import from MasterCook

[jhayes]

I just downloaded PDACookbook as the trial version because the advertisement indicates it will import recipes from MasterCook. I have MasterCook version 5.0 and was unable to import recipes. Is this because PDACookbook is a trial version, because I don't have a recent enough version of MasterCook, or something else?

[Support]

You will need to export your mastercook recipes to .mxp format. This can be done from the Recipes/Export menu command in MasterCook. Once they are saved in .mxp format, PDACookbook will be able to import them.

Let us know if you need more information.

[jhayes]

OK, I succeeded in exporting a few recipes to MXP format and importing to PDACookbook but, when I select file/transfer pc data to handheld, I am told that the device is not responding. The device is turned on and I exited all programs. Any ideas?

[Support]

Try restarting the PC, then disconnect and reconnect the Pocket PC. This should not normally be necessary, but it is worth trying.

If that still does not work, please let us know the exact text of the message you see.

Thanks.

[jhayes]

I got my MasterCook files imported and everything seems to be great! Only questions I have now are:

Can I put the recipes on my storage card in any way to free up memory.

Is there a way to import multiple recipes so I don't have to do each one separately? This last issue is probably not too important, but just thought I'd ask.

[Support]

You can export multiple (if not all) recipes into one .mxp file and import them all at once.

As for SD cards, here is our latest info:
http://www.wakefieldsoft.com/memorycards.html

Thanks.

[BobVB]

I've downloaded the trial but I am not having success with importing the recipes from my Mac 4.06 version of Mastercook.

It finds the memos but gives a notice:

Memo import complete.
0 recipes imported.

Here is a sample recipe as exported by Mac Mastercook with the '----' added at the beginning:

----
* Exported from MasterCook Mac *

Beef Stroganoff

Recipe By : Elizabeth Powell
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:45
Categories : Beef Main Dishes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin -- cut in thin strips
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups beef bouillon
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon paprika
salt to taste

Dredge beef in flour. In a heavy skillet, melt butter with oil and brown the beef (about 5 minutes). Slowly add bouillon to beef, stirring well. Bring to a boil. Combine sour cream, tomato paste, paprika, and salt. Slowly stir sour cream mixture into beef mixture. Turn heat to low and bring to a bare simmer. Cook 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently and never allowing mixture to boil.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Per serving: 434 Calories; 37g Fat (77% calories from fat); 21g Protein; 4g Carbohydrate; 95mg Cholesterol; 482mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 2 1/2 Lean Meat; 5 1/2 Fat

Serving Ideas : Serve with rice or egg noodles.


_____

Any easily fixable thing I can do to the file to make it importable by PDACookbook?

[BobVB]

Just a follow up - I tried exporting one of the default recipes ("Fudge") to a memo to see how it would export the recipe, but after I accept it to put it in a Memo it puts up in a window titled "Transfer":

Error: an application error occurred. (0x1509)

I am using a Palm Tungsten E running Palm OS v. 5.2.1

Using the PDACookbook trial that I downloaded from this site today.

[Support]

I tested this here on a Tungsten E, and it seemed to work fine. Here was the steps...

1. Tap the Fudge recipe from the main list to view that recipe
2. Tap the menu bar, then select Export Recipe to Memo
3. I see a Transfer title message box with question about accepting the memo and which category to file under.
4. I tap Yes and I am back to viewing the Fudge recipe.

Do you have any third party utilities that may affect the memoPad app?

[BobVB]

Originally posted by Support
I tested this here on a Tungsten E, and it seemed to work fine. Here was the steps...
Do you have any third party utilities that may affect the memoPad app?

Later I tried another recipe with the final recipe tab displayed (only difference I can see) and it exported fine, and after that any would export no matter what tab was showing. Probably just some variable initialization not right or something.

Of course, the real problem is why the recipes won't import with the mac version - can you get a memo with that sample mac mastercook mxp file to import on yours?

[BobVB]

Went looking around for some format rules to try and figure why PDACookbook won't import my recipes and found this url for a PC mastercook .mxp file http://www.ozemail.com.au/~fdlone/mastcook-mxp.zip

It won't import either and from what I can see the only real format difference between the Windoze and Mac versions is the word 'Mac' in the 'exported from' line.

So I'm at a loss. The big draw of your particular cookbook program is its ability to import Mastercook files but I sure can't figure out how to get it to work.

[Support]

Can you email the .mxp file that you are trying to import? I would be happy to test it here to try to figure out why it does not work.

[BobVB]

Originally posted by Support
Can you email the .mxp file that you are trying to import? I would be happy to test it here to try to figure out why it does not work.

I emailed the files to the support email a couple days ago - anything obviously wrong? Can you sync the files? If not, how do they differ from the mastercook files you can sync?

[Support]

I think I finally figured out what is happening.

With PDACookbook Plus, the PC companion software can import mastercook, mealmaster, and more. The Plus version is really the way to go if you need to import, although you would need Virtual PC with a Mac. Your recipes did import fine using the PC desktop software.

With PDACookbook Lite, the Palm software can only import mealmaster format recipes. We did this to give Lite users at least some way to import. We did not add MasterCook importing on the Palm handheld side in order to keep the size of the program down, and to also reduce complexity. We hated to add to the program size for a feature used rarely.

I hope that clears things up somewhat.

[BobVB]

Originally posted by Support
I think I finally figured out what is happening.

With PDACookbook Plus, the PC companion software can import mastercook, mealmaster, and more. The Plus version is really the way to go if you need to import, although you would need Virtual PC with a Mac.

I hope that clears things up somewhat.

Yes, it means the only way a Mac user can use your product and import Mastercook recipes is to buy a $219 product and have to run Windows to boot!

Sorry, I like cookbook programs but not that much. Mastercook Mac 4.06 is still working fine for me and I'll just have to make do with exporting to my Palm's memopad as I've done before - entering the recipes by hand isn't worth the time and effort when I already have them in alternate formats.

You should mention that only the PC desktop program can import Mastercook in your features list, as saying your program imports both without making it clear that PDACookbook Lite doesn't was the source of confusion.

[Support]

I am pretty sure that the features list only talks about importing for the Plus version, not the Lite version, but we can look at making this more clear.

Yes, currently the only way to import on the Lite version is via MealMaster. Perhaps this too can be changed in the future.

[BobVB]

Originally posted by Support
I am pretty sure that the features list only talks about importing for the Plus version, not the Lite version, but we can look at making this more clear.


No, this is listed under the generic 'PDACookbook' features list:

"• Import recipes easily from MealMaster and MasterCook, or recipes in those formats from the internet."

And no mention is made that it is a PDACookbook Plus-only feature as it is under the first option:

"• PC companion software for convenient recipe adding and editing on your desktop PC (Plus version)."

So maybe a similar change in the import line:

"• Import recipes easily from MealMaster and MasterCook (Plus version PC companion software only), or recipes in those formats from the internet."

Would help clarify the issue.

Nice software but the deal clincher (and breaker) is Mastercook importing ability. Too much work to reenter all those recipes in Graffiti. ;)