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Mac Tricks and Tips, Wallpapers and Applications for Mac Users
Mac Apps that Stand Out from the Crowd
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There are too many Mac applications readily available which, either directly or indirectly, confuse most Mac users, making them hard to find the best application. On the other side, most application developers also feel really itch-scratching to think of fresh and unique application.
To my surprise, some developers have amazed me with their applications that came out different than others, such as application to set different Docks on different Spaces, to set different wallpaper on different Spaces, to bring you to cleaning room, and many other creative yet useful functionality.
There are many of them, but here I will mention some that I am currently using.
DockSpaces, Dock Extensions
Using Dock Spaces, you can create up to 10 distinct Docks which are ready to be triggered and changed. If you're currently not used to using one of Mac application launchers, you would love this Dock expansion application.
For further customization, you would be able to attach every distinct Dock into different Spaces. [Dock Spaces via Smoking Apples]
Deeper, Reveal Hidden Preferences
Recalling the days of tweaking, Mac geeks come out with killer Terminal tweaks, some are very useful, some are plain amazing. However, many are afraid of corrupting their system files during tweaking and choose not to tweak their Macs.
But with Deeper, you can personalize your Mac with simple GUI and get the most out of your Mac. [Deeper via 100 Free Applications]
Camouflage, Desktop Icons Hiding
Most Mac users are troubled by endless clutters on their Desktop, like me, the more I tried to clean up my Desktop, the messier my Desktop became.
With Camouflage, we can easily hide/show our Desktop icons. Basically, it moves all of your icons under the wallpaper. [Camouflage via 100 Free Applications]
Hyperspaces, Different Wallpapers on Different Spaces
With Hyperspace, you can customize every bit of your Spaces with different desktop pictures, naming on each space or even hotkeys. And it's fairly easy to do that.
Hyperspace is a an application with $12.95 price tag but without paying any single pennies, you have the chance to use trial version, which enables you to play around with customization up to 2 Spaces. [Hyperspaces via Smoking Apples]
Omnidea Rulers, Ruler for Everyone
Having problem with measuring certain part of the screen, often for me to use built-in Mac OS X snapshot ruler which is quite troublesome (and a single careless will create accidental snap).
But now, to easily take your Desktop's coordinate, Rulers comes in handy. And Rulers even empowered with color picker. [Omnidea Rulers via Niiconn]
MacLoc, Logout without Closing Applications
With a very different behavior than usual Mac log out, MacLoc won't close all of your applications while logging you out from the system. With this, you will be able to protect your valuable data whenever you want to walk out. [MacLoc via 100 Free Applications]
Keyboard Cleaner, Clean Your MacBook with No Hesitation
Whenever it's time to clean our laptop, it's require that we shut down our Mac to avoid unwanted keystrokes being triggered. Come to think of this, it's such a hassle to do this all the time.
Keyboard Cleaner should help you clean out all the troubles: it will lock you out the screen, enabling you to clean out your MacBook without worrying on accidentally triggering undesired keystrokes; Only Command-Q is accepted, i.e. to bring you out of the cleaning state. [Keyboard Cleaner via MakeUseOf]
OmniDazzle, Mouse Trail Plugins
Having mouse track without trails, I feel a bit losing to those Windows users. In the case of using large display, mouse trail will also be a great help to find your mouse.
Folks at OmniGroup made an impressive plugin for your mouse which enables your mouse to have trails, such as Pixie Dust, Footprints and Flashlight. But be careful, excessive use of this will eat up your productivity. [OmniDazzle via Mac OS X Hints]
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13 Comments
Ben
Nice collection of apps. I particularly like the wallpapers in your screenshots!
MacPhobia
There are really good apps in Mac but those i find take Macs closer to Windows.. ( except spaces ) . Like hiding icons in desktop is so easy in Windows and its inbuilt . One thing why Mac Themes are not available.. in Windows i can have man look of icons and windows with transformation pack. but here themes are not available ( or i dont know. ;-) )
Mark
what is the wallpaper that you used in the first screen shot it looks awesome can you send it to me via email
billso
So what are the big differences between Dock Spaces and Hyperspaces? DS has dock support and Hyperspaces doesn't. DS is freeware, and Hyperspaces is shareware.
Rubén
Keyboard Cleaner is great. Just what I was looking for.
Pat
http://www.usingmac.com/2008/11/2/wallpapers-of-the-month-november-2008
Fábio
Somebody know a free alternative app for OmniDazzle???
applelog
Very nice collection! Thank you!
Scott Mitchell
I just discovered your wonderful site while I was looking for something specific. I didn't find it on your site but perhaps you might know where I could find it or even it it exist yet. Its a type of screen saver only for video clips. I want to make MP4 video or Quick Time clips (from legitimately purchased martial art DVDs) and put them in a file. I am looking for an screen saver type application that will play the video clips in a selected or random order when ever the screen is idle -- like a screen saver. Then whenever I stare at my idle screen I am visually reminded of kicking technique, kata sequences, or joint mobility warm up, etc. I think many other people would find this type of application useful as well. There may not be a screen saver like this but there might be a stand alone application that I can run separately. Do you know of such an application or where I might search? Scott Mitchell Using my mac -- but working in Saudi Arabia to produce more oil for you and others
Daniel
Scott, what u seek is: savehollywood. google it.
Rob
Just wanted to throw this out there, the application "Spacesuit" does the same thing as Hyperspaces and is free. I haven't tried however.
iMac_Owner
A free alternative to 'Hyperspaces' is Spacesuit. It can be found at http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/29876 It does a similar job, but it may lose a bit of credit due to the fact that you have to right-click (or ctrl-click) on the dock icon to choose the space with the wallpaper you wanted. It does let you rename the spaces though, which I think is a good help - as there are just words and not pictures. Overall, I give it a 4.5/5.
Sustainable Portland
If this list gets redone in the future I encourage everyone to check out ScreenSteps. Its an amazing little app that makes documenting your product, taking screenshots, annotation of the screenshots, organization of manuals, all extremely easy. I was hooked the same day I started using it especially since it is able to publish to my various WordPress blogs all by itself and handle the formatting, categorization, image upload and publishing. -Tyler
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