Plug and play is a great concept, but when it doesn't work or something becomes accidentally unplugged it can be frustrating to find out about it only when you try to use the device - often with a cryptic error message.
Peripheral Vision helps you keep tabs on your wayward devices by popping up a window indicating the type and name of the device and whether it's coming or going. It even keeps track of your network link status - very useful when you're using Airport.
GILBREEN For those, like me, who have moved to an Intel Mac and have been missing this great program, I just stumbled upon beta version on plasq.com's website (they are apparently purchasing the software).
FOULGER Oh for an update that is Universal Binary. PV now stops working on my new Mac Pro. Seems like part of me died!
BTW Harware Growler DOES NOT do what peripheral Vision does - its only a halfway house. On boot up it brings a new window for each connected device and if speech is enabled, at startup its a cacophony of noise as each of my 19 external devices is mentioned.
PV is simply unique and I wish this talented author would "come alive" one more time and make a uB version thats going to work on Intel Macs now and in Leopard for the future. (Version 1.6.3)
ANONYMOUS might be worth checking out hardware growler, part of the growl package. It does pretty much the same thing as p.v. but is free and fits into growl perfectly (Version 1.6.3)
ANDREW AUSTIN Visually conflicts with some of the existing pop-ups (bluetooth keyboard connect, etc). The developer never replied to my questions about that. It has some nice features, but without addressing those problems, is a waste of my money. (Version 1.6.3)
PAULSRANDALL Everything is perfect, now. With version 1.6.2 colors returned. With this version (1.6.3) less interaction with Console is welcome. The software has lots of features that you can customize to your own needs. (Version 1.6.3)