● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
Original Windows Task Manager Developer Creates Mac Version, Citing Activity Monitor's Limitations
Key points
- Dave W. Plummer is developing a Task Manager for Mac.
- Plummer was the original developer of Windows Task Manager.
- Microsoft provided Plummer with Windows XP Task Manager source code.
- The Mac version is in beta and will be free on the App Store.
Task Manager for Mac in Development
Dave W. Plummer, known for developing the original Windows Task Manager, is currently working on a macOS version of the utility. He stated that Apple's native Activity Monitor is insufficient for his needs, prompting the creation of a more feature-rich alternative for Mac users.
Microsoft's Support for the Project
Plummer confirmed that Microsoft has provided him with the source code for the Windows XP Task Manager and granted permission to use it for reference and demonstration purposes. This addresses potential concerns regarding the use of Microsoft intellectual property in a project for a competing operating system.
Features and Availability
The new Mac Task Manager is being developed in Swift and does not use any original Windows code directly. Plummer aims to incorporate features found in the Windows utility, such as task priorities, startup management, and services control, which are not present in Activity Monitor. The application is currently in beta and is planned for a free release on the App Store.
Ongoing Development
Plummer is actively working on the utility, including finessing drive activity monitoring. He has indicated that while he intends to release it, there is a possibility he might release the source code for community continuation if he loses interest in further development.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Dave W. Plummer, the original developer of Windows Task Manager, is creating a version of the utility for macOS, stating that Apple's Activity Monitor lacks features. Microsoft granted Plummer permission to reference Windows XP Task Manager source code for this project.