Join the first open global WiFi network, make a jigsaw puzzle out of the images on your computer or write in peace

Apr 19, 2008 17:47 GMT  ·  By

Ready to further expand, improve or make productive use of your Mac? Good. Glad you stopped by this time around to have a look at three pieces of software we've chosen to let you in on. These are WeFi, iconXprit (Finder plugin) and JDarkRoom. If you want to be a part of the first open global WiFi network, make jigsaw puzzles out of your very own images and photos, or to be able to concentrate on writing without any distractions whatsoever, then this week's Mac apps should be of interest to you.

WeFi 2.8.2.0

WeFi is the company, but WeFi is also the software it is offering in an attempt to create the first open global WiFi network "for the people" and "by the people." Using WeFi couldn't be easier. Just grab the dmg file and double click it to install. In a matter of seconds WeFi will be searching for the Wi-Fi hot spots in range. Don't run off just yet. If you've had trouble connecting your device to the Internet via Wi-Fi, WeFi will enhance your device's ability to connect. Give it a shot, you've got nothing to lose. It's free, you know.

As noted above, once the application is installed onto your device it begins searching for Wi-Fi hot spots in your area. It then allows you to map all the hot spots in your vicinity through Google Maps which is actually the company's eventual goal: to create a global map of wireless hot spots that can be used as a reference for members of the WeFi community who want to find Internet access in new locations. That, of course, will take time. But you can hop on the Wi-Fi community train too, be a "mapper" and lend a helping hand.

As you can see in the image to the left, WeFi offers goodies the likes of Adium and other messenger clients do. Instant Messaging tools are available to easily create a buddy list. From then on seeing where your friends are currently connected is just a few clicks away.

Since we know the Mac user is a bit of a snob, the full breakdown for WeFi sounds a bit like this: you've got reliable, fast wireless connectivity anytime Wi-Fi is available, you can find a Wi-Fi hot spot anywhere in the world through the Google Maps application and instantly see where your friends are at and what they're up to.

All you need is a wireless card supporting 802.11b/g or 802.11a/b/g standard and you're ready to go.

JiXii 2.9

Since it's the weekend and all, why don't you relax a bit and toy with the images and personal pictures you've saved on your computer? Developer T. Loosli is offering JiXii, a small jigsaw puzzle game that allows you to break apart your own TIFF or JPEG images and put them back together again, the fun way - the puzzle way.

You can jigsaw puzzle with your favorite pictures as shown in the image to the left (click to enlarge). Best of all, aside being able to use as many as 6 piece patterns, you can also race against the clock in trying to put the pieces back together. While you can only use one piece pattern for an image (unless you reckon square-edged pieces will match with round-edged ones), you can, however, adjust the size, piece type and number of pieces, or make them single or two-sided.

View options include board color and piece outline. As noted above, you can play with your images just to relax, or get that pulse higher putting all the pieces back together racing against the clock. As such, JiXii allows you to save puzzles in separate files, in .jixi format, or as applets, with their respective .jar extension. Breaking apart your own images and putting them back together is probably going to be a breeze (if not constrained by the timer). However, what surely sounds like a lot of fun is taking a picture of one of your friends that he/she hasn't seen before (or in a long time) and having them put it back together. Curious to see their reaction? Download the demo version of JiXii right now. There are some limitations though. Check them out before you plan your surprise.

Version 2.9 of JiXii adds a new piece type, similar to the classic one but with random key and hole combination. A function to "Show edge pieces only" (default user key assignment: o) has also been added recently, while an option to scatter pieces automatically when a new image is selected is also available.

Check out this Coffee Break example provided by T. Loosli himself. Also, if you don't have some colorful or clear enough images at hand, click here to nab a few.

WriteRoom 2.3.7

I hear you're having trouble concentrating while trying to write down a catchy plot for your latest novel. Well, WriteRoom is for you, the Mac user who enjoys the simplicity of a typewriter, but lives in the digital world. As developer Hog Bay Software puts it, "WriteRoom is a full screen, distraction free, writing environment." The software costs a bit of cash if you're planning to finish that novel, but if you need a quick writing solution for about a month's time, or just want to check this app out and decide whether it's worth the buy or not, WriteRoom is a free download.

WriteRoom is like this: you sit in front of your computer, you open WriteRoom and... well, you write. No distractions whatsoever, it's just you and the text. Don't blame Hog Bay if the cat cuts the curtains with its claws, or spills your coffee on the keyboard shorting it and cutting your evening's work short in the process. Distractions like these come with life.

Unlike standard writing apps that focus on features such as Microsoft's Office or even free word processors such as NeoOffice, WriteRoom provides full-screen editing and just that. Naturally, a menu bar, scroll bar, and word count are available, if you move your mouse to the edge of the screen. Anothert distraction-free feature is WriteWroom's ability to block bar cursors or blinking cursors.

Since your precious work demands a lot of late night writing there is always the chance that you will fall asleep thinking how to kill your next victim (in the novel of course). Document-based Autosave provides safe storage in standard text file formats while another Autosave feature, that runs in the background, helps protect your work in case rats chew on your wiring. No, wait... you have a cat. In the case of a black out.

You can also use WriteRoom on its own for all your text editing needs, or set WriteRoom as your standard word processor within any compatible program. The latest version of WriteRoom fixes a conflict that caused problems when using WriteRoom from MarsEdit.

Click HERE to download a demo of this stress-relieving piece of software and remember to drop by next week too, 'cause there are tons of useful and fun apps available for your Mac.

UPDATE: this article has been modified to show the correct characteristics of Hog Bay Software's writing application, WriteWroom. We appologize for any inconvenience.

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