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Updates of note for November 2009

Ian Beck — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:52:58 +0000

Whilst my attention was distracted by my participation in NaNoWriMo this month, several software updates of note passed me by including Yojimbo 2.1, EagleFiler 1.4.11, Together 2.3, and MarsEdit 2.4. Yojimbo 2.1 has numerous improvements and fixes, particularly for users of 10.6. EagleFiler 1.4.10 and 1.4.11 also includes numerous bug fixes, but no new features. Together 2.3 adds the ability to open items in any application, along with many other fixes and improvements. MarsEdit 2.4 offers improved SquareSpace support, along with several bug fixes and crash prevention measures.

For more information, see the Yojimbo release notes, EagleFiler blog announcement, Together release notes, and MarsEdit blog announcement.

Yojimbo 2.0 released

Ian Beck — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:11:49 +0000

Yojimbo 2.0, the next version of the oh-so-simple file library from Bare Bones Software, was released today. Feature highlights include an improved Quick Input panel, the ability to tag and otherwise categorize PDFs when you “print to Yojimbo”, an improved drop dock with customizable contents and tag collections (that will apply the tags they filter for when you drop an item on them), and scads of improvements to the basic tagging system. Although I knew it was aiming for simplicity, Yojimbo has always felt like it sacrificed too much in an attempt to attain that goal. Tags can now be renamed, combined, and otherwise manipulated through the new tag and label manager. Additionally, instead of creating a collection for every tag Yojimbo now features a “tag explorer” that shows you related tags and allows easy filtering for items across the database.

Yojimbo 2.0 is a $20 upgrade for existing users, and costs $39 for new users. If you purchased Yojimbo on or after January 1, 2009, version 2.0 is a free upgrade. The program now requires OS 10.5.7 or higher (including 10.6). If you’ve been looking for an easy way to store notes, URLs, PDFs, application license information, passwords, and much more without the overhead and complexity of other solutions, Yojimbo has always been a great option, and with version 2.0′s improvements to the tag browsing system, I highly recommend giving Yojimbo’s free 30 day demo a try. For more information about the update, see the release notes.

EagleFiler update: 1.4.7

Ian Beck — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:25:23 +0000

My all-time favorite file library, EagleFiler, was recently updated to version 1.4.7. The big new feature in this version is that EagleFiler will now copy tags into files’ extended attributes for interoperability with OpenMeta applications. EagleFiler will also integrate with OpenMeta’s “recent tags” list, and import tags assigned using OpenMeta. However, note that because EagleFiler still relies primarily on its program-specific database for tags, once a file is in EagleFiler you should edit tags with EagleFiler.

The update includes numerous other minor features, improvements, and bug fixes. See the 1.4.7 blog announcement for details.

Recent updates for March 2009

Ian Beck — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:06:48 +0000

Numerous tagging applications received interesting updates in March (lack of timely coverage thanks to real-life distractions). Tag Folders was bumped to 2.0 (current version: 2.0.2) and now includes OpenMeta tagging support with two-way conversion of tags and numerous bug fixes. MarsEdit 2.3 was released and added Tumblr support. EagleFiler 1.4.5 includes OpenMeta tags import, improved ways to access tags via Applescript, and numerous bug fixes. Tags 1.2 is now available and includes improved Quick Look support, a new AppleScript interface, reduced conflicts with MailTags, and several other fixes and improvements. Evernote 1.3 was released (current version 1.3.1), including a new Safari clipper toolbar button, Safari 4 support, Growl notifications, and (in not so happy news) advertisements for non-premium users.

For more information, see the Tag Folders release notes, MarsEdit 2.3 blog announcement, EagleFiler 1.4.5 blog announcement, and the Evernote 1.3 Mac blog announcement. Tags does not currently have up-to-date release notes online.

Together and EagleFiler updated

Ian Beck — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:22:43 +0000

Both Together and EagleFiler received minor updates recently. Together has been bumped to 2.2.6, an update which includes some minor bug fixes for Applescript behavior, syncing encrypted files, and Quick Notes with invisible characters. EagleFiler is now at 1.4.4, an update which includes numerous fixes such as a more streamlined capture workflow from Apple Mail, improved error messages when running into problems importing from various programs, and many other minor improvements.

For more information, see the Together release notes or EagleFiler 1.4.4 blog announcement.

DevonThink 2.0 public beta released

Ian Beck — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:19:24 +0000

Big news for those interested in file organization! Devon Technologies yesterday released a public beta of the long-awaited DevonThink 2.0. Among other things, DevonThink 2.0 offers the ability to open multiple databases at the same time, a completely revitalized interface, a web interface to your database, saves files to its database as-is (thus allowing them to be edited by external programs), smart groups for sorting your files, and at long last adds tagging (sort of). DevonThink has always been one of the most feature-rich file libraries available, and with version 2.0 it at last is a bit more friendly. If you need a lot of power and automation (particularly sorting/grouping automation) and don’t mind sacrificing the Finder-friendly approach of Together or EagleFiler for a database, then you’ll need to give DevonThink 2.0 a serious look.

The downside to the first public beta is that it doesn’t actually have much in the way of tagging support. There’s a place for tags in the Get Info window, but you can’t edit them (the contents currently defaults to the groups for a document). However, tagging (and presumably auto-tagging, given DevonThink’s long dedication to auto-sorting) is definitely on the radar for the final release. For more information about what’s new in DevonThink 2.0 and to download see the release notes and DevonThink 2.0 page. The first public beta will expire at the end of January, and upgrade options will be made available at the DevonThink website soon (they have announced, however, that users who purchased DevonThink 1.x after July 1, 2008 will receive a free upgrade to 2.0). DevonThink 2.0 requires OS 10.5.

Minor updates for early December

Ian Beck — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:58:18 +0000

Early this December Together, Hazel, StoryMill, and Evernote all received minor updates. Together 2.2.3 includes synching improvements and several minor bug fixes. Hazel 2.2.4 offers a number of crash and other bug fixes, including some minor UI improvements. StoryMill 3.2.1 fixes several bugs, including date entry problems and localization improvements. Evernote 1.2 primarily introduces a new feature for premium users only: file synchronization. Basically, premium users can now attach any file on your computer to a note and it will be synchronized between all of your Evernote clients (Mac, web, iPhone, etc.). The only limitation is that a single note cannot exceed 25 MB. Cool? Yes. Evernote has made a lot of improvements since I last wrote about it, so definitely give it a look if you need to access data from anywhere.

For more information on the various updates see Together’s release notes, Hazel’s release notes, the StoryMill 3.2.1 announcement, and the Evernote synchronization blog announcement.

Minor updates for late November

Ian Beck — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:56:05 +0000

EagleFiler and Default Folder X received minor updates in the past week or so. EagleFiler 1.4.3 includes numerous bug fixes, some new esoteric preferences, and other minor improvements. Default Folder X 4.1 removes the lag that normally existed for open and save dialogs, adds Open Office 3 support, and fixes other minor errors and bugs.

For more information about EagleFiler 1.4.3 see the release notes. Default Folder X includes information on what’s new on the Default Folder X download page.

Together update: 2.2

Ian Beck — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:40:48 +0000

Although I’ve been using it since its release, I evidently forgot to remark on the fact that Together has been updated to version 2.2 (and soon after bumped to 2.2.1). This version is a major point release that includes a mixture of new features—notably intelligent auto-tagging, the ability to nest tags in bundles, and the ability to nest groups and smart groups in folders—and a large number of minor improvements—which are frankly too numerous to list, but affect everything from groups and tabs to previews and imports and beyond.

This is another great update to an already excellent program, and since most of the big improvements have to do with how you view and use tags Together 2.2 is definitely worth another look for anyone who needs a simple way to tag and track their files. For complete details on the update, see the release notes or the 2.2 blog announcement.

Minor updates in early November

Ian Beck — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:43:13 +0000

Several programs received minor updates in the tail end of October and the beginning of November. Hazel, a useful utility for automatically handling your files, was updated to version 2.2.3. This update includes minor interface changes, bug fixes, and the ability to use “match/does not match” with “Source URL/Address”. EagleFiler was updated to version 1.4.1, and then soon after to 1.4.2. 1.4.1 included numerous bug fixes and minor feature improvements and 1.4.2 fixed a couple issues that apparently slipped through the cracks. Lastly, PackRat was updated to version 1.7.5, a version which fixes two 10.5 specific problems with Applescript and the Synchronize with Backpack Automator option.

For more information, see the Hazel release notes, EagleFiler’s 1.4.1 and 1.4.2 blog posts, or PackRat’s 1.7.5 blog announcement.

EagleFiler update: 1.4

Ian Beck — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:35:33 +0000

This one deserves its own post: EagleFiler has been updated to version 1.4. This free update includes a tag cloud window, the ability to search within individual PDFs or web archives, preferences for importing Spotlight comments, the ability to display Word 2007 docs (.docx) and OpenDocument Text (.odt) under 10.5, the ability to capture from several third-party email clients and competitor Together, a slew of other improvements and fixes, and finally (drum roll, please)…custom smart folders! At long last, EagleFiler supports smart folders, and boy was it worth the wait. Smart folders in EagleFiler 1.4 can be organized into other folders, include an arbitrary number of conditions optionally nested within Any/All/None criteria, and best of all you can attach “actions” to smart folders. For example, if you have a smart folder that searches for all items with the tags “task, today” a normal action allows you to drop a document on the smart folder and have those tags added to it automatically. The only big downside of smart folders is that you can only create and edit them if you’re running 10.5. They will be usable under 10.4, but you won’t be able to modify them.

Despite its unprepossessing version number, EagleFiler 1.4 is a big and worthwhile update to an already fantastic product. For a full run-down of the many changes and additions in version 1.4, take a look at the release notes. If you have never given EagleFiler a try, now would be an excellent time to give it a whirl.

Together updated: 2.1.7

Ian Beck — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:35:05 +0000

Together has been updated to version 2.1.7. This minor update includes a number of bug fixes, but no new features. Changes include performance improvements for checking for external file changes, allowing shortcut keys to be set to F-keys without modifiers, making sure Together search works after switching libraries, preventing file imports from failing when the folder being imported needs to be renamed, and more.

For full details or to download, check out the release notes.

Recent updates for mid-August 2008

Ian Beck — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:19:25 +0000

Thanks to attending An Event Apart I’ve been in San Francisco the past few days and have fallen slightly behind on updates. There have been three minor updates in the somewhat recent past: Default Folder X is now at version 4.0.8 (some minor bug fixes), Together bumped to 2.1.6 (also minor bug fixes), and Pukka 1.7 was released (minor feature improvements to improve compatibility with the new Delicious).

For more information about the updates see the Default Folder X release notes, Together release notes, or Pukka 1.7 announcement.

Two minor updates: Yep 1.8 and Nifty Box 1.2.1

Ian Beck — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:01:07 +0000

Both Yep and Nifty Box received very minor updates late last week. Yep 1.8 adds Italian localization and resets the trial period (even if you’ve run through your free trial before you can try it again). Nifty Box 1.2.1 fixes a bug in 1.2 that would sometimes cause Nifty Box to use 100% CPU on Leopard.

Neither software offers release notes, although if you’re interested in details about the Nifty Box bug you can find those in the 1.2.1 blog announcement.

EagleFiler update: 1.3.6 – 1.3.8

Ian Beck — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:19:07 +0000

EagleFiler recently underwent several updates in quick succession recently. 1.3.6 improves memory usage and speed when using Capture with Options, fixes some small memory leaks, improved the French localization, and included a number of other small fixes. 1.3.7 fixed a faulty bugfix in 1.3.6 that was causing memory leaks and crashes. 1.3.8 fixes a regression that was keeping Firefox from working.

For more details on 1.3.6 (the only release with much going on), see the blog announcement.

Recent updates: mid June

Ian Beck — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:17:25 +0000

I got a little behind again last week and let a couple updates go by, but here they are: Code Collector Pro, the tag-based snippets manager, has been updated to 1.2.4, a minor update of mainly bug fixes (see the blog announcement or change log for more). Together was updated to 2.1.5, bringing some changes to Shelf behavior along with several minor bug fixes and small improvements (see the release notes for full details). PackRat, the desktop front-end for 37signals’ Backpack, was updated to version 1.6.2 which brings some fixes to images and attachments (see the blog announcement for info).

Along with those minor updates, Cha-Ching 2.0 has been released as an early public beta. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but it will be interesting to see if the second version is able to fix some of the many issues that marred the first. Cha-Ching is one of those applications that I want to love, but have trouble using regularly because it just isn’t quite perfected yet.

EagleFiler update: 1.3.5

Ian Beck — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:42:27 +0000

EagleFiler, my long-time favorite file library, has been updated to version 1.3.5. This minor version includes a large number of bug fixes and optimizations, but not any new features per se. Among others are improvements to the Capture with Options window, improvements to how EagleFiler handles and imports mailboxes, and more.

For a detailed list, see the release notes. Definitely a good version to download for current owners of EagleFiler, but there isn’t really anything new to see here otherwise.

Together update: 2.1.4

Ian Beck — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:15:21 +0000

Late last week Reinvented Software updated Together to version 2.1.4. This minor version increase fixes an Applescript problem that could cause Together to hang or crash, now has files with the .aac extension imported as sounds (instead of movies), and fixes a number of other bugs.

For more details and to download, see the release notes.

Together update: 2.1.3

Ian Beck — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:40:15 +0000

Together, a file library whose recent 2.1 update makes it one of the most compelling choices for tag-happy users, was updated today to version 2.1.3. This minor update includes a number of bug fixes, including fixes for a crash that occurred when indexing in the background, preventative measures when trying to link to the same file twice, and a problem where PDF attachments were not displayed in Quick Look previews. the Yojimbo Importer also received a minor update, including the option to choose what kinds of Yojimbo items to import.

For more details or to download, see the Together release notes.

Updates in early June

Ian Beck — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:27:19 +0000

Needless to say, I’ve been a bit remiss in my blog updating the past couple weeks. A four-day weekend spent in the mountains with my girlfriend and new Kindle (and no internet or cell phone access) has had a surprisingly lasting effect on my online habits. I hadn’t realized how much effort I was spending on keeping up to date with the interwebs until I took some time off.

In any case, some great software has received incremental updates in the recent past. Together was updated to version 2.1.2 (release notes), EagleFiler was bumped to 1.3.4 (release notes), Leap is now sitting at 1.0.6 (an update that includes Time Machine support, Danish support, and a couple bug/crash fixes), and Default Folder X is now at 4.0.6 (release notes). Enjoy.