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What system or interface enhancement apps do you use?

O

ozaz

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 27, 2011
1,626
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By system or interface enhancement I mean apps that you use to (in your eyes) improve or provide a desired alternative to the core operating system behaviour / functions / interface.



At the moment I use:

Moom - presets for window sizing
Hyperdock - dock preview windows, like aero peek in Windows 7
Caffeine - prevent Mac from going to sleep
Appdelete - to find associated files when deleting an app
EasyFind - Alternative to Spotlight that supports boolean operators and wildcards
 
Last edited:
Moom - Good isn't it :)
Alfred - Much better than Spotlight, even better if you buy the Powerpack
CandyBar - Only use it with apps with really fugly icons.
 
ozaz said:
Appdelete - to find associated files when deleting an app
Click to expand...
In most cases, app removal software such as AppDelete doesn't do a thorough job of finding and removing files/folders related to deleted apps. For more information, read this.

The most effective method for complete app removal is manual deletion:

Boom will help you get more sound out of your built-in speakers.
 
I don't use any; too many of the enhancement apps destabilize the system. I don't worry about deleting apps - I just drag to the trash and I'm familiar enough to find the stuff they leave in the library.
 
Sound enhancing

Audio Hijack Pro with the free LoudMax audio plugin to enhance the sound output from iTunes to small external (cheap but good) speakers (similar effect to that obtained with the discontinued VolumeLogic.:cool:
No other software/hacks, just the occasional icon and a few pictures for the Desktop.:D
 
Cinch - window snapping like in Win7
Caffeine - prevents your machine from going to sleep (unless lid is closed)
Little Snitch - allows you to set custom rules as to which apps can connect to the internet
Dock Library - modifies the look of your dock
SmartSleep - allows you to choose/modify sleep behavior of the machine (i.e. you can hibernate on demand)
Loginox - allows you to modify your login screen
Videowall (rarely used) - allows you to set video as a wallpaper
iCursor (rarely used) - allows you to add cool effects to your cursor
 
Orbiter (as a second dock)

Quay (only until Lion, now does not seem to be supported)

Startupizer
 
Geektool- weather, iTunes/spotify, system stuff on desktop
CandyBar- dock customization
Nocturn- menu bar customization
Bowtie- iTunes/spotify artwork for desktop
Caffeine.
 
In my original post I forgot to mention easyfind which I often use instead of spotlight because it has good support for boolean operators and wildcards

NogbadTheBad said:
Moom - Good isn't it :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I really like it.

GGJstudios said:
In most cases, app removal software such as AppDelete doesn't do a thorough job of finding and removing files/folders related to deleted apps. For more information, read this.

The most effective method for complete app removal is manual deletion:
Click to expand...

I agree, app removal apps don't work perfectly but I've been satisfied enough to continue using appdelete. If the app is something I really want completely off my system I will do a manual search after using appdelete. But often I'm not too bothered too check.

old-wiz said:
I don't use any; too many of the enhancement apps destabilize the system. I don't worry about deleting apps - I just drag to the trash and I'm familiar enough to find the stuff they leave in the library.
Click to expand...

I know many don't like using enhancement apps for risk of destabilizing the system so it would be helpful for this thread if you could point out the ones to avoid - which ones in your experience have caused problems?
 
Moom (awesome)
Alfred (awesome too!)
PopClip
Growl + HardwareGrowler
Caffeine

I got Essentials for free and currently testing it, looks good.
 
BetterTouchTool: add actions and custom multitouch gestures to the trackpad, along with window snap
Quicksilver: best app launcher around
Nocturne: turn the menu bar black
GeekTool: customize the desktop with pretty much any stat
SuperDocker: customize the look of the dock
Candybar: change icons
 
ozaz said:
I know many don't like using enhancement apps for risk of destabilizing the system so it would be helpful for this thread if you could point out the ones to avoid - which ones in your experience have caused problems?
Click to expand...

My experience goes back to Tiger I think. Mostly now I just feel I don't want to bother - OSx Lion is fine for me. I prefer to focus on just using what's there.
 
gorskiegangsta said:
Cinch - window snapping like in Win7
Caffeine - prevents your machine from going to sleep (unless lid is closed)
Little Snitch - allows you to set custom rules as to which apps can connect to the internet
Dock Library - modifies the look of your dock
SmartSleep - allows you to choose/modify sleep behavior of the machine (i.e. you can hibernate on demand)
Loginox - allows you to modify your login screen
Videowall (rarely used) - allows you to set video as a wallpaper
iCursor (rarely used) - allows you to add cool effects to your cursor
Click to expand...

Can anyone recommend a PC equivalent to Caffeine?
 
Caffeine
iStat Menus (I use it mainly to manage fan speed during HandBrakes)
Boot Champ

I have Geektool and MenuPop installed, but really haven't used either one, to be honest. I don't make much use of MenuPop, and I don't necessarily care to have my desktop/background look like a Tumblr page. :p If there's another use for Geektool, though, I'm all ears...
 
middle click: easy 3 finger tap for middle click in touchpad. (failed to make magicpref work).
totalfinder: awesome tab in finder
geektool: stock, weather, time etc
snap: for keyboard shortcuts of programs


ozaz said:
By system or interface enhancement I mean apps that you use to (in your eyes) improve or provide a desired alternative to the core operating system behaviour / functions / interface.



At the moment I use:

Moom - presets for window sizing
Hyperdock - dock preview windows, like aero peek in Windows 7
Caffeine - prevent Mac from going to sleep
Appdelete - to find associated files when deleting an app
EasyFind - Alternative to Spotlight that supports boolean operators and wildcards
Click to expand...
 
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