Recently – in a move wrapped in common sense and taste – a friend of mine purchased an Apple Mac.
And so I sent her a list. A list of software I can’t do without on my own Mac. It occurred to me others might be interested so here’s my “couldn’t live without” software list for the Mac:
Firefox – Safari is good but it’s just not compatible with enough of the sites I use i.e. wordpress.com
Flip4Mac – the best windows media plugin, lets you watch video on sites to lazy to encode video for formats other than windows. The coolest thing is you just install it and everything else is automatic.
Fire – fantastic IM client that works with everything (MSN, AOL, YAHOO and .MAC). Sadly there will be no future versions of Fire as this open source project has come to an end but whilst we’re all still on OS X this remains a great IM client.
Missing Sync – This delightful software allows you to sync your windows mobile 6 handheld – or any number of other handhelds – to your mac (including itunes) anyway. Ace!
OpenOffice – Is a good cheap (free – if memory serves) alternative to buying Office for Mac (hideously expensive).
Handbrake – A good dvd ripper is essential in the UK if you want to take full advantage of your video ipod (particularly the touch)*. Handbrake comes with all the settings pre-configured for ipod formats and – once you’ve figured out how to use it – works really well.
Cyberduck – A great FTP client for Mac.
*One of the few lame features of Apple is their inability to sort out movie distribution for the UK via itunes.
A few notes as I am a macgeek.
Adium>>Fire – I think the fire team joined adium in the end, their major competitor. Adium is a great product and is still being updated frequently, also its unbelievably customisable. http://www.adiumx.com
Safari is more compatible than you think now to be honest, the version in 10.5 fixed most issues.
Flip4mac/cyberduck/handbrake are all great. Also try (all free) :
NetNewsWire – used to be pai for now free, best RSS reader around, great inbuilt browser for opening links, am using it to post this. http://www.newsgator.com/Individuals/NetNewsWire/
VLC – the daddy of video players, does everything but wmv (for which you have flip4mac) an is better than quicktime by miles. http://www.videolan.org
Tofu – for reading ebooks and long documents, this is an excellent option. Scroll by page and uses thin text collumns for quick reading http://amarsagoo.info/tofu/
I am the friend and I LOOOOOOVE my mac!
Ahh, yes…good topic…good apps. I’ve found iusethis.com for a source of popular apps and such. Off the top of my list would be the Unsanity products HERE, of course, as you’ve listed it already, Flip4Mac, and a few other good ones…for back up, Superduper, and a simple free one, iBackup….and an excellent vital info database, info.xhead, and another one by the Flip4Mac people, Drive In.