Kiwi for Mac

For users of the Twitter-like social network App.net, applications for the Mac are difficult to find. Kiwi for Mac allows reading and drafting of posts and manages the service well for those who are members.

Available as a free trial version with a banner, the full version requires a payment of $9.99. Despite the lack of a native installer, we had no trouble installing and setting up Kiwi for Mac. Upon startup, the user is prompted to enter an App.net password to begin. There are no instructions, but the program is easy to use. A menu at the top gives the user access to posts as well as other useful features for the network. Selecting the New Post button opens an additional menu for typing the entry. This provides a countdown so the user can see how many characters remain in the network's per post limit. Users can also track followers and the number of user mentions, which are useful features for the social network. While the program does not add any functions beyond the actual Web version of the network, it does allow its functions outside of the user's Web browser.

Kiwi for Mac seems to be a useful app for those who belong to the App.net network. This app allows the social network's full functioning away from the user's Web browser.

Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Kiwi for Mac 3.0.3.