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I am pondering ways to enhance the content of Shareware Beat, and one possibility in including reader reviews of shareware and freeware software. The viability of that would of course depend on reader interest and participation, so if you would like to review aNovember application or utility in this category, whether it has appeared here in Shareware Beat or not, contact me at:
cwmoore@applelinks.com
Charles W. Moore
LaunchBar 3.3 beta 1 Open Apps, URLS, Email...By Typing Abbreviations [OS X 10.1 up]
Spamnix 1.1.18 Spam-blocking Plug-in For Qualcomm Eudora [OS 10.2 up]
FavoritesBar 1.0.2 Quick Folder Access [OS X 10.3 up]
MacPay X 3.0.0b1 Swiss Ebanking Application [OS 10.2 up]
iSwipe 1.5 Multi-Protocol Search And Download Tool
Acquisition 103.4 Peer To Peer File Sharing Client
Wimpus Radio 0.99c Radio System Finds New Music, Records As MP3s [OS X]
Maestro 1.2.1 Floating iTunes Controller With Playlists Support [OS 10.2 up]
DiscBlaze 2.0.7 o Multisession CD Burner, DVD Burner, CDRW Eraser [OS 10.2.6 up][/url]
LaunchBar 3.3 beta 1 Open Apps, URLS, Email...By Typing Abbreviations [OS X 10.1 up]
LaunchBar is a productivity utility that offers an amazingly intuitive and efficient way to control your computer. It provides instant access to thousands of documents, folders, bookmarks and email addresses, applications and preference panes just by entering short abbreviations of the searched item's name.
You just hit Command-Space to bring LaunchBar's input window to front, enter an arbitrary abbreviation, and as soon as you start typing LaunchBar displays the best matching choices, ready to be opened immediately.
Features
• Accessing numerous resources by entering short abbreviations
• Ultra fast, adaptive search algorithm: Learns from the user's habits
• Quick activation using a system wide hotkey
• Launching applications
• Switching between running applications
• Opening documents, pictures, audio files, etc.
• Showing folder contents in Finder
• Direct access to all System Preferences panes
• Opening web pages
• Direct bookmark access (Safari, Camino, Internet Explorer, etc.)
• Quickly creating new email messages
• Supports Apple's Address Book as well as other address book formats
• Browsing the entire hard disk using the arrow keys
• Accessing invisible files and file package contents
• Extensive drag & drop capabilities
• Unobtrusive user interface
• Powerful configuration management
New in this version:
• Phone Number Support: A new Scan Type "Email Addresses & Phone Numbers" has been added. Opening a phone number item in LaunchBar displays the corresponding number in large type.
• The new "Show in Address Book" command selects the corresponding Address Book entry for a given email addresses or phone number simply by pressing Command-Return.
• Improved Address Book Scanner: Entries with empty First Name / Last Name fields are now handled properly. The "Company", "Job Title" or "Email" fields will be used instead to establish a proper name. Further, the "Nickname" field is now considered, allowing to search search for a person by its nickname.
• Moving the LaunchBar window no longer requires the Command key to be pressed.
• Dragging an item from the LaunchBar window no longer requires the Option key to be pressed. However, you have to start the drag from within the selected item's icon and the mouse button has to be pressed for at least 0.25 seconds to prevent accidental drags. Starting the drag from any other location within the bar is still possible by holding down the Option key.
• LaunchBar now supports Emacs key bindings. In addition to the arrow keys, the search result popup list can now be navigated with Control-p/n/b/f/a/e.
• LaunchBar now hides itself after a successful drag operation.
• New Preference Option "Quit LaunchBar with Command-Option-Q" to prevent accidental quitting of LaunchBar.
• Changing the Hotkey preferences no longer requires LaunchBar to be restarted.
• When you start browsing into a folder using the Arrow Right key, the initial search result that delivered this folder is preserved. You can restore this search result by browsing backwards with the Arrow Left key.
• The "Open Configuration" menu shortcut has been changed from Command-O to Command-Y. Command-O now opens the selected item. The "Reveal in Configuration" shortcut has been changed to Command-Option-Y respectively.
• The menu bar icon is now turned off by default.
• The Info.plist setting for running LaunchBar as a background application has been changed from NSUIElement to LSUIElement. See the LaunchBar Help, chapter "Tips & Tricks" to learn more about this topic.
• Fixed an issue where "Show in Finder" didn't work when the corresponding file or folder was not readable.
• Fixed an issue where symbolic links pointing to itself caused the Setup Scan to hang in Mac OS X 10.3 Panther.
• The small 3 pixel overlap of the LaunchBar window when running on a dual display configuration has been fixed.
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.1 or higher
LaunchBar is $19.95 shareware
The free, built in evaluation license is sufficient for occasional use. It allows you to access a maximum of 7 different items per session. Those items can be accessed as often as you like, and even if you exceed the session limit you may still open 10 further items.
For more information, visit:
http://www.obdev.at/products/launchbar/
Spamnix 1.1.18 Spam-blocking Plug-in For Qualcomm Eudora [OS 10.2 up]
Spamnix is the leading spam-blocking solution for Qualcomm Eudora on Windows and MacOS X.
Advantages of Spamnix:
1. Immediately blocks 95+% of all spam
2. Simple one-step installation
3. Works with Eudora, the best email software for Windows and MacOS X
New in this version:
This version works on MacOS X 10.2 ("Jaguar") and 10.3 ("Panther"), whereas previous versions did not work on 10.3. Also, this version should work on 10.2 systems with Perl 5.8 installed, whereas previous versions did not. This release fixes a bug in Spamnix 1.1.17 for MacOS X that caused Accept and Reject rules to be ignored. No other new functionality is included in this version.
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.2 or higher
Spamnix is $29.95 shareware
For more information, visit:
http://www.spamnix.com/
FavoritesBar 1.0.2 Quick Folder Access [OS X 10.3 up]
With FavoritesBar, your favorite folders are at your fingertips no matter what application you are working in. Instead of switching to the Finder, opening a new Finder window, and selecting where you want to go using the new Panther sidebar, you just hit the FavoritesBar hotkey, and you're taken instantly to your files. This makes the Finder sidebar truly system wide -- it's already in every Finder window, and in every open panel. Now you can access it everywhere.
FavoritesBar was designed from the ground up to fit seemlessly into the Mac OS X experience. The new application switcher and FavoritesBar look like two heads of the same coin, and that's by design. FavoritesBar never looks out of place, and because it's written in Cocoa, takes advantage of Apple's superb next generation compositing. In short, FavoritesBar just fits, does it's job, and gets out of your way.
FavoritesBar integrates a heads up display of your Finder sidebar into Mac OS X "Panther". This allows you to quickly get at your data, from any application. Just press CTRL + TAB to bring the window forward.
New in this version:
• Text labeling is now an option. Turning it off makes FavBar act more like the app switcher.
• The menu has gone bye bye. Nobody liked it, and it was really worthless.
• Removed Shift Tab as a choice. Shift control tab now lets you cycle back through the list.
• Holding shift control tab or control tab down let you move through the list now.
• Preferences redesigned and cleaned up a bit.
• The problem with the app never going away has been fixed.
System requirements:
Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther"
FavoritesBar is freeware /donationware
For more information, visit:
http://www.aquasition.net/favbar/
MacPay X 3.0.0b1 Swiss Ebanking Application [OS 10.2 up]
MacPay X is a new application for Swiss banks and Postfinance customers. With MacPay X, you can pay all your bills and execute multiple financial transactions from the comfort of your Mac desktop. Output files are then uploaded to your bank or Postfinance via website.
From the French courtesy of Altavista's Babel Fish Translation engine:
MacPay X is in final phase of development. While capitalizing systematically on the strong points which made the success of MacPay 2, by fully benefitting from the new possibilities of OS X by a complete revision under Cocoa, MacPay X is on the point of changing your vision of the traffic of the payments on Mac: configure the software according to your requirements by keeping only the payments which you really carry out, find, to classify and file your old payments most simply possible, exchange recipients between several documents.
MacPay X holds for you unexpected innovations in a particularly neat Aqua interface. While remaining of course most complete of softwares of the postal and banking payments on Mac.
Forms of entirely re-examined payments All the forms of payment were re-examined in order to be simplified and standardized as far as possible. Work with the complex types of payments should largely be some simplified. All the new types of payments as the IPI/IBAN from now on are supported.
Of course, MacPay X always functions in a narrow way with MoneyPen in an interface also largely simplified. A largely configurable application MacPay X is largely configurable with a new bar of tools in which you can place or remove the elements which you wish. You can thus keep only two forms of payment if you do not treat, for example that pink and orange bulletins.
The triad with OS X The complete redevelopment of MacPay X under Cocoa, the privileged environment of Mac OS X, allows an integration pushed with the system and the basic services like the address book. MacPay X is an application of rising generation whose long-term development and enrichment are guaranteed by the enormous potential of Mac OS X.
The experiment and the reliability of MacPay MacPay X is built on the basis of permanent dialogue and experience long gained with the development of former products with the users like with the banks and Postfinance. MacPay is the only software of payment Macintosh recommended and supported by the majority of the banks and Yellownet.
System requirements:
Mac OS X 10.2.x
For more information, visit:
http://www.quartesoft.ch/F/MacPayX.html
iSwipe 1.5 Multi-Protocol Search And Download Tool
Swipe searches AND downloads from the Web, and the FTP, Hotline, Napster, OpenNapster and Gnutella networks. It also searches the Carracho network. It includes a download manager, featuring retries and resumable downloads, and 4 slots each for FTP, HTTP, Hotline and Napster downloads (Gnutella downloads use a HTTP slot). It also includes an AutoSearch feature, which keeps a list of those elusive files that you want and can never find online.
• compatible with: WWW, FTP, Hotline, Napster, OpenNapster, Gnutella, Carracho, OpenFT, iTunes and now eDonkey and FastTrack (Kazaa, Grokster)!!!!
• search for different kinds of files: Music, Videos, Mac and PC Software
• includes a download manager, featuring retries and resumable downloads.
• supports "swarming" downloads from several users and across multiple networks at the same time!
• features AutoSearch, which keeps a list of those elusive and hard to get files
• allows automatic adding of all tracks from an album of music.
• supports Sharing, so you can give something back to the file sharing community.
Improvements and changes in 1.5b10
Improved built-in Gnutella - can now drop bad connections
AutoSearch fixes
AutoSearch fix for giFT/MLDonkey downloads
MacOSX 10.3 "Panther" Compatible
File available indicator shouldn't now overflow
Version 1.5 also contains GUI changes, huge "under the hood speed improvements", and many other improvements (particularly to AutoSearching). It also includes a handy "cull" button which removes the worst performing download. Press it a few times to whittle down the list to the best downloads (AutoSearch does this automatically for you).
Also new is the ability to perform multiple searches at once, and see the result come in separate "tabs", and a new "MusicBrowser" which lets you search for track and album info (using the CDDB database) and transfer results to AutoSearch initiate a search directly.
System requirements:
• Mac OS 8 or higher
• PPC
• Access to FastTrack, eDonkey and OpenFT through giFT and MLDonkey are only available for OSX users
iSwipe is donationware
For more information, visit:
http://www.hillmanminx.net/
Acquisition 103.4 Peer To Peer File Sharing Client
Often imitated. Never duplicated. Open source. Spyware-free. Karmically positive.
Millions of users, billions of files
Share files with tens of millions of Mac and Windows users around the planet. Bask in the positive spirit of communal reciprocity.
Fall in love with new artists
In addition to files, Acquisition provides recommendations of new artists to experience. Get instant gratification with one-click searching in Acquisition or the iTunes Music Store.
iTunes iNtimacy
"Integration" is an understatement. Acquisition automatically imports and plays songs in iTunes. Even more clever, Acquisition highlights downloadable files already found in your iTunes library, so you don't waste time downloading songs you already have.
Browse like a king
You arrange your CD collection by artist and album, and so does Acquisition. Acquisition's unique artist/album browser sorts files in the most intuitive way possible, helping you find what you want easily.
High-speed downloads
Take full advantage of the network by "swarming" files from multiple hosts. Maximize your bandwidth and get your files sooner.
Everything under the sun
Acquisition lets you share more than music. Share movies, files, documents, photos, books, and anything else that can be stuffed inside a computer.
iPod + Acquisition = Love
Don't have $10,000 to buy songs from Apple? Acquisition is the perfect complement to your spacious iPod.
Aqua-luscious
Acquisition, written in pure Cocoa, is brimming with aesthetic beauty. It is such a stellar OS X citizen that even Apple has borrowed interface ideas from it.
Filter the junk
Spam ain't fun for anyone. Acquisition automatically filters junk from known file spammers. There's also an "adult" content filter if you want to keep things PG-rated.
Master your bandwidth
Acquisition allows detailed control over network bandwidth usage. Limit the number of downloads, pause & resume downloads, and cap your upload bandwidth to keep your internet access snappy.
Open Source Strength
At the core of Acquisition beats an open source heart that is rigorously tested, continuously improving, and surrounded by a loving community.
New in this version:
• vastly improved multisource downloading
• pause/resume download functionality
• faster initial network connection
• improved download resumption at startup
• more detailed feedback on current downloads
• preference to disable partial file sharing
• preference to disallow freeloaders
• now works properly under Java 1.3.1/Java 1.4.2 preview
System requirements:
Mac OS X 10.2.6 or higher
Apple Java 1.4.1 update
Safari 1.0
Acquisition is $15.00 shareware
For more information, visit:
http://www.acquisitionx.com/
Wimpus Radio 0.99c Radio System Finds New Music, Records As MP3s [OS X]
Wimpus Radio combines the best aspects of radio with the intelligence of your computer, giving birth to a whole new way of discovering music. In short, Wimpus exposes you to new artists who match your taste. With Wimpus, there's no reason to waste hours afer hours in front of your computer using peer-to-peer software to download illegal mp3s. Instead, just hit "Start", and Wimpus begins working for you.
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.0 or higher
• Java 1.4.1
• Broadband Internet connection
New in this version:
• Fixed UI problems
• Stability improved
Wimpus Radio is donationware
For more information, visit:
http://www.wimpus.com/
Maestro 1.2.1 Floating iTunes Controller With Playlists Support [OS 10.2 up]
Maestro allows you to control the main features of iTunes with a small floating window (it can also be removed from the Dock). It takes less footprint that the "mini" mode of iTunes, and gives you access to your library and all your playlists, and choose any song inside a playlist. Which iTunes can't. So it does more, with less space. It has been done with AppleScript Studio. The website is in french, but the applications are also in english.
New in this version:
• Allows you to select any song from the Library.
• Panther compatible.
• Can float above all windows, or not
• Can be removed from the Dock
System requirements:
Mac OS X 10.2 and higher
iTunes 3 and higher
Maestro is freeware
For more information, visit:
http://homepage.mac.com/djodjodesign/
DiscBlaze 2.0.7 o Multisession CD Burner, DVD Burner, CDRW Eraser [OS 10.2.6 up]
DiscBlaze to burn CD's and DVD's on your Mac just got even better...
DiscBlaze 2 Features include:
• Burn data CD's and DVD's.
• Burn multiple sessions to the same CD.
• Save and load "Burn Lists"
• Burn an existing Toast or ISO disc image file.
• Burn discs that can be read on Mac's, PC's or both.
• Erase re-writable media (such as CDRW discs) for re-use.
• Incredibly fast and easy to use!
New in this version:
• Fixed problems when running under the MacOS X 10.3.1 update.
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.2.6 or higher (including Mac OS X 10.3).
• A CD or DVD burner compatible with Mac OS X.
DiscBlaze is $19.00 shareware
For more information, visit:
http://www.radicalbreeze.com/blaze/index.html
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