BitClamp Giveaway
Apple December 3rd, 2007Just dropping in with a quick note this evening, a little giveaway - it’s been a while since I last ran one. I’ve been in contact with Daniel Greg recently, developer of a brand new application called BitClamp.
BitClamp is a brand new $20 shareware application which allows you to encrypt files and folders to protect them from prying eyes. BitClamp is fast and easy to use. Simply drag and drop a bunch of files you’d like to encrypt onto the main application window (much like AppZapper), choose your encryption settings (Blowfish - 448Bit, AES - 256 Bit, Serpent - 256Bit), and click the encrypt button.
I have three copies of BitClamp to give away thanks to Danny Greg, developer of the application and head of Crimson Sky Software. To be in-to-win, simply leave a comment below and I’ll announce three winners next week. Alternatively, use the code WOLSEY as you check out to receive a 15% discount.
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:13 pm
First!
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Hmm, sounds like a cool application!
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Neat app idea! Hope I can get a copy to play around!
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:29 pm
What you think about Keychain included in Mac OS X?
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Seems like a pretty sweet application! I’d love to give it a whirl..
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Sounds cool! I’d like to try it.
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Ooooh. ooooh. Me!
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:50 pm
It sounds like a cool app. I’d like to give it a try!
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Like this app, want one :)
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Ooh, ooh, I ish wants one :)
*Grabs app and runs*
Hehe.
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:47 pm
sounds good to me
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Free app? Encryption (something I haven’t got), sounds great!
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Count me in
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Looks pretty useful, thanks for this Glenn :-)
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:34 pm
I’d love to use it, save myself $20 and get to hide those lock up those files i don’t want anyone to see :p
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Me ! Sounds interesting !
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Reverse AppZapper? Seems like a great app to have on hand when you need to lock away those top secret plans for world domination!
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Sounds Interesting :)
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Sounds very easy and interesting.
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Would love to have this app. :)
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:35 pm
I want!
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Id like one to try but doubt you will pick me haha! Or is this a span comment since it is just a reply with no point really??
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Count me in too. Though I believe that $20 is not exactly cheap. Never mind, I’d pay(if it wasn’t a giveaway) for serious stuff like encryption.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Hi from the Basque Country,
First of all congratulations for your site (very clean design, by the way). It’s very useful and interesting.
When it comes to Bitclamp, if it is asconvenient as Appzapper it’ll be worthy anyway.
Have a nice day,
Waneonwani
December 4th, 2007 at 12:51 am
hey guys I’m the developer.
Good to hear the positive comments. What Glenn didn’t mention is for those of you that dont win or can wait I’m going to be creating a coupon code. Use the code WOLSEY as you check out. At the moment its 15% but I may up that to 20 after your comments on price.
Also any feature requests you may have post them here or get in touch I usually turn them around in a couple of weeks if its not too difficult :p.
Thanks and good luck.
December 4th, 2007 at 2:07 am
Sorry, but anyone who is serious about security will either use PGP ($100) or learn to use GNU-PG (free, open source). Those that are less fearful are likely quite happy using encrypted disk images (free). TrueCrypt for windows/linux is already available and an OS X port is well underway (free, open source). No offense intended but trusting a $20 shareware application from a new software company to provide robust file encryption seems rather silly to me. Good luck nevertheless.
December 4th, 2007 at 2:34 am
Pick me!
December 4th, 2007 at 2:44 am
That´s what I was looking for.
December 4th, 2007 at 3:21 am
I would definitely like a copy. I travel with my macbook and wish I had a encryption software. As a student, my budget is kinda tight !!
December 4th, 2007 at 3:27 am
put my name on the list. Being a new convert to Mac a new program would be helpful
December 4th, 2007 at 3:47 am
Would just like to point out that you can trial the program for free for 15 days, just download from the site :-)
@Lindsay - I totally agree with PGP thats some damn good software but its $100, we’re not trying to compete with them.
However, all of our encryption algorithms are implementations of industry standard algorithms, we didn’t invent them so our security is robust as the algorithms. I could link you to the wikipedia of each algorithm but you seem to know what your talking about.
GNU-PG is also good but is nowhere near as easy to use as BitClamp, you have to compile and build the application yourself to start with!
In short BitClamp is designed to be super quick and easy to lock up your data and keep it safe from prying eyes, we think we’ve accomplished that.
December 4th, 2007 at 3:48 am
I’ve actually been looking for file-level encryption software. Knox has come closest to it, but I’m looking for something more/less. BitClamp might be it?
December 4th, 2007 at 3:52 am
I’ve seen BitClamp’ Ads on a few websites, and keep meaning to check it out. I’m on a PC at the moment, but I took a look at the website for it, and it looks really neat!
December 4th, 2007 at 3:55 am
I have tested and I like it
December 4th, 2007 at 3:56 am
I would enjoy a copy, looks like a cool application.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:23 am
This is looks like a cool application. I was looking for something like this a few weeks ago.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:26 am
Sounds cool. I’d like to win a copy
December 4th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Spam!
December 4th, 2007 at 4:43 am
Binaries of GNU-PG (including GUIs to for common tasks) are available at:
http://macgpg.sourceforge.net/
Indeed you are citing standard algorithms and I gather that you’ve written a simple Xcode GUI around the usual free libraries. However, in general the encryption is only as robust as the implementation.
Again, no offense intended, but I think if you actually need file security/encryption, you are better off purchasing from a company with a team of engineers, mathematicians and computer scientists with experience in the field. A quick look at your website suggests you are a single, high-school aged developer selling your first shareware application.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:06 am
@Lindsay - dont worry, no offence taken I think your points are very valid and it is a good discussion to have.
These were all points that I had to consider when developing.
We decided to focus on ease of use and flexibility. We offer a free decryptor on the site so you can send secure data to anyone and they can decrypt it….. Provided they have the password of course!
We are of course offering a windows version as well in the near feaure, to extend this flexibility.
So we are trying to target a slightly different market as opposed to offer an alternaive to pgp.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:16 am
Neat app! Better safe than sorry ;)
December 4th, 2007 at 5:29 am
Hey I don’t mind winning anything!
December 4th, 2007 at 5:33 am
Ooh! I’d love a copy! You can never have too many apps!
December 4th, 2007 at 5:36 am
I’ve tried it, it is a nice app, but there is one major drawback in my opinion.
When you encrypt a document it is copied into an encrypted new file. The old file is still decrypted. So you will still have to manually delete it. Next you won’t be able to use the encrypted file until you decrypt it using Bitclamp (or a separate decrypt application) which makes a new folder ‘DecryptedFiles’ that contains your decrypted document. That is to many actions imho. It would be better to have something more alike Apple’s FileVault. Much easier to use.. Maybe a better integration with the finder coming in the future?
December 4th, 2007 at 5:39 am
I’d love a copy! ;-)
Until now I have used iCrypt — a free tool, but you can’t choose a method of encryption.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:41 am
May as well give it a go.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:47 am
I’d love a copy too.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:48 am
@Joachim - this is simply because we dont want to erase your data. I am considering adding a preference to erase the original file but as a matter of good practice you should always keep a backup of your encrypted file.
I appreciate that isn’t always possible but that’s why we dont write over your data straight away.
I will add a preference for over-writing in the next release :-)
December 4th, 2007 at 6:38 am
Sounds cool, throwing my name in the hat.
December 4th, 2007 at 6:50 am
15% discount! Head over to Chris Marshall’s site, he is offering 20% off BitClamp
December 4th, 2007 at 7:06 am
What an interesting application!
December 4th, 2007 at 8:02 am
Cool idea Glenn. Encryption is always a nice feature on a computer.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:04 am
a comment
December 4th, 2007 at 8:06 am
I wrote something similar to this in Python at one point.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:12 am
*wishes he could have one*
December 4th, 2007 at 8:16 am
With security becoming a much larger priority at home and in the workplace. It’s nice to have apps like bitclamp for more security options.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:16 am
Count me in.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:17 am
BOOBS! LET ME HAVE ONE!!!
December 4th, 2007 at 8:23 am
This sounds like the application I’ve been waiting for!
December 4th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Looks like a cool little program.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:16 am
*COUGH*…. Me?
December 4th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Sounds like a great app.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Number 63! A Useful app, a good competition. I’m crossing my fingers.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Does it work on windows?
December 4th, 2007 at 10:13 am
The Windows version is being developed at the moment, scheduled for a Q1 2008 release.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Woo i wouldn’t mined a copy of bitclamp.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Awesome. I hope I win :D
December 4th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Seems cool. Hope I win :)
December 4th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
@Danny - thanks for you response. That would be a nice solution. May I add some other idea’s?
- A shortcut in the Finder to encrypt a file would be nice (for powerusers like me :-)..), right-click and selecting encrypt ‘filename.ext’
- Possibility to rename the encrypted file to something more original than ‘EncryptedFile.cdx’
- Associating the encrypted ‘EncryptedFile.cdx’ file with BitClamp, double clicking will open up BitClamp for decryption. (A small hint for a background app using dialogs)
- Optionally opening the decrypted file in it’s associated Application.
- Decrypting into the directory the decrypted file is in instead of making a new folder named DecryptedFiles (Or perhaps make this an option in preferences?)
- Or instead of the idea above; After decryption opening the folder BitClamo made with the decrypted file(s)
Good luck developing. I see some potential!
Kind regards
December 4th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
@Glenn - Editings broken
@Joachim - I forgot to add - I like the “reveal in finder” idea for decrypted apps, will add that to the next release.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
@Danny - that was quick!
I must confess I totally overlooked that feature.. that is nice indeed! But I would like you to give the option to rename the encrypted file on the moment you want to encrypt it instead of making that a preference. For me that is much easier that having 20 to 30 familypic’s ;-)
I will take a look into your user guide.. But next morning, now it’s time to say goodnight..
December 4th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Sounds much like an application I saw highlighted on MacThemes the other day. I’m glad developers are going after creating apps like this. A few months back, I posted quite a few tweets on Twitter looking for one. This one sounds best though if it is AppZapper style. :]
December 4th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Sounds good to me :P
December 4th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
@Joachim - :-)
I decided that asking the user what to name it each time could be a bit annoying (”yet another f*****g sheet window!!”), we wanted to keep as little steps from standard file to encrypted file as possible.
Maybe another preference?! :p
I need sleep too, but theres stuff to code! ;-)
December 4th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
@Danny - that’s dedicated ;-)
Maybe when you choose the key you can have the option to also rename the file (in some kind of expandable sheet) ? In that way you have the option to rename it while just hitting return after entering the key will use the default filename.
I am just thinking.. You just choose what to include or exclude. Coz you got the brainz and access to the source :-)
December 4th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
@Joachim - I really like that idea, the only thing im concerned about is that sheet getting overly complex but it should be fine…..
That and it was going to be how a new feature would work ;-)
December 4th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Count me in!
December 4th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Hope there is’nt any backdoors in it for the US government to peek into Really don’t need any more government in out lives.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
looks like a good app
December 4th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
HAHAHAHA
Glenn, you have so many readers ^-^
hope I win
December 5th, 2007 at 2:54 am
Guys, on MacHeist BitClamp for free - http://www.macheist.com
Sorry Glenn ;-)
December 5th, 2007 at 3:18 am
Hey guys,
Just to clarify, you can get BitClamp for free from MacHeist but you will not have access to any updates (and there is a preference missing).
So it could be a great way to trial the app.
Good luck!
Oh and Glenn’s freebies entitle you to all upgrades up to 2.0.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:45 am
@Danny so you know why I leave here my comments ;-)
December 5th, 2007 at 11:11 am
I love BitClamp!
It saved my marriage!
Before we used to fight and live in constant deceit to each other; the whole ‘how’d did all this get on the computer’ battle a constant daily occurrence. With BitClamp, we are once again happy; no longer have to live in the shroud of lying about each others nested folders and instead can encrypt with complete anonymity!
No seriously, this app seems awesome, totally looking for something like this with all my receipts and more personal documents
December 5th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Would love a copy if possible… I’ve been looking for a good Mac alternative to TrueCrypt for a while now.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
hook me up!
December 6th, 2007 at 2:24 am
Free is always good. Free software is better.
December 6th, 2007 at 2:40 am
The MacHeist version is not the same. It is a custom build that is not updatable and has a preference missing. Glenn’s freebies entitle you to free updates till 2.0.
December 6th, 2007 at 2:50 am
Please count me in on your BitClamp giveaway.
December 6th, 2007 at 6:54 am
Count me in mate.
December 6th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
I already have this software. It’s quite useless and slow
December 7th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Got it from MacHeist free, but I’d love to be able to update it.
December 8th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Looks pretty interesting.
December 8th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I bought it. Could wait around for this giveaway and all the stupid comments.
December 9th, 2007 at 5:40 am
This sounds like a must have application and it would be great to have a copy.
December 9th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Looks cool. May as well join in on the give away.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Sounds useful!
December 15th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
pick me