Mac users are collectors. We collect apps, utilities, tools, bookmarks, email—almost anything that passes through our Macs.
Me? I collect apps. Apps stack up faster than email spam. I have apps for this, apps that do that, apps I’ve not used in six months. Keeping track of all those apps isn’t easy. AppChest is a Mac app that thinks different and makes it easier to manage app serial numbers, trial periods, and other details you won’t want to lose—in a unique way.
We Don’t Need No Licenses?
One thing that more modern Mac apps have in common is a serial number—the key to the license you get with each app. The only problem is that serial numbers are not universal, they’re totally unique.
Some apps have short serial numbers with only numbers.
Other Mac apps have amazingly long serial number with letters, numbers, characters, and no rhyme or reason.
Every time you get a new Mac you have to find and enter the serial numbers of your apps. That’s a tedious process at best. A painstakingly laborious and frustrating process at worst.
Does anyone have a modern way to track your Mac app serial numbers and license information? Things are looking up for Mac collectors. Storage in a digital app chest via AppChest.
Drag And Drop Tracking
Mac users have a dozen or so very good, modern looking, easy-to-use app license tracking apps. What’s difficult? Not much. Open the app, enter the app’s name and info, find the serial number (on the CD, DVD, or in a registration email), enter the serial number, and wait until next time.
The benefits are obvious, though. Having all your app serial number information in a single place makes it easy to find, but not easy to use. AppChest makes the whole license information gathering process more accurate, with less work, with more detail.
How? AppChest uses Apple’s ubiquitous drag and drop. That’s right. Drag and drop. Check the image below from the AppChest user interface. Drag an app’s icon to AppChest and it starts working.
Drag and drop to the AppChest Library, enter your serial number (sorry—no magic way to do that—yet). AppChest searches your Mac for relevant information, whether it’s email, PDF’s, text files. Most basic app information can be autofilled into AppChest’s Library, which makes it easy to retrieve later, or finish filling in now.
That gorgeous user interface is instantly familiar and ultimately useful.
All your Mac apps are displayed in the scrollable left column. That’s the Library. If you’re like me, it’s a long list. Click on any app icon and all the details are displayed in the larger right column. Some of that information is auto-fillled by AppChest. You enter the rest.
Wait. There’s more. Much more.
AppChest also lets you know about new Mac apps. It also reminds you when trial software is about to end the trial period.
Many times I’ve downloaded Mac apps to try, gave it a once over and planned to try it out, but didn’t—then the trial ended and I was stuck. AppChest lets you know before a trial has ended.
AppChest’s shameless promotion of new Mac apps or updates is actually useful as it alerts you to new opportunities to improve your Mac experience (it’s all a matter of perspective—useful or annoying). Regardless of your perspective, it’s an opt-in feature.
There’s also a unique app sharing function which lets you share serial number and detail information with other AppChest users. The admonition to do so only with apps that allow license sharing is a thin veil—useful for app license tied to a family of Macs, probably not so legal for single Mac user licenses.
AppChest is elegant, highly functional, full featured, and totally thinks different. Do you use plenty of Mac apps? How do you track the serial numbers and license information? Do you share your apps with others or other family members?
About Natalia Nowak
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