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Snapz 1.0.0
Screen Capture Control Panel
Advantages: Can capture anything displayed on the screen, saves in multiple formats.
Cons: Can only take a snapshot of the whole screen.
Authors: Andrew Welch
Company: Ambrosia Software
Contact: US Mail: Ambrosia Software, Inc. PO Box 23140 Rochester, NY 14692 Voice:716.427.2577
Requirements: Color Quickdraw, at least 1 Meg of memory, System 6 or later.
Type: Shareware Control Panel
Recommended User: Anyone who needs to take screen shots.
Reviewer’s Recommendation: If you need to take screen shots, check it out.
List price: $15
Typical Street Price: $15
Reviewer:Michael C. LaBossiere
A stock Mac has a built in capability to take screenshots (a picture of the whole screen). By pushing command-shift-3, you can capture what appears on your screen as a pict file. Of course, this method cannot (typically) capture a screen when 1) a screen saver is in use, 2) a game is being played, 3) when a menu is pulled down, and 4) when the Mac is starting up.
If you need to take such screen shots, you might find Snapz useful. Snapz is a 150K control panel that uses 20K of RAM that was written by Andrew Welch of Ambrosia Software (of Maelstrom Fame). Snapz is activated by the standard command-shift-3 key combination (or you can set your own) and can take screen shots in all of the four situations described above (as well as the usual situations). Once a screen shot is taken with Snapz, it can be saved in one of several formats (such as PICT, Canvas, GIF, etc.). This allows you to save a screen shot in a format your graphics or word processing software can handle. The file is also saved with a unique naming system. The file is named with the name of the application that was running (or the Finder if no application was running) and the number of the screen capture for that application. For example, the first screen capture you took of Microsoft Word would be named Microsoft Word.pict.1. Snapz can also be set to hide the cursor during a screen capture.
Thus, the strong points of Snapz are its ability to capture screen shots in situations in which most other screen capturing utilities cannot, its ability to save captures in a variety of formats, and its ability to automatically name capture files.
On the minus side, Snapz takes up 150K of hard drive space and it is limited to taking a shot of the entire screen. If you need to take screen shots of smaller sections, you might wish to consider Nobu Toge's Flash-It. This control panel allows users to take screen shots of sections of the screen they select.
In sum, if you need to capture screen shots in the four situations described above, then Snapz is worth looking into. Since it is shareware, you can take it for a test drive. If you like it, be sure to pay your shareware frees.
Desktop Strip 1.0
Control Strip Alternative Utility
Advantages: Works on desktop Macs, supports Control Strip modules.
Cons: Some minor compatibility problems.
Author: Sigurdur Asgeirsson
Company: Men & Mice
Contact: Electronic mail: AOL: MenAndMice, CompuServe: 100045,2425, Internet: me-registrations@rhi.hi.is Mail to: Men & Mice P.O. Box 7238 107 Reykjavik ICELAND Fax: +354-169-4991
How To Get: Online
Size: 39K
Memory Use: n/a
Requirements: System 7.1 and Color Quickdraw.
Type: Shareware Control Panel
Recommended User: Anyone who wants an alternative way to access common functions.
Reviewer’s Recommendation: Take a copy for a test drive.
List price: $20
Typical Street Price: $20
Reviewer: Michael C. LaBossiere
A rather handy piece of software known as the Control Strip shipped with the PowerBook 500 series computers. This strip supported a variety of modules which made various functions available via a floating "strip." While this software is quite cool, it is not readily available (at least not via means that Apple would approve of). If you want to have a Strip for yourself, on option is to acquire a copy of Desktop Strip.
Desktop Strip is a small control panel which provides the same functions as the Apple Control Strip. It works on all Macs (including desktop macs) that are running 7.1 (or 7.5) and support Color Quickdraw (most Macs support this, but the Plus, Classic, and SE do not). Once the Desktop Strip control panel is installed, a Strip (or several strips, see below) will appear as a floating window with the interfaces for the installed modules visible. Like the Control Strip, the Desktop Strip can be shrunk down to a small tab (and expaned again). The basic idea behind the Desktop Strip is that it acts as a convenient way to access the functions of the various modules.
Two of Desktop Strip main features are as follows. First, it supports (almost) all Control Strip Modules. This means that you can use any module that is designed for the Control Strip. There is an ever increasing number of Control Strip Modules (CSMs) available on line. Some are shareware, but many are freeware. Second, Desktop Strip supports multiple strips. Each of these strips can be "loaded" with different CSMs. This way you can have specific functions available at different places on your desktop.
Desktop Strip comes with three modules: Program Menu, Monitor Depth, and Program List. Program Menu presents a list of active applications and lets the user switch between these applications. This module functions like the Finder part of the menu (he right hand part of the menu bar where the little Mac icon resides). This CSM is useful if you work on multiple monitors, since you can put a Strip on the desktop of the second monitor and switch programs without returning to the Menu bar. Monitor Depth displays the current monitor depth and allows the user to change the color depth of a monitor. This CSM only controls the color of the main monitor if you have multiple monitors. Program List displays all running applications and allows the user to switch between them by clicking their icons. If Drag Manager 1.1 is installed you can drag and drop documents on the applications' icons. This CSM also allows the user to easily will switch to another program and hide the current one or all others. The author of Desktop Strip suggests creating a separate Strip with this module installed. This allows an easy means to switch applications and (if you have Drag Mamager) allows you to open documents by dragging them onto running applications.
Desktop Strip does have some problems and limitations, all of which are discussed by the author. The first limitation is that Desktop Strip and Control Strip are incompatible. Hence, you can use one or the other but not both. Second, not all CSMs are fully compatible with Desktop Strip. Typically, the incompatibility arises with modules that bring up certain types of dialog boxes. One example of a CSM that is not full compatible is Apple's AppleTalk Switch. Fortunately, the author plans to produce CSMs to replace those that are not fully compatible. Most independent developers of CSMs are aware of Desktop Strip and they tend to write their CSMs to work with both Strips. Third, their appears to be some conflict with Microsoft PowerPoint and OLE. Fourth, Desktop Strip conflicts with Timbuktu Pro. The author sugests that users disable Desktop Strip when installing Timbuktu Pro. In some cases, Timbuktu will not update the Desktop Strip palettes properly. Finally, Desktop Strip has two problems with After Dark 3.0. Desktop Strip will remain visible when After Dark is in demo mode. The other problem is that After Dark will not "kick in" when the cursor is moved to the "Sleep Now" area and the Finder is in the foreground.
The main virtue of the Desktop Strip is that it can offer a more convenient to access a variety of functions via the Strip (of course, the functions of the CSMs are available through more conventional means, such as control panels, extensions or the Chooser). However, there are some negative points. First, Desktop Strip has some minor problems (see above). Second, using Desktop Strip adds another control panel to the system. This will use up some memory and can lead to conflicts (this is not specific to Desktop Strip, but is a general problem with control panels).
Some users find such strips very convenient and consider them to be effective time saving devices. Other users find them interesting, but not significantly more convenient than using control panels and so forth. In my own case, I have not found Strips to be significantly more convenient. However, it should be noted that this is my personal opinion formed on the basis of my work habits and system. Desktop Strip is well implemented and is quality software and is well worth considering. I strongly recommend that anyone interested in such a utilty give Desktop Strip a test drive. If you find it useful and convenient, then send in your shareware fee. If you don't find it useful, then Trash it.
Keyboard Extender Strip 1.0
Keyboard Key Simulator CSM
Advantages: Simulates many keys from the Extended Keyboard.
Cons: None.
Author: Ammon Skidmore
Company: Skidperfect Software, Inc.
Contact: ammon@blacksun.com, skidperfect@blacksun.com, Ammon Skidmore Skidperfect Software, Inc. 601 Rutland St. Carlisle, MA 01741
How To Get: Online
Size: 6K
Memory Use: n/a
Requirements: Desktop Strip or Control Strip
Type: Freeware Control Strip Module
Recommended User: Anyone who does not own an Extended Keyboard.
Reviewer’s Recommendation: Get a copy.
List price: Free
Typical Street Price: Free
Reviewer: Michael C. LaBossiere
The 100 and 200 series PowerBooks and the Apple Standard Keyboards lack function keys, clear (num lock), help, forward delete, Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down. While these keys are not indispensible, they can be quite useful. One way to get access to these keys (or at least access to virtual keys) is via Keyboard Extender Strip. This CSM provides all the above mentioned keys via a popup menu on a Strip utility. Naturally, this CSM requires either Apple's Control Strip or Deskstop Strip. This CSM is freeware and (if you need to use the keys mentioned above) it alone might make getting a copy of Desktop Strip or Control Strip worthwhile.
Control Panels Strip
Control Panel Access and Manipulation CSM
Advantages: Allows easy access to and control over control panels.
Cons: None.
Author: Ammon Skidmore
Company: Skidperfect Software, Inc.
Contact: ammon@blacksun.com, skidperfect@blacksun.com, Ammon Skidmore Skidperfect Software, Inc. 601 Rutland St. Carlisle, MA 01741
How To Get: Online
Size: 9K
Memory Use: n/a
Requirements: Desktop Strip or Control Strip
Type: Freeware Control Strip Module
Recommended User: Anyone who uses control panels very often.
Reviewer’s Recommendation: Get a copy.
List price: Free
Typical Street Price: Free
Reviewer: Michael C. LaBossiere
Control Panel Strip is a handy freeware CSM that provides a variety of useful features. First, the CSM will display a list of all the items in the Control Panels folder and it permits direct launching of control panels via the menu list. Second, the CSM allows the user to select items in the Control Panels (disabled) folder. Third, the CSM allows the user to open either folder (Control Panels or Control Panels (disabled)). Finally, the CSM can move a control panel from the Control Panels folder to the Control Panels (disabled) folder and vice versa.
As should be clear, this CSM makes dealing with control panels easier. For example, if you use multiple monitors, you might find it useful to have a Strip (Control or Desktop) on your second (or third, etc.) monitor. This will make it easier to access the control panels without having to go back to the menu bar. If you frequently use control panels and want a potentially easier way to use them, try a copy of this CSM.
Control Strip Terminator
Finder and Quit Control CSM
Advantages: Provides control over the finder, allows user to quit all applications.
Cons: None.
Author: Ammon Skidmore
Company: Skidperfect Software, Inc.
Contact: ammon@blacksun.com, skidperfect@blacksun.com, Ammon Skidmore Skidperfect Software, Inc. 601 Rutland St. Carlisle, MA 01741
How To Get: Online
Size: 9K
Memory Use: n/a
Requirements: Desktop Strip or Control Strip
Type: Freeware Control Strip Module
Recommended User: Anyone who wants more control over the Finder and an easy way to quit all applications.
Reviewer’s Recommendation: Get a copy.
List price: Free
Typical Street Price: Free
Reviewer: Michael C. LaBossiere
This freeware CSM provides a variety of useful functions. First, it provides an Apple Events Restart and Shutdown, just like the finder. Second, this CSM allows the use to quit and reactivate the Finder. Since the Finder uses about 300K, this can be a useful way to free up RAM. It can also cut down on hard drive use, since the Finder tends to access the hard drive quite regularly. Third, this CSM can send an Apple Events quit command to all open applications or just one at a time. Fourth, the CSM can be configured to force a restart or shutdown. Such forced restarts and shutdowns occur immediately, without a delay for the applications to quit. This CSM can be convenient if you have multiple monitors and want to restart , shutdown, or quit some or all applications without going to the main menu. It is also useful if you want to quit the Finder to get more memory. Overall, this CSM is well worth looking into.
