be feelings of frustration or oppression ... Your knowledge of your own needs, wants, and desires my dominate you."

Hmmph. Maybe there's something to MacTarot, after all.

Comments

[Mimers]

OMG, I am still laughing! I too miss Orphalese so badly! I find it so hard to accept that there is nothing except my little tarot widget that comes close to a decent substitute. :( When will Orphalese programers save us????

[Robert King]

Thanks for the review of MacTarot. I really do need feedback to make the program better however I rarely receive any feedback at all. So your review is good to read and take on board the ideas, especially on the softwares limitations.

A couple of things to point out is that 1.90 will work all through 2007 with your current serial number, you wont be forced to re-subscribe to the software in a few months. Secondly, the speech settings depend upon the default voice set in your Mac Preferences, there are a few other more palatable choices of voice than the standard one.

As for limitations, version 2.0 which is due to come out before March adds the following:

- The ability to edit the interpretations
- The ability to choose between reversals or not
- 2 more card spreads

As I said, feedback is important and I receive little, without feedback I am not able to respond to the users needs and wishes. This is why your review is great to read and I take on board everything you say in it.

Thanks

[Mark McElroy]

Robert:

Thank YOU for being open to feedback and suggestions ... and for being willing to read past the (admittedly over-the-top) tone of my review.

I look forward to version 2.0, and appreciate your spirit!

[Robert King]

Version 2.0 of MacTarot was released this weekend. While it does not offer many new features, it is now a Universal Binary for the Intel Macs and is now available for Windows Vista, having been written from the ground up with an entirely new codebase.

This means that in the coming months many new features can be added to improve usage and user experience.

A beta version which allows custom cards, customizable backgrounds and editable interpretations is currently being tested for release in June.

Thanks to everyone who supports MacTarot, now also for Windows users.