CNET Editors' review
When you're working on your Mac, sometimes things happen in the background that you would like to keep track of while working in another application. Growl works with hundreds of popular Mac apps to notify you of specific events, like when a download is completed or when your CD-burning project is finished.
For example, it can notify you when a friend comes online in Adium, when your EOD backup is done, and even pop up abbreviated versions of incoming e-mails--all while you're working on something entirely different, often with the help of app-specific plug-ins like GrowlMail, GrowlTunes, and GrowlSafari.
We like having control over what gets a Growl notification (which you can handle through easy preference pane settings) and the ability to choose from numerous skins to customize the look of each notification. Overall, if you're looking to always know what's going on with your running applications, this free program is an excellent way to stay notified. The newest version requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later.
Publisher's Description
From The Growl Project:
Growl is a global notifications system for OS X. (for example) Growl allows apps that support Growl to send you notifications. Growl offers you complete control over which notifications are shown and how they are displayed. You will not receive any notifications that you do not want, because you can easily turn notifications (specific ones or all of them) off. When you start up a Growl-enabled application, it will "just work." Your apps can start displaying notifications right away. Growl centralizes all your notification preferences into its preference pane - you can control them all from one place, and you know exactly how they are going to behave. Growl is very flexible. Notifications can be emailed to you or spoken instead of displayed on the screen.
What's new in this version: - Growl now works correctly on case-sensitive file systems.
- All of the preferences selections should now show up in the toolbar.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 28 votes
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Current version:
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"If they have to charge, this is a 99-cent App!"
Version: Growl 1.3.1
Pros
Useful, handy, great notifier and seems to be mostly trouble-free
Cons
The upgrade is indicated "for Lion" but I'm already running Lion with 1.2.2
Summary
We are a fickle bunch. Love the free stuff, but we'll turn on you if we suddenly have to pay. So, it becomes a Value Proposition. Is this app worth $1.99? Make it 99¢ and I'll pay.
that should read "99 cents" The ASCII for the "cents" character (opt+4) converted to "¢". Sorry.
Updated on Nov 13, 2011 -
"Bad move to suddenly start charging"
Version: Growl 1.3.1
Pros
None. Required by other software
Cons
Charging for what had been a free package that is required by other software such as Skype. Will cause a mass exodus.
If they wanted to milk their customer base, should have been more transparent about what was coming. Why isnt the $3 new charge listed as a change? Thats by far the most significant change in this new release.Summary
Not worth the money. Move along.
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"Good Product; But Why Now Pay?"
Version: Growl 1.3.1
Pros
I've been using Growl for many years and find it to be an excellent product for notifying me about events without my having to actually have the window open. For instance, Skype contacts that come online.
Cons
I see nothing in the solicitation for upgrading to version 1.3.1. Why would I want to go to the Apple Store and pay for something that I already have for free. It's not that I don't mind paying... it's just that no one has bothered to give me a reason (other than a blind solicitation).
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"Don't like App Store"
Version: Growl 1.3.1
Pros
Growl was always free. I have 1.2.2. That was, and is, good. Now it costs money at the App Store to update it.
Cons
Not only do they require you to pay, there's no option to get it from anywhere except the App Store.
Summary
No other option than getting it from the App Store. Bad idea.
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"I apologize but Growl is no longer free."
Version: Growl 1.3.1
Pros
My comment is not a criticism
Cons
I already used the free version
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"nice reminder of when background programs are completed"
Version: Growl 1.2.1
Pros
Works extremely well with Mail and iTunes
Cons
A voice-over feature would make it better
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"great notification tool"
Version: Growl 1.2.1
Pros
gives me up to the minute notification of things I need to know
Cons
nothing so far
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"Snow Leopard now complete!"
Version: Growl 1.2b4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I have been reduced to one "space" since SL came out, but now that Growl is updated, I can safely confine Adium and other chatty apps to other spaces.
Growl is an effective tool for showing heads up displays for many apps that may update (or may not) their dock icons. For a dock hider like myself, and multiple space user, this utility is INVALUABLE.
Try in conjunction with GrowlMail and hardware growler. For sysadmins, use growlnotify and use the "listen" feature in the pref pane to monitor your flock of sheep, whether it be workstations or servers. -
"Great but may slow Mail.app"
Version: Growl 1.1.6
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I love Growl and use it to keep track of what applications I have running in other Spaces are doing or receive notifications of system events.
One thing I have noticed with this version and Apple's Mail in Leopard is that it seems to interfere with user interaction with the program. For example, when Mail is downloading messages and the Growl notifications are being displayed, I cannot select/view a message in mail, change to another folder, or access any of Mail's menus. I never had that problem with any previous version. -
"Great app!"
Version: Growl 1.1.3
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Still a great app. Good to have full leopard compatibility.
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