DockBlock Editor's Review

DockBlock is a simple application which works with the Dock menu.

DockBlock has several working modes which interfere with Apple's Dock menu. These working modes are: Disable Dock, Hide Dock, and Show Dock.

It displays a small icon in the menu bar, so the accessing of its functionality is "Dock free". The application itself is a little bit too slow and it has slight lags when it works and you access the menu. This menu also displays a list of running applications.

Turning off the Dock menu with DockBlock isn't the happiest option since the application's menu won't replace the Dock's functionality. If you minimize an application, you won't be able to have it back on the screen, unless you turn on the Dock, or check an option from 'Preferences': '"One-click" switching'.

The 'Preferences' panel allows you to set some behavior options such as: the auto activation on login, the resume of the previous Dock state, the one-click switching mode, the displaying of the applications menu, the displaying of the iTunes track info on the menu bar, or the usage of a hot-key in order to toggle the working modes of this application. The hot-key combination is hardcoded, so you can't change it.

Pluses: it allows you to quickly turn off the dock, hide it, or restore it.

Drawbacks / flaws: if you turn off the Dock, using your Mac might turn into a small challenge; the application is a little bit slow.

In conclusion: if you need an application that quickly turns off the Dock, then DockBlock can do this job, but don't rely on the usability if you do this.

version reviewed: 1.2