Terms of service

When you explore the listings on InstantCinema, you’re stepping through a collection built around one quiet conviction: that the right tool or the right game can change the rhythm of a day, or even a whole project. This page lays out how the site works behind the curtain. Using InstantCinema means accepting these terms, so I’ve written them the same way I write the catalog entries—plainly, and with as little fog as possible.

No warranty, and the limits of my liability

I put this site together because these are the programs I’ve leaned on while cutting sound for a short, or the worlds I’ve disappeared into after a long week of grading. But I can’t promise that what worked on my machine will feel the same on yours. Everything here is offered as-is, without warranties of any kind—express or implied—including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or that a piece of software will run without errors. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I won’t be liable for any loss, damage, or misadventure that comes from using InstantCinema or the software it catalogues. That includes direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential loss—whether it’s a corrupted project file, a missed deadline, or a quiet afternoon that didn’t turn out as you hoped.

Comments and moderation

When you create a free account, the site opens up a little: you can save programs to your favourites, see update notices, and leave comments. Every comment passes through moderation before it appears publicly. You’ll see your own words right away, marked awaiting moderation, but no one else will until I’ve had a look. I read every one, and I decline or remove comments that are abusive, spammy, wildly off-topic, or otherwise out of step with the tone I try to keep here. That call is mine, and it isn’t a debate. If I trim or turn down a comment, I won’t always be able to explain why, but I don’t do it lightly.

Copyright in the site’s own words

The prose on InstantCinema—every programme note, every curatorial aside, every sentence in this page—is my original work and is protected by copyright. Please don’t republish whole entries or large passages elsewhere without asking. Short, attributed quotes for reviews, roundups, or personal blogs are fine, and I appreciate the nod.

The catalog as notes, not a guarantee

The heart of the site is a growing catalogue of 636 Mac programs, games, and plugins. For each entry, I list version numbers, file sizes, compatibility notes, and install quirks I’ve stumbled across. Older builds stay visible for people who keep older Macs breathing. All of that is information and personal observation, not a guarantee that a given title will install cleanly or perform well on your particular system, drive, and OS combination. Versions shift, developers change download sources, and sometimes the magic just doesn’t translate. You’re always the best judge of what your machine can handle, and I’d encourage you to read the developer’s own documentation before committing.

Changes to these terms

This page will evolve as the site does. When I update the terms, the new version goes live here and the date at the bottom changes. If you keep using the site after that, you’re accepting the revised terms. If a change doesn’t sit right with you, the only remedy is to step away. I won’t track you down or send a notice—InstantCinema doesn’t do newsletters or marketing messages, and I like it that way.

Third‑party software, links, and trademarks

Every program in the catalog belongs to its creator. The names, logos, and trademarks you see are the property of their respective owners, and a listing here doesn’t imply endorsement or any special relationship. Links to external sites—developer pages, download portals, old forums—are provided as pointers, not as promises that the destination still exists or that the content is safe. I can’t control what happens after you leave this domain. Support for any piece of software is the developer’s domain. If a plugin crackles, a game won’t launch, or a license key goes missing, reach out to the people who built it. I can’t troubleshoot for you, though I sometimes drop compatibility notes in an entry if I’ve found a workaround worth sharing.

Contact

This site is a one‑person operation, run by me, Hana Novak—an indie filmmaker in Vancouver who scores her own shorts and unwinds with long story‑driven games. If something here needs attention, you can reach me at [email protected]. I read every message, even when I’m deep in a mix or lost somewhere in the Outer Wilds.

Last updated March 2025