SWO  "I use Cmd-Tab to switch between apps and then Cmd-H to hide them when I'm done. I have Leap open when my system starts so it is always open for me."

So do I. The thing of it is though, there is still too many steps. Leap starts-up with my system, but the Cmd-H command is new to me. I have been playing around with it, and I like it. It isn’t as simple as Spotlight, but it does enable to use Leap in a similar fashion as Spotlight.

Now that I think about it. I will try to have Leap available in every Space, then Cmd-H, so that it vanishes when I don't need it, and appears when I do.

Thanks for the tip!  
(Version 2.0.2)

SWO  "Yeah, I have just started retraining myself. I much prefer the Leap interface to Finder's. I use tagging extensively and that makes Leap a much more useful file finder than Finder."

The thing of it is though, that I find myself using Spotlight because it's wherever I am; Leap by contrast isn't. If there could be a way to design it's interface that makes it vanish unless called upon (in the same fashion as Spotlight), and doesn't make me pick up the mouse, then I would use it much more.

As it is, I haven't upgraded to 2.0 because my workaround locks me uncomfortably in one Space.  
(Version 2.0.2)

SWO  Good question. The only way around it that I have found is to dedicate a space for Leap, and to make that my starting point. You could have it so that it appears in every space, but then I think that you would find it more obstructive than helpful.  
(Version 2.0.2)

SWO  You're way too hard on Spaces. I think it's definitely a different execution of the virtual desktop concept that You Control: Desktops, which I have had for a few years now.

Both approaches have their strengths and I think both are great and quite useful.  
(Version 1.3b6)

SWO  At first I found it a bit intimidating. It's physical layout isn't the best, and is almost anti-intuitive, but if you're somewhat anal in terms or organization of your computer (which I am) and actually give it a chance, it works great.

In fact, last night I found myself putting tags on my mp3 and video files (I literally have thousands). As I did it, I wondered if this was the right way to use Leap, but it worked for me.

I have gotten into the habit of, literally, sending every document (like pdf's, mp3's etc) into Leap and tagging them as I get them, so that there is no backlog of untagged documents or files.

If I were to summarize Leap's behaviour, I would say that it's like Spotlight on steriods and not for everyone, but those that really give it a try will not be able to do without it.  
(Version 1.0.5)

SWO  Not trusting this Security Update much. In the past they have appeared in Software Update, now nothing. Also some of the experiences other have had with it give me pause.   
(Version 1.1)

SWO  Wow, aren't you taking this a bit personally? Leopard broke Unsanity's APE (or perhaps that's the other way around because after installing the version of APE prior to this one I could not start up my computer, but luckily Leopard had Time Machine) but geez, I would hardly use it as an example of Apple not caring for it's users.

WindowShade is cool (I have licences for it, Zounds, and ShapeShifter) but cannot use them on my iMac G5 with Leopard.

So what. Is it really that crucial?

And btw, Macs are quite cool and continue to be so, which has something to do with why Apple can charge a premium for them.  
(Version 4.2b1)

SWO  I use this app regularly, though it is powerful and requires a bit of understanding of it's functions (which is why if I don't understand something, I leave it alone till I do or am feeling adventurous).

Some of my concerns seem to have been address in this update, though I can't stand to look at the Mac Cleanse icon.

Does anyone know if there are any alternative icons out there? It doesn't have to be for Mac Cleanse, per se, it just has to fit the app's purpose.  
(Version 1.1.3)

SWO  Thanks for the heads up, Simon. I think that I miscommunicated though. When I said 'desktops' I meant desktops (Mac) or wallpaper (PC). On my MacMini at work I have Tiger and use You Control! Desktops so I can not only have a different desktop based upon whatever purpose I have in mind, but different backgrounds as well.

As far as I am aware, Spaces does not yet have that level of functionality (though, trust me, I want to be so, so wrong;)

As much as I dig Spaces, would like some way to visually differentiate each desktop.  
(Version 1.1.1)

SWO  That's interesting, because when I tried to upgrade I was charged $25.   
(Version 5.0)

SWO  Speed Download is an app that I generally enjoy using. It downloads faster than Safari or Firefox via my broadband connection, though I am not sure that that is just my perception.

I like what I hear about the changes in SD5, but $25 to upgrade an app that I generally use only as a download manager (I understand that there are many nice features, but $25 worth, I am not so sure)?

I think that I will stick with version 4; if I feel the need for another download manager I think that I will look elsewhere because I am willing to use a download manager that does somewhat less (most of which I probably will not use anyway) but is more reasonably priced.  
(Version 5.0)

SWO  It was a little weird, but when all is said and done, I like the upgrade. Everything appears faster (including Firefox). Now, if only we can get individual backgrounds for Spaces, I will be a happy lad.  
(Version 10.5.2)

SWO  upgrading to 10.5.2 caused my system to hang, instead of shutting down (not unusual a behavior. I have seen it before with 10.5.1).

I manually restarted, and upon restart the computer acted as if I were starting up from the startup disk. I would quit the setup, but it would always come back.

What I noticed was that, prior to the setup screen, I would still have to log in, which indicated to me that my keychain was OK; implying that my older settings were as well.

I then fsked my computer, then restarted, though it looping on the setup screen. After that, I restarted and held down the command + s key, as if I were starting up with extensions turned off.

Then 10.5.2 began to install itself, and all is good again.  
(Version 10.5.2)

SWO  The answer is 'no'. I didn't go to the site prior because I used Virtue Desktops, till the maker stopped supporting it.

What the link show were essentially patches, which is not the same thing as saying the app is actively being developed and supported.  
(Version 1.0)

SWO  Is Virtue Desktops still being developed?  
(Version 1.0)

SWO  Do you have a three-button mouse? If so, assign, let's say, the middle button to Spaces, so you can move very quickly from space to space.

It is actually really efficient and intuitive, and prevents desktop clutter because you can see everything you have open at a glance (plus, you can create as many spaces as you need, and assign applications to a particular space).

In fact, all you need to be able to do is to change desktops from one space to another (hopefully such functionality will turn up in 10.5.2) for Spaces to move up from 'Cool' to 'Excellent'!  
(Version 1.1.1)

SWO  Interesting app, but doesn't Spaces in Leopard somewhat negate the need for it? What does it matter what size your Mail app is when you can have it take up an entire window?

I have a Space just for Mail, so nothing shares space with it.  
(Version 1.1.1)

SWO  I apologize, I should have posted this instead of the last post. Brain fart strikes again.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25668  
(Version 1.6.5)

SWO  Look for : About disk optimization with Mac OS X, Article 25668 on the Apple website, under Support.

  
(Version 1.6.5)

SWO  I am unaware that anyone, particularly Apple, has said that OS X doesn't require defragmentation. What they have said is that it shouldn't be defragged often, because important system files may be moved, actually causing your system to slow down.

I defrag about once a year myself.  
(Version 1.6.5)

SWO  Are you sure you're not missing something in your description? Recently ClamAV found a similar thing on my system, but once you know which folder to look in they are relatively easy to remove because they all have numbers (I apologize, but I don't know what the numbers are called).

In other words, you just look for the number of the particular file that you have downloaded, and drag it to the trash.

If those numbers are not there, then I can see why you're confused.  
(Version 1.1e92)

SWO  Your point is valid, but until You Control: Tunes is able to do so, all you need to do is minimize iTunes to the Dock (which pretty much brings about the functionality that you're seeking).  
(Version 1.6)

SWO  I haven't used Microsoft Access in awhile, but this program is much easier to use and customize. I have been looking for an app to categorize my comic collection for awhile, and this looks like the application that I will use.

A great app, and if it retails around $49, definitely one I will purchase.  
(Version 1.0v2r1)

SWO  NeoOffice is a complete office suite that is compatible with (I haven't found any incompatibilities with Microsoft Office, though I am by no means a power-user) Microsoft Office. If you require a mail client like Outlook (Thunderbird from Mozilla could serve your purpose) you obviously should look elsewhere, though that by no means diminishes NeoOffice for most users, professional or otherwise.

Btw, for you individuals out there that like what NeoOffice provides, please consider donating because people like us keep it going.   
(Version 2.2.2)

SWO  Assuming that you backup, restore iTunes from your last backup (I personally use Retrospect), and drag it to your Applications folder. If you choose to you can then replace the updated version.

This method worked really well for me when I was putzing around with iTunes and 'broke' it.  
(Version 7.3.1)

SWO  I just assumed that he used Leopard + Tiger = Liger (which is actually a real animal, though I am not entirely sure that they exist in the wild, btw). Very clever.  
(Version 1.5)