Sherlock, named after fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, was a file and web search tool created by Apple Inc. for the PowerPC-based 'classic' Mac OS, introduced with Mac OS 8 as an extension of the Mac OS Finder's file searching capabilities. Like its predecessor (System 7.5’s totally revamped 'Find File' app, adapted by Bill Monk from his 'Find Pro' shareware find program ^[1]), Sherlock searched for local files and file contents, using the same basic indexing code and search logic found in AppleSearch. Sherlock extended the system by enabling the user to search for items through the World Wide Web through a set of plugins which employed existing web search engines. These plugins were written as plain text files, so that it was a simple task for a user to write a Sherlock plugin.

Sherlock was replaced by Spotlight and Dashboard in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, although Apple continued to include it with the default installation. Since most of the standard plug-ins for Sherlock provided by Apple itself no longer function, it was officially retired and removed in the release of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard in 2007.

Explore the world of Mac. Check out MacBook Pro, iMac Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and more. Visit the Apple site to learn, buy, and get support. Sherlock, named after fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, was a file and web search tool created by Apple Inc. For the PowerPC-based 'classic' Mac OS, introduced with Mac OS 8 as an extension of the Mac OS Finder's file searching capabilities. Like its predecessor (System 7.5’s totally revamped 'Find File' app, adapted by Bill Monk from his 'Find Pro' shareware find program ), Sherlock.

Sherlock plugin file format[edit]

The Sherlock 2 search plugin was an SGML document, and was typically given the '.src' file extension. The Sherlock plug-in was composed of three parts, identified by their element names: <search>, <input>, and <interpret> tags. These elements allowed Sherlock to (respectively) identify a search's engine's web page and the parts that are relevant to searching, as well as returning the results of the search. There was also a facility for defining how a Sherlock plug-in could update itself.

Sherlock search plugins could also be used (with minor modifications) in Mozilla's browser suites. These plugins were, appropriately enough, known as Mycroft project plugins (named after Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock Holmes' older brother). Among some of the changes made in the Sherlock file format were the separation of the automatic update element (which formed part of the <search> element) and the icon (provided in a separate file in Mozilla and part of the resource fork in Sherlock).

Sherlock 3 channels[edit]

The Sherlock 3 search plugin was a web application, which was downloaded on the fly from a server to ensure the most current version. As information on the internet is subject to change so quickly, this was one way for Apple to guarantee the up-to-date version. A channel consisted of a web directory with an index. This usually pointed to a sub-directory (usually called 'Channel') which contained the code XML, any Script XML, and localized lproj directories (nib file and Localized Text Resources as a plist).

The ten channels included by default were:

• Pictures
• Stocks
• Movies
• Flights
• Dictionary
• Translation

Current status[edit]

As Sherlock was never released as a Universal binary, it is not compatible with Mac OS X versions after Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, and can't be launched on Intel Macs without Rosetta.

Sherlocked as a term[edit]

Advocates of Watson made by Karelia Software, LLC claim that Apple copied their product without permission, compensation, or attribution in producing Sherlock 3.

Some^[who?] disagree with this claim, stating that Sherlock 3 was the natural evolution of Sherlock 2, and that Watson was obviously meant to have some relation to Sherlock by its very name.

The phenomenon of Apple releasing a feature that supplants or obviates third-party software is so well known that being Sherlocked has become an accepted term used within the Mac and iOS developer community.^[2][3][4]

Versions[edit]

• Sherlock – introduced in Mac OS 8.5.
• Sherlock 2 – shipped with Mac OS 9, new interface, more plugins.
• Sherlock 3 – shipped with Mac OS X 10.2, runs only in Mac OS X.
• Sherlock was replaced by Spotlight in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger for hard drive searches, and replaced by Dashboard for other functionality, but remained as a stand-alone program with its channels. It was completely removed in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^Judson, Jeremy (1996). The Macintosh Bible, 6th Edition. Peachpit Press.
2. ^Arment, Marco. 'Sherlocking Myself Just Fine Over Here'. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
3. ^Tsai, Michael. 'The Indie Life'.
4. ^'You've been sherlocked'. The Economist. July 13, 2012. ISSN0013-0613. Retrieved June 6, 2019.

External links[edit]

• Karelia: Watson FAQ - See 'What is the relationship between Watson and the new Sherlock 3?'.
• Karelia: Developing Tools for Watson - See 'How does Watson's plug-in architecture compare to Sherlock 3?'.
• MyCroft Project opensearch & sherlock search engine plug-ins. Gnome!
• https://wiki.developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Window/sidebar/Adding_search_engines_from_Web_pages$revision/1525363#Installing_Sherlock_plugins

About the lithium-ion battery in your Mac notebook

Mac notebook batteries use lithium-ion technology. Lithium-ion batteries charge quickly, are long-lasting, and currently provide the best technology to power your computer.

All rechargeable batteries are consumable components that become less effective as they get older—and their age isn't determined only by time. A battery's lifespan depends on its chemical age, which is affected by factors such as its temperature history and charging pattern. As your notebook's battery ages chemically, its charging capacity gets smaller.

With these tips for maximizing battery performance, you can get the most out of all your Apple devices. And with battery health management, your Mac notebook can take battery optimization even further.

How battery health management helps

The battery health management feature in macOS 10.15.5 is designed to improve your battery's lifespan by reducing the rate at which it chemically ages. The feature does this by monitoring your battery's temperature history and its charging patterns.

Based on the measurements that it collects, battery health management may reduce your battery's maximum charge when in this mode. This happens as needed to ensure that your battery charges to a level that's optimized for your usage—reducing wear on the battery, and slowing its chemical aging.

While battery health management benefits your battery's long-term lifespan, it can also reduce the amount of time your Mac runs on one battery charge when capacity limits are applied. If your priority is making your Mac notebook last as long as possible before recharging, you can turn the feature off.

When battery health management is turned on, your battery's maximum charging capacity might be limited. Although the feature is designed to improve your battery's lifespan, the limited maximum capacity might update your battery status menu to indicate a need for service.

How to control the battery health management feature

Battery health management is on by default when you buy a new Mac notebook with macOS 10.15.5, or after you upgrade to macOS 10.15.5 on a Mac notebook with Thunderbolt 3 ports.

If you want to turn it off, follow these steps:

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu , then click Energy Saver.
2. Click Battery Health.
   
3. Deselect Battery health management, then click OK.
   
4. Click Turn Off.
   

Note that turning this feature off might reduce your battery's lifespan.

Learn more

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If you feel that your battery isn't lasting as long as it should, you can learn about getting service for your Mac notebook.