The one thing bloggers and online writers deal with the most information from other sites and being able to access that information while writing is crucial (or at least extremely helpful). On my desktop, I have several application windows opened like MarsEdit (which I use for blogging), Pixelmator (to edit images), and Google Chrome (to browse and access information). Switching back and forth between MarsEdit and Chrome while trying to write an article isn’t optimal. So how do you make both your blogging platform and the information that you’re referring to accessible all of the time? By getting a new screen? There must be a cheaper solution.
Enter ScreenFloat.
To be honest, I didn’t entirely grasp the concept of ScreenFloat initially. Was it a screenshot organiser or a screenshot creator? I was confused. It wasn’t until I started using it that I finally got it. ScreenFloat is a simple application which helps you to create bits of screenshot floating overlays. In other words, after you use it to create a screenshot, it floats on top of everything else.
This is awesome because no other application will allow you to do this. There’s Afloat but that only lets you float entire windows and that doesn’t help when you’re working out of a 13″ MacBook. With ScreenFloat, I’m able to float the segments that I need and that really helps a lot, allowing me to save the rest of the screen estate for other important works.
Floating to the top isn’t the only option you have here, you can also make the screenshot appear in the regular window order, or send it to other applications like Photoshop, Pixelmator and Skitch for further manipulation.
Whenever a new screenshot is created with ScreenFloat, it will automatically be stored within the app. So if you accidentally close a floating screenshot, you can always retrieve it.
If you’re anything like me and will be collecting hundreds of screenshots over time, it’s probably a good idea to keep them organised. With ScreenFloat, you’ll have the option of naming and tagging each screenshot as you create them. Then for quick and easy access, create smart folders within the app to search for apps that carry a particular tag.
ScreenFloat is a handy application that helps you organise and create floating screenshots; saves you time from switching between apps and increases your productivity. I’m sure that it’s going to be a hit among bloggers or just about anyone who has to deal with a MacBook or MacBook Air and their small screens. It’s available from the Mac App Store for $7.99.
Linda Sewell
May 27, 2011
Just wondering how this compares to Evernote…I can “clip” a link (or paste text or images) right from the menu bar of my browser (Firefox), and that opens a small floating window where the entire article (or selected text/image) is copies, along with the date clipped and the link (if applicable). It even titles the clip and lets you tag it and save it to a selected notebook. Seems like the “floating window” aspect is the selling point…but is it worth 7.99? Might have to try it – do you know if there’s a trial period or guarantee?
Jackson Chung
May 27, 2011
Hey Linda,
With ScreenFloat, you can create a floating screenshot out of anything, not only from a browser. So it’s got the advantage there.
The Mac App Store doesn’t offer returns but you can find a trial here: http://www.eternalstorms.at/ScreenFloat/ScreenFloat/ScreenFloat_-_make_your_shots_fly%21.html
Hope that helps.