macs

Quickly add items to the OS X Finder sidebar and Dock

The OS X Finder sidebar and Dock are convenient locations for favorite folders, documents, applications, and locations, and in addition the Dock offers a convenient place for minimized windows, as well as the Trash. For new user accounts Apple puts a default set of items in the Dock and Finder sidebar, but these can be customized.

The standard and perhaps intuitive method of adding items to these locations is to drag them there; however, it's not foolproof. If you inadvertently release your mouse before the cursor has reached the Dock or sidebar, then you chance copying or moving the … Read more

Review: Play your music with Meson Player for Mac

Some users may want to play their music files with a program that has fewer bells and whistles than ones like iTunes. Meson Player for Mac is a basic, functional music player, but some laptop users may have trouble configuring the hot keys properly.

The download completed quickly and the program's installer automatically placed it in the applications folder. There were no dedicated user instructions or technical support readily available, but the program did have a basic display of its hot keys and the functions attached to each. The application, itself, has no menu beyond a simple drop-down along … Read more

Review: Manage files with muCommander for Mac

Managing a large volume of files and folders is definitely a headache for most users. Feature-packed muCommander for Mac offers a great tool for anyone looking for an advanced file manager. This application performs well and offers a high level of customization.

The installation of muCommander for Mac literally takes seconds as all you need to do is drag the application into your Applications folder. The installation does require you to have the latest Java Runtime Environment, so if you don't have it you will be automatically taken to java.com to download it. Upon startup you can customize … Read more

Review: Meme up your world with Webmemes for Safari for Mac

Frequent chat users may want a way to quickly add photos and emoticons to their writing. Webmemes for Safari for Mac is a basic application that allows images to be added to social networks, but ultimately is not varied enough for long term use and doesn't work quite as intended.

Webmemes for Safari for Mac is available as a free add-on, but despite its name the download would not read with Safari in our tests. Using a different browser did allow the add-on to be installed, which completed without any user interaction required. There were no instructions, but the … Read more

Review: Quickly rename batches of files with NameChanger for Mac

Having to rename a bunch of files manually every time can be labor-intensive. With NameChanger for Mac, users can now rename their files quickly and easily in just a snap. While not too complicated for inexperienced users, this app will keep advanced users more than satisfied with the level of customization offered.

To install NameChanger for Mac you just have to drop the app into the Applications folder. Upon startup this application will greet you with a clean, tidy, and easy-to-navigate user interface. While the app has only one, pretty basic function, it is very useful. It replaces the original … Read more

Review: Process multiple images at once with Photo Sense for Mac

Editing and adjusting images manually can be quite time-consuming. But what if you could process multiple images automatically? Photo Sense for Mac offers powerful yet easy-to-use tools for effective, automated, and fast photo editing. However, there's a steep price to pay for such a basic application.

Photo Sense for Mac comes with a free demo version, which is limited in features and adds a watermark to saved images. The full version costs $33.99. The app, itself, is very light, and the installation is quick and easy with the usual drag and drop. Upon running the app, a quick … Read more

Review: Soften your screen brightness with Screen Shades for Mac

When working in a dark environment, some users may find their screen to be too bright even when the brightness is already on the lowest setting. With Screen Shades for Mac, users will now be able to fine-tune their Mac's brightness even more.

Screen Shades for Mac is very basic freeware. The app is small in size and the installation only took a few seconds to complete. Upon launching the app, a menu will pop up, allowing the user to turn on the effect, which will add a tint and darken the screen of their Mac. Right below the … Read more

Review: Save time and keystrokes with Shortcuts for Mac

Users who perform menu operations multiple times may want to automate them to save time in the future. Shortcuts for Mac, despite its overly complicated menu, has many options for creating hot keys and shortcuts.

Shortcuts for Mac downloaded and installed, easily. Instructions were available with the program in the form of a readme file with the installer--a great addition because the program is very difficult to use. It is also unclear if technical support is available. The user must choose whether to open the regular version or a 32-bit option. This choice could be confusing to a number of … Read more

Review: Organize your genealogy with ohmiGene for Mac

Managing your genealogical data can be difficult and time consuming. If you don't feel like managing the data and drawing the family tree, yourself, ohmiGene for Mac might just be the right app for you.

ohmiGene for Mac comes in Lite and PLUS versions. The Lite version is free to try but the number of profiles that you can have is limited, and a watermark is added when you export files. The PLUS version costs $40 and comes without watermarks. The installation of the application is very quick and easy as it's the usual Mac drag and drop … Read more

Tackle OS X Thunderbolt firmware update woes

Last week Apple issued a firmware update for its entire Thunderbolt-supporting Mac lineup, which was intended to address some stability problems when using Macs in Target Disk mode. While the update works as intended for the majority of systems, a few have encountered problems, either applying the update or not being able to recognize Thunderbolt drives after updating.

If you are unable to install the update, you should first make sure that your system is one of the Thunderbolt-based Macs for which the update is intended. While Apple's Software Update service should limit the update's availability only to … Read more