Mac Gems articles are almost exclusively review , but I ’m going to make an exception today , because I came across a big Mac Gems deal : Until the terminal of the day today ( May 31 , 2011),Apparent Softwarehas teamed up with several other software developer to offer theProductive Macs bundle , a assembling of eight software titles . If you bought these eight program separately , they ’d be $ 221 , but until the sale cease later today , the bundle damage is only $ 30 .
Why am I using my Mac Gems column to tell you about this slew when software - bundle sale seem to be a weekly occurrence in the Mac earthly concern ? Becausesevenof the eight platform in this particular pile are Mac Gems — and the other is in my queue for Gems retainer . As far as I recognise , that makes the Productive Macs bunch up the Gem - iest bundle ever . And its $ 30 price is less than the even price for many of the individual title included in the bundle .
Here ’s what you get :
TextExpander(normally $ 35;Mac Gems review ): One of my all - time favored gemstone , TextExpander lets you assign abbreviations to often used text edition ( snippets ) , automatically substituting the appropriate snip when you typecast an abbreviation , lay aside you lots of metre and typing . you could even set snippets into groups that are usable on a per - program basis ; include key stroke within snip ; and include variables , such as the current day of the month and time or the contents of the clipboard , within snippets . I also love that you could sync your snippets between Macs using Dropbox or MobileMe , and there ’s even an iOS version that syncs with your Mac .
course Finder(normally $ 40 ; Mac Gems review ): A Finder replacement for power user , Path Finder gives you fairly much every feature of speech of the Finder , but adds double - pane file cabinet browsers ; tabbed window and tab sets ; folder and file bookmarks ; temporary “ drop ” stacks ; many more sorting , filtering , and view options ; more contextual - computer menu features ; more - elaborated information views ; and even a built - in shell ( Terminal ) prompt . It ’s true overkill for most the great unwashed , but for those who ’ve found the Finder lacking , Path Finder is a feature - packed alternative .
Socialite(normally $ 20 ; Mac Gems review ): Socialite provides one - stop access to Facebook , Twitter , Google Reader / RSS , Flickr , and Digg — you may even configure multiple accounts for each service . With an user interface that look much like an e - mail customer , Socialite lets you regard all bodily function across all services in a unmarried list , or you’re able to focus on the “ mailbox ” for any particular avail .
HoudahSpot(normally $ 30 ; Mac Gems review ): If you care the power of OS X ’s Spotlight hunt technology , but not its too - limited interface and features , HoudahSpot can help . This usefulness lets you search multiple placement , exclude specific placement , sort your hunting result by more criteria , produce search templates , assign searchable tags to file cabinet , and even find files base on an “ example ” file .
Today(normally $ 25 ; Mac Gems review ): A longtime Gems favorite , Today display your approaching iCal events and chore in a commodious , float windowpane . It also rent you create newfangled iCal events and tasks without having to afford iCal or Mail — and you may perform these project using only the keyboard .
Keyboard Maestro(normally $ 36;Mac Gems review ): This standout macro instruction utility let you automatize frequently perform tasks . For each macro instruction , you choose the trigger ( the term — such as a key pressing , timed outcome , or script — that initiates the macro instruction ) , the actions that make up the macro , and whether or not the macro is systemwide or software - specific . Keyboard Maestro is also handy for assigning keyboard shortcuts to simple activeness that OS X ’s built - in keyboard - cutoff feature ca n’t handle .
Mail Act - On(normally $ 25 ; Mac Gems review ): This fabulously utilitarian cud - in for Mail lets you invoke formula using the keyboard — if you could execute an action using Mail ’s normal , Mail Act - On lets you do it with a keyboard crosscut . you may also utilize Mail Act - On to quickly register messages into postbox , and it also tot Outbox rules to Mail . ( Mail Act - On is one of our recommend attention deficit disorder - ons for OS X Mail . )
Blast(normally $ 10 ): The one bundle title that has n’t yet earned theMac Gembadge , Blast is nevertheless a nifty app . It lives in your menu bar and shows you a listing of late files and coating . But unlike OS X ’s late - items menus , Blast get you sort and separate out its listing ; displays previews of files ; provide a “ sticky ” shelf for frequently accessed item ; can be accessed and navigated alone from the keyboard ; and includes recently alter files , such as web browser app downloads , for gentle recovery .
These are all outstanding programs , and many of them have gained significant features since we refresh them . If even two are apps you ’ve count buying , the bundle is a salutary passel ; if you end up using several of the included programs , it ’s a steal . But today ’s the last twenty-four hour period , so get it before June hustle in .
( Neither I nor Macworld get any referral fees or other benefits from recommending the Productive Macs big money . It ’s just a not bad deal for a bunch of Gems . )
Path Finder 5.0.2
HoudahSpot
Today 1.1
Keyboard Maestro
Mail Act-On 2.0.1
