======Butler - A Review====== I thought I'd write about/review an app I've been using for a couple of years, but which I forget is there until I'm on someone else's machine and it feels //wrong// in it's absence. \\ {{http://www.petermaurer.de/nasi.php?thema=butler&sprache=english|Butler}} is one of the most handy little applications I've used. A lot of people obviously get frustrated by the Dock/Finder setup and end up installing a file launcher of some sort (LaunchBar, Quicksilver, Drop Drawers, etc.) After trying most, if not all of them, Butler's my favourite by a long shot, just because it lets you set it up **exactly** how you want it and doesn't focus on a single method of interaction to the detriment of others. It's totally intuitive, has a nice space-saving interface and does so many clever things.. It's almost insulting to call it a Launcher, it does a lot more. \\ \\ //__**My Favourite Butler Features**__// \\ \\ **Keyboard Shortcut management** - It's lovely being able to control everything with KB shortcuts.. Things like next/previous track, up/down track ratings, etc. I've also set up popup menus, so if I press "Shift - function - :" for example I get this little window;\\ \\ {{http://mixelmagic.com/gallery/d/839-1/Picture+2.png }} - which is how I'm putting these {{http://mixelmagic.com/images/post/ankh.gif}} symbols into posts without having to type out the html every time.. I have a whole system of pasted code snippets for webdesign and terminal commands - saves **so** much time!\\ \\ {{ http://mixelmagic.com/gallery/d/848-2/Picture+3.png}}\\ **Clipboard Manager** - Having a pop-up history for copy/cut/paste actions is stupidly useful when doing doing html, email or forum posting.. (or writing LJ posts!) I've set mine to "Ctrl-Alt-V". It supports images, formatted text, everything!\\ \\ {{http://mixelmagic.com/gallery/d/855-2/Picture-1.jpg }}\\ **Dock Replacement** - Although the Dock's nice, it's pretty inflexible. Butler lets you either supplement it with items in the top menubar, or have a separate 'docklet' wherever you like. I use the docklet and hide the standard Dock away to save space.\\ \\ I've barely scratched the surface here... It can manage browser bookmarks.. You can use it to ditch the mouse completely by setting up abbreviations for Applications.. (PS loading photoshop, etc).. Here's the setup window..\\ \\ {{ http://mixelmagic.com/gallery/d/845-2/Picture+2_001.png|http://mixelmagic.com/gallery/v/blog/screens/Picture+2_001.png.html}} You can probably work out partly how it works from this. Elegant and flexible, I wouldn't think Butler, or any Launcher is for //everyone//, but if you have a lot of apps and do a tonne of different things on your mac Butler is best of breed and a totally indispensable time saver.\\ \\ The only 'problem' with Butler is the amount of time it could take to set it up perfectly to your needs. It's easy work, but there's a lot to play with and it could be a little intimidating. It certainly appeals to the control freak and perfectionist in me, and fortunately I **enjoy** setting things up nicely. \\ \\ Oh, and It's free! - well.. Donationware.. {{http://mixelmagic.com/images/post/artblob.gif}}{{http://mixelmagic.com/images/post/artblob.gif}}{{http://mixelmagic.com/images/post/artblob.gif}}{{http://mixelmagic.com/images/post/artblob.gif}}{{http://mixelmagic.com/images/post/artblob.gif}} - 5 Blobs?\\ links: {{http://www.petermaurer.de/nasi.php?thema=butler&sprache=english|Peter Maurer's site}}