Handpicked Software

This pick isn’t really an application (so there’s no icon for this entry), but it’s a timesaving hack that will change the way you surf. If you search a lot within web pages, even opening Safari’s Find dialog and typing in the search field can be a drain (hey, those keystrokes add up). fiwt finds whatever you type as you type it and takes you immediately to the first match for those characters. Hit the backslash key and it zips you to the next match. You may never have to type Command-F, Command-G again.

fiwt is a SIMBL plug-in, so you’ll need to download and install SIMBL to use it (you can download it from here). SIMBL (Smart InputManager Bundle Loader) offers the ability for developers to add plug-ins to hack Cocoa applications. You’ll find a few other examples on the SIMBL site, including PithHelmet, another plug-in for Safari that lets you block ads, Flash, Shockwave, or other content you’d rather not have to look at (see my review in the November issue of Macworld).

Bottom Line: fiwt doesn’t sound like much (well, maybe it sounds like popping the top of a shaken Coke can), but once you get used to it, you’ll appreciate the keystrokes it will save you.
Get It From: nondeterministic.net
Price: Free