PeterMauer posts

I have to admit that I don't always use them, but I do always enjoy reading the hints over at Mac OS X Hints -- there probably isn't a more eclectic or helpful mix of random hints about how to use your Mac or iPhone available on the Internet. So I was saddened to read today that editor Rob Griffiths (who always adds in his confirmations and other testing on the various hints posted) is leaving the editor's position. He's moving on to join Peter Maurer at Many Tricks, where he'll handle the business aspects of the company. He mentions that they're working on "some good stuff in the pipeline, especially for the upcoming iPad."

As for Mac OS X Hints, the site is owned by Macworld, so it will continue to run under the oversight of a new editor, who will have the benefit of Griffiths around for training as long as necessary. But it will be a little bit of a disappointment to not see the little "robg" notes on the hints in the future. Good luck to Rob on his next venture, and here's hoping his successor keeps the site up as an endless fount of interesting tips and tidbits about all of these Apple products we use.

Peter Maurer is an interesting Mac developer. He's a German medical student who also happens to write really excellent Mac software in his spare time, probably most importantly Butler. He's already developed and sold several excellent apps such as TextExpander (was Textpander), MenuCalendarClock (was Calendarclock), and now yFlicks (was Clip Show); however, instead of selling yFlicks to another company this time he's decided to start his own: Many Tricks. He has always offered free licenses to people who have contributed to the pre-commercial versions of his software and he continues this laudable practice with yFlicks. Those who contributed to Maurer for Clip Show prior to Jan 12, 2007 are eligible for a free license for yFlicks.

yFlicks is a video player based on QuickTime. In some ways it looks sort of like an iPhoto for videos, allowing you to "play videos in fullscreen mode, organize your videos in groups, search them, rate them, and browse them in preview mode." In addition, like TubeSock and Tubular it allows you (with Perian) to download videos from YourTube or Google and then export them to your iPod.

yFlicks is €15 (~$19) and a demo is available.

[Edit: reverted to a language I actually know and clarified upgrade policy]