Abstract Tools
…because if you have a computer, you don't need a life.
Abstract Tools is a small software company dedicated to amusing and enriching its CEO, CFO, and Chief Software Engineer.
All programs are for the Apple Macintosh computer, and are not now, nor ever will be available for Windows.
Applications for Science
Keeton
Keeton is a GUI for viewing the database of pigeon orientation data collected by Professor William T. Keeton and his graduate students between 1967 and his death in 1980.
There is no written documentation, but a couple of screencasts that describe its use are available on the download page.
The program and screencasts can be downloaded here.
Hermes
Hermes is a suite of programs for developing simulation models. It includes Hermes proper, a model editor, Crocus, a controller for executing simulations, and Igor, a light-weight database for storing simulation results. In addition, if you have pro Fit, you can produce plots of simulation results from within Igor.
More information about Hermes can be found here, or you can go directly to the download page here.
Applications just for fun
Mandiscope
Mandiscope is a toy for playing around with graphic images. After selecting an image, you can see it sliced and mirrored into a mandala with n-fold symmetry. At the same time, the slice is continuously moved across the image, producing a kaleidoscopic effect.
The program is based on a suggestion by Dan McPheeters, who creates lovely, static images based on this technique. It's worth a visit to see his work at sculptedimage.
The program can be downloaded here.
Big Mouth
Big Mouth takes a plain text file and reads it back, animating each word as it is spoken by writing the word on the screen and then zooming in.
The program can be downloaded here.