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Extension Overload
Overview
This comprehensive utility by Teng Chou Ming and Peter Hardman of Redpoint Software lives up to its name by providing an extensive listing of control panel and extension descriptions, but it doesn’t stop there. Extension Overload can enable and disable control strip modules, contextual menu modules, and fonts in addition to control panels and extensions. Furthermore, the built-in component and system error code databases are searchable.
Component Management
One of Extension Overload’s obvious functions is to replace Apple’s Extensions Manager. While the enabling/disabling capability is virtually the same, its superior reservoir of descriptions gives Extension Overload the edge, especially with third-party components. Additionally fonts can be viewed from within the program as shown in the screenshot.
Component Descriptions
The System Folder contains a slew of files, many of which have cryptic names. Finding what each one of them does and more importantly whether a particular one is even needed can be a frustrating task. Extension Overload’s current database contains descriptions for 2,960 extensions, 1,070 control panels, 220 control strip modules, and 108 contextual menu modules for System 7 through Mac OS 9.1. The database can be searched by name or description even for components that aren’t installed. Additionally, all listings supply the most current version numbers known by Extension Overload, particularly handy for determining if a newer version exists for a lesser known startup file. Email and web addresses for many of the developers are also provided.
Error Code Reference
It happens to almost every Mac user at one time or another: the dreaded system error message. Unfortunately the cause of a system error is vaguely stated at best along with an error code. Extension Overload contains a searchable database of these error codes along with a brief description. Knowing what actually occurred can be helpful in solving any problems, provided that the description makes any sense to the common user. The error listing can be searched by code, name, toolbox, and description.
Reports
One of the most impressive features that I’ve seen in Extension Overload’s arsenal is its user reports. These in depth reports list all installed components complete with version numbers and descriptions either in a text or HTML document. Shown below is an HTML report complete with hotlinks for developers’ email and web addresses (when available). Anchor links have thoughtfully been added for quick navigation to the various listed component types.
Conclusion
Extension Overload has many talents. It can manage control panels, extensions, fonts, control strip modules, and contextual menu modules, but in addition to that, this utility provides searchable databases of component and system error descriptions. Furthermore, in depth reports can be generated for a complete listing of installed components. A few extra goodies are also included to complete this catch-all utility including a control strip module for quick launching and a list of tips for speeding up your Mac, just to name a few. Overall, it’s a well-rounded utility for finding system software-related info. For more information regarding Extension Overload, visit the utility’s site.
Jeremy Hoesly
ResExcellence Software Tester
February 18, 2001
The Blue theme from our Appearance Themes section was used in the screenshots.
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