Thanks for the feedback Rogan and Alain,
I am running the 30 day test trial for IDImager now(5th day), and it hung-up/crashed on me once so far, and I hardly gave it anything to eat. Maybe 400; some large images. Could have been a 1-off thing?
I had a couple questions I posted on their forum, and I did get rather fast response, and the links they posted helped me resolve a PDF file type issue.
If you get a chance Rogan, I would give ACDSee a try. their core was a Manager, they recently added RAW dev support(frankly the EQ lighting on the dev side is rather nice), but nothing like LR, or C1). Its more "cool", than "lets start making beautiful work".
I like a number of things about IDI, though the GUI is a bit odd in one respect I noticed........In the thumbnail window, folders shows with a thumbnail of whats inside each folder, handy, but it isn't distinctive with a fade, or someway to recognize it different from a file....even though it shows the folder icon below it. There should be another level of distinction, as I keep making the mistake of clicking it. (Maybe from my newbie stand point?)
Also (perhaps there is, but not listed), a shortcut to have the preview window Open/Close. I use dual screen and switching from apps, it makes sense to have this window at times close out with a KB stroke.
I will be splitting up my databases, and hope this helps it perform better.
One other thing, I wish it would separate itself and support other image files like it does for PDF...I also see Ai(illustrator) files, which is great (perhaps thanks to FStone WIC?).
I would love to see InDesign files, but I guess I can live without.
You mention of stability concerns me, and I know very well what you mean about almost getting it working as they intend....As ACDSee for some time was the same..it still CANNOT see IIQ files, the colors are off specially in CMYK, and the database is limited along with Metadata not so well nicely done. You can't copy the Meta of a file and make that a preset...etc.
Maybe I will stick it out a bit and see if Media Pro has something in the next release, its been some time now.
IDI Pro version is on sale for about $79 when you have proof of purchase of a leading competitor...Which sounds like a good deal....
BUT, So far I have ACDSee Pro, Media Pro, and if you want to count LR.
....The time invested in the app without the results is a pain in itself. So I find it hard to throw more money at something if I'm going to feel the way you do Rogan. If the Metadata is the only thing bothering you, while I can see if you rely on it for your workflow, I might be OK with leaving that for LR to deal with.