MasterCook 7 Now Available

[PamE]

I just received word from ValuSoft that MasterCook 7 has shipped to stores, so it will appear on shelves as soon as those stores get them out. Yay!! :D

You can order the product from ValuSoft directly. (I have a copy on its way to me now.) Go here: http://www.valusoft.com/products/mastercook7.html to order now, or you can wait until it shows up at your local office supply/computer store. ValuSoft lists which stores carry their products on their web page here: http://www.valusoft.com/navigation/aboutus.html

What's New?? See ValuSoft's tech support web page, here: http://www.valusoftsupport.com/KBArticle.asp?kbid=2205

which states:

New Features:
Over 1,000 delicious new recipes contained in 2 new cookbooks - On Cooking and Food for Fifty. MasterCook Deluxe now has over 5,000 family tested recipes!

Includes the Food for Fifty and On Cooking (selected chapters) text books in PDF format. View an astounding amount of cooking tips, charts, reference information, recipes, and much more!

Download Recipes and Shopping lists to your PDA (Palm OS or Pocket PC). The included MasterCook software for Palm OS and Pocket PC allows you to add new, edit, and delete recipes and shopping lists. Make shopping a snap by creating one or more shopping lists and exporting them to your PDA device. Once in the store, you can sort your lists by store location and filter by have/need status - you will be in and out of the store in no time!

Compress your cookbook picture files to save disk space and increase portability of your cookbooks.

When browsing cookbooks for recipes, you can now filter recipes in the recipe browser by any search parameters including nutritional values, ingredients, cooking time, categories, etc. This feature will save time and headache by only displaying the kind of recipes you want to see. So if you are interested in seeing only vegetarian recipes when browsing, that is what will be shown!

Easier saved search management for saving searches you use often. Executing your favorite searches are only 2 clicks away!

Includes 12 predefined recipe searches for easy searching. From recipes with no meat to recipes low in fat, we've provided a base of common recipe searches.

More intuitive program navigation makes getting around easier.

Added ability to edit an entire field or context in the Find/Replace and Spell check screens.

Ingredients with no nutritional value are highlighted in the ingredient list.

Bug Fixes:
Fixed the problem in that prevented the ability to create/edit category templates.

The sizes of the combo boxes on the recipe browser were increased.

All columns in the shopping list screen are now shown by default.

The Clipart and Cookbook Covers included with previous versions of the product, are back on the CD.

[GrinsandGiggles]

Wow, Pam, thanks for the heads up! I have been planning on upgrading my 5.x version lately, but just haven't gotten around to it. Once I saw your note a few weeks ago, I decided to wait on 6.x for this new version. Now I will be on the lookout for this one. Please let us know what you think when you get your copy - we like our gurus up to date! :D

[chefjon]

Thanks for the heads-up. I have a question. The total cost with shipping from valusoft is about $28. Not having bought this program before, what do you think the price in Wal-Mart or CompUSA would be?

[PamE]

I think they would sell it for the same price as ValuSoft, minus the shipping costs. Since you would be paying local sales tax at WalMart or CompUSA, you would probably only save a few dollars? Of course, ValuSoft has it for sale now and is shipping now. WalMart and CompUSA still need to get it on their shelves.

I'd recommend you call WalMart and CompUSA and see what they tell you over the phone. Perhaps they could best answer your question directly?

[jem927]

Thanks for the update on Mastercook 7! I was just looking to get a new software package for this and I am definitely sold on this one!

Thanks again!

jamie

[GrinsandGiggles]

Just curious, has anyone looked or found this in a local retail store yet?

[jem927]

I checked Circuit City, and the Best Buy website, but no luck on seeing the software at retail shops yet!

My thought is this - according to what I have read, the software is like only a couple days old at this point, so it may take a few more business days for it to hit the shelves depending on how ValuSoft wants to market it.

Let me know when and where you are able to locate it.

Jamie

[PamE]

ValuSoft told me it shipped to retailers. Now it's just a matter of those stores getting it distributed.

[jem927]

GO TO MICROCENTER!!!!!!

Just got back from Microcenter with the DB, and guess what they had???

You guessed it -- the latest version! Needless to say I got a copy. I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but I just wanted to let everyone know that it is available.

Jamie

[ksrb]

Hey, Pam, I see you are up near Bellingham. I am down here in Kirkland. Do you happen to know what retail store in the vicinity might be carrying Mastercook? Never heard of this "Microcenter" place.

Thanks.
K

[chefjon]

I'm not familiar with Microcenters here in Austin either. I called CompUSA about two weeks ago, and they said it would be in in two weeks. A call Friday indicated it wasn't in yet. I stopped by a WalMart yesterday and nothing there either. CompUSA indicated it was going to sell it for $19.95, same as on-line for ValueSoft.

[PamE]

Originally posted by ksrb
Hey, Pam, I see you are up near Bellingham. I am down here in Kirkland. Do you happen to know what retail store in the vicinity might be carrying Mastercook? Never heard of this "Microcenter" place.

Thanks.
K

I haven't heard of Microcenter either. However, ValuSoft lists some stores that carry their products on their web page here: http://www.valusoft.com/navigation/aboutus.html I do know that many other stores carry their products that are not specifically listed there, like Frye's Electronics. If I were you I'd call all the local computer/office supply stores in your area and see if they have version 7.0 in stock.

[CindyWeightWatcher]

It has more than just Cooking Light in it? I have
Cooking Light 6.0. Does the 7.0 version also
have Cooking Light 1995 - 2000?

[PamE]

Originally posted by CindyWeightWatcher
It has more than just Cooking Light in it? I have
Cooking Light 6.0. Does the 7.0 version also
have Cooking Light 1995 - 2000?

The last time there was any Cooking Light content included with MasterCook was several years ago when SierraHome still owned and distributed the software. That ended with version 6.0. ValuSoft hasn't released any Cooking Light content with either one of their two titles to date -- version 6.2 or version 7.0.

Version 7.0 contains two new cookbooks: (1) On Cooking and (2) Food for Fifty. ValuSoft discusses this in their article here: What's new in MasterCook 7? (http://www.valusoftsupport.com/KBArticle.asp?kbid=2205)

The MasterCook message board has a discussion that gives a run down on the content included various MasterCook products over the years. See here: http://community.vugames.com/WebX?14@@.eef8a15

[Nancy171]

Has anyone with a Palm gotten this and had a chance to try it out yet? Ever since I got a PDA in December I've been trying to figure out a way to get my recipes and lists into it. For me, this is very exciting news! Thanks for the update, Pam.

[PamN]

I don't have a Palm, Nancy, but there is info on the ValuSoft website about installing and using the PDA features. See:

http://www.valusoftsupport.com/Results.asp?pid=195&search=full&show=titles&results=20&kwd=&submit=prod&intPage=2

[PamE]

The info that ValuSoft provides on their web site worked for me when I gave it a whirl with my husband's handheld. It adds recipes and shopping lists to the handheld just fine.

[Ohioan]

I just received my copy from ValuSoft and installed it today. Other than the saved searches, I haven't seen much different in this version from even the last Sierra version (6.0), but I do notice that a few bugs have been fixed in the print functions.

Of course, I really haven't had time to do much more than skim through it so far, and I probably won't have much time to play with it until tomorrow night. But if I find any real goodies, I'll let everyone know.

Cheers,
Phoebe

[PamE]

Phoebe,

The first post of this discussion lists all the things that are new. :)

My absolutely favorite addition is being able to compress my picture files. This is very important to me since I love recipe pictures in my cookbooks. I share my personal cookbooks with friends/family and appreciate being able to send smaller files as email attachments, especially since I have a slower-than-molasses dial-up connection at 28.8 Kbps because of the area I live in. I have over 700 cookbooks (personal collections and those from older MasterCook titles). It use to take 3 CDs to back them all up. Now that I have all the picture files compressed, I can get them all to fit on ONE (1) CD, with plenty of room to spare. AWESOME!!! I also appreciate the increased space on my hard drive. :D

Many, many people have been begging for years to be able to download their recipes and shopping lists to their PDAs. This is now finally a dream come true. :D

[Leisa M]

I just talked to Best Buy (I'm in TX). They were not going to have it in stock until July 16. I may talk my DH into letting me order it.

[Leebot]

I don't mean to go on a tangent, but can you tell me whether it's possible to import entire cookbooks into Mastercook (using the Import function), or do I need to use a different method? I just switched computers and my personal cookbooks are still on the old drive.

(If there is a specific FAQ or instruction URL you can direct me to, I'd appreciate it!)

[PamE]

Originally posted by Leebot
I don't mean to go on a tangent, but can you tell me whether it's possible to import entire cookbooks into Mastercook (using the Import function), or do I need to use a different method? I just switched computers and my personal cookbooks are still on the old drive.

(If there is a specific FAQ or instruction URL you can direct me to, I'd appreciate it!)

MasterCook can OPEN (select this from the File menu) cookbook files. You only import files that were previously exported from MasterCook. Which version are you using? I'd recommend you review the back up FAQ over on the MasterCook message board. Go here: MasterCook Software Q&A (http://community.vugames.com/WebX?13@@.ee741bb) and select the version number Q&A folder that applies to you. Inside that folder you will find a FAQ folder full of important instructions on backing up/restoring files and installing the program.

[Leebot]

I have MC 5.0 with a couple patches.

I did go to the website but didn't find the answer to my question. I would like to export/import an entire cookbook if that's possible. I have MC installed on both drives, with all my cookbooks still on the old drive.

[PamE]

I guess I don't understand why you want to export and then import your cookbook file. Why not just transfer the cookbook file (*.mc2) from the one computer to the other by disk? It's less work. ;)

Yes, you can export all your recipes. Open your cookbook. Select/highlight all your recipes. Find the Export command in the File menu to export them.

You can then import that file by selecting Import from the File menu and directing it to that export file that you create.

[Leebot]

Thanks, you answered my question. I thought it would be nifty to just import and entire cookbook the same way one would import a single recipe. From what you're telling me, that's not possible. Sure, I can do the disk thing.

[PamE]

Actually I told you that it IS possible, but that is not the best way to do it. ;)

You can import a cookbook full of recipes at once as long as the file you are importing contains many recipes that have been exported from MasterCook. However, if you have the version 5 cookbook file (*.mc2) you can just copy that file to your collection folder on the other computer. That *.mc2 file contain all the recipes in your cookbook. If you added pictures to your recipes, you will also want to copy the associated picture file (*.mcx) which has all those pictures stored inside along with the cookbook file. The backup/restore FAQ on the MasterCook board explains what files you should back up and move to your new computer.

[gperls]

Has anyone seen Mastercook 7 in any local stores yet? Which one(s)? I'm trying to avoid paying the shipping charges from Valuesoft.

[Liz R]

I am not knowledgeable about computers and I apologize if this is a stupid question but is it possible to get any of the older computer programs that had Cooking Light on them? I have also never been able to download recipes from this website. Its that computer challenge for me. I have Mastercook version 4 and 5. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[PamE]

Originally posted by Liz R
I am not knowledgeable about computers and I apologize if this is a stupid question but is it possible to get any of the older computer programs that had Cooking Light on them? I have also never been able to download recipes from this website. Its that computer challenge for me. I have Mastercook version 4 and 5. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

From the File menu you have two choices for getting your files/recipes into MasterCook: (1) Open or (2) Import.

OPEN: MasterCook can OPEN *.mcf files. These are cookbook files that the program itself creates. No other program can read/open these file types. The *.mcf files are from older versions of MasterCook. MasterCook 5/6's equivalent is *.mc2.

IMPORT: The *.mxp file types are those that are EXported from MasterCook. Any text editor can read/open these file types. They are just plain text files. Since they are EXported from MasterCook, they need to be IMported back into the program. The *.mxp files are from older versions of MasterCook. MasterCook 5/6's equivalent is *.mx2

Basically we OPEN *.mcf & *.mc2 files.

We IMPORT *.mxp and *.mx2 files.

The older versions of MasterCook can NOT open or import the MC 5/6 files though. (Sort of like older versions of Microsoft Word cannot open the newest Microsoft Word files.) The older versions don't understand the code in the newer versions' files.

Cooking Light offers the *mcx file which need to be IMPORTED into MasterCook.

The files from your older titles will be *.mcf files. Insert your Cooking Light CD into the drive. Launch MasterCook 5, 6, or 7 and select OPEN from the File menu. Direct it to a *.mcf file on your disk. At this point MasterCook will create a new cookbook based on the old cookbook. This cookbook is placed on your hard drive inside the My Collection folder by default. From now on you will want to back up all the files inside the My Collection folder for safe keeping.

[PamE]

Originally posted by gperls
Has anyone seen Mastercook 7 in any local stores yet? Which one(s)? I'm trying to avoid paying the shipping charges from Valuesoft.

I've heard that it's been sighted at Microcenter and CompUSA. I'd recommend you contact the local office/computer supply stores in your area to see if they have it in stock yet.

[elissaballard]

So, I have never used Mastercook before and am so excited that this will make cooking and planning so much easier. I just received today the new 7.0 version and went through the tutorial they provided, but cannot figure out how to IMPORT the files, either from cooking light webpage or from files that I have on my computer of recipes that I have sent to myself or saved. Any help?

[PamE]

Originally posted by elissaballard
So, I have never used Mastercook before and am so excited that this will make cooking and planning so much easier. I just received today the new 7.0 version and went through the tutorial they provided, but cannot figure out how to IMPORT the files, either from cooking light webpage or from files that I have on my computer of recipes that I have sent to myself or saved. Any help?

Please see this web page: Importing Recipes into MC 5+ (http://mc6help.tripod.com/ImportingRecipes.htm)

[elissaballard]

Pam,

Thanks for your help. That is what I was just following. What happened was that the recipe ingredients did not fill into the top section, they filled into the directions sections with all of the directions. Similarly, if directions are numbered by step do you need to change that so it will number them for you?

[PamE]

How are you importing them? With the Import Assistant or something else? Can you paste a recipe into this discussion so that I can see what is not working for you?

The auto-number is something you can turn on per cookbook. The directions only appear numbered when looking at your computer screen in the Recipe Display screen; they do not print. If you want, you can manually add a number before each direction and choose not to auto-number. That will print.