Richard Smith wrote: [snip]>
Here's where I will probably say the wrong thing on a Finale list. The competition has been great for both programs. However, I think Finale has benefited more than Sibelius. I think the long discussion of dynamic parts here is an indicator of that. I remember pre-Sibelius Finale. It's MUCH better now.
You won't get any argument from me on that point. As to whether it's directly Sibelius-caused or just the natural evolution of Finale which would have ocurred anyway, whether or not Sibelius existed, is something nobody will ever know for sure.
But it is curious that several things that Sibelius initiates end up in Finale. I don't see much of the opposite happening, although there was an interesting post on the Sibelius-list where they wish that Finale's purported ability to use ANY kontakt-based samples (not just the Sibelius-only Kontakt-silver or Kontakt-gold) would happen in Sibelius. Perhaps that will show up in an interim release of Sibelius.
I also remember the reports of Sibelius version 1 for Windows/Mac and Sibelius is MUCH better, now, too. That may be because it knows it has tough competition from Finale, and again, it may simply be the normal maturing of a product. But in any event both programs have improved immensely over the past few versions, since Sibelius appeared in this marketplace.
In any event, these two giants of the notation software field have been good for each other if for no other reason than the competition for the relatively small market for notation software has made both stronger.
I just hope that Finale doesn't keep heading towards the sequencer end of things (which has gotten strong attention in the recent few versions, starting with the inclusion of the soundfont player and human playback) at the expense of notational improvements.
There have been some posts on the Sibelius list which congratulate that program's developpers on remaining focused on the core purpose of the program, notation. I wish I could make the same congratulations to Finale's developpers.
-- David H. Bailey [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [email protected] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
