Mac

Shrink photos and clear up some hard drive space with JPEGmini

Today's cameras are capable of capturing some pretty amazing shots, whether you're using a DSLR, a point-and-shoot camera, or even your cell phone. The average resolution of a contemporary camera can range anywhere from six to 20 megapixels--three to four times the quality of cameras of less than three years ago. However this clarity comes at a cost. As images get clearer, file sizes get bigger. JPEGmini helps you retake control over the enormous photo collection you have laying around by reducing the amount of space these files take up on your hard drive.

Originally developed for the … Read more

Review: Hugin for Mac offers an open-source tool for creating panoramas

When cameras do not have a panoramic capability, users may need a program to combine two separate images for the desired result. Hugin for Mac functions well, but is overly complicated for its relatively limited purpose.

The downloaded file folder contained multiple files in addition to a readme, and also had two subfolders, one of which was just for licenses. Installation of Hugin for Mac was overly complicated and actually placed two separate programs into the applications folder. Initiating the program also brought up a warning that a prior version was detected, which was not possible since the test computer … Read more

Review: Focus attention on your pointer for presentations with Highlighter for Mac

When giving live or recorded computer presentations, the mouse pointer can be easily lost to viewers. Highlighter for Mac focuses attention on the pointer, but lacks any other features for presentation that would make it more useful to most users.

While it downloaded and started up without any problems, the program did lack technical support. Fortunately, Highlighter for Mac's basic purpose and operation made the lack of user instructions or tutorials moot. At startup, the only thing that happens is a red circle that follows the pointer around the screen, highlighting it for easier viewing. There were no options … Read more

Review: Manage your subscriptions in Google Reader with Gruml for Mac

If you have a Google Reader account and are unsatisfied with the interface, you may seek an application to better manage the feeds such as Gruml for Mac. Gruml for Mac has a dated, albeit functional interface, but Google's announcement to end support for Reader makes its utility questionable.

RSS feeds provide users with the ability to easily follow Web news sources. One of the most popular RSS feed readers is Google's Reader program. Gruml for Mac is a freeware RSS reader that works exclusively with Google's program. After the installation completes, the application opens to a … Read more

Review: Organize all your thoughts in one place with Growly Notes for Mac

Growly Notes for Mac has many features that are useful for note-taking, but it ultimately fails to set itself apart from similar programs.

Upon startup, Growly Notes for Mac immediately brings up a note containing a tutorial, which was very helpful since there were a number of options and features. A top menu contains buttons for the main options, from creating a new notebook to changing colors. The interface could have benefited from larger text or more appropriate graphics for the buttons, to assist new users. During testing, creating a new note was easy. The program allows users to add … Read more

Review: Create drive backups and clones with Get Backup for Mac

Get Backup for Mac's well-designed menu and useful features make it a good tool for system and file backups. With more and more information stored on your computer, the need for utilities for backing up important information stored on systems has increased, and this app has some nice options.

Despite the fact that the program is freeware, additional functions are available if the user chooses to purchase a special license. Get Backup for Mac opened quickly after being dragged into the Applications folder. The program's main menu was appropriately designed with clear graphics indicating the main buttons. Technical … Read more

Review: Make frequent Mac functions easier to access with Functional for Mac

Functional for Mac streamlines access to certain functions, such as shutdown and restart, but offers little to appeal to most Mac users.

The installation folder of Functional for Mac contains a readme file with basic setup and user instructions, the application, and a link to more free apps available from the developer. By simply dragging the application's icon to the Dock you will complete the installation. The program has a basic function. Once installed in the Mac's Dock, the application allows the user to initiate log out, restart, shut down, and sleep, with one click. This saves a … Read more

Review: FreshBatch for Mac helps you rename multiple files, quickly

For those with collections of files with different naming standards, FreshBatch for Mac can help with purposefully searching for or archiving them. Despite its limited overall usefulness, it performs this function well and may appeal to some users.

The installation folder of FreshBatch for Mac contains a separate instructions file, which walks the user through the program's features and procedures. The program's sole purpose is to speed up the process of renaming files. The menu appears dated and has no graphics or other advanced features. The user has two main options, the first of which is to find … Read more

Review: View disk space, manage mounted volumes with FreeSpace Tab for Mac

As a basic snapshot of available and used disk space, FreeSpace Tab for Mac works well and easily integrates into the Mac operating system.

Once initiated through the applications folder, FreeSpace Tab for Mac starts, but has no menu to speak of. The application installs a small icon on the Mac's top menu bar. Clicking on this brings up a drop-down listing of all available drives. A bar also visually represents the space used and what remains. This is clear and easy to read, and most Mac users will have no problem finding their way. Outside drives can also … Read more

Review: Identify faces in digital photographs using Fotobounce for Mac

Fotobounce for Mac gives you options to organize photos and identify faces for sharing to social networks, but it lacks many features present in other photo programs.

Free with advertisements, Fotobounce for Mac also has the option of purchasing a license for an ad-free experience. While the download completed quickly, installation required a number of steps, including installing a second program and the acceptance of two licensing agreements, which lengthened the process. The program did have user instructions through a Help menu, but the interface was well designed and the functions were clearly labeled. At startup, the user identifies the … Read more