handy menu

Apr 27 2009

Enhancing your Screen Effects

While we tend to focus on what our Macs are up to while we are using them, it’s worth taking time out to be sure your Mac sees some quality recreation time when idle.

BackLight

This Jaguar-Compatible menu extra toggles your desktop background to your screen-saver. Be warned that this is fairly taxing on your system. While there are several free solutions that do this, BackLight is the only I found with a handy menu extra.

xbMovieSaver and xbMovieMaker

This dynamic duo of screen-saver makers give you a hand in customizing your screen effects. xbMovieSaver allows you to select a QuickTime movie as a screen-saver. Even better, xbMovieMaker turns QuickTime movies and Flash animations into self-contained screen-saver modules. The possibilities are endless…

PackTrack

In a completely different vein, PackTrack lets you monitor UPS and FedEx packages from your desktop. Plug-in structure leaves the door open to add tracking services. Very handy for tracking multiple packages.

That wraps up this week’s Freeloader. I hope you’ve found this week’s free software useful. If there’s a type of software you’d like me to feature, drop me a line.

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Apr 27 2009

On Your Desktop

This week’s freeware picks all have something to do with your desktop, from expanding it to keeping it well informed.

mu On Your DesktopDesktops Manager

This handy menu extra allows you to spread windows over multiple virtual desktops. Better yet, it provides you with tiny previews of each of your desktops along the menu bar. This is a must have for video editors, Flash programmers or anyone else who wishes that had an extra monitor.

mu On Your DesktopNewsMac

Bring headlines to your desktop with this simple, free newsreader. For the most part, this newsreader isnít any different than most, except for the iPod and Palm synchronization. That alone will make it an attractive choice for iPod/Palm owners.

mu On Your DesktopSaft

Saft is a full-screen tool for Safari. This plug-in adds a command to Safari to completely cover your desktop (like kiosk mode). TIP: Uncheck the tool bar and address bar on the “View ” menu for the total full-screen effect.

Okay, so I was stretching the “desktop” theme a little far there. I realize that. I’ll try harder next week.

Brian

mu On Your DesktopDownloads provided by MacUpdate

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Apr 27 2009

iPod Freeware

Got an iPod? I wish I did. Be warned, I havenít had a chance to test these like I do my other picks. Of course, I’d rather have no iPod than a fake one.

mu iPod FreewarePodWriter

This OS X app lets you compose and synchronize notes to your iPod similar to the way notes work on a palm. This one is still in beta, so use caution!

mu iPod FreewarePod2Go

News, weather, movies, stocks, driving directions and more, synchronized to your iPod. You can even use this app to sync MacMercís RSS feed to you iPod for offline reading.

mu iPod FreewareiPodEject

This utility lets you eject your iPod from the menu bar. A very handy menu item for you iPoders.

mu iPod FreewarePodMonkey

With a name like that, you know itís going to be fun. PodMonkey lets you browse your iPod, music and all, from the Finder.

mu iPod FreewareText Reader

This free application ìreadsî text files into an audio format you can listen to on your iPod. Think of all the MacMerc stories you could listen to!

Well, thatís all the envy I can handle. If any of this stuff nukes your Pod, let me know and Iíll make note of it. After all, Iím sure one of my fabulous readers is packing one up right now for meÖ

Come back next week for more,

Brian

mu iPod FreewareDownloads provided by MacUpdate

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