shareware
Latest
Indie history: How shareware helped build Epic Games
"When [Epic] popped up and said, ‘We're redefining the publishing deal,’ it made me chuckle." - Mike Wilson, co-founder of Devolver Digital
Try the first level of 'Doom' for free this week
The new Doom has launched to rave reviews, but today at E3 Bethesda announced it was looking to get even more people into the game. To that end, the first level of Doom will be available for free on Steam, Xbox One and PS4 this week only. The company said it was meant to be in the spirit of shareware demos that were so popular on the PC way back when the first Doom was popular, but this teaser is a bit more restrictive, since it'll only last for a week. Still, it's a better demo than most games offer these days.
You can run over 1,000 Windows 3.1 programs in your browser
The Internet Archive has spent many years gathering and storing digital content from the past. It now hosts millions of web pages, texts, videos and audio snippets, but recently the site expanded its collection to include software, or more specifically, games. After making more than 2,400 DOS titles available to play in the browser, the Internet Archive has embraced the GUI and done the same for Windows 3.1.
Out of nowhere, 3D Realms teases return of Major Stryker
In the most unexpected news you'll read today, publisher 3D Realms appears to be planning the return of Major Stryker, assuming a vague, 38-second YouTube clip is to be believed. For those who don't keep meticulous tabs on the minor shareware hits of 1993, Major Stryker was a 2D, MS-DOS-exclusive vertical shooter that dropped players into the boots of the titular Major as he soared through the skies blasting enemies and collecting power-ups. At debut Major Stryker received middling reviews and the game was released as freeware in 2006. What 3D Realms has planned for the archaic shooter is unknown - the only reason we know the above teaser is even related to Major Stryker is the video's title and its catchy music - but the tweet accompanying this footage urges fans to "Get Ready for August!" If you'd rather not wait, you can download Major Stryker from 3D Realms' website. [Image: 3D Realms]
Lion Designer customizes Lion's Dashboard, Mission Control and Launchpad backgrounds
If there's anything bad about OS X Lion, it's that it provides many more opportunities for boring backdrops. By default, Mission Control uses the familiar grey linen background with a miniature of your desktop, and with the login screen, you just have the grey linen. Dashboard has that pebbled grey Lego-like background, while Launchpad uses a blurred version of your regular desktop image as a background. If that doesn't have you yawning, then you've probably had a few too many cans of Red Bull this morning. Now there's a shareware app, Lion Designer, from developer Moritz Wette, that makes your Lion-based Mac a bit more exciting to look at. Install Lion Designer, and everything is customizable -- the background for Mission Control and Launchpad, the folder background for Launchpad, and the background for the login screen. If you do something wrong, there's a Reset button for going back to the defaults. For your own images, Moritz suggests that you use PNG files that have the same or greater width and height as your monitor so that no tiling occurs. Lion Designer is shareware, so you have nothing to lose but your boredom. Download and install it now, and if you like what you see, be sure to send Moritz a donation to encourage development of future apps.
MsgFiler 2.0.3: Improvements to an old favorite
Adam Tow's MsgFiler plug-in for Mail.app has been a favorite of many Mac users since it was first released in 2006. In the succinct words of Mr. Tow:"MsgFiler is a plug-in for Apple Mail which quickly files emails into existing mailbox folders. MsgFiler's fast searching means you just have to type a few characters to find the right mailbox. Move selected messages with a click or open a mailbox without having to navigate the mailbox folder pane. MsgFiler is optimized for keyboard-only usage, perfect for Apple Mail power users."Version 2.0.3 has just arrived on the scene, with a new installer app and refinement of the interface being the two big changes. MsgFiler now works properly on HFS+ Case-Sensitve partitions and ignores mailbox directories, and Adam has added a new "Hide mailboxes from inactive and offline accounts" feature for the proverbial icing on the cake.MsgFiler is shareware ($8) and is available from the tow.com web site, Version Tracker, and other shareware distribution sites.
Easy iWeb Publisher 3.0.3
Although I've written a book about iWeb, I often tell my clients to avoid using it for their websites if they're planning on hosting anywhere but on MobileMe. Why? When you post to MobileMe from iWeb, you "Publish" and your site is uploaded. Minor changes to a site only take a few seconds to upload, since iWeb uploads only the changed files to your web server. That doesn't happen when publishing to other servers. Instead, you publish to a local folder, and then usually upload the entire folder to your web server. That can take a long time with a large site.Plyxim's Easy iWeb Publisher 3.0.3 fixes that problem. The shareware ($7 donation requested) application makes it simple to publish to any web host. It's an ftp client that takes the local folder you've published your iWeb site to, compares it to the folder on your web server, and then uploads just the files that have changed. I've found that Easy iWeb Publisher works much faster than most dedicated ftp clients when syncing iWeb files that have been changed, added, or deleted. Until Apple fixes iWeb '08 to make publishing easier for people who don't use MobileMe, this is a great way to work with your own hosting.
PhotoTiles: Make an image of images
Sometimes I see the name of a new piece of software that someone tips us off to, and the name conjures up something completely different from what the reality is. PhotoTiles, for instance, brought to mind the ability to create those cool pictures that are made up of all of your other photos. You know, like having a TUAW Logo that is made up of 2,500 thumbnail pictures that are chosen for their hue and intensity, then placed in the proper location.Well, PhotoTile doesn't exactly do that, but this small program from Limit Point Software is a handy utility. Instead of doing what I imagined, it basically takes a folder of image and turns that into one grid-like "über-image." For example, I took my Photo Booth folder, added a TUAW logo to round up to an even number of pictures, and dragged it onto PhotoTile. In a few seconds, it created the image that you see at right.This is great for creating contact sheets of photos. PhotoTiles is donation-ware. If you use it, make a donation and you'll get an unlock code that unlocks all utilities from Limit Point Software including PhotoTiles.
Enhance Address Book with PostCheck
Here's a very handy plugin for Address Book. PostCheck does two things. First, it fills in missing Zip Codes for when you've only got a contact's city and state. It's super simple. Just right-click on the empty Zip Code field and select PostCheck from the contextual menu. In my testing, it accurately provided the accurate 9-digit code across several cities and states. It also works when you've got the Zip Code but need the city and state.PostCheck's other trick is to format your addresses so that they meet the US Postal Service's exacting standards. As everyone knows, it's not a good idea to tick off the mail carriers. It's called "going postal" for a reason, folks.PostCheck requires Mac OS 10.4 or higher, is universal and costs $10US. It's definitely a useful tool to have around.
Quay 1.1b3 offers nice changes
We first wrote about Quay in November. It extends the Leopard dock in a number of very useful ways. For instance, it will pop up on both sides of the dock (Apple only permits this on the right), and even displays software version numbers plus memory and CPU stats on running applications. It's super handy.Changes to version 1.1b3 include Option-command-clicking on a running app displays application stats Shift-command-click opens the contents in the Finder It works properly with FileVault The help menu can be printed Quay requires Mac OS 10.5 (10.5.2 is recommended) and costs €7 (around $10US - give or take). Note that only two Quay items will work on an unregistered copy.[Via Twitter]
Journler's licensing shift means next version is paid-only
When Phillip Dow first introduced Journler, the accessible yet remarkably feature-deep journaling and personal information repository app, he made a distinction between commercial licensing and personal use. Journler users who wanted to make money or do business with the program would pay, and anyone using it for its core functionality (personal journals) could donate what they saw fit for the program. Unfortunately, as is often the case with things that can be had for free, Phil didn't see the revenue from commercial licensing + personal donations that he needed to support the program. To allow him to continue developing Journler, with the forthcoming 2.6 release, the app is moving to a paid-only license: a single use license will be $34.95, with no more free rides (but a generous 60-day evaluation period). Yesterday the educational & family pack pricing for the new license was announced: $19.95 for students, including K-12, undergrad and graduate use; $99.95 for a 5-license family pack. Both special purchase options are a 40% savings over the standard license.I've come to appreciate Journler as I've used it over the past few weeks, and I think this is the right call for this capable tool. We'll be looking at Journler in more detail soon, along with some of its competitors, but you should check it out now.
Eliminate iTunes duplicates with AppleScripts
You may find that you've got some duplicate tracks in your iTunes library (especially if you recently moved things to an external drive). You could fix things with iDupe by Wooden Brain (we looked at iDupe a while ago), or the new version of Dupin by Doug's AppleScripts. Dupin lets you find and eliminate duplicate tracks easily. Changes in version 1.0.3 include: Filter processing speed increased; A "Clear" sub-menu has been added to the "Looking for..." search field The requisite "...tweaks and bug fixes." A license of Dupin will cost you $15US and requires Mac OS 10.4 or later. A demo is available.[Via MacMinute]
Shades: application color customization
You know those paint color sample strips that you typically see in home improvement stores? They usually have different shades of the same color on individual strips so that you can easily compare and fine-tune your color choices. Shades 1.0 applies this same methodology of color selection to the standard Apple Color Picker within OS X. With this little utility installed, any application that uses the Apple Color Picker will be transformed to display a color grid once you select a center color, step size, and a constant color coordinate (of H, S, or B). And with this handy grid, you can tweak your color choice even further for precise customization. Ok, so this utility probably best serves only the truly obsessive among us, but the concept is still pretty nifty, I think. Shades is shareware, and will set you back $14.95 for a full license.
Macheist now selling the bundle
As many loyal readers have noted this morning, Macheist is offering an application bundle -- that you previously could have gotten discounts for via invitation and "missions" -- now revealed to the public for full-freight purchase. The package includes several famous (and some infamous) indie Mac apps, and is offered at the low price of $49.95. With 25% of the revenues going to charity, and additional applications getting unlocked as the buy-in grows, this deal seems worthwhile. Consider picking up the package as a gift to the Mac switcher in your life.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
MacHeist has begun, TUAW has 250 invites to give away
MacHeist, the next software marketing brainchild of Phill Ryu (you might know him from such events as My Dream App), has begun. As you'll remember, it's an invite-only event (though you can try signing up to snag your own), and I have just received the first mission. Due to its top secret nature, my life - or at least my membership - would be in danger if I disclosed any details, but I can tell you that it looks to be an interesting ride so far, filled with unique adventure and great deals on software.What I can offer you instead of details, however, is an invite to join in on the fun. TUAW has managed to snag 50 250 invites so far, and we'll give them to the first commenters on this post who clearly state that they want one. All we need is a name and a legitimate email address, but DO NOT post your address in the comment itself; simply use your intended address in the comment's email field, and we'll get you the invite accordingly (this way you still snag an invite, while the email spam bots don't buddy up with your inbox). Only one invite per commenter, please, and we should be able to send all your invites out by tomorrow morning. Let the MacHeist begin![Update: Comments are pouring in, and while I haven't had time to go through them all just yet, I noticed others who have invites to give away had a good idea that I wanted to highlight: if you'd like to give away your own invites, or if you're interested in someone else's invites, please state that clearly in your comments. In other words: to those posting their own invite giveaways - please give readers some alternate form of contact for you, so we don't end up double bouncing invites to the same person. Also, to readers - if you're going after someone else's invites (after all, we only have 50 for now), please contact them outside of our comment thread so we can keep everything nice and clean. Thanks everyone!][Update 2: We now have a total of 250 invites to give away! Keep those invite requests coming, and please be patient for them as it's going to take us a little longer to get everything sent out to everyone. We originally said all invites will be sent out by tomorrow morning, but give us until tomorrow afternoon or so to handle the extra leg work.]
TUAW Exclusive: MacHeist details
From the people who brought you My Dream App comes the next big thing in Mac software. You might have seen other sites talking about MacHeist, but unlike everyone else in our little corner of the internet, we actually know what MacHeist is all about. Here's what we know: The eventual product of the site will be a deeply discounted software bundle only made available to users. I've had a look at the contents of the bundle as they stand so far, and they are, as those crazy kids say "killer dude" Dozens of Mac developers have signed up to participate in MacHeist Throughout the event, users can participate in mysterious "heists" to gain an even deeper discount on the bundle as well as special freebies. The event will be invitation only, at least for the first couple of weeks, with users selected out of those who signed up on the MacHeist or My Dream App sites. This encrypted message has appeared on the MacHeist RSS feed: 3><(||_|$1\/1+`/ \X/@|\|+ +|-|3 1|\|$1[)3 $(00|* @|\|[) @ |-|3@[) $+@|2+? 1|\|q|_|1|23 +|-||20|_|6|-| +|-|3 @|*|*|20|*|21@+3 (|-|@|\||\|3|$. Even with what little info we do have, it sounds like MacHeist will be just as much fun as My Dream App, if not more so, and full of great deals to boot!
Disco beta is out
Disco, the new burning software that's been blazing a name for itself, has entered a more or less public beta. Those who pre-ordered through a MacZOT that was featured not long ago should be receiving ticket numbers with which they can redeem a beta download, otherwise you can email beta [at] discoapp.com to see if Jasper Hauser and crew will randomly select you for a lucky download of your own.If you're interested in seeing more of this $14.95 piece of burning shareware check out the Disco blog for more screenshots and explanations on what the developers are shooting for. It's a pretty impressive app, both from feature and UI standpoints, and definitely worth a look if the Finder's burning abilities leave you wanting, while Toast's ridiculous 'discounted' price of $80 leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth.Thanks Nik
MacUpdate copies Woot clone MacZot
I heard somewhere that there are only something like 30 basic movie plots, and all films are just twists and forks of these original few. Some would say that the same is true for e-business, and they would probably be right. MacUpdate.com has announced a new feature in which a featured piece of software will be heavily discounted and available for only 24 hours. If this concept sounds familiar, it's because it is. The massively successful MacZot got the idea from woot.com, and woot probably found the idea somewhere else. Because Mac software is a relatively niche market, I see one of two things happening. Either the competition between sites leads to a bidding war to see who can bring in the most dough for the developers, or one of the sites becomes much more popular than the others. Either way, I think the new feature will benefit us end users in the end. [via Chris Messina]
Foom Software
Chris Forsythe and Evan Schoenberg (Adium Lead and Project Managers) just announced a joint venture in the form of new Mac shareware company Foom Software. I understand their excitement in wanting to announce the new project, but it feels a bit premature to go public at this point considering that Foom currently has no software announced or available for download, and won't for at least another month, according to Chris's blog. Foom will be working with the only person Google does not know about Chris Emery, and Vina Venkatesh of MP3 Alarm Clock fame on their secret new mystery product. It may not be big news now, but it's something to stick in your newsreader and keep an eye on.
7 apps that Leopard kills
Phill Ryu, a man who must have some sort of direct neural interface with the Mac shareware community, has posted a list of applications which could very likely be killed off by features of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard which were announced yesterday. Seasoned OS X users will have immediately seen parallels between many of the new Leopard features and software that has been available for some time. Most obviously, Spaces are just fancy names for virtual desktops; something that can be easily achieved by VirtueDesktops, DesktopManager, and VirtualDesktop Pro. The new application launching features of Spotlight take aim at popular applications such as LaunchBar, Butler, and my personal favorite of OS X applications, Quicksilver. With iChat, tabs kill off Chax, live presentations kill off ShowMacster, and backgrounds kill of ChatFX.Be sure to click through to the original post for all the other apps now lining up at the unemployment window, and to see what the shareware developers themselves have to say about the announcements.Update: Buddy'o'mine and BarCamp mastermind Chris Messina has a similar post.
