• Accessmenubarapps
• Accessmenubarapps Macos

Mac News Review

AccessMenuBarApps is doing what its name promises: it gives the user instant access to all Menu Bar apps that reside in the right side of the Mac Menu Bar. The basic principle of AccessMenuBarApps is very simple: start an application that has a reduced app menu, so that there is a maximum space between app menu and menu extras. And therefore all Menu Bar apps are visible and accessible. AccessMenuBarApps removes the problem of viewing menu bar icons on laptop displays. This utility allows you to expand your menu bar when you need it.

This Week's Apple and Desktop Mac News

Compiled by Charles Moore and edited by Dan Knight - 2012.06.29

• AccessMenuBarApps For Mac是一款macOS平台的让菜单栏图标更好安排更好用的软件，当我们在Mac上开发一些软件的时候，很多软件的功能菜单会占用菜单条左侧较大区域的软件，往往会将你菜单栏右侧的项目图标挡住，非常的不方便，这款工具的目的就是来解决这个问题.
• The contents of the download are original and were not modified in any way. The version of the Mac application you are about to download is 1.0.5. This download is absolutely FREE. Each download we provide is subject to periodical scanning, but we strongly recommend you check the package for viruses on your side before running the installation.

Mac notebook and other portable computing is covered in The 'Book Review. iPad, iPod, iPhone, andApple TV news is covered in iOS NewsReview. All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

News & Opinion

Products & Services

Software

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News & Opinion

Make Scroll Bars Always Display in OS X Lion andMountain Lion

MacInstruct's Matthew Cone notes that until recently, you couldalways count on seeing scroll bars in windows, no matter what operatingsystem you used. But then multitouch gestures hit the scene, and whenOS X 10.7 Lion was released,the scroll bars were gone. Poof! Just like that.

Okay, not quite gone. By default, scroll bars in Lion andMountain Lion are designed to be displayed only when input from a mouseor trackpad is detected, behavior that some of us find annoying. Forexample, says Cone, if you need to get to a specific part of adocument, you'll have use a multitouch gesture to scroll first and thenclick on the scroll bar after it appears.

Cone has posted a helpful tutorial showing how to restore the scrollbars permanently.

Link: SetScroll Bars to Always Display on Your Mac

Run Classic Mac OS Programs with SheepShaver

Former Low End Mac contributor (and now the publisher of Senior Gardening)Steve Wood says that aftersomewhat reluctantly making the switch to a modern Mac, he was able toinstall the open source SheepShaver PowerPC Mac emulatortwice with no hassles.

Developers E-Maculation claim, 'With the old world ROM fileSheepShaver can run System 7.5.3 through Mac OS 9.0.4, with the newworld ROM file SheepShaver can run Mac OS 8.5 through 9.0.4. If youwant to install 8.6 through 9.0.4, best use the new world ROM.' Woodended up using both a new world ROM for a Mac OS Classic 9.0installation on his new 13' MacBook Pro and the old world ROM for theClassic 8.1 installation on his Mid 2010 Mac mini.

Another issue with installing Classic on SheepShaver is that oneneeds 'a general retail system install CD' of the operating system tobe installed or an equivalent disk image, and Wood notes thatsurprisingly, new installer disks for System 9.0.4 and System 8.1 arestill availableonline.

Classic with SheepShaver allows him to run Claris Home Page, accessstuff archived in Claris Emailer, and run AppleWorks 6 on the newMacBook Pro, which only has OS X 10.7 Lion installed, andClarisWorks/AppleWorks 5 on the Mac mini. He says he'd originallyplanned to reformat the MacBook Pro's drive and install OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard with itsRosetta emulator that would allow running PowerPC apps likeAppleWorks 6, but ended up learning to like Mac OS X 10.7Lion a little bit, and went with SheepShaver emulation instead.

SheepShaver has some known issues with 64-bit compatibility andfullscreen compatibility, but all in all Wood says that it's now aquite usable, free, open source application.

Further Reading on SheepShaver

• VNC, Basilisk II, and SheepShaver:3 Ways to Run Classic on an Intel Mac, Alan Zisman, 2006.02.20
• SheepShaverBrings Classic Mac OS to Intel Macs and Leopard, Alan Zisman,2008.05.20

Link: Working withSheepShaver

'New' Mac Pro Mostly the Same as the Old MacPro

'The new Mac Pros released at WWDC 2012 representa speed bump, plain and simple. The new Mac Pros use the same,highly-upgradable case design, the same graphics cards, and even thesame version of USB as the last iteration.'

Macworld's JamesGalbraith says if you've been looking for a silver lining in theovercast of Apple's underwhelming updates to its Mac Pro line of tower computers, astraw you can grasp at is that at least Apple hasn't forgotten that itmakes such a product. In an email response to a concerned Mac Pro user,Apple CEO Tim Cook has promised that the company is working onsomething really great for later next year, but for the time being themild Mac Pro's refresh released during WWDC 2012 week represent amodest speed bump, plain and simple. Apple's most expensive computer isstill bereft of Thunderbolt, USB 3, and current processortechnology.

Link: Meet the New MacPro, About the Same as the Old Mac Pro

Products & Services

Accessmenubarapps

Kensington Introduces New Security Products foriMacs

PR: Kensington Computer Products Group has created the anextensive selection of physical security solutions for Apple devices.With a range of solutions for the iPad, iMac, MacBook Air, and MacBookPro, Kensington has the security needs of Apple business and educationusers covered. Analysts predict that one-third of Apple iPads will beused by businesses by 2016. Security accessories designed by Kensingtonfor specific Apple computers, with specific uses in mind, provide animportant first line of defense against device theft and loss.

The average cost of device theft and liabilities associated with theresulting loss of important business data is estimated to be $49,000,according to research from the Ponemon Institute. Companies also riskreputation or regulatory consequences if sensitive customer data islost, particularly in healthcare and financial businesses. One of theeasiest and most cost-effective ways to guard against device and dataloss is to use physical security, such as laptop locks and securitycases.

Apple iPad adoption for business has seen phenomenal growth in thelast year. According to a recent survey, over 97 percent of enterprisetablet activations in Q1 2012 were for iPads. iPad adoption is mostcommon in the financial services sector followed by business andprofessional services companies and the life sciences sector. Aseparate study predicts that Apple tablet adoption will increasedramatically to 230 million tablets globally by 2016, and one-third ofthem will be purchased by businesses.

'As more companies adopt Apple computing products, its importantthey also adopt an essential first line of defense to protect both thedevices and the data they contain,' says George Foot, Kensington VicePresident of Global Marketing and Product Development. 'Kensington's30-year heritage in providing security products gives us a solidunderstanding of the need to carefully match the security accessory tothe use and the design of the device. Whether people are using theirApple computers to primarily view content, create content or to displayinformation, Kensington knows how to design physical security thatworks alongside them seamlessly.'

New Kensington Physical Security for Apple Devices

Kensington offers a full line of protection and productivityaccessories for the new iPad. The SecureBack family of cases preservesthe tablet's slim design. These cases feature a unique three-piecedesign with a patent- pending locking system that quickly and easilysecures the iPad to prevent theft. The case utilizes the best in classClickSafe locking system that enables iPad users to easily lock theirtablet in just one click.

Kensington SafeStand for iMac Keyed Locking Station (27iMac-K64961WW; 21 iMac-K64960WW; SRP $99.99):

The Kensington SafeStand Keyed Locking Station delivers withour ultimate iMac lock. Bolt the SafeStand directly to a desk or table,and then secure it to the iMac with the ingenuous Kensington SafeDome.SafeStand complements the iMacs aesthetics and preserves all screenadjustments and swivel functions.

• Highest level of physical security for iMac
• Nearly impenetrable ClickSafe lock head
• Bolts directly to desk or table for a permanent solution
• Easy to setup
• Manages cables while also securing a wired keyboard and mouse
• Won't interfere with screen adjustments or swivel
• Sleek design complements aesthetics of the iMac

Kensington SafeDome for iMac with Keyed Ultra Lock (K64962US; SRP$79.99):

The SafeDome Secure delivers with a secure and stylish lockthat compliments the iMacs aesthetics. It features the revolutionaryClickSafe lock that secures in just one click with our Ultra cable forthe highest level of security. And SafeDome manages your iMacaccessories securing your mouse, keyboard and other peripherals.

• Dome design complements iMac aesthetics
• ClickSafe lock secures with just one click - no keys and nofiddling
• Ultra cable provides the highest level of security
• Easy to position and assemble lock
• Sleek, modern dome design securely attaches to iMac stand
• Built-in cable management secures iMac accessories
• Won't interfere with iMac adjustability

These products are currently available for preorder at Kensington.com,Amazon.com, and major resellers.

Link: Kensington SafeDome for iMac with Keyed UltraLock, $79.99at Amazon.com
Link: Kensington SafeStand for iMac Keyed Locking Station for 21' iMac,$99.99at Amazon.com
Link: Kensington SafeStand for iMac Keyed Locking Station for 27' iMac,$99.99at Amazon.com

Software

Free AccessMenuBarApps Tames Menubar Chaos

PR: AccessMenuBarApps does what its name promises: it givesthe user instant access to all menubar apps that reside in the rightside of the Mac menubar.

The problem AccessMenuBarApps addresses is f course that most of usaccumulate a collection of more or less useful apps on the right sideof the OS X menubar, AKA menu extras. The menu extras lets you canreposition (by CMD+click), so that the most useful apps are visible allthe time, but 3rd party apps cant be repositioned. in that way, andtheir position on the menubar depends on launch order.

Depending on the size of your screen, the space between app menu andmenubar apps will either bed sufficient to see all menubar apps or itwon't. With the giant display of an 27 iMac or a large display of an 17MacBook Pro the menubar normally is no problem, because the screen isso large that there is always enough space between app menu and menubarapps. But if you have a 13 MacBook with a resolution of 1280x800, mostof the time some of your menubar apps will be hidden by the app menu,Murphy's Law dictating that if you want to use a menubar app, it'llprobably be the one hidden by the app menu.

If you want to avoid this annoyance, you ostensibly have twooptions: either to accept the inevitable or to apply Occam's razor andhave only some very useful and frequently used menubar apps loadedup.

AccessMenuBarApps tries to give you a third option.

The basic principle of AccessMenuBarApps is very simple: start anapplication that has a reduced app menu, so that there is a maximumspace between app menu and menu extras. And therefore all menubar appsare visible and accessible.

AccessMenuBarApps addresses how to activate/deactivate the reducedapp menu efficiently, and gives you the option to switch between fullapp menu of the currently running application and the reduced app menu(and vice versa) by keyboard shortcuts, mouse gestures or menubaricon.

AccessMenuBarApps is a background app that is always running in thebackground waiting for keyboard and mouse events. You don't have tostart and quit the app every time you need a reduced app menu. The appis started once and just waits to be activated or deactivated, soresponse time is very short.

By using a keyboard shortcut (by default Space) you can switchbetween full app menu of the currently running application and thereduced app menu. You can configure the keyboard shortcut in thepreferences window of AccessMenuBarApps, which is available via appmenu. If you don't specify a shortcut in the preferences window thedefault Space will be used.

By using a mouse gesture you can switch between the full app menu ofthe currently running application and the reduced app menu. thefollowing mouse gestures are supported:

• Knocking on the top border of the screen
• Knocking two times will exchange the app menus
• Pushing/Squeezing the top border of the screen
• Pushing/squeezing for a second (similar to Exposé's activecorner; but here is it an active border) will exchange the appmenus.

Mouse gestures will work when moving and/or dragging the mouse. So,if you have a menubar app, that is a target of drag and drop, but iscurrently not visible in the menubar, you can work like this: drag thefile, text, ... as usual, then move the dragged mouse to the top borderof the screen (push/squeeze or double knock); than the reduced menuwill appear and the formerly hidden menubar app is visible and you canuse it as the target of your drag and drop action.

Support of mouse gestures can be enabled/disabled and configured inthe preferences window, where can also specify that mouse gesturesshould only work for a subarea of the screen border to avoid conflictswith active corners of Exposé or conflicts with using the appmenu.

If the menubar icon of AccessMenuBarApps is visible and accessible(this is the originally problem :-), you can click on that icon toswitch between full app menu of the currently running application andthe reduced app menu.

You can click on the Dock icon to switch between full app menu ofthe currently running application and the reduced app menu.

Other Preferences

Sound effects

In the preference window you can specify whether each switching,knocking and pushing/squeezing should by accompanied by sound effects.If sound effects are on, the exchange of the app menus will last alittle bit longer, because the switching is synchronized with the soundeffects.

So, if you want to work efficiently you shouldn't use sound effects,although they are very nice in the beginning (but they are only agimmick).

Due to an unexpected delay Visual effects

Switching and mouse gestures (knocking and pushing/squeezing) can bevisualized on the screen. So you can see the sensitive area of the topborder of the screen. In the preferences window you can switch thevisual effects on or off.

Animated dock icon

Accessmenubarapps Macos

Because AccessMenuBarApps isn't a pure background app (the reducedapp menu is at least necessary:-), the app is always shown in the dockas running application. Indeed this is a pure waste of space in thedock, because you don't need the dock to use AccessMenuBarApps. For anexpedient use of the dock space

AccessMenuBarApps gives you the option to change the dock icon to ananalog clock showing the current time or to some eyes tracking themouse cursor. You can set this option in the preferences window.

Launch at startup

If you activate the option launch at startup in the preferenceswindow, AccessMenuBarApps will be added to the front of the list ofLogin items, so that the AccessMenuBarApps icon should be the rightmost3rd party menubar app and therefore most time visible andaccessible.

AccessMenuBarApps in freeware.

Link: AccessMenuBarApps

Free iAntivirus Upgraded

PR: iAntivirus by Norton provides essential virus protectionbuilt exclusively for your Mac. This simple yet powerful on-demandmalware and virus scanner helps ensure you are protected from thelatest malware threats with one simple download. The free, all-newiAntivirus protects your iPhoto pictures, iTunes music and all of yourApple Stuff you cant live without. iAntivirus also scans your Facebookwall for malicious links to keep you protected from online fraud, likephishing.

Key features of iAntivirus:

• Award-winning technology blocks Internet security threats beforethey damage your Mac, iPhoto pictures, iTunes media and other importantStuff.
• Innovative carousel interfaces lets you use two fingers to swipebetween your home folder and full system and other scanningoptions.
• Lets you quickly and easily scan files by simply dragging anddropping them onto iAntivirus.
• Built for speed from the ground up, so it won' get in the way ofyour Mac experience.
• Works seamlessly against Windows threats too, to make sure thedocuments you share are safe for everyone.
• Updates available regularly online through the App Store to helpdetect the latest breaking security threats.

New in Version 1.0.1

• Updated Virus and Malware Definitions
• Smaller memory footprint
• Reduced size of application by 50%
• Usability Enhancements

System requirements:

• OS X 10.6 or later
• 64-bit processor

Free

Link: iAntivirus

Philips Speech Processing Announces Dictation andTranscription Software for Mac OS X

PR: Philips Speech Processing, a longtime specialist inprofessional dictation systems, has announced that SpeechExec, itsprofessional dictation and transcription solution, is now available andcompatible with Mac operating systems. The new software,SpeechExec4Mac, enables Digital Pocket Memo (DPM) users to communicatewith and incorporate dictation and transcription into any currentnetwork or workflow process.

SpeechExec4Mac seamlessly integrates into mixed environments andwith Windows-based SpeechExec applications. Its open software designallows users to select individual workflow settings, building auser-friendly work environment. The SpeechExec4Mac software alsofeatures automatic file locking and routing after transcription whichfurther ensures data security and minimizes duplication.

'As voice technology advances to become more prevalent in workenvironments and as many companies start to implement Bring Your OwnDevice policies, we realized the need to be able to integrate manytypes of hardware and software,' says Thomas Brauner, managing directorat Philips Speech Processing. 'Apple's Mac computers are a popularchoice for many professionals, and SpeechExec4Mac will enable theseusers to continue benefiting from the full potential of the workflowefficiencies associated with dictation and transcription without beinglimited to certain devices.'

The new software was developed to be used on the latest Macoperating software systems (Mac OS X 10.6, Mac OS X 10.7) and to fullyintegrate with other Philips products, such as hand and foot controls.SpeechExec4Mac is currently the only professional dictation softwarethat supports the DSS Pro file format from all International VoiceAssociation (IVA) vendors in a Mac environment.

SpeechExec4Mac is now available on all SpeechExec DVDs included withall products supporting the SpeechExec software suite, like the PhilipsDigital Pocket Memo, SpeechMike and Transcription Kits. Customers whoalready have a valid SpeechExec 7.1 or newer license key may downloadSpeechExec4Mac from the Philips Speech Processing website.

Link: SpeechExec4Mac

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At a Glance

Expert’s Rating

Our Verdict

It seems as though recently, more and more useful apps are opting to stick an icon in the menu bar rather than add an icon to the Dock. On my main Mac, between a few of Apple’s own menu extras and a slew of third-party utilities, I’ve got 22 icons on the right-hand side of my menu bar, and they’re all things I use daily.

The drawback to this approach, of course, is that once you get enough systemwide menu-bar icons, the menus of traditional apps start to cover them up. This is especially the case on smaller-screened laptops, such as the MacBook Air. The workaround is to switch to an application that doesn’t have as many menus—for example, the Finder. But if you have enough stuff up there, even apps with few menus cover up some of the icons.

Back in late 2010, I covered NoMenuBar, a simple utility that does nothing except give you an app with a single menu—when you switch to NoMenuBar, it leaves plenty of room for menu-bar utilities. But a drawback of NoMenuBar is that since it’s a traditional application, you must click its icon in the Dock, or use OS X’s Command-Tab application switcher, to activate it.

An alternative with a few more options is AccessMenuBarApps. Like NoMenuBar, AccessMenuBarApps is designed to display only a single menu, although in this case, that menu is even smaller—it’s just a little Yin/Yang icon. But AccessMenuBarApps provides a number of additional ways to activate it. You can, of course, click its icon in the Dock or use the Command-Tab application switcher. (Oddly, AccessMenuBarApps adds its own menu to the menu bar, which you can also click—you can’t disable this icon.) But you can also activate AccessMenuBarApps with a customizable keyboard shortcut or—perhaps the easiest method—by simply moving the pointer to the top of the screen.

To keep this last action from activating AccessMenuBarApps whenever you want to access a menu or menu-bar icon, the program requires you to perform either of two gestures. The first is to bump the pointer against the top edge of your screen twice in quick succession. This sounds a bit odd, but it works well in practice—you just bump-bump quickly against the top of the screen, and when all your menu-bar icons are uncovered, the pointer is conveniently positioned to click one. The second gesture requires you to bump the pointer against the top edge of the screen and then continue pushing it up; AccessMenuBarApps activates after you’ve pushed a certain distance (configurable in the app’s preferences).

Whether you choose double-bumping, pushing, or both, you can also choose whether these gestures work across the entire menu bar, or just a specific section of it. AccessMenuBarApps’ preferences window displays a slider with a pixel range equal to the horizontal size of your display (in the case of my 27-inch iMac, from 0 to 2560); you just choose lower and upper boundaries for the target area—for example, on my iMac, 1648 to 2560 is roughly equal to the section of the menu bar containing all my menu-bar icons. A nice touch is that these mouse gestures work even when you’re dragging files or content, so if you’ve got menu-bar utilities that support drag and drop, you can use AccessMenuBarApps to reveal those icons during a drag operation.

To help you get the hang of AccessMenuBarApps, the utility provides sound effects whenever you bump or push against the top of the screen; it also displays visual feedback in the form of a purple bar along the top of the screen whenever you perform a gesture. Once you get used to using AccessMenuBarApps, you can disable either or both of these. (At least in theory—I haven’t been able to completely disable audio feedback without disabling visual feedback.)

Just as you can’t disable the program’s menu-bar icon, you can’t disable its Dock icon. But at least the developer has made the latter icon useful or entertaining: You can choose to have it display an animated clock or an Eyeballs-like set of eyes that follow the pointer around the screen.

Thanks to AccessMenuBarApps’ multiple methods for activation, it feels less like a one-menu app that you switch to in order to see all your menu-bar icons, and more like a nifty utility that provides a number of ways to view your full menu bar.

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