I think I'm missing something about Twitter. You and LaPorte are always talking about it, and I am just not getting it yet. Maybe it is because I don't have any friends yet, but I do not see the attractions yet.
Eric Coleman
· 2 years ago
I'd have to say CyberDuck > Transmit, and for torrents, nothing beats transmission.
Nice. I just recently switched to a MacBook as my primary machine (I'm a .NET developer by day), and I'm fairly happy with it now that I'm adjusting. I still keep a copy of Windows around in VMWare Fusion, though. ;)
Anyway, you might want to check out NicePlayer as well: http://niceplayer.sourceforge.net/ -- I like it a lot better than the actual QuickTime client.
For FTP, Transmit is the best client I've seen, but if you're like me and don't use FTP frequently, you might try CyberDuck instead: http://cyberduck.ch/
Yohannes Wijaya (macncatic)
· 2 years ago
The CEO of SmugMug is DonMacAskill. In any case, I am sure we, mac users, keep tons of utilities. some are nice to have but they just sit there in our /Applications folder unused or used very rarely (I have 154 so far) but there are few that I use religiously. They are
I also invite all of you to stop by at http://macapper.com where we write about mac apps.
ps: Scoble, you just made a wise investment on the 17" MBP. Let us know on twitterville how it works for you in the next couple of weeks.
macbeach
· 2 years ago
I didn't see the Google Notifier listed. If you use Gmail, it's pretty handy, although if you are getting 400 non-spam messages a day it might be too annoying.
Mike
· 2 years ago
New Google Desktop. Love it.
Chris Hearn
· 2 years ago
Now there's a headline I never thought I'd see Robert Scoble blog.
Quicksilver, http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/, is always my number one. I feel naked without it. My brain is hard wired for it, so imagine how stupid I look when I sit down in front of a Mac without it, typing "ctrl+space safari"...
AppZapper or AppDelete... you'd be surprised how much is left behind after uninstalling an App by dragging it to the trash.
SteveW
· 2 years ago
I second Quicksilver and NetNewsWire, and I'll add SpamSieve.
P.S. What tipped you to the 17" rather than the 15"? I'm getting ready to move from a G5 PowerMac to an MBP because I'm going to need the portability now. Spec'ing the 15" the way I want it (2.33GHz, 160GB HD) brings it within $150 of the price of the 17", but I'm wondering - is something that big really manageable to carry around?
Yohannes Wijaya (macncatic)
· 2 years ago
i forgot to add smcfancontrol to the list, especially a must if you do a lot of editing of photos(like me), videos, or other intensive tasks on your macbook[pro]. http://urltea.com/3ux
Robert Scoble
· 2 years ago
Brandon: Twitter is lame. Especially if you have no friends. But I'm addicted!
Robert Scoble
· 2 years ago
Why a 17-inch? Cause I need resolution more than I need portability. The 17-inch fits fine in my backpack.
Douglas Karr
· 2 years ago
Welcome to the darkside! For video blogs: Democracy. And I just got Joost today... wow!
Quicksilver Saft (love the customizable contextual menu for search) vienna
Michael Markman
· 2 years ago
Audio Hijack Pro, NewsFire (it's not free like NetNewsWire and it's not Google Reader, but it's a fine RSS reader if you're offline (which happens to the best of us from time to time.) SoundSoap2 is for cleaning noisy soundtracks.
Christopher Coulter
· 2 years ago
And I just got Joost today… wow!
Yeah, with this new beta round, they have come a long way, contentwise too. I think Joost has lasting power...
1. Quicksilver 2. Pukka (quick way to post to del.icio.us) 3. Yojimbo 4. NetNewsWire (the pay version--it's worth it) 5. SubEthaEdit for colaborative notetaking at meetings & conferences
HvI
· 2 years ago
Quicksilver, Transmit, Adium, VLC (on any OSX), ImageWell, Twitterific, NetNewsWire.
But most of all Quicksilver, Quicksilver and Quicksilver. ;-)
Shapeshifter if you want to customize the looks Uno for a simple makeover Tinkertool to set user interface parameters Tinkertool System or Onyx or Cocktail for system maintenance
I really like PandoraBoy. For People who want something similar for their local iTune collection let me recommend the great new utility and iTunes plugin The Filter. www.thefilter.com. Still in beta, though.
Andrew Darlow
· 2 years ago
Congratulations Robert!
Here's one I didn't see mentioned yet that I highly recommend:
http://www.flip4mac.com/products.htm (The Windows® Media Components software allows you to play, import, and export Windows Media video and audio files on your Mac using your favorite QuickTime-based applications.
Have you hooked up the new MBP to your 30" Cinema Display yet? Having that as an option is pretty impressive.
Wow...lots of interest in this blog! Guess I'll chime in with a link to Flip4Mac's new dvd imagin app, HERE
Alan Stevens
· 2 years ago
This is great Robert. I've totally ignored the Mac OS since I got Vista up on my MacBook. I'll put these suggestions to the test over the weekend.
Cheers,
++Alan
virtuallyready
· 2 years ago
My husband bought me one for my birthday and I LOVE it! I don't have any tips yet, but surely appreciate that you're sharing the tips that you receive with us.
Regards,
Lisa
John C. Welch
· 2 years ago
I'd recommend not using a damned thing in the way of system enhancements until you've spent some time really using the OS's provided features. There's a lot more than you may think.
I use TypeIt4Me because well, I type. A lot, and a lot of it is repetitive. If you don't, then it's not so useful.
For carrying the thing though, talk to Brenthaven. I have their Video Pro bag, and you can practically put a small child in it. I've had to kick my cat out of it a few times.
I'd be very wary of system mods until you hit a need that you simply cannot meet any other way. Mods are, well, *mods*. A modified system creates uncertainties and unexpected behaviors. Those can, and often do create more problems than they solve.
D T Nelson
· 2 years ago
I have nothing to add, except for SnailMail for printing envelopes. It uses the Address Book database, and, although the envelope printing options in Address Book have been getting better with each new version, I still find SnailMail much more useful for that task than Address Book.
The Audodidact
· 2 years ago
Scoble, I saw that you are feeling the heat of the MacBook Pro. You should download this utility which I have found makes a huge difference. I set my machine to a minimum of 3000 and it keeps it nice and cool even when multitasking.
BJ Vander Linden
· 2 years ago
Quicksilver is the first thing to put on the machine. It is incredible. Talk to Merlin Mann about using it.
Adium is good Growl
Rather than parallels or bootcamp I use CrossOver by codeweavers (www.codeweavers.com). I don't use a lot of windows apps, and i don't want to purchase a license for it. I bought crossover ($60 I think). It is based upon Wine and allows me to run Project 2003 and Visio 2003 without having to boot into an image or own the OS.
BJ Vander Linden
· 2 years ago
Also forgot the tools from omnigroup (www.omnigroup.com). I use OmniOutliner, omnigraffle, and omniplan quite a bit. If you are a "Getting things done" fan, there is an add on for Omnioutliner called Kinkless GTD (www.kinkless.com).
Ben Metcalfe
· 2 years ago
Now that you can run windows applications in OSX via parallels I can see that the reasons for owning a Windows PC are growing less and less, but I still like my ThinkPad running XP.
The build quality on Apple worries me, not to mention the size and weight of the damn things. And perhaps, to an extent, the price.
However I gotta admit Apple make a tempting choice for the computer prosumer and I'm not surprised you switched.
Laura
· 2 years ago
I would listen to all episodes of MacBreak Weekly EVER and get their "picks of the week." You could even use Alex Linsday's products, because you do a video podcast!
there was actually a blog once somewhere that was keeping track... but they stopped.
Finally: My most used apps are Quicksilver (seriously, join this cult--check out 43folders.com for information); Adium, MainMenu, and Growl. All Mac-Exclusive, all completely indispensable. I literally install quicksilver on every computer I sit down at.
Jim Kukral
· 2 years ago
Robert, I'm almost there. I gave my PC till the end of the year to convince me to keep it. :) My countdown to mac here:
*wondering if one of those shiny new apps crashed his system, or he got one of those, rare I'm sure, Apple laptops that doubles as a cooking device*
My modus operandi is still: (1) wait until a definite need presents itself, (2) research several products that fill that need, (3) get reviews from as many sources as possible, (4) install the "winning" application and don't install anything else soon before or afterward so that undesirable aftereffects can be attributed only (or mainly) to the new app.
Rinse and repeat.
Why would most people, for example, want to replace/augment the built-in CD and DVD burning capabilities? They seem perfectly adequate to me.
Spamsieve Super Duper Handbrake Visual Hub (converts stuff to Apple TV format) Cyber duck for FTP NeoOffice Yep for PDFs
ENJOY!
Shawn Levasseur
· 2 years ago
I'll echo the sentiment of "don't go gung ho" on too many new apps. Get to know what comes with the system to begin with. There's a lot there.
Learn to use Automator. If you're more ambitious, learn AppleScript. Learn the iLife apps. Buy one of the better third party manuals for OS X (not having read one in a long time, you'll have to get reccomendations elsewhere)
Having said that, there are a few apps worth looking at right away.
For posting to your blog, there's ecto. It works with all major blogging platforms, including WordPress.
For a feedreader, I recommend NetNewsWire (Excellent for managing a huge number of feeds).
Peter Chris
· 2 years ago
Scoble, you've been using Macs for years and years. Do you really not know what apps you want to use on it? :)
The real reason for my post is John Welch and Shawn Levasseur's posts, which seem to have been made with the impression that you've never used a Mac before ("be careful not to install too many apps until you've gotten used to the system" (paraphrasing)).
Let it be known that Scoble is not a Mac newbie by any stretch of the imagination, so such patronizing isn't necessary. ;)
BTW, I agree with Shawn in recommending NetNewsWire.
Robert Scoble
· 2 years ago
Peter: I haven't used a Mac as my main machine. And I wasn't asking about main apps, but rather utilities. I've heard of some of these in the list, but hadn't tried most of them yet. So, this list is very useful and because it's from people who I know, I know I can get some help with them.
John C. Welch
· 2 years ago
"Newbie" is a relative term, and is only useful if you have a comparator.
I'm regularly surprised at how people tart up their systems like a dockside whore on payday, and then complain it's slow or whatever.
As well, if you learn to really use what comes standard, that knowledge applies to EVERY Mac you may ever touch. If you only learn with a dozen utilities and addons, that knowledge is less transferrable. because I run my system as clean as possible, the OS-level things I do work on any mac.
Solo
· 2 years ago
Keyboard Maestro is a great little utility to create shortcuts for often repeated phrases, non-critical passwords and the like.
sennos
· 2 years ago
I can't believe nobody has mentioned Little Snitch... A must have! Check it out at www.obdev.at
Highly recommended.
Congrats on the new machine and welcome to the cult ... er ... club!
Kevin Cuxil
· 2 years ago
I don't check the blog for two days, and look what happens! Congratulations. I've been a developer for 10 years and have never had the need for a pc. Unfortunately, mine is only the 15 in. ...I think i have macbook envy now.
Brent
· 2 years ago
Wish I would have seen your twitter... it was sent to me from a friend. Please stop by iboughtamac.com
I'm in your shoes, just a couple months ahead! Welcome!
Brent
Jan Kabili
· 2 years ago
Robert: Yes! Welcome to the club. I'd recommend: Snapz Pro Transmit AppZapper Keynote (in iWork) Mousepose SuperDuper Yojimbo Webstractor
Nick
· 2 years ago
I'll break the mould and not suggest any third-party software.
How about a link on "Basic Mac Os X Security"? That seems like a good idea - we all know Bill Gates himself has had to remark on how dangerous the Mac is, and has Bill ever been known to play fast and loose with the truth? :-)
Be that as it may, until John C. Welch does a column on Mac security, this is probably the best short guide:
Scrivener is a writing app that's very flexible, has note card organization, a customizable full screen mode and a bunch of other really nice touches. While programs like Word are geared for "document creation", Scrivener is geared more for "writing". http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html
Sorry about the excessive use of quotes, It's too early for me to think clearly.
James John Malcolm
· 2 years ago
"Oh, and can you pick the SmugMug CEO out of the list above?"
Bet he uses tickr for flickr.
james miller
· 2 years ago
iclock http://www.scriptsoftware.com is essential and often overlooked because it runs all the time and replaces the old os x clock with some really useful time functions (alarms, timezones, various options for the menubar, app menu, to do list, etc..). i use the info it provides many times a day.
Stephen
· 2 years ago
BBEdit (not TextMate!) Transmit (not Fetch or Interarchy) OmniOutliner (not Yojimbo) SuperDuper, of course Read up on the Command-shift 3 and 4 variations and command line "screencapture" before wasting money on a screen capture utility (and there also the freebie Grab utility bundled) Give Pages and Keynote a try
Mike Bell
· 2 years ago
Developer Tools. One of the best things I did since switching to OS X was register with Apple Developer Connection (it's free). http://developer.apple.com/tools/
The utilities include Property List Editor, allowing easy editing of the .plists in your library/preference and elsewhere.
Another useful download, if you like the server side of OS X like Xgrid, has been the Server Admin Tools 10.4.
Dump MS Office for Mac. GO NeoOffice. I bet you could easily live w/o your crap.
lookmark
· 2 years ago
'grats on the new purchase, Robert. Lots of suggestions there. ; )
Personally, I'd use OS X for at least just a little while without downloading anything just to get a feel for it, but once you've done that: Quicksilver FTW. Also Adium if you need a multi-protocol IM client (which I'm sure you do).
Also, it's interesting you got this machine just 2-3 months before Apple will release the Leopard (whose "secret" features are still an enigma wrapped up in a mystery). Was that a factor at all in your decision? Will you be upgrading if you like what you see?
blogjunkie
· 2 years ago
You've probably had a lot of people recommend you Quicksilver. Here's a good screencast for an intro and how to get started with Quicksilver:
SuperDuper - Lot's of people are recommending it, but not saying why.
SuperDuper and an external drive is the perfect backup solution. Keep a complete BOOTABLE clone of your machine at all times. (Maybe more than one)
If my drive fails, I could firewire my machine to my backup drive and boot right up and keep working.
If my machine dies completely, I could get a new one, Boot it up to the external drive, run SuperDuper, and be back exactly where I was in a few hours.
I think anyone who's not maintaining at least a complete clone of their drive for back-up purposes is insane.
Mart
· 2 years ago
How about just using the stuff that came with it for a while before you load all kinds of crap on it?
Seriously - the great thing about the Mac is that it comes ready to do real stuff... it's not like Windows where you have to load 300 crappy sharewarez on it... please get a feel for the stick experience first...
Mart
· 2 years ago
err... that's "stock" experience ;-)
Alissa V.
· 2 years ago
download for Mac OSX that enables automatic Wi-Fi connections to hotspots, muni networks....
Netanel Jacobsson
· 2 years ago
Hey Robert : add MacJournal (fantastic) and MindManager for Mac - Proteus (IM) works better for me than Adium
WinXP fan
· 2 years ago
For editing documents and listening to iTunes, a Mac is fine. Oh, and surfing the net...
for those of us who want something with style and substance, there's the Asus carbon-fiber laptops.
Robert Scoble
· 2 years ago
WinXP: you're funny! I guess you didn't understand that if you have a Mac you can run both MacOSX +AND+ Windows (either XP or Vista).
I have two OS's on my machine. Are you saying having only one is better? Sounds like sour grapes to me.
Dave Schappell
· 2 years ago
Robert -- I searched your blog before asking this question, but didn't find an answer to my upcoming question. And, I know that I can run Windows on my new MacBook Pro, but I'd prefer to not do that.
My question is, "what is the best replacement for the new Mac user for Microsoft Outlook?"
I asked more than 20 people this same question at Web 2.0 Expo and noone had a good/crisp answer. I also have done a number of google searches, and noone seems to agree. For all its warts, the ease of use/single app functionality of Outlook and its synchronization across Exchange Server to phones, etc. is really a timesaver for many people.
Do you know if there's a consensus on the best way to approximate (or transcend) this utility? - Entourage - Mail / iCal / Address Book synch? - Gmail / Cal / Mail / iCal synch? - Zimbra - other?
Thanks,
Dave
p.s. A good post on this by someone with your blogosphere outreach would be really helpful for converts, which I expect will only be increasing post-Vista...
Steve Traversi
· 2 years ago
In the last month, business associates are all beginning the Mac switch. When my XP workhorse died, I bought an iMac with Parallels to run the windows apps I can't live without. Now, I've fallen in love with how everything just works and does so with panache. For me, Vista put me over the edge...I bought a notebook with a gig of ram that runs the hard drive incessantly for nearly an hour with no apps running. I'm thinking I should sell it for a macbook...
Dave Schappel: .Mac might be the answer for you
justG
· 2 years ago
I couldn't do without WebnoteHappy (http://happyapps.com), a utility I've not seen mentioned. It's a bookmark manager that integrates del.icio.us. I have loads of bookmarks that haven't been tagged/categorised/cleaned up/annotated from before del.icio.us came along, and WnH lets me search my library without differentiating between "del.icio.us" and "local." I can quickly add stuff to it and then post it to del.icio.us at my convenience. The searching bit is key for me, since searching del.icio.us is so slow. I've also configured NNW to post to del.icio.us using WnH, which is handy.
I never had a need for a bookmark manager when I used Windows, because I only ever used one browser. Not having found a favourite on OS X yet, I frequently switch between Safari, Camino (lub), Firefox and OmniWeb (lub), depending on the task at hand. I've added a global keyboard shortcut to system prefs that makes cmd-d add an URL to WnH instead of the browser I happen to be using at the time. Works a treat.
buda
· 2 years ago
For those in the design industry, perhaps, Linotype Font Explorer is THE answer when it comes to font handling. Tired of FONTBOOK?! forget it, go to http://www.linotype.com/fontexplorerX
All Comments
BluePhoneElite http://mirasoftware.com/BPE/
(great app for your mobile phone)
Ted
osx.iusethis.com is a great resource as well.
(I just wrote this up in response to the tweet)
Rex
http://www.twit.tv/node/4413
And a pretty awesome example of how much it can do:
http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/008-howto-quick...
Anyway, you might want to check out NicePlayer as well: http://niceplayer.sourceforge.net/ -- I like it a lot better than the actual QuickTime client.
For FTP, Transmit is the best client I've seen, but if you're like me and don't use FTP frequently, you might try CyberDuck instead: http://cyberduck.ch/
quicksilver
adium
1001
aperture
appzapper
baywatch
betterzip
CoRD
DejaMenu
Delicious Library
Democracy
Edgies
DropCopy
iCal
Inbox
Journl
NeoOffice
NetNewsWire
Onyx
Pandoraboy
Photo Drop
Photomatix Pro
Textmate
Think
Tweetbar
Xslimmer
I maintain an iusethis profile: http://urltea.com/3uv
I also invite all of you to stop by at http://macapper.com where we write about mac apps.
ps: Scoble, you just made a wise investment on the 17" MBP. Let us know on twitterville how it works for you in the next couple of weeks.
Quicksilver, http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/, is always my number one. I feel naked without it. My brain is hard wired for it, so imagine how stupid I look when I sit down in front of a Mac without it, typing "ctrl+space safari"...
AppZapper or AppDelete... you'd be surprised how much is left behind after uninstalling an App by dragging it to the trash.
P.S. What tipped you to the 17" rather than the 15"? I'm getting ready to move from a G5 PowerMac to an MBP because I'm going to need the portability now. Spec'ing the 15" the way I want it (2.33GHz, 160GB HD) brings it within $150 of the price of the 17", but I'm wondering - is something that big really manageable to carry around?
Saft (love the customizable contextual menu for search)
vienna
Yeah, with this new beta round, they have come a long way, contentwise too. I think Joost has lasting power...
2. Pukka (quick way to post to del.icio.us)
3. Yojimbo
4. NetNewsWire (the pay version--it's worth it)
5. SubEthaEdit for colaborative notetaking at meetings & conferences
But most of all Quicksilver, Quicksilver and Quicksilver. ;-)
Camino
Quicksilver
Notational Velocity
I list my other favorites on iusethis. Enjoy the mac! :)
Did into applescript of course, but there is definitely also a place and time for Quickeys, a keyboard macro system.
"Yep" if you deal with a lot of PDF files. Just wonderful.
Typeit4me or Textexpander.
Netmonitor and LoadinDock to see what the system is doing.
Cleardock (unless and until Transparentdock works with Intel macs)
Finderpop!!
Saling clicker.
Steermouse.
Welcome back from the dark side.
versiontracker.com
macupdate.com
macosxhints.com
And a couple I forgot:
Fastscripts
Keycue
Witch
Shapeshifter if you want to customize the looks
Uno for a simple makeover
Tinkertool to set user interface parameters
Tinkertool System or Onyx or Cocktail for system maintenance
Here's one I didn't see mentioned yet that I highly recommend:
http://www.flip4mac.com/products.htm (The Windows® Media Components software allows you to play, import, and export Windows Media video and audio files on your Mac using your favorite QuickTime-based applications.
Have you hooked up the new MBP to your 30" Cinema Display yet? Having that as an option is pretty impressive.
All the best,
Andrew Darlow
Editor
The Imaging Buffet
http://www.imagingbuffet.com
Cheers,
++Alan
Regards,
Lisa
I use TypeIt4Me because well, I type. A lot, and a lot of it is repetitive. If you don't, then it's not so useful.
For carrying the thing though, talk to Brenthaven. I have their Video Pro bag, and you can practically put a small child in it. I've had to kick my cat out of it a few times.
I'd be very wary of system mods until you hit a need that you simply cannot meet any other way. Mods are, well, *mods*. A modified system creates uncertainties and unexpected behaviors. Those can, and often do create more problems than they solve.
Adium is good
Growl
Rather than parallels or bootcamp I use CrossOver by codeweavers (www.codeweavers.com). I don't use a lot of windows apps, and i don't want to purchase a license for it. I bought crossover ($60 I think). It is based upon Wine and allows me to run Project 2003 and Visio 2003 without having to boot into an image or own the OS.
The build quality on Apple worries me, not to mention the size and weight of the damn things. And perhaps, to an extent, the price.
However I gotta admit Apple make a tempting choice for the computer prosumer and I'm not surprised you switched.
there was actually a blog once somewhere that was keeping track... but they stopped.
Finally: My most used apps are Quicksilver (seriously, join this cult--check out 43folders.com for information); Adium, MainMenu, and Growl. All Mac-Exclusive, all completely indispensable. I literally install quicksilver on every computer I sit down at.
http://www.jimkukral.com/countdowntomac.html
My modus operandi is still: (1) wait until a definite need presents itself, (2) research several products that fill that need, (3) get reviews from as many sources as possible, (4) install the "winning" application and don't install anything else soon before or afterward so that undesirable aftereffects can be attributed only (or mainly) to the new app.
Rinse and repeat.
Why would most people, for example, want to replace/augment the built-in CD and DVD burning capabilities? They seem perfectly adequate to me.
I would have to recommend:
Spamsieve
Super Duper
Handbrake
Visual Hub (converts stuff to Apple TV format)
Cyber duck for FTP
NeoOffice
Yep for PDFs
ENJOY!
Learn to use Automator. If you're more ambitious, learn AppleScript. Learn the iLife apps. Buy one of the better third party manuals for OS X (not having read one in a long time, you'll have to get reccomendations elsewhere)
Having said that, there are a few apps worth looking at right away.
For posting to your blog, there's ecto. It works with all major blogging platforms, including WordPress.
For a feedreader, I recommend NetNewsWire (Excellent for managing a huge number of feeds).
The real reason for my post is John Welch and Shawn Levasseur's posts, which seem to have been made with the impression that you've never used a Mac before ("be careful not to install too many apps until you've gotten used to the system" (paraphrasing)).
Let it be known that Scoble is not a Mac newbie by any stretch of the imagination, so such patronizing isn't necessary. ;)
BTW, I agree with Shawn in recommending NetNewsWire.
I'm regularly surprised at how people tart up their systems like a dockside whore on payday, and then complain it's slow or whatever.
As well, if you learn to really use what comes standard, that knowledge applies to EVERY Mac you may ever touch. If you only learn with a dozen utilities and addons, that knowledge is less transferrable. because I run my system as clean as possible, the OS-level things I do work on any mac.
A must have! Check it out at www.obdev.at
Highly recommended.
Congrats on the new machine and welcome to the cult ... er ... club!
I'm in your shoes, just a couple months ahead! Welcome!
Brent
Yes! Welcome to the club. I'd recommend:
Snapz Pro
Transmit
AppZapper
Keynote (in iWork)
Mousepose
SuperDuper
Yojimbo
Webstractor
How about a link on "Basic Mac Os X Security"? That seems like a good idea - we all know Bill Gates himself has had to remark on how dangerous the Mac is, and has Bill ever been known to play fast and loose with the truth? :-)
Be that as it may, until John C. Welch does a column on Mac security, this is probably the best short guide:
http://www.macgeekery.com/tips/security/basic_m...
Sorry about the excessive use of quotes, It's too early for me to think clearly.
Bet he uses tickr for flickr.
http://www.scriptsoftware.com
is essential and often overlooked because it runs all the time and replaces the old os x clock with some really useful time functions (alarms, timezones, various options for the menubar, app menu, to do list, etc..). i use the info it provides many times a day.
Transmit (not Fetch or Interarchy)
OmniOutliner (not Yojimbo)
SuperDuper, of course
Read up on the Command-shift 3 and 4 variations and command line "screencapture" before wasting money on a screen capture utility (and there also the freebie Grab utility bundled)
Give Pages and Keynote a try
One of the best things I did since switching to OS X was register with Apple Developer Connection (it's free). http://developer.apple.com/tools/
The utilities include Property List Editor, allowing easy editing of the .plists in your library/preference and elsewhere.
Another useful download, if you like the server side of OS X like Xgrid, has been the Server Admin Tools 10.4.
* Quicksilver
Keyboard interface for OS X
http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/
* 1Passwd (the product I developed)
Never type your online passwords again.
http://1passwd.com
* FileChute
The fastest way to share screenshots (at least until iChat Screen Sharing arrives).
http://www.yellowmug.com/filechute/
* TextExpander
A must have if you do a lot of typing.
http://www.smileonmymac.com/textexpander/
* Adium
The best instant messaging client.
http://www.adiumx.com/
http://www.opencommunity.co.uk
Google Desktop
Google Earth
RAR Expander
iAlertU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkAtRfA1UXc)
http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/webcam...
- AppFresh: automatic software update tool for any mac application. http://metaquark.de/appfresh/
- Homezone: Monitors Airport networks and Bluetooth devices, and you can automatically trigger any actions you'd like http://metaquark.de/homezone/
Personally, I'd use OS X for at least just a little while without downloading anything just to get a feel for it, but once you've done that: Quicksilver FTW. Also Adium if you need a multi-protocol IM client (which I'm sure you do).
Also, it's interesting you got this machine just 2-3 months before Apple will release the Leopard (whose "secret" features are still an enigma wrapped up in a mystery). Was that a factor at all in your decision? Will you be upgrading if you like what you see?
http://mymacbuzz.com/2007/01/28/tutorial-introd...
SuperDuper and an external drive is the perfect backup solution. Keep a complete BOOTABLE clone of your machine at all times. (Maybe more than one)
If my drive fails, I could firewire my machine to my backup drive and boot right up and keep working.
If my machine dies completely, I could get a new one, Boot it up to the external drive, run SuperDuper, and be back exactly where I was in a few hours.
I think anyone who's not maintaining at least a complete clone of their drive for back-up purposes is insane.
Mail.app
Safari
iMovie
iTunes
iPhoto
iChat
Pages
Keynote
Address Book
iCal
Stickies
Seriously - the great thing about the Mac is that it comes ready to do real stuff... it's not like Windows where you have to load 300 crappy sharewarez on it... please get a feel for the stick experience first...
for those of us who want something with style and substance, there's the Asus carbon-fiber laptops.
I have two OS's on my machine. Are you saying having only one is better? Sounds like sour grapes to me.
My question is, "what is the best replacement for the new Mac user for Microsoft Outlook?"
I asked more than 20 people this same question at Web 2.0 Expo and noone had a good/crisp answer. I also have done a number of google searches, and noone seems to agree. For all its warts, the ease of use/single app functionality of Outlook and its synchronization across Exchange Server to phones, etc. is really a timesaver for many people.
Do you know if there's a consensus on the best way to approximate (or transcend) this utility?
- Entourage
- Mail / iCal / Address Book synch?
- Gmail / Cal / Mail / iCal synch?
- Zimbra
- other?
Thanks,
Dave
p.s. A good post on this by someone with your blogosphere outreach would be really helpful for converts, which I expect will only be increasing post-Vista...
Dave Schappel: .Mac might be the answer for you
I never had a need for a bookmark manager when I used Windows, because I only ever used one browser. Not having found a favourite on OS X yet, I frequently switch between Safari, Camino (lub), Firefox and OmniWeb (lub), depending on the task at hand. I've added a global keyboard shortcut to system prefs that makes cmd-d add an URL to WnH instead of the browser I happen to be using at the time. Works a treat.
http://www.linotype.com/fontexplorerX
oh, almost forgot! IT FREE!
Enjoy!
Many thanks for this list!
Found it to be quite useful!
Greetings from argentina