three more essential apps
I thought it would be time to update one of my earliest posts about essential free or low cost apps that have been specifically designed for the Mac.
All of those featured apps have stood the test of time well, so there isn’t that much to add to them, but I thought it would be good to focus on some other apps, plug-ins and extensions that are currently out there.
One year is a long time in software development terms so here are some apps that I have discovered since then:
1. It goes without saying that Quicksilver must get a special and honourable mention. (I’ve already posted a write-up, so I won't repeat myself).
2. InquisitorX (Freeware): This is not really a standalone application as such, but just a plug-in for the Safari web-browser. This applies Spotlight search technologies to Safari’s integrated search bar – so as you type, Google results are matched and displayed. A great and unobtrusive piece of software that greatly saves the amount of typing you need to do; and what even makes it better, is that within the settings, you can add hotkeys for other search engines or websites (such as Amazon, Technorati with many others also). The makers do guarantee compatibility with Firefox and Opera as well, but I have been using it with Safari.
3. Textpander (Donationware): Again, this is just a preference pane add-on, but don’t let this diminish it’s capabilities from your opinions. In short, Textpander allows you to specify shortcuts (called snippets) for any text strings you define. If you find yourself typing phrases or names regularly, then this will be found to be invaluable. For example if you sign off your emails with “Take care, Bob”, then this can be defined as ‘ttcare’. Anytime this string is typed, it will be automatically substituted with the associated full-length phrase – and what is more this is applied to the whole system – so this will work in any application! The possibilities are endless (simple images, and dates can also be imported as snippets as well). Personally, I have used it to shortcut input of regular phrases, HTML codes snippets, names, URLs, email addresses, and as a way of auto-correcting mistyped words and spelling mistakes. Although this software doesn’t cost anything to download, Paypal donations are encouraged to help fund further donations.
All of those featured apps have stood the test of time well, so there isn’t that much to add to them, but I thought it would be good to focus on some other apps, plug-ins and extensions that are currently out there.
One year is a long time in software development terms so here are some apps that I have discovered since then:
1. It goes without saying that Quicksilver must get a special and honourable mention. (I’ve already posted a write-up, so I won't repeat myself).
2. InquisitorX (Freeware): This is not really a standalone application as such, but just a plug-in for the Safari web-browser. This applies Spotlight search technologies to Safari’s integrated search bar – so as you type, Google results are matched and displayed. A great and unobtrusive piece of software that greatly saves the amount of typing you need to do; and what even makes it better, is that within the settings, you can add hotkeys for other search engines or websites (such as Amazon, Technorati with many others also). The makers do guarantee compatibility with Firefox and Opera as well, but I have been using it with Safari.
3. Textpander (Donationware): Again, this is just a preference pane add-on, but don’t let this diminish it’s capabilities from your opinions. In short, Textpander allows you to specify shortcuts (called snippets) for any text strings you define. If you find yourself typing phrases or names regularly, then this will be found to be invaluable. For example if you sign off your emails with “Take care, Bob”, then this can be defined as ‘ttcare’. Anytime this string is typed, it will be automatically substituted with the associated full-length phrase – and what is more this is applied to the whole system – so this will work in any application! The possibilities are endless (simple images, and dates can also be imported as snippets as well). Personally, I have used it to shortcut input of regular phrases, HTML codes snippets, names, URLs, email addresses, and as a way of auto-correcting mistyped words and spelling mistakes. Although this software doesn’t cost anything to download, Paypal donations are encouraged to help fund further donations.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 3:20 pm.
