Griffin First Edge 1.0 Release 5.7.2

Overall rating: graphic_crowngraphic_crowngraphic_crown

A Quick review by Frank Rader

Submitted: 2/17/2005

OSs Supported - OS X

Additional information and technical specs

Available for purchase at Apple Store, Mac Mall

Retail approx. $100

Personal and very small business complete accounting package. Younger brother to more expensive, and extensive, Account Edge. Both products were originally MYOB (Managing your own business).

I use First Edge for personal, non-profit and business accounting. I've used it over a year. Previously I used MacMoney. I changed because MacMoney is Classic and First Edge offers better reporting.

I've never used Quicken. Like the motorcycle I've always wanted, just before going to buy it I see an accident and the motorcycle comes out 2nd. With Quicken, Quickbooks and Quickbooks Pro users in my family, I get a steady ear of lost data and no support from Intuit stories.

Regardless of how easy it is to enter data in Quicken, if it can't keep it, it is not a purchase. I have to have two things from an accounting program: No lost data and understandable (to others) reports at a glance. I get that from First Edge, but that's all I get.

There is a list of iritations and counter intuitives built into the program. Almost all relate to data entry. I've ten years with the super flexible, super easy MacMoney and expected First Edge to have some of that ease. Maybe I need 9 years more to find it.

• If I'm entering a one time payment I have to create a vendor card. I want to just type in a name and do it.
• Sub menus pop up rather than drop down.
• In the list of accounts sub accounts are not indented beneath their masters in the pick from accounts window. They are in the list accounts window, but you can't click on one from there.
• Memo space is limited and non-existant for one check split among several accounts.
• And more, but those are some of the bigger iritations

Summary: For many a spreadsheet will do. If you report to others or have more than one financial account try First Edge.

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