MacStories’ Fuel Collective Week. An Interview with Stephen Korecky.

By Cody Fink

So Federico and I have been casually tweeting about this big thing that’s happening this week, and here it is. We’re going to be hanging out with the guys at Fuel Collective, who make some truly great Mac software. And because this is MacStories, you can expect reviews and giveaways throughout the week. I’m really excited about this, because it’s the first time we’ve ever done an event like this, and it’s just super that we have Fuel Collective on board.

To kick things off, we wanted to get personal with the folks who’ve brought you all sorts of great software, from Snippet to Contents. Stephen Korecky, Fuel Collective’s master paintbrush and artisan, was kind enough to take the time out to answer some of our questions.(And because of a technical error, not once, but twice!)

As you read the interview, Fuel Collective is a prime example of what makes the Mac community so great. Meeting new people. Putting passion into your work. It’s what makes the Mac breed genetically different from everybody else. And overall, they’re really just a couple of fine fellows.

Headspin: Easter Bunny Doodle Edition

By Cody Fink

Though I doubt that these things are actually wascally wabbits (perhaps more like stanky hares), there is undoubtedly something awesome going on here. Because while it might be the oddest game you’ll ever play (dude, you’re rotating bunny heads), think of it this way: it’s addicting. It gets hard. And it will make your head spin. And on top of that, you have a chance to win $100.

One Extension. Multiple Applications. Magic Launch Does. Review and Giveaway!

By Cody Fink

Imagine if you’re working with MAMP, and you’re navigating through the sea of folders residing in htdocs. Deep within these folders you have a myriad of .html, .php, and .css files that need editing, but because you’re a programmer savant, you happen to have Textmate, BBEdit, Coda, SubEthaEdit, and Espresso on your Mac at the same time. And when you go to open one of those lovely HTML ridden files, it opens with the wrong application. How frustrating!

What if I told you that Magic Launch can not only help you ease those app opening pains, it can actually decide which application is better for you depending on contexts? That’s right - in one folder you might want to work in Espresso, while in another you might want to work in Coda. If the file includes lots of CSS, perhaps Magic Launch is smart enough to open that file in CSSEdit instead.

Taska, A Beautiful GTD App for your iPhone. Review and Giveaway

By Cody Fink

It seems there’s never a shortage of good GTD apps for the iPhone, and I think that says something about Apple users in general - we’re always looking for ways to become more productive and get a grip on daily life. Taska, fresh off the App Store palette (it still smells like the packaging!), is a very powerful and feature rich GTD app that’s similar to Omnifocus. Plus, it oozes with beautiful pixels.

Ideawell, For Ideas worth Saving

By Cody Fink

Great ideas often come at the worst times. I’m always either in the shower (insert mental picture here), in line at Bojangles, or in some other awkward position that prevents me from jotting down my latest iteration of the Kitty Cannon 5000. And by the time I get home or near the most reasonable napkin wad I can write on, I often forget the specific details that made it such a brilliant idea. So with a stroke of a red pen, the idea is quickly axed and yet again, I add yet another snotty tissue to my assortment of good ideas gone missing.

Luckily, Ideawell is here to help.

Snippets, Code Library of Choice. Review and Giveaway.

By Cody Fink

I’m not a web designer by any means, but simply someone who is interested in the beauty of code. Being a big fan of HTML and CSS, I decided to learn a thing or two when I decided to craft my own WordPress blog. It’s not particularly fancy or make use of any cool CCS3 effects like Mike Matas’ new site, but it’s a step. I’m not at the point yet where I can drill out code or figure some (okay most) things off the top of my head, so I often reference a lot of code that I reuse or edit for my own purposes. I learn a lot through the myriads of tutorials that are available online. All of this eventually leads to Snippets, which I love to death. Finally, instead of having to reference bookmarks shoved into a desktop folder, I can store and save code in a beautiful desktop library that makes acquiring code incredibly easy to do.

Grades, The Must Have App for Students

By Cody Fink

I was trying to think of a fancy title for this review, but quite simply, Grades is the must have application for iPhone toting students. If you’ve checked out our preview, already you know that Grades is shaping up to be the app that finally answers the question, “What grade do I need to get on my next test?” While you don’t necessarily have to shoot for an A-, certainly an application like this has huge potential for being on the homescreen. Forget pulling out a calculator - Grades makes an average calculation based on what you have in a matter of seconds.

Keypoint, The Mini Keynote. Review and Giveaway.

By Cody Fink

Being the busy business man I am, suit and all, there’s always all of those sweaty meetings to attend, things to present, and doughnuts to eat (mmm… doughnuts). The presentations are the worst part. I mean, I can deal with sitting in a room full of sexy Italians while dickin’ around on my iPhone, but presenting takes effort. And what if I forget my presentation materials? Uh-oh. With Keypoint, I can not only create those presentations while traveling in my million dollar limousine, I can do it fast and professionally.

GiftList, So you’ll Never Forget

By Cody Fink

After every birthday and Christmas, I’ll often spend a little bit of time about the warm glow of my monitor, keyboard and coffee in hand. As the printer churns sheets of countless thank you letters, I cross yet another name off a sticky note with a blue pen. Yet, I wish instead of this sticky note, I had an iPhone app that could track and organize everything for me. GiftList is an iPhone and iPod Touch application designed to keep track of all the presents you receive throughout the year, so you’ll never forget to send a proper “thank you” note (you all should really).