What's All This Stuff in My System Folder? Extension Overload Knows...
March 27th, 2000

Extension Overload 4.9 ($20 Shareware)
Teng Chou Ming and
Redpoint Software

As far as organizing the pieces of software that extend your Mac's functionality, the Mac OS definitely beats Windows. The Mac OS organizes this software in folders with such names as Control Panels and Extensions, with the files having sensible names like Apple Audio Extension. Windows, on the other hand, scatters things about the C:\WINDOWS and C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM folders, and uses cryptic names like TIM17521.WPX. But you may still want to know more about your Control Panels and Extensions. Extension Overload can help.

Extension Overload is an application which has detailed information on over 2400 extensions and control panels. Unlike some other extension management solutions, Extension Overload is an application, so it won't conflict with any other software, or take up extra memory when it isn't being used.

Once you launch Extension Overload, you are presented with several options. You can manage your Control Panels or Extensions, search the database to find data on a specific extension or control panel, find out what an error code means, or create a report.

Extension Overload Startup Screen

Click on Control Panels or Extensions, and you'll be treated to a screen that will tell you everything you wanted to know about a particular file. Along with standard info like version, size, type and creator, the real meat of the program is in the detailed description of the file. It will let you know when the file is needed, alert you to possible interactions, and more. You can turn a file on or off. There are also buttons which will let you e-mail the author of the file, or visit their web page for more info.

Comprehensive Control Panel Info, with Detailed Description

The Search Database feature will let you quickly search the database for info on a specific file. The unregistered version of Extension Overload will only display the first 5 matches. The Error Codes feature will let you enter an error code, and will tell you all of the possible meanings of the error. Finally, the Create Report option will let you create a snappy looking HTML report of all Control Panels and Extensions, complete with icons.

To keep your system running smoothly, it helps to know as much as possible about your Extensions and Control Panels. Or you may just be curious what these hundreds of files really do. In either case, Extension Overload will keep you up-to-date.

Useful Link

Extension Overload Home Page