Archive for February, 2009
Anki: Smart Memorization
Posted by Elliott Bradley in Memorization, Quicklook on February 25th, 2009
Anki (Open-Source: v0.9.9.6) is an app that helps you memorize things.
We have problems remembering things. David Alan made the point that our brain is good at making decisions but terrible at retaining information. But when we do have to memorize something, there are many strategies for doing so. Flash cards are one of the most common approaches, and this is where Anki comes in. It’s program that knows when to show you a card based on how well you remebered it last time and how many times you’ve seen it in the past. There is even a free web-service which can sync your cards with the desktop. I can even access my cards on my iPod. This is not a native mac app, but it won’t look too out of place your desktop. Anki is available to download here for most platforms.
Safari 4
Posted by Elliott Bradley in Quicklook, Web Browsers on February 24th, 2009
Safari (Freeware: v4 beta 1) is Apple’s web browser based on webkit.
Apple has released the first public beta of Safari 4. This browser has some very notable new features. First, a very Chrome-like treatment of tabs, that is, above the location bar. Second, the integration of Cover Flow with your bookmarks and history. Third, and finally, some notable speed improvements. I’m actually typing this up in Safari 4 now, and it’s pretty good so far. The only problems I have with it now are the lack of 1Password support (which is very important to me), and some minor annoyances with the handling of tabs. It might be that I’m too comfortable with the Firefox way of handling tabs, but I think Chrome does a very similar but slightly better job with the tabs. The windows version of Safari 4 is also much more windows like than the previous version, which did look like a clone of the mac version. The beta is available to download now.
Update: 1Password does work with Safari if you enable the beta releases in 1Password.
Sizzling Keys and Synergy Reviews
SizzlingKeys (Free; Pro version $5) and Synergy (5 Euros, roughly $7) are keyboard controllers for iTunes. Synergy has been made available through Macheist’s Giving Tree for free for the time being.
Both allow you to advance and go back tracks, play/pause, set rating, adjust volume, and more through keyboard shortcuts that function even when iTunes isn’t the active application. (Disclaimer: The free version of SizzlingKeys was reviewed, and Synergy was obtained for free through the Giving Tree.)
Cmd Task Manager
Posted by Elliott Bradley in Quicklook, Task Managers on February 18th, 2009
Task (Open-Source: v1.4.3) is a command line program for managing tasks
I just found out about this task manager for the command line. It is really nice. I like the idea of a todo text file for keeping tabs on my tasks; but I also like the features that many of the GUI programs offer, like recurring tasks and other such niceties, to leave for a text file. This program seems to remedy my concerns. I’ve only played with it for a few minutes, but it’s really nice. As it does use the command line, not everyone will like it, but if the cmd is your cup of tea then give this a try. Here is a video demonstrating its use.
AllSecure Review
Posted by Elliott Bradley in Review, Security on February 16th, 2009
AllSecure ($40: Shareware, v1.0.3) is a password and information encryption app.
The app is one of many secure information managers available for the mac right now. MacHeist has also recently given it out as a loot item (Shareware software given away for free to promote the app). As this version of the app was only released last month, there are not many reviews of it at this time. (disclaimer: data you will see entered into the app is fake. This app was downloaded through MacHeist)
