Computer Cook Book

[bryan]

Anyone have a good computer cookbook?

Moderators welcome, not sure where to post this question.

[Firemonkey]

Just to clarify, you are looking for recipe software?

[bryan]

Yes, Have you a good one?

[Firemonkey]

I have done some comparisons over the years, trying to find the "perfect" software. The key question is how you intend to use it most? Do you want to keep track of your own recipes, or the recipes you harvest from the web, or are you looking for a huge library of included recipes to start out with?

Other features to consider are shopping list creation, the ability to make menu suggestions based on an ingredient you need to use, etc. Also, since I make my living as a software trainer, I recommend you consider the interface of the product. There are some good ones out there that just have such a rudimentary interface, I couldnt even consider them. Some others that kept a little too much of a watchful eye on my habits (data harvesting) Yet others, that the interface may overwhelm the average user, though I suspect anyone willing to file their recipes on a computer is a bit more savvy than average.

There are several good ones out there. Some of the best give you a free 30 day trial, too. The one I am leaning most towards is BigOven. They have smartphone/iphone apps as well.

http://bigoven.com/recipe-software.aspx

The link above will offer you links to screenshots, reviews, and the 30 day demo software. Its $29.95 if you decide you like it and want to keep it.

Whichever you choose - BACK UP YOUR DATA! Its not if you have a drive failure, but when! Even if you just occasionally copy to a DVD or thumb drive, do something so you dont lose years worth of collected recipes and the time you invested to enter them all!

[bryan]

I have been looking at Big oven and Cook'N.. http://cookbook-recipe-software-review. ... tails.html

I don't need a pile of recipes. But a book capability is necessary for what I want to do. Example: Brisket book so I can compare, renivate, and eliminate.

I am working on what I refer to as my Top-10 recipes.

I use an old software program now but It's time to update. So thought I would tap into the forum brain trust.

[jdbower]

For what it's worth, I use Living Cookbook 2008. It works well for me but the main reason I use it is because it was the first I found back with the 2005 version. It has an OK import feature from websites (you need to cut and paste from the website and then highlight the various sections, but it's better than nothing) and I can export to HTML (see example - not great for exporting a full cookbook but I'm working on some CygWin scripts for that). It also has a feature where it will back up the database on exit - I run it off a network drive connected to my server (which is automatically backed up) and I have a tertiary copy that gets backed up to my local PC on exit.

[bryan]

The one I am leaning most towards is BigOven.

I tried Cook'n and sent it back.

Have you tried Big Oven yet?

I just run the web looking for good recipes to add to ones I have.

[jdbower]

I've actually just started to switch to Gourmet as it's free, open source, and runs under Linux. So far I'm happy with it (it works, but it's not as polished as Living Cookbook seems to be), an here's an example of a recipe exported to HTML.

[bryan]

I've actually just started to switch to Gourmet as it's free' date=' open source, and runs under Linux. So far I'm happy with it (it works, but it's not as polished as Living Cookbook seems to be), an here's an example of a recipe exported to HTML.

Simple for me is good. My memory is not the best. I just turned 73 and sometimes I think I'm 15.

I need a program to print out small cookbooks for my grand kids. Thanks for the info.

[bryan]

Found one that works for my needs and allows me to print cookbooks.

$34.95

http://www.mountain-software.com/index. ... ogram+help

Take it for a spin.