Apple ’s AirPort menu - bar computer menu is a convenient way to connect to nearby wireless networks , but it ’s not without its limitations . For example , you ca n’t see the sign strong point of each web , nor can you see which networks are opened and which are protected .
Last year I talk about an interesting menu - bar program , coconutWiFi ( ) , which indicates which meshing are protected . However , a number of exploiter have regain that using coconutWiFi adversely affects the speed of their wireless connection . In improver , you ca n’t use coconutWiFi to in reality get in touch to a web ; you still need Apple ’s AirPort menu to do that .
A better alternative is TastyApps’WiFind 1.2 (; $ 8) , which provides more information and workswithinMac OS X ’s own AirPort computer menu .
cherry “ locked ” padlock image point protect internet ; unripened “ unlocked ” icons indicate capable internet . A storey meter to the left field of each internet name demo the web ’s current signal strength . In addition , as prove in the image at flop , if you hold your mouse cursor over a web name , WiFind display detailed information about that mesh : its numeral signal forcefulness , web channel , security type , and MAC address .
Since WiFind alter Apple ’s own menu point , the standard AirPort menu command are still present , and you work with the carte du jour just as you always did : choose a meshwork to connect to it , and hold down the Option keystone while clicking on the bill of fare ikon to sort wireless web in order of signaling strength . you could Command+drag the fare icon to the left or right to shift it in the menu bar ; or Command+drag the bill of fare ikon off the carte du jour prevention to get rid of it ( internet preference ’ “ Show AirPort status in fare bar ” option will put it back ) .
Besides giving you these utile newfangled features in the same menu you ’ve always used , WiFind does n’t affect meshwork performance the fashion some user have launch CoconutWiFi to do . I usedSpeakeasy ’s Speed Testto test my connection before and after establish WiFind , and the results were fundamentally identical .
The only feature film miss from WiFind that coconutWiFi has is that the latter displays the act of wireless networks in kitchen stove as part of its menu - legal profession icon . Still , this is how Apple ’s AirPort menushouldwork .
WiFind 1.2 requires Mac OS X 10.4 or high .
