ATLAS.ti

ATLAS.ti has been recommended to me in the past, so I wanted to investigate it further. I must admit that I was pleased to understand much of the reading on CAQDAS (in the assigned article), yet I would not position myself as ready to make a decision; fortunately, I don't have my own data to analyze yet! In researching more on ATLAS.ti, I discovered the following:
1.  There is a free trial version to download. The main site is as follows: http://www.atlasti.com/
2.  Student accounts can be purchased, with some basic "proof" of student status. Students receive a 90% discount-the price is $99 (and the regular, individual license is $1800)! Also, an individual license can be located on two separate machines: handy.
3.  One may received an order quote without having to purchase: this quote is an instant PDF as well as an email. Because I am not interested in receiving information now, I did not submit for an "official" quote (however, see #2).
4.  While the required article shared that ATLAS.ti can support a host of media, I was not thinking nearly as wide as necessary! The link provided is an easy to understand brochure and one of it's sections lists the varying media supported: wow!  http://www.atlasti.com/fileadmin/atlasti/downloads/atlas.ti6_brochure_2009_en.pdf
5.  Transferring between projects is stated on the brochure (link above); knowing I would not need to begin from scratch is a good thought. I think this is in the case in many programs, yet I'm reminded that I want this capability in a program I choose.
6.  ATLAS.ti can be exported into SPSS! Again, the time saved and knowing that programs work across one another is crucial.
7.  ATLAS.ti is a German-created product and is use world-wide in numerous universities and colleges.  From the searches and reading I have done, it appears there is much support (built-in the program, free additional structures, systems administrator licenses for purchase, and through the "community" tab on the website (see #1): forums, newsletters, testimonials, contact us, etc...
8.  Text is used in an .rtf format.