Sloop, by Quadratic Software, is a program that adds cursor focusing to the MacOS. What is cursor focusing? Cursor focusing is a different way to navigate between windows. When cursor focusing is enabled, whatever window the cursor is over automatically moves to the front ("acquires focus") without having to click in that window. This navigational strategy is popular on some other windowing operating systems like the X Window System. Up until now it has not been available for the MacOS.
Why use Sloop?
Sloop generally makes the MacOS easier to use by helping you sail through your windows and applications without having to incessently click your mouse. Sloop improves overall productivity by speeding up window and application navigation. Sloop includes many options for creating a custom solution to suit your needs. And best of all, Sloop makes people who use other operating systems that don't have cursor focusing envious of the enhanced power of the MacOS!
Since I started using the first development versions of Sloop, I haven't been able to stop. When I turn Sloop off or uninstall it from my computer, I quickly become frustrated at all the clicking I have to do. Until I started using Sloop, I took all this clicking for granted and didn't even realize how much time I spent doing it. Sloop is now an essential part of my daily Mac usage. I hope after trying it out for a week or two, Sloop will become an indispensible part of your Mac usage as well.
How does Sloop work?
Sloop actually consists of two programs: the Sloop Sail and the Sloop Rudder. The Sloop Sail belongs in the Extensions Folder of your System Folder. It is what does the actual work of tracking the mouse and switching among windows and applications. The Sloop Rudder let's you customize Sloop by setting various options. The Rudder also includes an extensive online manual and help facility (you're reading it now!).
Sloop implements cursor focusing on the MacOS in two parts: application focusing and window focusing: Application focusing allows you to switch between applications. When application focusing is enabled, if the cursor is over a window belonging to an application behind the front application, that application switches to the front. Window focusing allows you to switch between windows within the frontmost application. When window focusing is enabled, if the cursor is over a window that isn't frontmost, that window is brought to the front.
