Overflow: Review and Giveaway!

Posted by Gerald on 07/24/07 in Featured, Giveaways, Home & Personal, Organization, Productivity

Overflow Icon I just recently found out about an application launcher by the name Overflow from Stunt Software. Like many people, I already used Quicksilver for my application launching and more. Nonetheless, I decided I would give Overflow the chance it deserved.

Overflow and Quicksilver have the same ideas to begin with, but once you look deeper in, they go their separate ways. Quicksilver is â€œa unified, extensible interface for working with applications, contacts, music, and other dataâ€ as quoted from Blacktreeâ€™s website. While Overflow, on the other hand, is designed solely to launch apps, which is why it is much better than Quicksilver.

If all you need is something to make it easy to launch applications and reduce clutter from your dock, this is Overflow, nothing less, nothing more. Overflow lives up to its application launcher name, and so does Quicksilver, but too much. Quicksilver is like the overachiever of app launchers, it does too much, to the point where sometimes it would just be easier to open up the program than do what you are trying to figure out in Quicksilver.

Overflow goes well with the Mac experience, fades in and out elegantly, with a nice reflection under the applications on a slightly transparent black background. Everything is very smooth, and does not interrupt until you want it to. You are able to have categories for each set of applications you have, or you can have all that you need under one category, and hide that menu, like I do. It is also able to be resized for the amount of applications you want it to hold in the window, and very easy to add, remove, and move around apps. All you have you do to is hit the edit button, move things around, drag an application out if you donâ€™t want it, and hit the edit button again and you are done. Application icons also have the option to be resized which, depending on which way you go, will make the window bigger or smaller. This can make it very accessible with big icons, or very small and out of your way with small icons.

Overflow

Go give Overflow a try, and if you enjoy it, it will run you $14.95, which is a little steep for an application like this, but I have not run into any bugs or problems, it does its job well.

If you are still looking at the price of Overflow and feeling a little down, no worries! The amazing people from Stunt Software have given us 3 licenses to giveaway. To win, drop us a comment about what app launchers you use, and how Overflow would help to aid you in your workflow.

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31 Comment(s)

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Sam said on

July 25th, 2007 at 11:10 pm

I’ve tried using quicksilver, but just never got the hang of it. I’ve also used spotlight as a launcher as well. I actually prefer this over quicksilver. I think Overflow would be great to use because it allows me to organize programs and “just click.”

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Ed Eubanks said on

July 25th, 2007 at 11:16 pm

I use Quicksilver as a launcher, and love it as that– it is fast for me. But I seldom use the other features, even though some of them amaze me. For example, I think it is great that I can drop an item in my iGTD inbox through the text part of Quicksilver; however, since I keep iGTD running in the background 90% of the time anyway, it is faster for me to either invoke it with Quicksilver or by Command-tabbing to it, then command-N for a new item. But hey, that’s just me.
I agree that Overflow is an elegant launcher, and it does what it is supposed to do well. I also agree that the price is just a little steep for this type of software. But I’m glad they feel confident enough in their product to charge more than $10 for it– I agree with that mindset (from Jon Gruber, I think) that if a program is only worth $10 or less, it probably isn’t worth that and should probably be free.

Frank Cantu said on

July 25th, 2007 at 11:48 pm

I’m a Quicksilver user, but it’s rarely used to launch my work apps — that’s why the Dock is my official launcher. I haven’t bought Overflow because I agree with Ed above regarding its price tag.

ben stewart said on

July 25th, 2007 at 11:49 pm

I use QS for a bunch of stuff (sending tasks to iGTD, launching apps, finding files) but on my work machine I also have Overflow installed. I haven’t quite decided to spend the cash on Overflow for my personal MB.

Overflow is great when I want to see all of my apps for a certain task or situation since it allows me to categorize them into different tabs. For example, I’ve got all of my video apps in one tab, games in another, web development in another, etc. Whenever I start working on a video project I can pull up Overflow and see all of the apps I will need in one place.

It’s especially nice for those pesky little apps that I download and then forget that I even have or can’t remember the name of (to pull them up in QS).

Yong Hwee said on

July 25th, 2007 at 11:53 pm

My main app launcher’s quicksilver but having overflow just sit on my desktop is great! It looks pretty and it’s functional too!

mike said on

July 26th, 2007 at 12:06 am

I use QS too - for almost everything, I love it. But I still have a decent amount of apps in my dock, and I’m a minimalist-dock person

I’d love to have Overflow and finder in my dock - and that’s it. Everything is easy to get to - and clean.

R_K said on

July 26th, 2007 at 2:08 am

I’m a convert from Windows where typical launchers are standard for quick access to programs and files (no QS analogue till now), so, concept of Overflow is quite intuitive. On Mac I use QS but then again there is a dock. If app is in the Dock, I tend to use my mouse to launch it. If it’s not, I use QS to type the name in and launch it. It’s easy - use the most handy tool available in each particular situation.

Romain said on

July 26th, 2007 at 4:50 am

I have been using DragThing for quite a long time, and I find it really useful. Sort of a “second dock” but far more advanced. Overflow might be prettier though, and it looks clean, I’ll give it a try

Andreas said on

July 26th, 2007 at 5:33 am

What do you mean “what app launcher I use”? If you have seen my dock, you know I keep every app I have in it. Enough said

Dean said on

July 26th, 2007 at 8:01 am

I’ve been using using “A Better Finder Launcher.” It’s easy, fast, works great for launching apps, stays out of the way otherwise, and is free.

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E.T.Cook said on

July 26th, 2007 at 8:28 am

If you think of Quicksilver as just a launcher, there is no question why you think Overflow is even comparable…but launching applications is just one of the few things that it does…not to mention, the act of launching with keystrokes or “muscle memory” is far quicker and more efficient than Overflow.

Your last sentence is kind of off point…it is Quicksilver that helps with your workflow…Overflow just starts your programs.

Ben Drucker said on

July 26th, 2007 at 8:34 am

I use Quicksilver, but would like a way to launch apps by category quickly. Hope I win a license!

Brady said on

July 26th, 2007 at 9:20 am

Overflow > Quicksilver? How much do these developers pay you all to say this stuff?

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Techslacker said on

July 26th, 2007 at 9:41 am

Quicksilver > Trampoline > Overflow

Quicksilver is great for laptop touchpad users like myself. When I connect my mouse though I have Trampoline configured to popup when I click the middle mouse button. I never cared for Overflow. My experience with it amounted to that I felt it should be freeware. Trampoline is overpriced as well but I received a copy via MacHeist.

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Indraneel said on

July 26th, 2007 at 10:18 am

As a new Mac user, I have likened to Quicksilver, for its indispensable features: from program launching to arrowing into apps like iTunes or Safari. Lately, however, I want a simple way to access programs without using the keyboard. I only have a handful of my applications in my dock, so I have to navigate to the Applications folder to find what I’m after.
Overflow would be a great addition to my workflow as a student, a up and coming web designer, and a code monkey in the making. Hope I win!

emilcar said on

July 26th, 2007 at 11:39 am

I am using Quicksilver but I think Overflow would be a perfect complement because sometimes I forget which apps I have, and what they are focused in (oh my God, it is the worst english phrase ever written). For example, which are my pictures apps? Overflow would answer me this question.

Greetings from Spain.

Sarah said on

July 26th, 2007 at 11:42 am

I use LaunchBar, which I’d already bought before Quicksilver became popular. But using a keyboard launcher is most helpful when you know what you’re looking for, so something like Overflow would help me see what applications I have floating around that I’ve forgotten about! My Applications folder is really stuffed, since I love trying out new apps. It would be great to set up Overflow windows with all the apps I want to try. I tend to be visually oriented, so seeing the actual icons would be very helpful!

Alie said on

July 26th, 2007 at 12:34 pm

I have made my own folders using shortcuts to apps, which I keep in the menubar. I have read alot on quicksilver, but it always seemed too much for what I wanted - just a simple tool to group apps in the menubar.

Joe D. said on

July 26th, 2007 at 12:49 pm

I use Quicksilver for pretty much everything, but I’m interested in Overflow because I think one of the best things about OS X apps is their great-looking icons. Seeing that transparent black background with all the sweet icons arrayed…nice.

Simon Arch said on

July 26th, 2007 at 4:53 pm

I find Quicksilver to be far too obtuse to my poor brain to be genuinely useful. Besides, I’m too busy DOING stuff to take the time to stop and learn a whole new way of doing things, just because someone ELSE thinks it’s better. If it works for you, great, but let me do things my way, okay?

I managed to snag a free license for OverFlow during MacAppADay last year (I think… or maybe it was MacHeist?) and I’ve used it a bit, but it didn’t really “do it” for me.

I’ve also tried using the similar but free Todos, and I like it. It actually shows a palate with EVERY application (you can exclude any you like) on your system. The first time you want to launch something it can be a bit of a pain finding its icon amidst the clutter, but I find that after a few launches I can find the icon by memory. It’s probably not going to work for everyone, but that’s the beauty of having choices. We’ve all got our own ways of doing things, and they’re all equally valid.

Derek Matyas said on

July 26th, 2007 at 6:28 pm

I have Butler and Quicksilver installed, but I never use either as App Launchers - I use Butler for its handy keyboard shortcuts and customizable menu bar drop-downs, and QS I have been trying to learn but just can’t memorize all the different codes. So I use my Dock because I am a visual person and it works… well, it’s very crowded and i have to go to my Apps folder more often than I’d like because there’s not enough space, so I’m very intrigued by Overflow. It’s space-efficient and visual enough for my needs.

periferral said on

July 26th, 2007 at 6:38 pm

dock + quicksilver so far. overflow seems good though with leopards fancy app loading built into the dock, i dont know if it can outdo that.

Barry said on

July 26th, 2007 at 10:08 pm

I have the applications folder in my dock- I click and hold, then when the aps pop up, I type in the name of the ap and it launches. Alternatively, I’ve used spotlight as well. However, I have to say that as I’ve been looking at launchers, Overflow seems to have the best UI and most dedicated system than any I’ve seen.

Steven Owens said on

July 26th, 2007 at 10:29 pm

As a freak for keeping extra programs off my Mac, I don’t use any application launcher. My frequently used programs are in the dock and if I need to use any other programs, I just open my Applications folder.

Dirk Cleenwerck said on

July 28th, 2007 at 7:45 am

I use dockyard manager (http://belkadan.com/dockyard/) and todos (http://www.dbachrach.com/opensoft/index.php?page=Todos).
Both are freeware.

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Mark said on

July 28th, 2007 at 10:05 pm

I love this application. I have been using this ever since the MDA contest. That contest allowed me to know of this application and the usefulness it does. It beats opening your hard drive and serarch for an application you rarely use. I have customiztions for Graphics applications, Utilities, Games, etc..

ErichD said on

July 30th, 2007 at 3:49 am

I actually use the version i got of this app from the MDA contest as well.

I used to use F10 Launch Studio before I upgraded to 10.4, and it stopped working for me…. now, I also use Trampoline for specific groups.

Raz said on

August 1st, 2007 at 11:16 am

Could someone please start giving “NAMELY” more exposure…whenever I see discussions about app launchers I never see this app.

It’s the fastest way to open an app for me (I don’t use QS), just type the beginning of the name of the app and hit enter as the list of matches displays.

Great app.
http://amarsagoo.info/namely/

Steven Owens said on

August 1st, 2007 at 8:22 pm

@Raz
We actually have review Namely before (http://macapper.com/2007/03/13/namely-the-simple-way-to-launch-apps/)

Cory Klingsporn said on

August 1st, 2007 at 9:27 pm

Meh, I’ve only ever used one app launcher, which I don’t find very usefulâ€“ Todos. It takes forever to load if you have lots of apps. Overflow is sleek, simple, and to the pointâ€” I also don’t have any way to buy it. Looks like the app launcher of my dreams! :O

XScout said on

August 10th, 2007 at 2:39 pm

My favorite app launcher has always been finder. Grouping applications in sub folders. But getting more and more small and big useful apps makes finding the app I am looking for slower and slower.

I tried different app launchers but non did really work for me. I need to see icons, I am visual person. Most launchers use text or have only very rudimentary icon support. Ready the review I gave it a try

Awesome this is just a 2D tabed dock I was looking for. Finally a application that is really handy in organizing applications. Think it doesn’t really compete with stacks from Leopard they are still one dimensional and can only hold this many items, while OverFlow can hold much much items without getting overfilled.

Pops up from it’s dock item that’s the way it should be. Cause the dock is and always will stay a central starting point on your mac for starting things. So that’s a really good ad intuitive choice

Categories feature really sets this app apart from apps like ToDos. And will make this app that will stick. Test driven it and it’s really intuitive and sleek.

At first the price looks a bit steap, but The app is well thought. It’s highly customizable, Like sizing icons, text spacing and color and last but not least very intuitive for the user. That makes it well worth the $15,-

Only thing I miss is a option to put a icon in front of every category and a set of sleek Icons to be used for the categories. That will really make it totally visual and even more productive

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