FastScripts 2.6 is now available, featuring 64-bit compatibility so it can “run with the big dogs” on modern Macs. I also fixed a few pesky bugs, and this marks the debut of FastScripts in the Mac App Store.

• 64-bit compatibility for optimal performance on modern Macs
• Add support for FKeys F17-F19, available on many modern Mac keyboards.
• Fix a bug where deleted folders remain visible in menu
• Fix an issue with case-change-only name changes causing duplicate menu items

Via Red Sweater Blog

One of my most favorite Mac apps has received an update. If you’ve not looked at FastScripts in the past, I recommend you do. There’s so much power in this one little app it’s not even funny. You can even try it for free for up to 10 keyboard shortcuts — but I totally recommend laying out the $15 for it.

• Yasu and Lion: Compatibility
• Easy Keyboard Access to the OS X User Library Folder
• SecondBar Puts a Menu Bar on All Your Macs Monitors

Indeed, it is a pretty straightforward—if not evil—hack. However, as noted by Daring Fireball, the trick doesn’t work for all paid apps from the store. Developers who followed Apple’s instructions for validating App Store receipts should be unaffected; it’s only those who don’t check at all, or don’t do the right kind of check, that are finding themselves being taken advantage of.

Via Infinite Loop.

My question here is, if there’s an Apple recommended method for validating App Store receipts, why wouldn’t this be qualified during the App Store approval process, with paid apps that aren’t up to the standard being rejected? It seems obvious to me that Apple would be concerned with this since they’re losing out on their cut of the profits.

For the record, I have no plans to put anything I develop on the App Store — period. If the day ever comes where that’s the only option I have for distributing my software, then my days of Mac hobby development are likely over.

• The Mac App Store Isn’t for Today’s Mac Developers
• iOS Multitasking Myths Debunked
• Troubleshooting Mac OS X Startup Issues

Mac OS X only: iCal’s tasks might do the trick for some Apple-centric users, but they’re not easy to export to other apps and systems. Use taskSync to hook up web-based task manager Remember the Milk and iCal instead.More »

Via Lifehacker: mac os x.

Once I’m able to get this software to actually work, it will be huge. So far, I’ve had no luck getting my Remember the Milk tasks to show up on iCal calendars…

Note: As of 12/30/10, TaskSync has been updated to version .003, which seems to fix the non-sync issues I was experiencing.

Keep in mind…while this software has the potential to be groundbreaking for Remember the Milk users, it’s still VERY green and should be considered bleeding edge if you choose to use it. I’ve already borked some of my RTM tasks by trying to sync them up with OmniFocus (I recommend NOT doing that just yet).

More testing is in order, and will report back with findings…

• Woes of MacBook Pro Unibody Owner
• Mailplane Clean CSS Updated
• Yasu 2.7.6 Released

MacHeist buyers who were promised access to the beta for Tweetie 2, a popular desktop Twitter client for Mac, may not see it for a long time if ever, thanks to doubts raised by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams and some light-hearted but vague tweets from Tweetie developer Loren Brichter, TechCrunch has reported…

Via MacNN.

I decided to move on from Tweetie, and ponied up the cash for Echofon last night after trying out nearly all the options available as native Mac OS X desktop clients (Tweetdeck and Seesmic don’t qualify in my book). It’s the one client that’s the most powerful, and implemented the best in my humble opinion.

As for Tweetie, all I can say is… Way to take the money (from a lot of people) and run, @atebits…

• Twitter: ‘We aren’t actively planning’ Tweetie 2 for Mac
• Mailplane Clean CSS Update
• Secure Virtual Memory on OS X

With the move of everything back to jimmitchell.org, I decided to use the Google Apps Standard Edition (free) to manage my email, calendaring, et al. The one thing that bugged me the most was the extra ads and other fluff in Gmail that was visually distracting. Because of that, I resorted to using Firefox with the Better Gmail add-on, or Google Chrome with the Better Gmail extension. While they were great, I still wanted my email in a separate app, mostly because I have a habit of quitting my browser when I’m done using it (this goes back to my System 6 days probably).

I’ve been a long time user of the very awesome Mailplane by Ruben Bakker, but was always a little bugged by the afore mentioned ads and other fluff. Because of it, I’d flop back and forth between browser and Mailplane use.

I’m happy to say that I’ve finally solved this dilemma by releasing my very own Mailplane Clean CSS style sheet. This is basically a rework of some styles that are part of the Google Chrome Better Gmail (Unofficial) extension, with the addition of others that I wanted (like making the bottom button bar go away).

The best way to see what it does is download the stylesheet archive, and set Mailplane to use the custom stylesheet in “Preferences > Tweak UI > Custom Stylesheet.” Then restart Mailplane and bask in the awesome goodness. I promise, if you’re a Mailplane user, you’ll like this stylesheet. It makes everything about the Gmail UI so much cleaner.

I will probably add the file to the “mailplaneapp” Google Group in the near future, so keep an eye out for it there if you prefer. If you have any questions or comments about the stylesheet, drop me a line through my contact page.

• Mailplane Clean CSS Updated (Again)
• Mailplane Clean CSS Updated
• Yasu 2.6.7 Released

Path Finder is a file browser that has a streamlined, beautiful new interface, lots of new features, and tons of improvements and fixes throughout. It has been completely rewritten and optimized for Mac OS X 10.5 and represents over a year and half of hard work.

(Via Mac Update.)

I began using Path Finder myself a little over 3 weeks ago, and already find it to be one of the most indispensable applications I own. And that’s coming from a hard-core Finder wonk. With a plethora of cool features–both obvious and hidden–this app won me over quick, which is not an easy thing to do when it comes to shareware.

If you haven’t looked at Path Finder recently, I recommend you do–just to see what you might be missing.

• FastScripts 2.6 Update Available from Red Sweater Software
• Navigate Finder with arrows
• Easy Keyboard Access to the OS X User Library Folder

I officially made Jim Mitchell Design a licensed business a little over six months ago. Up until then, it was always an under the table, pay me in cash sort of operation (and yes, I paid my taxes on it). When I decided I wanted to take it to the next level, there were natural expenses that came with doing so, which meant buying licenses for software packages I had previously done without.

One of those licenses was for QuickBooks Pro 2007 from Intuit. I’d researched all the other accounting packages for the Mac, and felt QBP was the better choice out of them all (though none were really up to Mac standards). Even though it was a little pricier, I plunked down my $199 and decided to live with it.

Today, Intuit released QuickBooks Pro 2009 for the Mac. I thought to myself “Cool, time to upgrade. Hopefully it’s a better Mac application. It couldn’t be more than a minor investment.” It turns out I was sorely mistaken. After trying to navigate the “updated” Intuit site for more than 15 minutes looking for some kind of upgrade information (Seriously Intuit. Your site is a HUGE pain to find anything on and renders like crap on modern Mac browsers), the only reference I could find was “upgrade starting from $179.”

Wait. Are you serious? I paid $199 for a brand-spanking new license only six months ago. Now you want me to pay another $179 to “upgrade?” Well, no that’s not really the case. Intuit wants me to buy their product all over again, because they’re offering the exact same product to NEW customers for the same $179 it would cost me to upgrade.

Did I miss something here? Me–an existing customer–pays $378 ($199 + $179). Joe the Plumber–a new customer–pays $179 for the exact same product. Intuit == Fail.

While I understand there are costs involved in developing new software, and those costs need to be covered by new sales, I’m of the mind that expecting existing customers–the ones that initially provided you some of the capital to pay those software developers to update your new version (I’m sure the code base wasn’t started from scratch)–to pay full price for an only marginally better product amounts to no more than corporate greed. Needless to say, unless Intuit informs me to the contrary, I will not be upgrading my license for QuickBooks Pro 2007. Times as they are, that would be stupid for my bottom line.

But it got me thinking. What’s appropriate when it comes to software upgrades? Free for life? Full price at each update? Or keep track of a user base and pro-rate upgrade amounts? Personally, I opt for the latter. I really feel Intuit should have recognized that I was a customer with less than a year of use, and offered me some kind of price break. Apple does it with their OS upgrades (sort of), so I don’t think it would have been hard to do. They have my contact information, and the date I purchased the original license. But instead, they chose to snub me and run the risk of losing my business–which they have. In addition to using QuickBooks Pro, I’ve been a long time users of TurboTax. Once this tax season is past me, I will be looking for an alternative software solution for the 2009 tax year.

What’s your take on software upgrades? Should they be free, full price, or pro-rated?

• Report: Verizon iPhone finally coming; will you switch?
• Apple may offer MobileMe for free to fight Google
• One for the WordPress Users

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.

• Yasu 2.6.8 b2 Available for Download
• Some Mac App Store apps already hit by easy piracy trick
• Yasu 2.7.6 Released

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…

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 cheap frugal).

5. 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).

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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…

10. 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?

• Report: Verizon iPhone finally coming; will you switch?
• Apple may offer MobileMe for free to fight Google
• TaskSync Syncs Remember the Milk Tasks to iCal

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 Stylish Treat for Mailplane Users
• Mailplane Clean CSS Updated (Again)
• How I’d Hack Your Weak Passwords

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.

First, I gave Microsoft Entourage a try. In true MS fashion, it promptly wiped out all of my mail on the IMAP server in one fell swoop. Just “blam” and it was gone. We’re talking thousands of mail messages that I refer to regularly just not there anymore. After the nausea passed, I was pretty pissed off. That’s one application which will never see the light of day again, no matter what. Thankfully, I had a fairly recent backup of my Mail directory that could be restored, but even still, I lost a few days worth of messages thanks to that pile-of-crap-code.

After that fiasco, I gave Thunderbird a spin, but just like Mail, I couldn’t find any way to unsubscribe from that darned “mailboxlist” folder. Besides, it’s a tad slow when it comes to responsiveness. I opted to ditch it after about an hour.

I thought my search might be done once IMAP support was added to GyazMail a couple of months ago. But the early releases just weren’t up to the task. For those who haven’t heard of it before, GyazMail is a POP based mail client that’s been around for a long time — and a very good one at that. When I did POP, it’s what I used. But when I needed to get at my mail from anywhere, I had to put it down in favor of the IMAP capabilities of Mail.

However… I’m very happy to say that my quest is really finally over with the latest release (1.5.3) of GyazMail. Goichi added the option to subscribe/unsubscribe to/from IMAP folders (along with other significant fixes) in this version, and it works perfectly! I’m very impressed with how well GyazMail has matured in a very short amount of time. It’s definitely worth the $18.00 I spent on it two years ago.

There are still a couple of little things the application lacks, such as Digital Certificates, and the ability to compose messages in HTML or Rich Text format — but I think I can live with those shortcomings for now. I’m just so glad to be rid of that darned “mailboxlist” folder once and for all!

• Easy Keyboard Access to the OS X User Library Folder
• Watch For This Apple Billing Email Scam
• Secure Virtual Memory on OS X

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.

• Yasu 2.6.7 Released
• TaskSync Syncs Remember the Milk Tasks to iCal
• MacBook Pro NVIDIA Recall Extended

Microsoft posted a Security Advisory (932553) about a new “limited” zero-day security hole in Excel today. The advisory goes on to warn that other Office apps could be at risk as well.

I’d suggest you check it out if you’re a heavy (or even moderate) MSO user.

• Some Mac App Store apps already hit by easy piracy trick
• Yasu 2.7.6 Released
• A Stylish Treat for Mailplane Users

Updates to some useful Mac freeware during the past week (or so)…

• LilyPond 2.11.8-1
• OpenOffice.org 2.1
• Linotype FontExplorer X 1.1.1
• VirtueDesktops 0.54b1a
• VLC Media Player 0.8.6a
• Growl 0.7.6

• Getting Back to Basics
• Watch For This Apple Billing Email Scam
• Yasu 2.7.6 Released

For those who may have missed them, updates to some useful Mac freeware during the past week (or so)…

• Anacron 3.2
• Firefox 2.0.0.1
• Growl 0.7.5
• ImageWell 3
• Opera 9.1
• Vine Server 2.1 (Formerly OSXvnc)
• VirtueDesktops 0.53r265a

• Getting Back to Basics
• Watch For This Apple Billing Email Scam
• Yasu Updated to Version 2.7