Splasm Software Discussions

I've been using ABB (I have the current version) for quite a while (I've probably run 75 unabridged books through it), with very few problems or issues. However, today I find that when I reach the "Finish" stage, ABB hangs up at the "Joining Chapter Files" stage. Nothing appears in the progress bar, and Force Quit shows ABB as "not responding".
I've tried building to a new location, opening previously processed files (that I'd already successfully built), and restarting. Nothing has worked. I recently installed Leopard, but this is not the first book I've built since then. Yesterday I added a new external DVD drive/burner (no software) and I tried disconnecting that, too. No luck.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for your help...and for a GREAT product!
Theresa

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Don't anthropomorphize your Mac. They hate that.

I'm not sure if this is a clue or not, but I discovered that there were "software updates" installed to Quicktime and Remote Desktop Client right before this "hang up" issue began.
Today, after multiple restarts, shutdowns, and starting up with nothing else running, I ignored the "ABB not responding" in the Force Quit window for a while and suddenly, for probably 11-15 minutes, ABB responded and began to slowly build/ join parts. Then it stopped again and fell back into "ABB not responding". I did not force quit, and some time later, again for no obvious reason, that message disappeared, and the progress bar once again showed activity. This stop-start routine has now been going on for well over two hours (book length is just under 10 hours), with the progress bar now a tantalizing 1/2 inch from the end. But something is definitely wrong here.
Again, any advice/suggestions much appreciated.
Theresa

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Don't anthropomorphize your Mac. They hate that.

Unfortunately, what you're seeing has become "normal", for now at least.

QuickTime 7.2 and later are approximately ten times slower at preparing to join audio files together. That wouldn't be such a big deal if QuickTime didn't stop sending progress updates to the host application, Audiobook Builder in this case. We rely on those progress updates to provide processor time to the user interface. So, QuickTime chews on the input files for extended periods of time and prevents Audiobook Builder from servicing its user interface - leading to the spinning beach ball. By leaving it alone instead of force-quitting you've hit on the workaround - it will become responsive again, until the next time it has to "join files". Leave it alone long enough and it will finish the build.

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Keith Gugliotto
Primordial Sea Captain
Splasm Software
https://www.splasm.com

Thanks, Keith. At least now I know it's not some gremlin in my system. I've been specifically avoiding QuickTime updates because I'd purchased Quicktime Pro some time ago, and would "lose it" by accepting the standard upgrade. I suspect a family member thought they were doing me a favor and okayed the upgrade. Which brings up another question - would I have this same issue if I re-purchased QuickTime Pro?
Thanks again for your help and a great product!

_________________
Don't anthropomorphize your Mac. They hate that.

Yes, because QuickTime Pro isn't really a separate version of QuickTime. It's more a "mode" of QuickTime that allows you to use QuickTime Player as an editor for MOV files and to export to alternate audio and video formats. It also opens up a feature or two of the QuickTime Plugin in Safari. Other than that, it's all the same. The only way to really work around the issue at this time is to revert to QuickTime 7.1.6 or earlier - which isn't something I'd recommend because there's no official installer from Apple to do that.

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Keith Gugliotto
Primordial Sea Captain
Splasm Software
https://www.splasm.com

Okay, I'll just be patient. Anything worth having is worth waiting for. It must be very frustrating for you to put so much work into developing a great piece of software, only to have problems/issues pop up because of changes over which you have no control. Just know that all your efforts are greatly appreciated!

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Don't anthropomorphize your Mac. They hate that.