Power Check

Name: Power Check
Rating: 0 (5 reviews)

0.4

26 March 2006

Alerts you when your PowerBook power cord gets disconnected.

Overview

UNMAINTAINED.

Problem: iBook, PowerBook or MacBook Pro power cord keeps getting unplugged.

Solution: Audible and Visual alerts from Power Check.

Uses Growl (requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later) and Play Sound for extra functionality, but they are not required.

What's new in Power Check

Version 0.4:

All new config setup during first time the application is run.
Now stores preferences.
User selectable audible alert.

Power Check Screenshots

7 Power Check Reviews

Not only that it depends on Growl and PlaySound, it doesn't even run without them. I accept Growl, but I don't understand why it can't run with the internal sound of OS X?

Version 0.2

I am no longer developing this application. Its features and usability have been passed by UnPlugged, and I recommend you use that wonderful software.

Version 0.4

I had v.0.2 which functioned; v.0.4 crashes with a beep and a query as to where the prefs file is - the prefs file is sitting next to it in the folder. I tried to email the developer directly and had to screw around with Sourceforge.net (which, from my experience, is one of the least intuitively set up sites on the net) and gave up. Sorry, I'll check back for a later version. Even minimal documentation (with a contact email address!?) would be appreciated. iBook G4 10.3.9

Version 0.4

2 answer(s)

pianomansam-1

28 March 2006

Sorry to hear about your experience. I only have 10.4.5 to work with, so this is untested on 10.3.x Make sure to have dragged the entire folder to Applications and run it out of Applications/Power Check. As far as I know there weren't any major changes in appleScript between 10.3 and 10.4 that would have affected this app. If you were happy with 0.2 and extra customization isn't necessary to you, then stick with 0.2 If you do want to customize it, open the contents of the app and take a look at Contents/Resources/Scripts/main.scpt Here you can change the sound it makes or anything else. Btw, if you want to get ahold of me directly, my email is on my user page here. Thanks and good luck!

Version 0.4

Richardcranium

29 March 2006

Well, I'll see about getting v.02. I tried the link on the user page (at least the one that looked obvious) and got bounced into the vacuum of Sourceforge. I've got to say whoever designed that site should be shot.

Version 0.4

I also noticed that ChargerCheck does almost the same thing. I also noticed that they were both originally released the same day and have the same MacUpdate description. I also know that I wrote this software to meet my needs and put it out there to meet others needs as well. I find it strange that something else out there popped up the same day my software was released. I wrote the ChargerCheck author regarding this to make sure he didn't use any of my code. My code has been released under the GPL licence and any software making use of it must be released under the GPL licence as well. ChargerCheck is not open source. ChargerCheck also uses much more CPU. ChargerCheck doesn't have features such as audible alerts. ChargerCheck is still on 0.1 and Power Check is already on 0.3

Version 0.3

8 answer(s)

MacUpdate-Lon

26 March 2006

To be fair, the other app was released/submitted to us here at MacUpdate before Power Check was. As for the description, well, if you want us to change it, we will. But we couldn't think of any better since these apps do the same thing.

Version 0.3

pianomansam-1

26 March 2006

I have no problem with someone else writing a program that does the samething mine does. If I had found such a program a week ago I would have used it myself instead of writing a new one. I have no problem with the descriptions being the same either. I just think it's pretty coincidental that both were released the same day, and I want to make sure that the other author hasn't violated any GPL licencing agreements that are on my software.

Version 0.3

MacUpdate-Lon

26 March 2006

If you find that any of your GPL licensing agreements have been violated, please contact us immediately.

Version 0.3

Cbrantly

26 March 2006

I am the developer of ChargerChecker and just wanted to set the record straight. I was not even aware of your program until I received your email, and none of my code is based on yours. ChargerChecker is an AppleScript Studio application and uses some python do do the actual checking. I have no idea what method you are using. I don't have a MacBook Pro myself, but I read several forums where people were complaining about the MagSafe power connector being disconnected and one guy said he wished someone would write a shareware app to warn you. I thought this would be a simple program to write, so I took up the task. Rest assured that none of your code is included in my app. I will however download and try out your app just out of curiosity. Forum that gave me the idea: http://www.zdnet.com/5208-11408-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=19074&messageID=368273&start=-34 -Chad

Version 0.3

pianomansam-1

26 March 2006

My fears are relived. Maybe some teamwork is in store...???

Version 0.3

Dan-Neal

26 March 2006

Given that your app takes 22.90 MB RAM according to the Activity Monitor and ChargerChecker only takes 6.18 MB RAM, it's highly unlikely that any of your code is being used.

Version 0.3

ianianianian

26 March 2006

Just felt I should point out that version numbers really aren't relevant. Even if one program is at version 8 and another is still at 0.8, it doesn't mean anything. Higher numbers and/or more versions released does not necessarily mean a superior program.

Version 0.4

pianomansam-1

27 March 2006

Two things. First, Power Check 0.4 uses lots less memory. I've been running an instance of it for several hours and it's only at 3.84 MB. Second, version numbers do say something a program. If it is < 0.5 it's still alpha quality. If it is < 1.0 it's beta quality. Beyond that, it doesn't matter so much. What is perhaps more important than version numbers is revision times. A program that has been revised 10 times is probably better than a program with only two revisions.

Version 0.4

Feature request: No dock icon would be cool. :)

Version 0.3

1 answer(s)

pianomansam-1

26 March 2006

What OS X version are you running? I have 10.4.5 and coded the program to not have a Dock Icon.

Version 0.3

I'm just wondering how this is different from Charger Checker. It looks like both programs do the same thing in the same way.

Version 0.3

Not only that it depends on Growl and PlaySound, it doesn't even run without them. I accept Growl, but I don't understand why it can't run with the internal sound of OS X?

Version 0.2

1 answer(s)

pianomansam-1

25 March 2006

This app is coded in AppleScript. AppleScript has no way of playing sounds internally. Play Sound gives AppleScript this ability. If the end user doesn't have Play Sound, I can code it differently to still run. If anyone has any bugs to report or features to request, please submit them on my sourceforge site. Thanks.

Version 0.2

Power Check

Overview

What's new in Power Check

Power Check Screenshots

7 Power Check Reviews

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