Chalaut Editor's Review

Chalaut is a simple application that allows you to quickly run applications with root privileges.

The application doesn't have a graphical user interface. You can use it by dragging an application onto the Chalaut's Dock icon. You have to supply your account's password. If it's correct, the application that you dragged over the Chalaut icon runs with root privileges. Your account needs the administrator class in order to properly use Chalaut.

In the installation package, you can find the application itself and a plug-in for the Finder's contextual menu. The contextual menu usage is a little bit easier than the drag-and-drop method.

In order to install that plug-in, you have to copy the ChalautCM.plugin file into the Computer Library Contextual Menu Items directory or the Home Library Contextual Menu Items directory.

The producer recommends the creation of the plug-in folder if it doesn't exist. A log-off is required after the plug-in is placed into the right folder. After logging back in, you can find at the bottom of Finder's contextual menu a new item, 'Launch As Root'.

Pluses: it is a completely free tool and at the same time useful.

Drawbacks / flaws: it doesn't have GUI at all so the contextual menu is a lot easier to use than dragging the application to the Dock icon.

In conclusion: a very useful application and plug-in if you need to run applications under the root privileges.

version reviewed: 1.0.2