WindowShade X for Mac5.0.7

Unsanity have GONE BUST! There's a new kid on the Block... RGB World with their brilliant, "actively developed" (works on Lion, ML, and Mavericks from Nov 2013) called "WINDOWMIZER" (v3.0 is latest Oct 2013 version), which now does the same thing, but much enhanced over what Unsanity did with 'Windowshade'. They've learned from Unsanity's mistakes though and not hacked the system but it's run as an app... so no more Unsanity instability! Go Google it... "WINDOWMIZER". It's awesome.

Unsanity appears to be gone. When I try to go to their website I just get a page that says: Forbidden, You don't have permission to access / on this server. So all those cool tweaks are no more :(

Before you dash out and buy WindowMizer (since there's no demo), you should be aware of several matters. First, it's not going to give you the Unsanity experience. Windows do not merely collapse; the collapsing is always preceeded by the screen going completely to black and then returning with your minimized window. (I was tempted to shout "ta dah!" when it happened.) Second, the command keys do not always work. Although I can windowshade when double clicking the toolbar, I have yet to find any key combo that will windowshade. The "restore" key works okay, though. (However, Unsanity allowed the exact same key combo to windowshade and unwindowshade.) Also, any key combo I tried that involved the letter "M" minimized the window to the dock. Finally, if you use any kind of program that modifies the screen color, etc. (such as RedScreen), WindowMizer will shut it off or otherwise override it. In short, the program is far from the elegance you experienced with Unsanity. At the same time, I recognize that it's in its infancy and could perhaps overcome these problems. That's why I'm opting to comment instead of rating it at this time.

I found a replacement for Windowshade named WindowMizer. It works with OS X Snow Leopard(10.6), Lion(10.7) and Mountain Lion(10.8). It is available at Mac App Store or from the developer's website: http://www.rgbworld.com/windowmizer It is the best replacement for Windowshade that I have been able to find that works with Mac OS X and is reasonably priced.

This is a fantastic client. It does exactly what I like and need for my goofy work behavior. The Option, Double Mouse Click opens or closes all of the windows in that ap. Totally cool! In fact, this client is one of the main reasons I haven't left Snow Leopard. The problem, of course, is that the developer has been really slow with updates, and it now looks like that has dropped to less than slow... more like, None. I've read that the developer suffers from depression and that can be as debilitating as can be. I wish him luck. I gave this great ap 5 stars because it's an awesome ap and deserves more than the piddly rating it has...

So Mountain Lion is out and this utility is dead. From an idea in OS6 bought up by Apple and used in 7.5 it died with OSX except Unsanity brought it back. How hard would it be for apple to have this in the OS along with tabbed (edge of screen windows). RIP unless you want to communicate with us all and tell us different.

Ask anyone who made a "good faith" donation to MacTheRipper how that turned out. Or to "Synergy Advance." Thanks, but no thanks. Unsanity has a product and a customer base. They either develop their product and trust their customers, or they go out of business. Check out Deskovery. http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/36082/deskovery No, it is not as full-featured as Unsanity's program. Yes, it is more costly. No, I do not work for them or get kickbacks. I've ripped on them as much as I've praised them. But they are, at least, responding to comments and e-mails, and they are, at least, actually working on their product. Their latest alpha release is mostly good; they're working with me on some programs that have a few problems. For the most part, their program will do basic windowhading. (It has other features that might well interest others.) I find windowshading critical to the way I work, so I was willing to pay the higher price. But I'm optimistic.

I got an early morning email from Unsanity stating "Currently, none of our products are enabled to work on Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion." Any developer knew that since Lion's release in BETA in 2010 - I suppose Unsanity doesn't care to pay the small price to be an Apple Developer and just noticed. Well the really odd thing is the email says Lion version will be worked on but to encourage development they want us to purchase the current version of our favorite Haxies NOW (at a discount) even though those still won't work. Give them $$$ in advance and then not had to "pay again" for the updated version. (Last time we got "donation nags.") Seems rather shady / risky to me. The old "take the money and run" or as I often wonder about the developer "take the money and die again never to be heard from." I really have depended on WindowShade and FruitMenu for many years and many versions but I have no respect for Unsanity as developers or their lack of support.

What I miss most from WindowShade (since Lion made it stop working) is the click-to-hide option for the minimise button. I'm still doing this automatically, and then having to retrieve the app from the dock again! Does anyone know an app that allows the same configuration? I can live without the other things WS does, but this is a hard habit to kick.

I do wish they'd fix this. Deskovery is useless in Lion. If you shade a window, you can't do anything unless you unshade it. Can't scroll background windows. Can't even leave the unshaded window to go elsewhere. What's the point of it? I like Unsanity's version better. Sigh.