Appetizer (software)
{{short description|Open source application launcher for Windows}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Appetizer
| screenshot = AppetizerScreenshotTango.png
| caption = Appetizer showing the Tango icon set
| developer =
| author = Laurent Cozic
| released = {{Start date and age|2008|08|30}}
| latest_release_version = 1.4.6.494
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2010|02|13}}
| programming language = C++, wxWidgets
| operating system = Microsoft Windows
| size = 1 MB
| genre = Dock bar, application launcher
| license = GNU GPL 3
| website = {{URL|appetizer.cozic.net}}
}}
Appetizer is an open source dock for Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7, which allows organizing the user's shortcuts and applications. It can be customized via skins and plugins and is available in 25 languages. Various other features are available including support for keyboard shortcuts, custom icons and tray icon support. Appetizer also features a function to automatically launch certain applications when it starts.
Appetizer started as a PortableApps.com application.{{cite web|url=http://portableapps.com/node/16530|title=Appetizer 0.9.4 (Build 958)|publisher=PortableApps.com|date=2008-11-04|accessdate=24 October 2011|last=Cozic|first=Laurent}} As such it is designed to be portable and can be installed on a USB drive or other portable device. If the standard PortableApps.com folder structure is detected on the drive, Appetizer will automatically import the user's shortcuts.
Reception
Appetizer has been reviewed by several websites and magazines. It was chosen as "freeware of the month" by UpdateStar in 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.updatestar.com/latestnews/335|title=Freeware of the month: Appetizer|publisher=UpdateStar|accessdate=21 November 2010}} and was in the "top 10 of the best launchers" on Clubic.{{cite web|url=http://www.clubic.com/article-265688-2-top-logiciels-lancer-applications-windows-clubic.html|title=Top Clubic des gratuitiels pour lancer vos applications|last=Monnier|first=Michaël|author2=Stéphane Ruscher|date=2009-03-22|publisher=Clubic|language=French|accessdate=21 November 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.clubic.com/telecharger-fiche268466-appetizer.html|title=Appetizer 1.4.7.508|last=Monnier|first=Michaël|publisher=Clubic|language=French|accessdate=21 November 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101111092420/http://www.clubic.com/telecharger-fiche268466-appetizer.html| archivedate= 11 November 2010 | url-status= live}} Clubic appreciated its ease of use and the small size of its executable. DownloadSquad reviewed Appetizer and noted that thanks to its open source nature, "it is easy for anyone to develop skins, plugins, or other features for the application".{{cite web|url=http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/04/23/appetizer-open-source-portable-application-launcher/|title=Appetizer: Open source, portable application launcher|last=Linder|first=Brad|date=2009-04-23|publisher=DownloadSquad|accessdate=21 November 2010}} Likewise, LifeHacker called it a "free, polished, and highly customizable open source candidate".{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5227008/appetizer-is-a-customizable-open-source-application-launcher|title=Appetizer is a Customizable Open Source Application Launcher|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Jason|date=2009-04-25|publisher=LifeHacker|accessdate=21 November 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101027041530/http://lifehacker.com/5227008/appetizer-is-a-customizable-open-source-application-launcher| archivedate= 27 October 2010 | url-status= live}} Softonic noted that the application didn't "really add many new functions to the Start menu" but was "a very eye-catching alternative menu" and "goes straight to the point".{{cite web|url=http://appetizer.en.softonic.com/|title=An alternative Start menu for apps and files|last=Santos|first=Elena|date=2009-04-24|publisher=Softonic|accessdate=21 November 2010}} PC World reviewed Appetizer and noted that it "would likely be of most use when run alongside the also-free portable app suite".{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/529232/appetizer-2.html|title=Appetizer makes it faster to launch Portable Apps|last=Larkin|first=Erik|date=June 22, 2009|publisher=PC World|accessdate=21 November 2010}}
Appetizer was also reviewed in 2009 on the French TV channel Game One during the Funky Web TV show.{{cite web|url=http://www.gameone.net/emissions-series-articles/Funky-Web-Lundi-2-novembre-2009-1417/FUNKY-WEB-27/mon-game-one-MAGAZINES |title=Funky Web - Lundi 2 novembre 2009 |date=2009-10-02 |publisher=Game One |language=French |accessdate=21 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324194001/http://www.gameone.net/emissions-series-articles/Funky-Web-Lundi-2-novembre-2009-1417/FUNKY-WEB-27/mon-game-one-MAGAZINES |archivedate=24 March 2010 }}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|appetizer.cozic.net}}
Category:Application launchers
Category:Windows-only freeware