Locamatic: Location Switching
I’ve been moving around a lot lately due to telecommuting. It’s nice to escape the cubicle, but this need to wander means that I occasionally have to mess with the location settings in my network pref pane, depending on which WiFi network I’m on.
I’m not sure of your reasons for more than one location setting, but I have an answer that will let you set it, and forget it!
Do yourself a favor and pick up a free copy of Locamatic by 45RPM Software. This pref pane is perfect for those of us who don’t like clicking three times if we don’t have to. Locamatic automatically changes your network location settings based on which WiFi network you’re mooching off of, and will even modify printer connections and the Safari Home Page.
When you open Locamatic, go ahead and click the Extras button to access all of the features. I’m not sure why this Extras button is there, and I would suggest that future releases just put everything out there, but who am I to question this nice bit of code?
Your window (if you’ve downloaded the beta version) should look a little something like this:
As you can see I’ve set up two locations with Locamatic. First, I selected the location and then clicked the drop down menu for a list of frequently used SSIDs. Both of the networks that I used were actually not on the list, so I just typed in the network names as they would appear in the airport drop down menu. Next, click Add and a new association is created. With a location selected, I can also choose a default printer and homepage to correspond with the WiFi network thanks to the “Extra” features. Be sure to correctly identify the URL (”http://”) and hit the Apply button for your changes to take effect.
I tested Locamatic out with both a wireless LAN and computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network, and switching between the two was seamless. The best part is: I don’t have to open Locamatic again unless I’ve added a new location to my network preferences. So the next time I want to buy kung fu slippers with ninja speed and accuracy, Locamatic will be doing all the dishonorable work for me. Locamatic is available as freeware from 45RPM Software.
I prefer MarcoPolo, myself, because MarcoPolo allows you to set default settings for each location (”require password on wake/screensaver”, “idle time before screensaver”, …).
Very useful for laptop users.
To save battery life, I quit MarcoPolo once it has found the location I want it to be in.
All I do when I want to switch is invoke Quicksilver, type the first couple of letters of the location and press enter.
Is that so hard?
@ Peter
Thanks for the comment.
@ Mem
I love me some Quicksilver.
Why not just set up triggers for locations instead of invoking, typing, and enter?
Why not just install Locamatic and not worry about it?
Also, Quicksilver doesn’t change the default printer and homepage. Even if it did that’s three more keystrokes.
I downloaded Locamatic, but it seems to only recognize wireless networks. One of my common locations is wired, not wireless, so it’s not clear that Locomatic can help me. Bummer, it looks nice.
@Alain roy
I would check out MarcoPolo mentioned by Peter and see if that works for you. MacApper reviewed it here
http://macapper.com/2007/05/01/marcopolo-automatic-location-switching/
Thanks for your review. I’d like to respond to these comments, if I may.
Firstly, the reason for the ‘extras’ button is to simplify the user interface. I know plenty of people who throw their hands up in a panic if they’re presented with too many options straight off – so hiding features that are optional rather than central to the functionality of the program seemed like a good thing to do. Equally, hiding can be an absolute pain in the arse if its done too much – it’s a tightrope.
Secondly, support for Wired networks is coming. It has to. My wife wants it. I know she isn’t the only one. This new functionality will come second to bug fixes though.
Thirdly, when I first wrote Locamatic there was nothing free that did what I wanted. Now it seems that there are several. Looking at the others, most are excellent and all have their own strengths and weaknesses. This pleases me greatly – it means that there’s a program for everyone.
Finally, thank you for your kind review – and for your excellent site.
Just to notify you all that Locamatic how handles wired networks as well as wireless networks.