Archives for the 'Software' Category
More On Leopard Mail.app Freezes
This is a follow up to the bit I posted last week about Mail.app hanging — usually at login/startup/wake, but then at other times for no reason in particular. My original post blamed the problem on iCal syncing To-Do’s with Mail (which I personally don’t like).
An update to that post later shifted the blame to GrowlMail. I can confirm — without a doubt — that GrowlMail has a problem with IMAP email accounts under Leopard, both on Intel and PPC based machines. While you could simply turn GrowlMail off in Mail preferences, my recommendation is to completely remove the bundle until it can be fully updated for compatibility. Note: a new version of GrowlMail was released a few days ago that supposedly addresses Leopard issues. However, my testing found it to still have lingering problems, so I promptly uninstalled it.
If you have GrowlMail installed, it can be uninstalled by removing the following files from your hard drive:
/Library/Mail/Bundles/GrowlMail.bundle /Library/Receipts/GrowlMail.pkg /Library/Receipts/growlmailPreflight.pkg
Since deleting those files, I’ve had no trouble with my IMAP account in Leopard Mail whatsoever. It should be noted you’ll probably have to authenticate as an administrator to remove the files.
10 Mac Apps I’d Be Lost Without
It’s been a while since I’ve shared any of my deep, dark ruminations here, so I figured it was time to throw together my own list of the 10 Mac apps I can’t live without. Here goes…
GyazMail: Hands down the very best email client for OS X. While it still lacks a few features such as digital signatures & the ability to compose messages in rich text, it’s the fastest, most configurable, and cleanest email client I’ve tried. Believe me, I’ve tried them all.
SpamSieve: Tightly integrated with GyazMail (and other clients), SpamSieve does a bang up job of dealing with those little blue pill emails and overseas lottery notifications. I can’t even fathom having to manage the slew of garbage that drops in my inbox everyday without this app. One of the biggest time-saving software purchases I’ve made.
NetNewsWire: My connection to the outside world. I don’t even bother turning on the liberal broadcast news when I get home anymore. I’ve already had my dose via RSS. Oh, and I get plenty of Mac (and iPhone) news this way too.
Quicksilver: Yes, it’s on everyone else’s list, so it may as well be on mine. If you use it, you already know why I love it. If you don’t (what!?!), then you don’t know what you’re missing. I stopped using a licensed version of LaunchBar in favor of Quicksilver. Yes, it’s that friggin’ good (remember, I’m
cheapfrugal).ecto: Far and away the most elegant blogging app for the Mac, I’ve been a user since it was “Kung Log”. While it can be a little intimidating for new users, there’s a lot of power under the hood once you harness it. I’m really looking forward to version 3 once Adrian is ready to release it (hint, hint there Ado).
TextMate: I used to use TextWrangler for all of my plain text editing — until the day I got my hands on TextMate. This application has everything I need in a text editor and more, except for a built in ftp client - which is the one thing I miss from TextWrangler. But since TextMate integrates so well with Transmit, it’s barely noticeable. I live in this app every day.
Transmit: Speaking of which… The most super-awesome ftp client in the world. Makes transferring my files between development and production servers as simple as drag & drop from one tab to the other. Besides, it’s from Panic Software, so you know it’s got to be good.
SuperDuper!: For back ups and clones, there’s no competition here. It does what it’s supposed to do easily, with power-user power to spare. Absolutely the best way to back up entire drives and user folders to Firewire.
iGTD: The newest addition to my stable of must-haves. I’ve tried for years to get my to do list organized. This little bugger has finally done it. Thanks to .Mac syncing, I’ve always got what I need to get done right there. No more forgetting — well, maybe. Sometimes I mistake procrastination for forgetting…
Yasu: Naturally, the list wouldn’t be complete without my own application, right? All kidding and bias aside, Yasu is STILL easier to use than Cocktail, Onyx or Tiger Cache Cleaner. Sure, those other three give you extra toys to play with to give you that warm fuzzy geek feeling, but Yasu simply gets the tasks that need to be done, done. A true "GTD" utility app if ever there was one.
So there you have it. My list. Love it or leave it. Sure, there are several other commercial & Apple apps I use all the time, but these are (to me) some of the more outstanding offerings from indie developers that help keep the Mac universe from collapsing in on itself. Kudos to all those who code the products in my list for their dedication to keeping the spirit of freeware & shareware alive.
What Mac apps would you give your eye teeth, first born, or iPhone to keep?
Securing Gmail Notifier
Secure Gmail Notifier using hidden preference setting: I was shocked to discover that the Gmail Notifier, as distributed by Google, defaults to sending your Gmail password over the network in clear text every time it checks your inbox for new mail.
Here’s a very handy tip I came across on MacOSXHints.com this morning. I had no idea that my GMail & GCal password was being sent in clear-text. I’m not too happy about it either. Thankfully, it’s really easy to change Google Notifier to an https connection using the poster’s instructions. If you use the app, I recommend you do the same — pronto.
A Better IMAP Email Client
A while back, I lamented the fact that the Apple Mail application just wasn’t cutting the mustard when it came to working with IMAP mail servers. At the time, my solution was to simply change my IMAP Path Prefix to “INBOX” in my account settings, which made the hidden “.mailboxlist” directory actually hide. I was satisfied and went on my merry way.
However, not long after that, my web host (Forged Network) made some changes for the better that affected the setting. I’m no IMAP expert, but the once hidden “.mailboxlist” folder suddenly became just “mailboxlist” and began showing up in Mail again. Turns out it was now a folder that should be “unsubscribed” from, but since Mail has no way of doing that, the folder sat there like a big bump on a log, taunting me every time I worked with Mail. Yes, I could have just lived with it, but I’m one of those UI perfectionist types, so I had to find a solution.
QuickTime Exploit Fix Released
QuickTime 7.1.5 Patches Panther, Tiger, XP, Vista Exploits: Apple has released a security update for QuickTime for Mac OS X 10.3.9 and later and Windows XP and Windows Vista. Version 7.1.5 for all affected platforms fixes a small host of flaws that allow maliciously crafted files to crash a program employing QuickTime or allow arbitrary code execution - a phrase that often means there’s a potential for an attacker to gain control of a computer or, at least, install malware.
A quick note to the masses: It’s time to fire up Software Update again. Apple has released a new version of QuickTime (7.1.5) that patches some serious holes for the various systems the software runs on. Details of what’s addressed in the fix can be perused in Apple KBase Article 305149. It’s a recommended update for all users.
And a subtle reminder: If you haven’t already installed the Daylight Savings Time Update, you’ve got less than a week to get it done.