RONL  First off... this is a great app!

Unfortunately version 5.9.5 broke the ability to scroll the layers of a Dock.

Also simply reverting to 5.9.4 would not allow this feature either UNTIL I had trashed all of the DragThing preference files.

Just a heads-up.

FWIW... I have never had this problem before with any of DT's updates.  
(Version 5.9.5)

AWADO  I can't say anything bad about this software. It's perfect for everyday work and when you configure it to fit your needs, it's more than just a replacement for the dock. Even when there were minor glitches their support forum is one of the fastest I know.

The best thing is a simple feature: bring all application windows to the front at once. It's a behaviour I'm missing in OS X since the days of OS 9.

The only thing that sometimes confuses me is the huge amount of preferences you can set. It took me ten minutes to find out how to rotate a dock. It's not in the dock's prefs windows, it's in the menu!  
(Version 5.9.5)

LUCKY13  DragThing - I'm spoiled without it!

Yes, the preference panels can be a bit daunting at first, but the effort will pay off. Once the program is set up to your liking, it can be a real timesaver. Launching apps, switching between them, opening files and folders...

The standard OS X dock has been shrunken and shoved off to the side.

One note: if you really take to DragThing and set it up just so, then you might want to make a backup copy of the app's preferences files for safe keeping.   
(Version 5.9.4)

PHALERON  Five more updates and we're into version 6. I would certainly like to see where DragThing goes from here.  
(Version 5.9.4)

VFJCZYN5LQXK  DragThing is more than a dock: It lets you have custom keyboard shortcuts for launching programs, files, opening folders, and running scripts. It works as a global sniplet holder for inserting frequently used text and image sniplets via clicking, custom keyboard shortcut, or drag & drop, in any programs. It can hold URLs, etc. just about any objects on your Mac and make it quick and easy to access them via mouse or via keyboard shortcut of your choice. DragThing also utilizes screen edges and corders very efficiently. I find all these aspects of DragThing extremely helpful in speeding up my workflow. There are so many workflow ideas you can implement with DragThing.

It is also a very stable application. I've been using DragThing for several years now, and it is one of the most well-behaving applications installed on my machine. It runs really well on older machines, too. I've run it on eMac/iMac 800Mhz G4 as well as iBook G3 500Mhz without any problems for years.

The author of this application is very helpful and responsive. There is also a large community of DragThing users which includes some well-known experts. DragThing has been around for almost 14 years now, and it is considered one of the most popular shareware of all time.

DragThing does have some learning curve, and it might take some playing around in order to realize all the features and potentials built into DragThing. But most things are just a matter of browsing the Preferences panel. I can certainly testify that the productivity gain DragThing gives me is more than enough to justify some learning curve.

DragThing is more than a dock: It lets you have custom keyboard shortcuts for launching programs, files, opening folders, and running scripts. It works as a global sniplet holder for inserting frequently used text and image sniplets via clicking, custom keyboard shortcut, or drag & drop, in any programs. It can hold URLs, etc. just about any objects on your Mac and make it quick and easy to access them via mouse or via keyboard shortcut of your choice. DragThing also utilizes screen edges and corders very efficiently. I find all these aspects of DragThing extremely helpful in speeding up my workflow. There are so many workflow ideas you can implement with DragThing.

It is also a very stable application. I've been using DragThing for several years now, and it is one of the most well-behaving applications installed on my machine. It runs really well on older machines, too. I've run it on eMac/iMac 800Mhz G4 as well as iBook G3 500Mhz without any problems for years.

The author of this application is very helpful and responsive. There is also a large community of DragThing users which includes some well-known experts. DragThing has been around for almost 14 years now, and it is considered one of the most popular shareware of all time.

DragThing does have some learning curve, and it might take some playing around in order to realize all the features and potentials built into DragThing. But most of it is just a matter of browsing the Preferences panel. I can certainly testify that the productivity gain DragThing gives me is more than enough to justify some learning curve.

Overall, I strongly recommend DragThing. Excellent productivity enhancement utility.   
(Version 5.9.3)

RORO01  The best freeware alternative is FinderPop.  
(Version 5.9.3)

CORPSECORPS  Woops.

Dumb mistake. The desktop trash is simply appearing in only one of Leopard's "Spaces", and i don't know how to get it to appear in all!

There's a checkbox to "Ignore Expose", but it's greyed out.  
(Version 5.9.3)

CORPSECORPS  Since upgrading to 5.9.3, my desktop trashcan keeps disappearing.

If i bring up Dragthing prefs, deactivate, and then reactivate the trash, it reappears for a short time.

.  
(Version 5.9.3)

KERRALA  Dragthing is one of those apps you either love or hate because it dictates the way you interact with your Mac.

I am glad I spent the time setting it up how I like because now I can't live without it.

The developer is fantastically responsive too!  
(Version 5.9.2)

CORPSECORPS  I'm another of those folks who used this heavily way back. I registered version 2, upgraded to 4, and then 5 but haven't used since a couple OS's ago.

I've used various launchers, finder substitutes, hot-key gizmos, and the like. I'm a digital pack-rat and organizational disaster area.

Apple's new Leopard features like their pathetic "stacks" weren't going to do much for me.

With 21.13 GB and 36,469 items just in my desktop folder, i decided it was time to give Dragthing another try in order to bring some order to the chaos.

When i opened it up, Dragthing looked very familiar, yet so much more capable even than before. I'm very happy to find out my old registrations still function!

As people have said in much earlier reviews, though it takes some significant time and effort to set it up when first run, the capabilities and variety of ways it can be used and configured to suit any particular user are flat out STAGGERING!

If you can't make it suit you as an organizer/launcher, you looked examined it closely enough.

The only reasons i can't say it's solved my problem is the magnitude of the problem. It really is the Rolls Royce of organizational tools.   
(Version 5.9.1)

MIKEEVANGELIST  DragThing is the second thing I install on any new Mac (right after Quickeys). It is flexible, powerful, fast and stable. It puts you back in charge of your Mac. Don't be bossed around by the Dock; with DragThing you can have the functionality and appearance that -you- like.

Be sure to explore all the different themes and options; the range of possible configurations is staggering.

Incredibly useful.  
(Version 5.9)

SPARGETT  "A great utility for Mac, it should come with OS X!"

Ummm, it does... its called "Dock".   
(Version 5.8.1)

JRWHO  A great utility for Mac, it should come with OS X!  
(Version 5.8.1)

MACLOVER1.1  I used to use WORKSTRIP in conjunction with PATHFINDER (and a few contextual menus I won't get into here... yes I like having a lot of accesses to my computer LoL)... Now I've ditched Workstrip and replaced it with DRAGTHING which kicks ass. It is highly configurable and can be very unobtrusive depending on one's need. And the HUD Panel Theme is so very ME LoL  
(Version 5.8.1)

EASER  I'm taking back my words. Having tinkered with this some more (coupled with a suggestion from the developer), I think this works better than I was giving it credit for. And let's face it, this is a quality product. It has a lot of features you just won't get anywhere else. I already had a license for version 5, and I'm not entirely certain, but it appears that I do not need to pay anything more for this upgrade that now includes DropDrawers functionality. You just can't beat that.   
(Version 5.8)

EASER  As much as I love DragThing, and as much as I love Drop Drawers, the two programs together are still not Drop Drawers. I use Drop Drawers primarily for inserting text quickly into documents. I can double-click on a snippet of text that is very readable in a drawer, and it inserts into the document. With this new DropDrag or whatever to call it, those same text snippets are merely identical icons. If I want to read them at all prior to inserting the, I have to take extra steps. Looks like I have to go back to iClip. I have lost the genuine DropDrawers. That sucks.  
(Version 5.8)

MAC OS Y  I think that Dragthing is one of the best software for mac.

It changed the way I use the mac.  
(Version 5.7b3)

TIM27  This is probably the best shareware app for Mac. I've been using it since version 2 and find it indespensible. James Thomson is also probably one of the best shareware programmers around and this update to DragThing is AWESOME!

Thanks for such great work!  
(Version 5.7b2)

VEGGIEDUDE  I've been using this program for at least ten years - since its 1.0 version, I find it indispensable. Back in '96 I remember configuring it to mimic the Windows 95 task bar so that PC people would feel a bit more comfortable using a Mac. There are hundreds of ways you can configure it, you are only limited by your imagination.

I love the new furry skin introduced in this version, and look forward to many more interesting skins.  
(Version 5.7b2)

SIDETRACKED  I've been using DragThing for about 6 months. It's given me hidden, useful docks all over, all of my favorite apps and documents (and docks themselves) now have hot keys, and I have little need of the apple dock. No other app has increased my day to day efficiency this well.

You could probably put together many of DragThing's functions with other apps, maybe even some freeware, but the grace, style and stability of DragThing seems worth the cost to me.

It did take me a bit of playing around to figure the various options out, but then I'm an old guy, and far from a computer genius.  
(Version 5.6.4)

JIMSKY7  I have been using this since the beginning and it's indispensible. Provides multiple layers which the OSX dock does not, and really nice design features.  
(Version 5.6.4)

ANONYMOUS  This is a very popular application. I tried it out, seems ok, but it never really grabbed me. Prefer Butler and Launch Bar. Drag Thing was alright, but $29? Not for me.....  
(Version 5.6.1)

MIGHT USE AGAIN  Geez, I owned this app aged ago and then lost track of it when OS X first came along. Need a better means of handling my folders than the app I am using (Macabinet--not bad, but not polished enough for me, the only aspect I like is the hidden part where you can keep your screen uncluttered, but I see DT has a hidden feature) and I think I might jump back into DT. Glad to see DT is still among us Mac users and being kept current.  
(Version 5.6.1)

ANONYMOUS  dragtastic!  
(Version 5.6.1)

SIXTEENWORDS  Simply my favorite utility for OS X. Does what it should, is incredibly flexible, plays nice with other applications, gets out of the way, makes me more productive.

When I use someone else's machine(s) or login the lack of DragThing is the first thing I feel.  
(Version 5.6.1)

MARIUS_TH  Noted, from an article I read the maker of DragThing would have worked on Apple's Dock back in the early days, though stopped working on it long ago now ^^;

(however, to sources within apple it would seem non of his original coding remains in todays dock =P )

Eitherway, DragThing is a revolutionary Dock replacing app which was around even far before OS X ever came out  
(Version 5.6.1)

ANONYMOUS  Great enhancement to OS X which fulfills its mission as Dock better than does the native OS X Dock. I personally don't care for the OS X Dock because it "forces" itself on the user. Whether you make it small or even turn on hiding, the OS X Dock is always there, or threatening to leap out in front of whatever app you might be working on. Drag thing is there when I want it to be, and takes Dock functionality to places the OS X dock can only dream of. Drag thing is what the OS X dock should be.  
(Version 5.6)

SAM  DragThing is an excellent GUI aid that nicely extend and complement Apple Dock. Not only it allows you to quickly access all your applications/Folders/Files/Bookmark/etc, it also allows you to inspect items (i.e. Media preview via contextual menu), hold clippings/sniplets for quick and repeated retrieval, and control running applications via hotkeys. It also gives you a very nice window control, covering where Expose left off (i.e. Expose doesn't work with windows minimized to Apple Dock).

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but quite frankly I think recent negative comments are extremely unfair. DragThing does NOT clutter the Desktop at all. Quite contrary, it hides itself completely with a single hotkey if you want. Even without hiding, DragThing docks can be nicely tucked away and it shrink down to a bunch of little tabs, leaving users visual cues for user's items while leaving the screen real estate wide open. This behavior complies with human interface recommendation by many GUI experts.

Some people compare DragThing with search tools such as LaunchBar. That, too, is unfair comparison because they are technically in different software category. The difference is same as how Finder has both graphical navigation and search box. As a matter of fact I, too, use LaunchBar and it is a great tool but I use it for what it is designed to do well: Quick search.

Overall, DragThing is an excellent GUI software that has something to offer for everyone. It is guaranteed to help you work faster. Highly recommended.  
(Version 5.6)

WHO ELSE?  Use what you want to use and don't use what you don't want. That's why there are GM, FORD,

HONDA, BMW etc, etc...

Most of the time that people don't want to pay the price of certain product, then they come to bad mouth the product.

I don't like PC (Windows), I don't use it and I don't bad mouth it. Life is full of choices that's why there are different brand names.

That's the way I see it.  
(Version 5.6)

ANONYMOUS  Excellent software that keeps on improving. Support is great, and most updates have been free. An essential part of my Mac experience.

Regarding some of the negative comments I have read, as they say:

"Some drink from the fountain of wisdom. He just gargled" :)

Seriously, I don't understand those comments at all. DragThing is a great program.  
(Version 5.6)

THEL  DragThing's extensive customization options have enabled me to set up my GUI exactly as I want it to be, for both enjoyment and productivity. I've used it since System 7.6 daze – nearly a decade now – and I will NEVER run a Mac without it. (If there were a 20-star choice, I'd still wish I could give it 21!)  
(Version 5.6)

CLETUS WALDMAN  Well NonyMouse, I am not really sure how a person goes about responding to your issues. On one hand you say it does what it says, and then turn around and claim it clutters your desktop. Hmmmmm.....

Then go on to say: "I like launcher that can be tucked away and woven into my display without hogging space and making my view hectic and cluttered with a bunch of minimized squares and tabs."

That makes one believe you have not actually tried the program.

The program can launch or activate all items in the docks you have by keyboard shortcuts. Windows can remain on the desktop and as you say "clutter" or you can take a moment to select preferences that hide the docks completely. I could explain things further for you, but why bother.

You obviously attempted to rip this program apart, In your small way, when all you did was show ignorance about the program and its function.

Hope you feel better soon.  
(Version 5.6)

NONYMOUSE   I'd have to say DragThing 5.6 is just terrible. Yes, it does what it claims, but who in the hell just wants to keep cluttering up their desktop with all these little boxes that quicksilver or butler just let you keep as many, or few items in the menu bar that do the same.

I run a 17" powerbook and this thing clutters up my desktop so much. I can only imagine how annoying it would be if i had a smaller screen/resolution. And here I am talking about not just the default style but the "Drawer" and "Minimize" option.

I thought back in the pre-OS X days people preferred Apple Menu/Favorites over Launcher because Launcher was just so bulky and obtrusive. Why bother with this outdated app now?? DragThing is clumsy to configure, clumsy to use, and obtrusive in your view.

I like launcher that can be tucked away and woven into my display without hogging space and making my view hectic and cluttered with a bunch of minimized squares and tabs.

Dragthing feels like a jeep, it's fugly as hell, but does what it is designed to do. The other launchers and menu bar apps like butler and quicksilver are like the Ferrari, they're sleek lean, seamless and high performance. The only downside to the jeep/ DragThing, is that it's priced like a Ferrari.

Too utilitarian and not enough time put into optimizing it's features in a less intrusive way.  
(Version 5.6)

GARBAGE  I very much like the configurablility of this dock replacement.

I prefer to have a nice small tabbed draw tucked away at the bottonm of the screen with apps divided into logical categories.

This is SO MUCH better than having a huge dock full of heaps of icons.

The Apple dock is now de-populated of all icons & hidden on the right hand screen edge where it is ignored.

Happy to pony up the modest registration fee.

The other app that is a natural fit is PathFinder - a cocoa replacement for Finder.  
(Version 5.5.1)

MACMATH  I brush my teeth before a shower. Some people brush their teeth after a shower. Just because some do this in one order doesn't make the other order wrong or bad. There is little about our society which is monolithic (except perhaps that people want to fight to the death for their favorite), so why do we have to all use the same software for the same purpose?

LaunchBar, DragThing, and Butler are examples of Macintosh software at its best. They both excel at what they do, but their feature lists do not completely overlap. They will still have merit under Tiger unless Apple has incorporated every last feature of them into Tiger (unlikely since each are much more than a quick-launcher or a provider of quick access to folders). Even if Apple put each of these lock-stock-and barrel into Tiger, many people will not be running Tiger for years.

If you wish to promote your application, do so, but don't give a bad rating at the same time. I'm not taking DragThing's side over Tiger or LaunchBar, just making a general point.  
(Version 5.5.1)

TOO NOSTALGIC  A throwback to an old method of choosing what you want. Tiger will render this program useless. I was a registered owner years ago when it was appropriate, but it does not represent the Mac environment today. Too much work to get where you want to be.  
(Version 5.5.1)

TIM  It just keeps getting better. I don't know how computer operators work without it. It would be like operating a TV without the remote. Once you use it you'll not go back. I've been a user for several yearsand rate it five stars.  
(Version 5.5.1)

ANONYMOUS  Does this have 'launching by abbreviation' like Launchbar, Butler, et al? If not, it should.  
(Version 5.5.1)

ANONYMOUS  I think Butler is way better for quick access to whatever I need on my Mac. One thing I would use DT for though would be to create an invisible dock to organize the most current stuff I like to leave on my desktop with NAMELESS (yeah!), precisly positioned, and better organized icons and the easily configurable trash.

For that all I really need is one dock w/ one layer.

So, if a "DragThing Lite" with same config options but limited to 1 layer + trash ever comes out, I'll be a new customer - for now, $30 is just too much for the way I'd use it...

Of course, if the full version dropped to $10, I'd be a new customer too ;P  
(Version 5.5.1)

ANONYMOUS  question: I'm trying this app out and can't figure out how to get a layer with a "round button" style to hide the ugly background and have only the actual buttons so they'd look like they're directly on the desktop... I'm pretty that must be possible, but I can't seem to find where the transparency settings of each individual component of layers are. I found the transparency for the whole dock and whole dock background in the prefs, but can't find the other one :'( A little help would be much appreciated, thanks! :)  
(Version 5.5.1)

ANONYMOUS  I have used this application since 1998. I love it. It keeps getting better and better. I am lost without out it. It does what I need, gives me access to my files and directories, helps organize my work and I can customize it any way I want.   
(Version 5.5.1)

ANONYMOUS  Still does not support Codetek Virtual Desktop. DragThign dock appears on main desktop and not on the others, also hiding the Apple dock in those desktops.  
(Version 5.5)

ALEX  I am using Drag Thing since it first came out and it keeps on getting better. In reponse to an earlier postin here: I am using Drag Thing as a dock replacment and the virtually unlimited customiztion alloes me to make it act exactly the way I want it to.

This is one of the best programs around for MacOSX (and earlier for MacOS).  
(Version 5.5)

ANONYMOUS  A contrary viewpoint:

I don't like DragThing because it requires too much work on my part. It can only launch what I put in it, and I still have to remember in which dock, under what tab I put it. If a launcher has even one layer of hierarchy, it's no longer a launcher, but an ersatz filesystem (or metafilesystem.)

Butler/Launchbar/Quicksilver (take your pick)for launching stuff, combined with the dock for holding drag targets, running apps and current projects is the best quick-launch solution I've found on OSX, or any other platform for that matter.

Maybe if I could replace the dock with DragThing, without hacking, and have it seemlessly take over all of the dock's functionality I'd use it, but as it is, it's just another 'dock replacement' that's more trouble than it's worth.  
(Version 5.5)

ANONYMOUS  I've been using this for a long time. This update got bugs.

All my URL will not open (in the entire layer). Fix it!!!  
(Version 5.5)

RICHO  Just the biz. Sorry to be boring and repeat everyone else but if you're going to get one file access utility - this is the rolls royce of the fleet. Configuration and customization take some time but it's worth messing with.

- Multi year user.  
(Version 5.5)

MERE MORTAL  DragThing simply rocks. Easily one of the best utilities available for Macintosh.  
(Version 5.5)

ANONYMOUS  The best launcher / easy access point utility available on OS X by far (and I've used them all - even really good ones like Launchbar). James Thomson is the man.  
(Version 5.5)

MACMATH  I have also been using DragThing for many years...since version 2.2 or 2.4. Always well written, responsive (quick) and stable with new features coming out frequently. It is a part of my workflow. Sometimes, when I want to procrastinate, I review its features to see what I am unaware of and can start to use. The AppleScript support in DragThing is excellent and doubles its usefulness.

Applications like either of these two (DragThing and Virtual Desktop) have such a large list of features, that you're probably better off using it in an intermediate mode initially and then adding items as you have a chance to learn them. When you run into something that does not work the way you think it should, learn how the application might allow you to do it the way you'd like. Which brings me to...

To answer a question several below, go to the Applications tab of the CodeTek Virtual Desktop Preferences, add DragThing to the list, highlight DragThing's name, and then select 'Show this applications windows on all desktops' from the list at right.

They work together very well. I devote a layer of DragThing to applications and folders for a specific task, and I devote specific virtual desktops to specific tasks. Virtual Desktop Pro has AppleScript Triggers which act when you move into or out of desktops. I have AppleScript triggers that select the right DragThing dock to go with the desktop I've just moved into. So, when I move into a virtual desktop to do a particular job, the correct DragThing dock with exactly the right apps and folders is there waiting for me.   
(Version 5.3.1)

ELDERLY AND STILL GOING  I have used this from its early days..always reliable and very useful. Thanks TLA systems.  
(Version 5.3.1)

ANONYMOUS  I think I would use Drag Thing more if it included support for CodeTek's VirtualDesktop. When I switch desktops, I lose the Drag Thing dock.  
(Version 5.3.1)

OLE GEISSELBRECHT  You love your Mac? Then you should get him this as a lil present... : ) DT5 = ROCKS actually it rocked ever since...   
(Version 5.3.1)

BROOSE  Love it. I'm into customization, and this has everything I need for a file organizer/launcher. Almost has too many features - can get a little confusing at times just wanting to change one preference.  
(Version 5.3)

MARK  I did install this new update and doesn't work! There is some animation and then that's it! Application will quit! I have not sean this before. I went back on previous version and everything is fine again.  
(Version 5.3)

ANONYMOUS  It might be worth using again if it could truly replace the Dock, i.e. no more dock, DT instead. But even if you stash the dock somewhere out of the way (like on top) it's still there.

Also, after trying DT for a while, I felt it cluttered my screen even more than the Dock did. I went back to Apple's Dock.

Actually, the best thing about DT over the Dock is that you can have it active in only one app, e.g. the Finder, so it won't overlay your other app windows like the Apple Dock insists on doing. This alone might make it worthwhile for some.  
(Version 5.3)

DRSTEINMAN  DragThing is an absolutely astounding utility. I used DragStrip before purchasing DragThing, and DragThing completely outshines it. Its interface is simple yet powerful, and it does everything you'd want an application launcher/dock to do. Every Mac owner should have this.  
(Version 5.3)

JAHNOTH  This has got to be the best dock replacement/launcher out there. It's been worth the shareware price, and with this update I'm blown away even more!

Well done!  
(Version 5.3)

MURILø CINZENTø  Mannn!!!If somebody work with the DockFun! and things like that the DragThing is simple the BEST thing what i find to do the job!Work fine,now i have windows with the right size of the docks,the right size what the most of things like that dont do,when i see what i put there,and work so fast in the "search mode" is like what i see in a computer movies.Congratulations to the creators of the DragThing,now my option for this thing.  
(Version 5.2.1)

ISAM  This application meets all the user interface requirements suggested by UI experts (progressive disclosure, visual cue for hidden docks, etc). The notion by some reviewers regarding DragThing being obtrusive is false. As a matter of fact one of DragThing's primary objectives is to reduce desktop clutters while giving user more space to harbor frequently used objects. It offers various options for hiding, minimizing, etc.

It develops on the standard OS behavior (the Dock), so it is easy to teach new users how to use it.

DragThing also shines when it comes to handling multiple processes and objects all at once. You can launch/quit multiple apps at once, and it can even handle background apps. These things aren't easily possible with other type of launchers.

Strongly recommended. 5 stars, bar none. Hall of Fame app.  
(Version 5.2.1)

SATISFIED CUSTOMER  While I love my 12" PowerBook for its portability and power, the screen real estate is at a premium. This software allows me to create a working environment in which the screen edges become useful expandable storage locations for a whole variety of things. Sort of like a hyperdimensional cube into which I can cram lots of stuff and still not have it take up much space. Furthermore, with the tailorability of the software there is very little visual clutter on the desk top unless you want there to be.

With softwere documentation in a dock I do quick access in fewer steps.

I can arrange drawers to group togehter the different tools and documents I need to work on a project, with one drawer for each project.

With control over shading and colors I can enhance the visibility of icons and size item locations to show enough of the title to be recognizable. This allows me to take advantage of color cues and visual localization which makes for faster search and find.

I can arrange to have the most frequently used items show up closest to the inner edge of drawer or dock thereby reducing the time to find something in the dock.

While developing a mental model of how to use this software takes a bit of time and experimentation, once you have done so you'll find it is more than "just a launcher." It is so much easier now to have be able to cope with having to work on 3-8 different multi week or multi month projects in any given week.

Finally, the price is good, the developer is helpful and the software is stable. Hard to beat.  
(Version 5.2.1)

GARBAGE  Looks too fiddly, too many screen cluttering panes is not what I'm lloking for, after all i can create folders, populate them with shortcuts to apps & drag the folders to the dock. It's not automated but it's simple & it works.  
(Version 5.2.1)

ANONYMOUS  I'd have to say this application is just terrible. Yes, it does what it claims, but who in the hell just wants to keep cluttering up their desktop with all these little boxes that quicksilver or butler just let you keep as many, or few items in the menu bar that do the same.

I run a 17" powerbook and this thing clutters up my desktop so much. I can only imagine how annoying it would be if i had a smaller screen/resolution. And here I am talking about not just the default style but the "Drawer" and "Minimize" option.

I thought back in the pre-OS X days people didn't even consider using Apple's default Launcher and instead simply used Apple Menu/Favorites because of its bulkiness and obtrusiveness. Why bother with this outdated app now?? Interestingly, OS 9 Launcher sounds very similar to DragThing in a way: Clumsy to configure, clumsy to use, and obtrusive in your view.

I like launcher that can be tucked away and woven into my display without hogging space and making my view hectic and cluttered with a bunch of minimized squares and tabs.

Dragthing feels like a jeep, it's fugly as hell, but does what it is designed to do. The other launchers and menu bar apps like butler and quicksilver are like the Ferrari, they're sleek lean, seamless and high performance. The only downside to the jeep/ DragThing, is that it's priced like a Ferrari.

Too utilitarian and not enough time put into optimizing it's features in a less intrusive way.  
(Version 5.2.1)

ERCOLE OLIVARIO  So NMouse: how come if you say DragThing is "full-featured", you give it one star for "Features"? Just trying to drag its rating down? I'm giving it five stars for features because it does everything and anything I could possibly want a launcher to do (note that I'm rating it in comparison with launchers, not menu bar extenders or docks, because DragThing is a launcher). Five stars for value because $29 is a very good price, considering the work that goes into this util, and all the free updates. Five stars for stability since it never crashes. Five stars for ease of use since it's as easy as drag and drop; if the default behaviors are not what you want, its extremely customizable and easy to configure.  
(Version 5.2.1)

NIXI  NMouse: I fail to regard being able to customize software as an inconvenience. If your needs call for nothing more than an occasional "drag'n'drop", as you say, I suggest you stick to using the dock (you probably do so anyway, in which case one wonders what you're doing searching for a solution to a problem you don't have).

People with a more complex organization will always need more control over the settings of their launcher/dock, even if that means spending some more time setting up the application. What makes DragThing the best choice for the type of user I'm referring to here, is the fact that the setup options are multiple but clear. Better yet, its integration with the finder, its feature-set and its stability are so complete, once you've set up your environment, you completely forget DragThing it's there.

I may not have tried every single program of this sort, but having discovered DragThing makes that a moot point.  
(Version 5.2.1)

DUBBLEDOOSE  I can't believe anyone would say Dragthing is "fugly" or that it clutters up your desktop. The only reason I got DragThing back in OS 9 was to avoid clutter. I think my desktop is beautiful with drawers along the left side and various icons in strategic places on the desktop with a transparent background for quick access.

This is an awesome program and one that I am more than willing to support with my money.   
(Version 5.2.1)

NMOUSE  One of those applications I keep trying and trying while looking for some reason and true usefulness of it. I don't overload my Dock with useless apps and documents so perhaps it just isn't for me but I was hoping DragThing would be more like a pop-up window substitute for me like I enjoyed in the olden Mac OS 9 days. Instead, DragThing is, although full featured, bloated and chock full of options that make a simple solution one that you need to fully configure to get any real use out of. Apple creates UI enhancements by turning on simplicity. The dock is populated with drag and drop and viola! The function is clear. DragThing is drag & drop and configure software. I'll keep trying it and perhaps someday I'll need it or find use of it but I doubt it.  
(Version 5.2.1)

BOB HENRICKSON  I understand why some people don't like DragThing. I understand why others do. I'm one of the latter. The nice thing about computers and shareware is that one can pick and choose what they install. Whether it is DragThing, Butler, LaunchBar or whatever, anyone can install and try out various programs and see which work best for them.

I also have LaunchBar, and use it for often used programs, but I use DragThing for lesser used programs whose names I can't always remember, for folders and other commonly accessed items. It works for me because of the way I use my computer. I also enjoy tweaking interfaces and DragThing satisfies my tweakiness as much as it does my need for a Dock alternative. It works fine on my iBook with its 12 inch screen.

I am pleased with the features the program offers, and feel it was worth the cost. I don't expect a developer to put as much programming as this program has required and then give it away. Some can afford to do that, others can't.

I'm quite satisfied.   
(Version 5.2.1)

BLIZZAIR  great piece of software...bought it a few months back...only thing with this new object is that it won't let me click on the last two tabs of a vertical dock on the left side of my screen...too bad because i had no problems with the last version  
(Version 5.2.1)

ANONYMOUS  DragThing has its following like all the others and it's really a matter of what works best for you. Accordingly, to put down any of the other apps or this app becomes subjective at best.  
(Version 5.2.1)

ROWAN IN LA  I've used several of the other app launchers (like Butler and LaunchBar) and like DragThing much more. I don't understand the clutter comments below. DT stays completely out of the way until I call up a dock, which I can assign to a trackball key or command key. You can have docks "appear out of nowhere" and disappear immediately when the app button is pressed. You also don't have to have folder tabs visible so I find its very nonintrusive. Plus the interface is very customizable (colors, spacing, transparency, appearance) and it's fast. You may have a launcher you like more but I think DragThing works great.  
(Version 5.2)

SLIMBOB  DragThing is the best launcher I've ever seen, and I've tried them all. It's fast, reliable, and extremely customizable. Right now, I've got dozens of apps and docs organized into cool layers in multiple docks, all with spiffy brushed metal finishes in tasteful pastel colors with differently-colored highlights. I love this, and the developer releases fixes and new features on a regular basis in the form of free upgrades. I love this app!  
(Version 5.2)

ROY  I agree with previous reviewers regarding the clumsiness of DragThing. Butler, LaunchBar, Ittec, XMenu and MaxMenu are all MUCH BETTER than DragThing one way or the other. Try them first before wasting $29 to create more mess on your Desktop.

If a quick launch menu is all you need, just fill a folder with aliases, dock the folder in the Apple Dock and Ctrl+click or click-hold, and viola, you have a quick "dock item" with customized menu. If you want more than that, one of the above apps are MUCH LESS obtrusive than DragThing.

Dock is supposed to be simple, single-layered and contain ONLY the most frequently used items, or it would quickly fill up and become just as clumsy as the filing system itself, losing the whole point of having a dock. People have issues with dock not because it is a bad idea but because they try to use it for more than what it's supposed to do.   
(Version 5.2)

FLARCH  I've tried way too many launchers.

This is the best. No contest.  
(Version 5.2)

ANONYMOUS  I'd have to say this application is terrible. Yes, it does what it claims, but who in the hell just wants to keep cluttering up their desktop with all these little boxes that quicksilver or butler just let you keep as many, or few items in the menu bar that do the same.

i run a 17" powerbook and this thing clutters up my desktop so much. I can only imagine how annoying it would be if i had a smaller screen/resolution.

But people like things for different reasons. I like applications that can be tucked away and woven into my display without hogging space and making my view hectic and cluttered.

Dragthing feels like a jeep, it's fugly as hell, but does what it is designed to do. The other launchers and menu bar apps like butler and quicksilver are like the Ferrari, they're sleek lean, seamless and high performance. the only downside to the jeep/ drag thing, is that it's priced like a Ferrari.

just not my thing, too utilitarian and not enough time put into optimizing it's features in a less intrusive way.  
(Version 5.2)

ANONYMOUS  Steve Marx,

"if you're playing some childish game where you get points for how few programs you have installed, and thus prefer apps that do ten things poorly instead of one thing well, by all means check out Butler."

What's so childish about trying to use less number of programs to do more? What's so childish about keeping my system less cluttered, lean and mean?

What's so childish about keeping the least number of things I need to keep up with update for if that least number of things can let me get my work done as simply as possible? If I add something it better be adding a significant value to the functionality and workability of my computer worth spending my time setting up. DragThing does not fit in that category.

If you talk about something that does ten things poorly instead of ten things well, that's DragThing. For example, the new clipping feature still doesn't even come close to a full featured scrapbook or freeform database with instant search capability and so on. When I gather clippings I gather a lot of them. DragThing isn't going to be good enough to keep them in an orderly fashion.

Butler does way more than ten things really well, and it is still beta. What a load of difference compared to $29 fancy alias container. Oh, and did I mention QuickSilver?  
(Version 5.2)

ANONYMOUS  When looking for a Mac application, I value the most its ease of use (no cluttered visual elements and not too many commands) and its UI (i.e. Cocoa).

DragThing looks very good, but launchers-wise, I prefer more LaunchBar and/or QuickSilver.

The former costs $10 less then DT (in home version), the latter is free but still beta (20-something).  
(Version 5.2)

BEELERS  The first app I install on ANY Mac. An indispensable product!  
(Version 5.2)

THEL  Simply the Best.  
(Version 5.2)

STEVEN MARX  I feel compelled to balance out the anonymous 4-word, 1-star review with a well-earned 5-star one. Of course, if you're playing some childish game where you get points for how few programs you have installed, and thus prefer apps that do ten things poorly instead of one thing well, by all means check out Butler.   
(Version 5.2)

TIM WEBB  First off these "reviews" seem a little odd. A high number of 5 star reviews, and a series of 1 star recommending another product. Hmm...

That being said, I've used DT since OS 9 days. My one complaint if it is that is I wish I understood it better. I basically still use it as a application launcher. Which it does well and I'm more than happy with it for that. I just wish I understood all the features and how best to incorporate them into my Desktop enviorment.   
(Version 5.2)

BANDAR RAFFA  This is the best launcher ever......

forget about the pther ones.....

this is one solid app.....

:-)  
(Version 5.2)

ANONYMOUS  Butler beats it big time.   
(Version 5.2)

TOMJWRIGHT  I've been using DragThing from the days when it was donation-ware (with Gilbert items suggested as appropriate donations) and have tried its competitors from time to time. In my opinion, DragThing remains the best of the pack. Updates have all been true improvements that increase the utility of this productivity aid.  
(Version 5.2)

MAX  Tried it, used it, shrugged and trashed. Although stable, it is a redundant app using too much RAM and CPU time for not much added value. Takes way too much time and effor to make it truly usable. Apart from the obsolete GUI (can you say OS 8?) there is no point of using it. It's distracting and limiting even with hidden dock with multilayer tabs. If you want a lean and mean launching tool that adds significant value and power to your system without being obtrusive and distracting, go for LaunchBar. Otherwise just use alias folders docked in the Apple Dock and use your $29 elsewhere.  
(Version 5.1.1)

ROY  Tip: If you insist on adding something to the default OS X UI and want a comprehensive launcher utility that goes way beyond a glorified alias holder (See my review below) I recommend you try Butler. It's much less obtrusive, it takes up no screen real estate (not even those small squares and tabs cluttering the screen edges unless you use its Docklet, which still looks better than DragThing's), it offers compelling features worth using (unlike DragThing, which is ultimately just an eye-candy shortcut folder), and it is less expensive. It is also safe to use just as DragThing is, since both are just stand-alone application using absolutely no malicious system patch.  
(Version 5.1.1)

ROY  For the most part, DragThing works fine if you like an over-glorified alias holder with some extras such as assigning awkward key combinations. It's also great for those who have all the time on the earth to tinker with user interface "enhancement" tools. If it's not already obvious, it takes a fair amount of setup and fine tuning to make it useful. DragThing's default color set and dock settings aren't all that great, either. (Looks like OS 9 hang-over to me)

Granted, I can customize it to whatever I want, but why? I want this type of tool to help me do less work. Then, sure, I could've just used the default setting and not spend any time tinkering with settings, but then it loses the point of having many options, and I didn't like the way the default dock setting looked and worked at all, so what else?

Also, by the nature of dock as a concept, only the most frequently used items can/should be placed in a launcher like this, or they quickly fill up and become just as clumsy to navigate as the file system, hence losing the whole point of having a dock in my opinion. Not to mention managing such overgrown docks would be too much work..... In that case I might as well use nested menus or simply use Finder/Sidebar.

All in all, I just didn't find it all that compelling as many seem to think. No thanks, I will just stick with Favorites folder/Sidebar......  
(Version 5.1.1)

FELIX  Excellent release again... Now DragThing windows can be left untouched by expose.  
(Version 5.1)

FARIBORZ AMIRSHAHI  I have only one word to say about this software: "EXCELLENT"! Fariborz Amirshahi - Verona (Italy)  
(Version 5.1)

ANONYMOUS  This is the best shareware ever!! Once you get used to it, you can't live without it. It's definitely worth to pay.  
(Version 5.1)

OLWYLEE  I have been using this app for several years. I've tried other comparable applications and alway come back to this. The pricing is right if you use it for its full worth. Updates are timely and usually with the introduction of new bugs.

As for the developer, If you have a question, send an email. I have never had an email go unanswered no matter how insignificant my query may have been.  
(Version 5.1)

ANONYMOUS  A hangover from days of yore (Classic) but seems to have retained its following. I prefer the newer methods of achieving the same results and the screen real estate that I get to keep. Still, owners seem very happy with DragThing...more power to 'em.  
(Version 5.1)

A NONY MOUSE  DragThing is absolutely perfect, and gets better with every release. The best launcher app out there bar none. I paid, and I'm very satisfied with it. Thanks for the great work!  
(Version 5.1)

BDOG  Add a feature that will completely hide a dock's tabs while being a minimized drawer just like how the Apple dock is completely hidden until your cursor is on the edge of the screen (or 1 pixel away), and then I might pay for this...

OTHERWISE THIS THING ROCKS!  
(Version 5.1)

MARCUS CONGE  Apple take note, this is how it's done! This utility makes life much more enjoyable in the world of the finder! Hands down the best application for the money! More than an application launcher!

Dragthing Rules!  
(Version 5.1)

VEGAN  Way better than anything else out there for any OS, this vastly improves OS X, way more customizable than the dock, or any other program like this out there.  
(Version 5.0.1)

AARON  The best thing since the Launcher under 9.X, and before. The dock is a very week attempt at a Launcher type of feature.  
(Version 5.0.1)

A BLIP  I've used this thing for ages. It's a must have for me to keep things easily accessible.

But i found one nasty problem that has remained hidden from my view until now.

I have DragThing set to run at login but i recently noticed that sometimes if i run TOP in the terminal, i find out that while basically doing nothing, DragThing sometimes eats up close to 35% of the CPU.

In those cases i have to quit DragThing and rerun it, whereupon it will function without gobbling power.

I thought the CPU hogging was because DT was locating all the items in my docks, but sometimes i've found it still gobbling CPU long after startup.  
(Version 5.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  In my opinion this is the easiest to use, and just overall best application launcher/switcher, a must have for Mac OS X  
(Version 5.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  the only change that really effects me in this update is the highlighting of selected windows in the windows dock, but it doesn't seem to highlight safari windows or even display Adium 2 windows.

other than that, it would get 5 points across the board except i've rated it before.  
(Version 5.0.1)

DR. G5  Quality of this utility is there but price structure behind is RIP-OFF!  
(Version 5.0)

ANONYMOUS  If you're using MacOS X (yep, 10.3 included), you need this one in order to have your computer behave like a Mac and be as easy and intuitive a system as MacOS used to be.

It's not Apple that's keeping me from switching to Windows (although I cannot tell if I won't take the jump after all), but helpers like DragThing, FruitMenu or Quickeys.

Now, come to think of it, most of these things were simply part of MacOS or were free (FinderPop) before X sent us back in time to the times prior to MacOS 7.5.

Laughable "new Finder windows" on 10.3 when compared to what things like these can do for you. Less design and more head!  
(Version 5.0)

ANONYMOUS  I have to agree Drag Thing made my move to X easier. It's one of those things that you install and forget. The only thing I wish it would do is have the ability to hide it's icon in the Dock.

This along with Path Finder are essential OS X utilities.

Good Work!  
(Version 5.0)

THEL  I've been using it for years, from 8.x daze thru the current Mac OS X, and I'll never run without it.

It's definitely "Best of Breed" - even made my transition from 9x to X absotively painless. The X version's installer asked whether I wanted to copy settings from an earlier version, yep I did, then when it launched, all my old docks popped right up on my new X desktop, ready to roll. (It felt like "home" already! (-:) ALL I had to do was add Jag apps to my existing docks and customize the new options available in DT 4's prefs.

If I could afford only ONE third-party add-on, this would be IT, hands down.  
(Version 5.0)

TRIPM  Just remarkable. This blows away all other dock replacements. It's so amazing in 10.2 -I can't wait to see how nice it is in OS 10.3!

The price is right, and the upgrade costs are CHEAP compared to the amount of features that keep getting added to this wonderful application.

The developer is great, and takes suggestions/answers questions in a timely, friendly manner.  
(Version 5.0)

SUSHI  A must have utilitie both for OS 9/X. Transparence feature looks just perfect on my desktop...  
(Version 4.6.1)

ED BISHOP  I do Mac setups & consulting and ALL my clients get DragThing as part of the deal -- it's required; most of them seem to think it's part of the Mac OS. As it SHOULD be!

Maybe Apple give James millions of $$$ to aquire it (rather than steal the concept, like Microsoft would do).  
(Version 4.6.1)

BASTIBENSE  Absolutely awsome. I'm using it for about six years now and it did not crash once yet. Absolutely worth the $$$!!!  
(Version 4.6.1)

THEL  DT's been one of my favorites for years, and I've found it to be indispensible for taming my new Jaguar. [*lol*] Seriously.... If there were a 20-star option, I'd still be wishing I could give it 25! (-:  
(Version 4.6.1)

TRIPM  BEST DOCKING SOFTWARE EVER! - And it just keeps getting better and better. Awesome, timely, and excellent support, low shareware price and perfect features - this blows away the OS X dock and totally smears other launcher utilities!

THANKS!  
(Version 4.6)

MITSUBEE  Great product BUTtttt....every few times I restart/wake from sleep, it requires my reg number!!! A mighty pain in the rear...

Otherwise, OSX support is awesome, prefer it to the dock...as an organizational freak I love the layers...it the X ever offered a multi-layer dock, I dunno....

But James please fix the reg issue!!!  
(Version 4.5.2)

GJP  Fantastic. Great OS X replacement for the OS 9 "The Tilery."  
(Version 4.5.2)

SNOUTY HOUND  I almost feel sorry for James Thomson: in creating a perfect piece of software, he's written himself out of a job. As I see it, the only DragThing feature left to implement is ATM emulation, where it would dispense $20 bills (or 100-pound notes) at the click of a mouse. In short, this is the dock to end all docks.  
(Version 4.5.2)

DR. MüLLER  Setting on a Mac with tentacles into tons of project folders on the harddisk, tons of folders on servers, there can be NO life without DragThing  
(Version 4.5)

DOC ELROY  DragThing keeps getting better with every release. My recommended launcher app for everyone who needs more than Apple's dock. Runs smoothly in OS X as well as OS 9. Keep up the good work!  
(Version 4.5)

HES NIKKE  The Best $25 i've ever spent!

Too meny choises in the Prefs and dock options Make it a litte complex  
(Version 4.5)

PETE GIANSANTE  I'll ditto Hari Seldon's comments, and add my voice to the chorus of folks who agree that once you've used DragThing, you can't live without it. I've been using it since OS 9, and it's even better in OS X. It works better than any other app on my computer, and better than OS X itself.

As for timeliness of updates, v4.3.1 showed up on the same day Jaguar arrived on my doorstep. Like the volume control on Nigel Tufnel's amp, DragThing is an "11".

[PowerMac G4-400, 1GB RAM, 60GB HD + 30GB HD (3 bootable OS 9/OS X partitions)]  
(Version 4.3.1)

HARI SELDON  This is best application for unreconstructed Launcher addicts migrating to OS X from OS 9. It probably has saved me more time than any other app I use. James is extremely responsive for support issues & suggestions, and behaves like a true gentleman. I haven't read any other reviews prior to posting this but I can easily anticipate that some folks may comment that DragThing is less simple to use than Launcher. They're right. But with an application this powerful, what would you expect—few preferences or customizing options? I rated DragThing 5 stars for Ease of Use because it IS easy to use. It is not a simple app, but simplicity (i.e., the opposite of complexity) and ease of use are two entirely separate concepts. DragThing is clear, intuitive, and VERY easy to learn and use.

Besides, I don't consider simplicity necessarily to be an advantage. From a certain perspective, it's the low end of the "Features" category—a high "Simplicity" rating would probably correlate with a low Features rating. You can't have everything...at least not all at the same time.  
(Version 4.3.1)

SWEATY EDDIE  Besides MacOS itself, DragThing is the most essential piece of Mac software.  
(Version 4.3)

MAC GURU  An outstanding utility that I recommend to anyone who uses Mac OS X - especially if you consider yourself a 'power user'. The strong support for drag and drop and the ability to map keyboard shortcuts to files, folders and applications are just a few of the things that make this utility worthwhile.  
(Version 4.2)

IGREG  I am going to have to change my review. For some reason DT has started to drag. As I bring DT to the front the icons are momentarily missing. The docks are white, & a moment later the icons appear. Also, I suspect that DT slows overall performance on my iMac 500MHz (384 MB of RAM).  
(Version 4.2)

IGREG  Now using DragThing on a new iMac with OS 9.21. Also updated to Internet Explorer 5.1. No more problem with quitting IE from the process dock.   
(Version 4.2)

GENE  I've used both Dragstrip and Dragthing, and Dragthing is by far the best. I cannot remember how many times I 'lost' all of my choices with a

Dragstrip crash, I got tired of constantly having to reconfigure the strip.

I hadn't even used Dragthing for a while and when I reinstalled a newer version...all of the old prefs worked!!!

No reconfiguration needed!

A great organizer!

Good work!  
(Version 4.1)

IGREG  I have had trouble quitting Internet Explorer 5 from the process dock. It sometimes hangs, & I have to force quite IE. I've tried many launcher/switchers, including DragThing, Drop Drawers, & A-Dock but always end up going back to TaskMenuBar & BeHierarchic.  
(Version 4.1)

ENERGY52  Can't live without it...  
(Version 4.1)

HUASCAR  I found the Launcher application provided by Apple useless, mostly because of its graphic interface. Too much space on the desktop, and kind of sad looking.

Dragthing just changed the way I use my Mac ! I launch all my applications through it now. Great product.  
(Version 4.0.2)

TOM "TEKCOR" MCGRATH  Really cool. Must have. Kicks the OS X dock's arse!  
(Version 4.0)

CARL MADSEN  A very elegant and simple organizer. I have over 20 small program icons in a single row with their path displayed underneath the entire row. Has an excellent feature of turning off the filetype checker so you can force a program to try to open a file, regardless of filetype. It crashes once in a great while, but never takes the system or other programs with it. I use it all the time and would be lost without it.  
(Version )

NANCY  Couldn't live without it!  
(Version )

TEX  Great product! Works well w/Kaleidoscope as said in their offer (ends July 31, 2000). Much better dock than most that I have tried, although it competes with some other launchers and docks. Overall, good work! :)  
(Version )