Management

Jun 25 2010

Build a Window Management App with Apptivate and AppleScript

l 398 253 E2B8C194 978C 403B 8429 245F36234004 300x190 Build a Window Management App with Apptivate and AppleScriptOnce I get going again, you may notice a slightly new direction in the content here at MacMerc. I’d like to get away from reporting and repeating the news and focus more on tutorials and reviews of the awesomeness that can be done and had with our little technological gems from Cupertino.

To that end, I bring you a link to a tutorial I found from AppStorm. With this ingenious little system, you will quickly and easily build your very own window management app using nothing but a cigarette butt, a Starbucks splash stick, AppleScript and an app called Apptivate.1

What’s a window management app? Good question. Sounds like a big bag of boring, but if you often need to work in several different windows on a single screen and you spend any time at all sizing and positioning windows so you can see them all, you’ll dig this simple method to solve that dilemma.

What productivity hacks and and systems do you use to rock the Mac to save time? I want to know. Please leave a comment.

If you’ve written a tutorial or posted a video about it, I want to post it here. Please leave a link in the comments.

  1. I totally lied about the cigarette butt and the splash stick [↩]

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Apr 27 2009

Project Management with 37signals

Project Management is nothing to be taken lightly. While many of us work our magic in creative design applications, it pays to master project management solutions too.

This week we’re going to take a look at three free web-based solutions maintained by web application design mavens 37signals.

As is often the case with free web services and programs, two of these are ‘base’ versions with much more capable premium versions, offered by subscription. I don’t need to tell you that these solutions are a great way to try out services well worth the money. Try it for free, then bill it to your clients.

Ta-da List

We’ll start with the most basic form of task management – the to-do list. How about a universally accessible list you can share with clients and colleagues?

tadalist Project Management with 37signals

Ta-da List is a free, web-based to-do list. It’s private (unless shared) and can be tracked via RSS. Lists are displayed logically, with an icon indicating how many outstanding items are in each. You are limited to 10 active lists (lists with all the items checked are not considered ‘active’).

Backpack

If lists lack the depth and description you’re looking for, try Backpack. This system sports may wiki-like features, allowing you to create customized pages with lists, inserted notes, automated reminders and body text.

backpack Project Management with 37signals

Pay versions include image and file upload and the free version is limited to five pages and ten reminders. Dolled up with 37′s first class interface design, your pages can be tracked through RSS and shared.

Backpack is perfect for creative types, not interested in fixed structure and occasionally needing a friendly reminder.

Basecamp

Now, for serious project management, we’ve saved the best for last. Basecamp, 37signal’s original web-based project management system includes client-facing and internal access levels, and makes interacting with clients a breeze.

basecamp Project Management with 37signals

Manage milestones (complete with calendar), posts, user-based to-dos and categories while juggling multiple users. The milestone calendar can be viewed in iCal and changes are tracked via RSS.

File management and encryption are part of pay plans, while free packages come with one project and unlimited contacts. Backpack provides a wonderfully professional, organized face on your creative projects.

So, whatever your style, there’s a free solution from 37singals. Of course, once you land that big client you’ll waste no time in upgrading.

Brian

mu Project Management with 37signalsDownloads provided by MacUpdate

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Apr 27 2009

Free Text– Clipboard Management, Search Inside Files and More

Every once in a while, you find a free app that makes its way into day-to-day use. I think you’ll find one of today’s picks might be just such a pick.

JumpCut

This free app remembers your clipboard contents. With a configurable keystroke you can toggle through your recent clipped text and choose what you want to insert.

JumpCut is configurable, and accessible through a menu item. JumpCut does not record copied images. For that, check out PTHPasteboard – which comes in both free and shareware flavors.

Journler

jumpcut journler Free Text Clipboard Management, Search Inside Files and More

This polished application manages your media clips and notes. It cleverly imports media from iLife apps and interacts with Mail and Addressbook. Smart folders take over organization and multiple export options make your data portable.

Its a pretty slick app, and version 2.5 will be the last free release. Did I mention iPod notes integration and the ability to record video clips right in the application.

SpotInside

File indexing has been part of the Mac OS for ages. SpotInside allows you to search inside text-based files (including Word, PDF and Pages) and provides an improved, straightforward interface for searching file contents.

spotinside Free Text Clipboard Management, Search Inside Files and More

The Source pane allows you to specify where to search. Supported destinations include smart folders and can be saved. SpotInside even saves a search history.

Brian

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