I first found out about Extension Overload from a friend who asked me to see what I thought of it. From then on it’s never been off my hard drive as it’s a very very useful tool, especially for someone like me who likes to know about everything in their system folder. 

Well by now you may be wondering what Extension Overload is. It’s a Resource Text system which explains most of the extensions and control panels in your computer. It tells you who needs them, what they do and what is the latest version of them available today. It comes in DocMaker format and is only around 650 K for the registered version. In total it has around 50 pages and is laid out in alphabetical order from the “a”extension’s to the “z” extensions then it goes on to the “a” control panels to the “z” control panels. Finally it has a small section called 101 Mac Keyboard shortcuts, which has lots of mac short-cuts which I found very useful, for example hold down Command (Apple Key) + Shift + 1 to eject a floppy from your computer. 

The major part of Extension Overload is the comprehensive listing of extensions and control panels. In total it lists over 666 extensions and over 245 control panels. Also the information which it does give you is not very technical and does not include any techno garble (see example of Bomb Shelter below)

 

The control panels read the same and some even have the URL listings where you can download the software. 

Still, there is more to the program if that isn't enough. It has an Easter Eggs page. For people who don’t know what an Easter Egg is, it is a list of deliberate bugs in your Mac’s applications (written by the programmer)  that do stupid (or interesting)  things, for example, load up the sound control panel and hold down alt/options, while selecting sound out or sound in. Wait for it. (Another Example Below)

It also has  “Ways to Make your Mac faster”  page, “Macintosh Error Codes”  page, “Where to find the software” page and a links page. 

The links page is very useful as well as it tells you what extensions belong to what Main Extension or Program and then you will always be able to know that for instance the “Mailbox Extension” belongs to Power Talk etc. (Full example below)

Overall I would give it 9 out of 10. It’s one of the best sources available today and is even better as it’s up to date. If you would like to download a shareware copy of Extension Overload you will be able to find it shortly at ftp.1984-online.com/1984online/files/  or at the author’s home page http://www.mir.com.my/~cmteng/

Thanks and remember to support Mac Shareware by paying your fee.

Paul Hughes
paul@1984-online.com