Download Caffeine for Mac - Menubar item prevents your Mac from sleeping and more. MacUpdate Mac System Software Downloads

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Caffeine is a tiny program that puts an icon in the right side of your menubar. Click it to prevent your Mac from automatically going to sleep, dimming the screen or starting screen savers. Click it again to go back. Hold down the Command key while clicking to show the menu. The menu now has a sub-menu for deactivating Caffeine automatically after a number of minutes.

Version 1.0.4:

Added a setting for default duration

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Suggest something else:

BIKER4MAC For the simple act this program performs, not only does it perform it well without a clutter of "extra" and unneeded features, but one doesn't realize how useful this simple act can be until they start using Caffeine.

I use my computer off and on throughout the day. So things are set so that if I'm away for more than a few minutes the screensaver clicks on. If I'm away for fifteen to twenty minutes the computer goes to sleep. Based on my work habits, that works well for me.

But getting into the system preferences to deactivate the screen saver and sleep mode if I'm doing something without input for awhile gets to be a pain. And although iTunes deactivates these settings if you're watching a video, watching something online with a browser doesn't have that benefit. South Park online is a guilty pleasure, I must admit.

So Caffeine's little coffee cup sits in my menubar and is very easy to click on when I need it. If only it were that easy to keep myself awake and alert for those late night pushes for a deadline!
(Version 1.0.4)

AV Very useful. I seem to use it all the time and generally only turn it off at night so i can sleep the display if im listening to something as i fall asleep or leaving something to download/upload overnight.
(Version 1.0.4)

DRDUL What a useful little app! The addition of a setting for a default duration makes this even easier to use.
(Version 1.0.4)

HALEAKALARI there seems to be a minor interface glitch with this version of caffeine (1.0.4). under os x 10.4.11, when command clicking on the icon, the submenu which allows one to activate caffeine for a specific period of time, does not display text. just thought i'd let you know.
(Version 1.0.4)

UMIJIN Hmmm - new download doesn't seem to have a way to install. Can't quit the menubar applet to allow a drag and drop replace.

No info I can see on the developer site on how to update, AFAIK.
(Version 1.0.3)

Replies:

Jun 4 2008

BAMBU To quit a currently running Caffeine, command-click on the menu-item and you get a menu with quit as the last option.

That should help you with just unzipping and replacing 1.03 over the 1.02.

Best wishes
(Version 1.0.3)

Jun 4 2008

UMIJIN Thanks! That did it. I wasn't aware of command+click functionality. I tried control+click, which seemed a logical choice.

This app is very helpful and works well. I hope the developer will post instructions for other users wanting to upgrade.
(Version 1.0.3)

Jun 4 2008

TOMAS FRANZ�N Hi, I'm the developer of Caffeine.

The instructions on how to show the menu is both on our web site and is displayed the first time you start Caffeine. Holding down either the command key or control key while clicking the menu bar icon will do.

Thanks,

Tomas, Lighthead Software
(Version 1.0.3)

Jun 4 2008

UMIJIN Thanks. I overlooked this info on the MU site, but didn't recall it on the developer site.

It's not clear to this user that the command+click would allow you to QUIT the app - this could be indicated more clearly somewhere. And although I probably read the notice upon install a few weeks back- I didn't recall it.

I also am not able to get the menu to appear with a right click on my logitech mouse, which usually is the same as control+click in most of my applications and the finder. I'm unsure if this is a problem with my mouse, or Caffeine.

In any case thanks again for your help.
(Version 1.0.3)

JADDER This is a great little program that does exactly what it says. I find it very useful to use when giving presentations.
(Version 1.0.3)

NICKEL Hint: For those of you who want the old menu bar icon you're in luck. All you have to do is CONTROL - click the application and select Show Package Contents. Then find the menu bar icons and replace them with the old ones. Just trying to help.
(Version 1.0.2)

NICKEL Very nice app. It could use a different menu bar icon but it's fine. I would like to be able to move it around on the menu bar, perhaps that feature could be added. Anyways, nice application.
(Version 1.0.2)

F451 A non intrusive great little does-as-you-wish app for when you want to keep your computer from sleeping that works well. What else can I say?
(Version 1.0.2)

D3ISME I like the cup icon.

I find it easy to see (on 13" laptop) and the rounded shape looks good in the menu bar next to the Awake and Time Machine icons.

I don't think it's any less intuitive than the ZzZ - it's just what you're used to.

Perhaps a choice could be possible?

Needing to reopen on restart is a pain, but at least it's just a matter of tapping the icon.

Love this app. It makes everything easier.
(Version 1.0.2)