Malphurs

Whether it is computer, browser or application specific, these utilities are a “must-have” for any web developer

Introduction

If there are three things are universal among web developers, it is the need to be more productive, to perform tasks more effectively, and to be more efficient in doing so. Whether it is to get more done, get a leg-up on the competition, or gain some much-needed time for rest and relaxation, many look to utilities as a tool to help them achieve these goals.

Malphurs Interactive is no exception to this… We have quite the ever-growing list of useful utilities, tools, scripts, and add-ons that we simply love to implement in our day-to-day tasks… But, what makes one useful?

Based on our criteria, it must:

• be easy-to-use and non-disruptive
• save you time
• help improve the quality of your work

So, without further ado, here are the top 25 utilities in use at Malphurs Interactive:

Editor’s note: A few caveats before we begin… Unless specified, all utilities are Mac OS-based. Also, for brevity, we are using “utility” as a catch-all term for any and all programs, extensions, tools, and scripts on the list. Finally, links to each program have been provided and are accurate as of the time of writing.

Part One: System Utilities

DEFAULT FOLDER X
$34.95 | www.stclairsoft.com

Of all the utilities in this list, Default Folder X may have the longest tenure on our tool shelf. In a nutshell, this utility supercharges your Open and Save dialogue boxes, giving you the ability to:

• rename and delete files from dialogue boxes
• set keyboard commands for favorite folders
• quickly jump back and forth between recently used folders
• use Spotlight and tag files on the fly

… and much, much more.

GROWL
Free | growl.info

Growl is the best when it comes to unobtrusively keeping you informed of what your applications are up to. Have new files been added to your DropBox? Growl will let give you a head’s up. Is iTunes playing a new song or album? Growl will let you know. Has your browser or FTP app finished downloading a file? You guessed it. Growl is on the job. By working with other apps, Growl keeps you in the loop and out of the dark.

FLIP4MAC
$29+ | www.telestream.net

Flip4Mac allows you to import, export and play those pesky Windows Media Player files on your Mac. It even works with QuickTime… What more could you want?

JUMPCUT
Free | jumpcut.sourceforge.net

JumpCut is a new utility that has been added to the Malphurs Interactive arsenal, yet its purpose is simple… Giving you control over your clipboard. How many times have you been cutting and pasting snippets of code, only to need something that was cut 5 instances ago? JumpCut fixes this by allowing up to 99 levels of “clipboard history” easily accessible via a keyboard shortcut or the menu bar. AWESOME.

SNEAKPEEK PRO
$19.95 | www.code-line.com

When Mac OS provided the ability to quickly preview files within the finder (usually by hitting the space bar), you wondered what you had ever done without it. SneakPeek Pro takes this concept a step further by displaying previews of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign files within the finder and dialogue boxes. It even allows you to see the fonts, colors, and images used in many Adobe CS-based documents without having to open the file itself!

TOTALFINDER
Free | totalfinder.binaryage.com

Compared to others, TotalFinder is a relative new comer. But, it is one we now use on a constant basis. This utility is worth having for its “tabbed finder windows” alone. But, throw in the ability to view hidden system files, it’s Dual-mode (compare two tabbed Finder windows side-by-side), and other great Finder window enhancements and you have a utility you can’t live without.

Check back next week for part two, focusing on the top browser-based utilities!