Category: DockShelf

To reset DockShelf’s preferences and workspaces, first quit the application then delete the following files and relaunch DockShelf. You may want to copy the files to another location before deleting in case resetting DockShelf doesn’t resolve the issue you are having.

The ~/Library folder is hidden by default but if you hold down the option key while selecting the “Go” menu in Finder you will see the “Library” folder appear in the menu. For more information on the hidden library folder read this.

Depending on where you purchased DockShelf the data files are kept it different locations.

PayPal:

~/Library/Preferences/com.alchemistguild.DockShelf.plist

~/Library/DockShelf/workspaces.dsworkspaces

AppStore:

~/Library/Containers/com.alchemistguild.DockShelf/Data/Library/Preferences/com.alchemistguild.DockShelf.plist

~/Library/Containers/com.alchemistguild.DockShelf/Data/Library/DockShelf/workspaces.dsworkspaces

Review of DockShelf 1.5 in a French print magazine! Pretty cool we still have those even!

VVMAC130-875-DockShelf

After 30 days of waiting and problems 1.5 is finally on the Mac App Store. I apologize for the long delay between versions but I’ve automated the update system I use so it will be easier to release more frequently now.

What’s new?

NEW: URL items can show an option favorite icon (see the preferences).
NEW: Paste files, links, text and images into stacks or folders.
NEW: “Sort by” options in folder browsers are now in the correct order (duh!), size ordering is more accurate and there’s a new option to sort by date added.
NEW: Text, images and links can be dropped and saved into folder items and folder docks.
NEW: Small edit dock button which can be used instead of contextual-clicking.
NEW: Add folder and desktop item in the dock info window which adds a new empty folder or desktop.
NEW: “Dragging out shares” option for docks which drops the item on the destination then removes the item from the dock. This option is used for docks that are temporary storage during drag and drop.
NEW: More built in dock images (see the dock info window).
IMPROVED: Drag and drop using hiding is now much improved and easier to use but requires you grant DockShelf access in the System Preferences (Security & Privacy > Privacy add enable DockShelf in the list).
IMPROVED: Animations have finally been optimized so DockShelf feels smoother and snappier now (make sure animations aren’t disabled in the preferences to check it out).
IMPROVED: Stacks have QuickLook previews now.
IMPROVED: Stacks can set top item so it’s easier to identity the stack in the dock.
IMPROVED: It’s easier to not drag items out of the dock by accident.
IMPROVED: Cleaned up the preferences window.
IMPROVED: Large size tag is 16pt instead of 14pt like before.
IMPROVED: Note items are all opened in a single window with a system standard style toolbar.
FIXED: Bugs in the “edit smart item” window when selecting custom locations.
FIXED: Bug when renaming folder items.
FIXED: Bug with DockShelf not appearing after logging in even though it was set to do so.

DockShelf Version 1.5 has new features, improvements and bug fixes.

Note: DockShelf now requires OS 10.9 or higher and OS 10.10 or higher for Desktop docks (which were effectively broken on 10.9 anyways but went unnoticed in earlier updates).

New:

• URL items can show an optional favorite icon (see the preferences).
• Paste files, links, text and images into stacks or folders.
• “Sort by” options in folder browsers are now in the correct order (duh!), size ordering is more accurate and there’s a new option to sort by date added.
• Text, images and links can be dropped and saved into folder items and folder docks.
• Small edit dock button which can be used instead of contextual-clicking.
• Add folder and desktop item in the dock info window which adds a new empty folder or desktop.
• “Dragging out shares” option for docks which drops the item on the destination then removes the item from the dock. This option is used for docks that are temporary storage during drag and drop.
• More built in dock images (see the dock info window).

Improved:

• Drag and drop using hiding is now much improved and easier to use but requires you grant DockShelf access in the System Preferences (Security & Privacy > Privacy add enable DockShelf in the list).
• Animations have finally been optimized so DockShelf feels smoother and snappier now (make sure animations aren’t disabled in the preferences to check it out).
• Stacks have QuickLook previews now.
• Stacks can set top item so it’s easier to identity the stack in the dock.
• It’s easier to not drag items out of the dock by accident.
• Cleaned up the preferences window.
• Large size tag is 16pt instead of 14pt like before.
• Note items are all opened in a single window with a system standard style toolbar. Warning: this feature has been disabled by default because there is a crash in Sierra which Apple will probably fix later.

Fixed:

• Bugs in the “edit smart item” window when selecting custom locations.
• Bug when renaming folder items.
• Bug with DockShelf not appearing after logging in even though it was set to do so.

DockShelf 1.4 comes packaged with “Desktops” which allows you to make new “Desktop Docks” and viewer folder items as Desktops.

Please watch the quick tutorial video to learn about some of Desktops features.

You can now get news and updates on DockShelf by following us on Facebook!

French review of DockShelf which appeared in a magazine and archived here as a PDF.

Thanks Bernard!

Finally after over a month DockShelf 1.3 has been approved for the App Store. This version is different from the one being sold from PayPal because it’s sandboxed to comply with Apple regulations. This would be fine except in order to comply with Apple’s regulations and sandboxing some key features have been removed.

I appreciate the need for sandboxing but it’s simply not appropriate for certain applications like DockShelf and I hope my users aren’t afraid of this little utility introducing viruses or trojan horses into their systems so much so they need a sandboxed environment to feel safe.

Here are some reasons why you may consider purchasing from me directly using PayPal instead of the Mac App Store.

1. User scripts have been removed except for a few built-in Apple apps that I had to request special access to. Sandboxing has broken AppleScript pretty badly so I’m not sure I’ll be able to find work arounds so for now at least the features are just removed and as I expand this feature set in the future it may not be included.
2. Drag and dropping things like text, images, URL’s etc… over application items won’t attempt to open the contents in the app because this feature uses the “pbs” command line utility which I think was violating sandbox regulations and getting DockShelf rejected form the App Store. Apple doesn’t supply clear enough information as to why you’re getting rejected sometimes and to prevent more weeks of waiting I decided to remove this feature to be safe but it still remains in the PayPal version.
3. Terminating applications from docks is not allowed in the sandbox so that is removed.
4. Opening applications at login (by right-clicking on dock items) has been removed.
5. Updates can literally take months depending on unknown factors so I always release on the non-AppStore version first then attempt to deal with Apple next.
6. Finally, developers pay Apple 30% of the proceeds of but I pay less than 10% by hosting and selling myself which means more money for development.

Finally DockShelf 1.3 for Yosemite is released. This is a rather large update and features all new themes for Yosemite plus performance improvements.

The Mac App Store version will be submitted shortly and hopefully accepted in the next couple weeks.

Please visit the newly designed web page at thealchemistguild.com/dockshelf for information and an important notice for users upgrading from older versions.