Filed under: Software, Cool tools, Hacks
Dock Dodger - easily hide running apps from the Dock
We've found easy methods for hiding the icons of running apps in the Dock, but you typically have to get your hands dirty with editing files inside the app package itself. For users who prefer a more simple drag and drop operation, there's always Dock Dodger. From the same FoggyNoggin Software that brought us Desktopple Pro, Dock Dodger handles the dirty work of ensuring your app never shows its icon on your Dock; simply quit the app if it's running, drop it on Dock Dodger and restart it for the ultimate in 'what am I going to do with all this open space in my Dock?' experiences. While Dock Dodger performs the same editing of app files that you can do yourself, we'll still echo their recommendation of duplicating the original app first so you have a backup just in case.
Dock Dodger is available as donationware from FoggyNoggin Software.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rod said 12:34PM on 4-11-2007
And this is distinct and different and better than Dockless... how?
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Michael K. said 12:36PM on 4-11-2007
Am I the only one who's reminded of Duck Dodgers? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_Dodgers)
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Colin said 12:43PM on 4-11-2007
@Michael K:
Um, I think that's exactly what they want you to be reminded of. Hence the rocket.
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jopari said 12:47PM on 4-11-2007
@Rod:
Dock Dodgers is Intel-friendly, Dockless is PowerPC only.
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andynahman said 1:35PM on 4-11-2007
I take it this means you can't use Application Switcher between the hidden apps then? That would make it a lot less appealing....
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Wojtek said 2:11PM on 4-11-2007
Did their webserver die only for me, or is there a worldwide waiting webfailure I am not aware of?
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Dave Chartier said 5:29PM on 4-11-2007
#7: That works for Dashboard on a fresh Mac OS X 10.4 install because Apple built that feature in specifically for that app. It doesn't work with any other apps I have running in the Dock, including Camino, iChat, Yojimbo, iTunes, EyeTV and Xtorrent.
To be clear: this trick allows you to *run an app that would typically appear in the Dock* without a Dock icon. It isn't a way to simply remove non-running apps from the Dock.
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macman84 said 6:35PM on 4-11-2007
For being a dominantly mac weblog, I think you would already know that this program is pointless and does what Mac OS X already does. Just go to an application that is open on the dock. Click and hold, then select "Remove from Dock" from the menu. Making this another pointless program.
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macman84 said 6:41PM on 4-11-2007
Dave- I have the feature being used on a couple different apps right now (like SMC fan control) and only one of them is an Apple app (dashboard).. It works with every single application I have.
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samfish said 11:06PM on 4-11-2007
This works for me. I work at a place where my boss thinks using iTunes is evil...but we're allowed to listen to music, anyway.
The more effectively I can hide iTunes, the better!
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nandabanaotakun said 11:08PM on 4-11-2007
"For being a dominantly mac weblog, I think you would already know that this program is pointless and does what Mac OS X already does. Just go to an application that is open on the dock. Click and hold, then select "Remove from Dock" from the menu. Making this another pointless program."
You are obviously missing the point of what this program does. It modifies programs so that their dock icons don't show while they are running. This is useful for things you never have frontmost and run in the background all day.
As a side note, Dockless is much better, as it allows you to force applications to show up in the dock as well (TheUnarchiver comes to mind).
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nandabanaotakun said 11:16PM on 4-11-2007
Scratch that--it does have the option to force apps to show their icon in the dock (though I tried it with Play Sound as a test and it did absolutely nothing).
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macman84 said 12:36AM on 4-12-2007
I know what you mean. Mac OS X supports the ability to hide the icon of a running application so it does not appear on the dock while it is running. I am not an idiot and I know what i am talking about. I looked at the features of this app, Mac OS X does the exact same features nativly and I bet this program even uses those commands to do what it does.
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mark said 3:23AM on 4-12-2007
#4, I'm on an Intel Mac, and Dockless works just fine.
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Colin said 5:48AM on 4-12-2007
@macman84/#13:
If I right-click on an app while it's running and select "Remove from Dock", it still shows up in the Dock while it's running. How are you hiding running apps?
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Alex said 5:50AM on 4-12-2007
macman84... do you actually really own a mac? maybe you have a custom version of osx that you'd like to share with us? :)
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jason said 9:07PM on 5-11-2007
#8 - You're an idiot. Next time, if you're going to be rude, be right.
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