If you are new to the Mac, you probably aren’t aware of the lush landscape of Mac applications. Most people still buy their software the traditional way – in a box at a store. And let’s face it, apart from the Apple Store, you don’t see much Mac software in retail.
However, the Mac has a large developer community, and there are lots of options for software. In my experiences, Mac software tends to be of higher quality than most Windows titles. And if you know where to look, it is much easier to acquire.
This is the first part of a two part series. Part one will deal with the free and/or open source options available to Mac users. Part two will deal with the best of the commercial options.
Let’s get started:
Browsers
The first category is definitely the most crowded. When it comes to browsers, the Mac actually outshines Windows. Not only do we get a great browser for free with our OS (Safari), but we have numerous alternatives – Firefox, Camino, SeaMonkey, Opera, Shiira, iCab, and a few “lite” browser options – WebDesktop, for instance. All have their strengths and weaknesses. If you want to use the large library of extensions, go with Firefox. If Mac style matters to you, Camino is your best choice. Shiira 2 (still in beta) is shaping up to be a slick alternative. Give them all a shot and pick the one that suits you best.
Email
Most users either love or hate Apple’s Mail program. I fall in to the former camp. However, I like to use a separate client for work email. If you want a free email client, your best bet is currently Thunderbird. Like Firefox, it’s cross platform and has a large selection of plug-ins available. Also like Firefox, it uses a XUL interface, which isn’t the most Mac-like in its presentation. There is currently a project in a very early stage called Correo. Correo aims to be the Cocoa/Gecko email client, much like Camino is the Cocoa/Gecko browser. Keep an eye on Correo, it should shape up to be quite a client.
Office
If you want an office suite, but don’t want to pay for it, you have two options. OpenOffice makes a version of their suite available for the Mac. Currently, it requires use of the X11 environment to run. While installation and setup are pretty easy, not everyone wants to go this route. Luckily, you don’t have to.
NeoOffice is a port of the OpenOffice suite. The aim of the NeoOffice project is to make OpenOffice as Mac like as possible. While technically still in beta, NeoOffice is quite stable and very robust. It’s a large download (over 100MB), but well worth it considering the price.
Another option will be emerging soon. A native version of OpenOffice is in the works and should hit the web sometime later this year.
Text Editors
Text Editors are another field where there are many great options for Mac users. Just about everyone knows about BBEdit. BBEdit isn’t free, but Bare Bones Software makes the versatile TextWrangler available for the low cost of nothing. TextWrangler can handle just about any code you throw at it. Have more specific, HTML editing needs? Take a look at Smultron and Taco HTML Edit. Both are solid apps that offer a lot for those editing HTML/CSS/Javascript.
FTP
If you are writing code for a web project, you will most likely need an FTP client. While we recommend Transmit by Panic, there are lots of free alternatives. Notably, CyberDuck is a great client that offers a nice interface and solid feature set.
ImageEditing
Don’t have enough money for Photoshop? Is most of what you do simple editing (cropping, resizing, light retouching)? Don’t worry, you have options. Seashore is a derrivative of the GIMP project that aims to wrap the best parts of the GIMP in a Cocoa UI. Seashore is still quite early in its development, but it is already a robust, usable app. If you need a bit more power, you can download the GiMP, although you must run it via the X11 interface. If you are a Photoshop veteran, there is a version of the GiMP called GiMPShop, that aims to ease the transition. Our advice – stick with Seashore for your small editing needs. If you need something more advanced, pony up for Photoshop.
Utilities
Since the advent of OS X 10.3, the Mac has had ZIP archiving built-in. However, the need to un-archive files encoded with different formats pops up from time to time. Luckily, you have The Unarchiver. This nifty tool will unarchive just about every format you can throw at it – even Stuffit .SIT files.
Backup
It used to be that back up on the Mac was synonymous with Carbon Copy Cloner. However, a new player came on the scene and now rules the roost. SuperDuper! is technically a $30 program, but most of its features are available for free, so long as you don’t mind a little nagging from time to time. Our advice, try it out, and you’ll probably want to pay the fee to get all the extra features. $30 is a small price to pay for piece of mind, isn’t it?
Communication
Do you communicate via IM over several different networks? Get Adium. Adium handles just about every IM protocol available. Yahoo, MSN, IRC, Jabber, AIM. Adium is similar to Trillian on Windows, but in my opinion, it is a much slicker application. Plus, Adium has the wonderful distinction of being free.
Advanced
Looking or a new way to interact with your computer? Tired of the Dock, but hate drilling down through folders looking for applications? Give QuickSilver a try. QuickSilver is hard to describe, as it has so many users. It can be used as an application launcher, a file finding utility (like Spotlight), and more. In addition, each file you select can have many different actions applied to it. There are numerous plugins for interaction with many different applications. Download Quicksilver, read the “Guide” in the help section, and revolutionize the way you interact with your computer.
Miscellaneous
Google Earth. You used it on Windows, now get the same app on the Mac. For free.
Flip4Mac. The easiest way to view Windows Media files on the Web.
DemocracyPlayer. Awesome Video/RSS feeder/player.
But the list doesn’t stop there. Part two will look at the many wonderful commercial titles available on the Mac platform. If you are the curious type, you can search for other titles using any of the three sites that catalog Mac OS X software: MacUpdate, Versiontracker, and iUseThis.
Category: News
Maybe this “change” to the Finder was implemented in an earlier update and I just missed it. But it seems like something I would have noticed before. After updating to 10.4.9 (which, went without a hitch on both of my systems- whew!), there is a strange change in the Finder.
Before, if you wanted to create a new window in the Finder, you used the Apple-N command. Apple-Shift-N created a folder in the Finder.
Now, post 10.4.9 update, to create a new window in the Finder, you press Apple-1. While a change this minor wouldn’t normally bother me, there is a catch. You see, the Finder already has reserved Apple-1 for another function. Under View, you can see that Apple-1, 2, and 3 are for switching between Finder views (Icon, List, and Columns).
Here’s an image of the new keyboard shortcut for creating a new Finder window. Here’s an image of the 10.4.8 Finder.
What makes this even more confusing is that Apple-1 is now contextually sensitive. Meaning, if you press Apple-1 after clicking on the desktop, you get one new Finder window. If you immediately press it again, it would appear that nothing happens. In reality, the Finder is switching to Icon view. So, with no Windows open or selected, Apple-1 will open a new Finder Window. With a Finder Window selected, it will change to icon view.
I’m pretty certain this behavior didn’t exist in 10.4.8. For Apple to change something like this for a minor release is kind of unnerving, especially when you consider it wasn’t in the documentation.
UPDATE: I checked with a friend still running 10.4.8, and indeed, the command used in 10.4.8 is Apple-N.
Category: News
Applications
OmniPlan 1.0 is finally released after a long beta cycle. The $149.95 project management application allows you to create logical, manageable project plans with Gantt chart, schedules, summaries, milestones and critical paths.
iShowU 1.26 features a new unified look, and automated support to check for the correct version of QuickTime. iShowU allows you to capture and record video or stills from your screen.
OmniOutliner and OmniOutliner Pro both get updated to 3.6.2
Sandvox, a website creation tool, is updated to version 1.1. New in this version are 8 new designs. Also, existing designs gain IE7 compatibility. Additional bugs have been fixed as well.
Drive-in, the application that allows you to store your DVDs on your Mac as image files has been updated. Version 1.0.0.35b uses less physical and virtual RAM while imaging, and fixes a number of other bugs.
Deals
Refurb Mac minis are back at the Apple Store. The Mac mini Core Duo 1.83ghz is available for $699 while supplies last.
Blogs
Bagelturf looks at Aperture 1.5, and the hazards of referenced masters – archives on DVD.
Rumors
According to MacRumors, the latest build of Leopard (9A321) includes a new iChat feature – Answering Machine. The feature allows the user to record a video with their iSight to be used as a greeting when they are away from their desk. It is being speculated that this feature will have an iPhone tie in.
Cult of Mac gets a hold of a Mac “switcher” parody from Microsoft, that features a Zune user in place of the PC guy touting the wonders of sharing a song wirelessly, much to the chagrin of the Mac guy, who can’t receive the song.
Category: News
Applications
The Mozilla Foundation has released Thunderbird 2.0 beta 1. This release is a developer preview release for testing purposes only. Visit their web page for an exhaustive list of new features/improvements.
Deals
Refurb iMacs are still in stock at the Apple Store.
Blogs
James Duncan Davidson blogs about his expanding Macbook Pro battery experience, completed with photos.
Rumors
ThinkSecret jumps on the Photoshop CS 3 beta rumor.
Miscellaneous
The “notMac” Challenge is raising funds for a bounty to be given to the developer who can create a solution that replaces dotMac’s functionality. Currently the prize is $780.
Category: News
Applications
Apple has released Aperture 1.5.2, which addresses issues related to reliability/stability and performance in Contact sheet printing, Smart Albums, Watermarks, Lift and Stamp, Image Export and version created using and external editor.
Shiira 2.0b2 has been released. Shiira is a cocoa browser based on WebKit that features tabbed windows, bookmark management and more.
Deals
You’re not going to find a better deal on software than this. MacHeist is offering a bundle of 10 award winning Mac apps for just $49. All 10 will be unlocked if their charitable figure reaches $100,000. Currently 8 apps are unlocked:
- Delicious Library
- Fotomagico
- ShapeShifter
- DevonThink
- Disco
- Rapidweaver
- iClip
- One Pangea Game
Additionally, if the figure reaches $50,000, NewsFire will be unlocked. At $100,000 TextMate is unlocked. MacHeist is running for five more days.
Blogs
Frasier Spiers pontificates on his reluctance to put FlickExport in to the MacHeist bundle. The reason? MacHeist wanted a version with the registration code mechanism disabled.
Rumors
AppleInsider dishes the dirt on Adobe After Effects 8.0, code named “Meatloaf”, expected mid-2007.
Category: News
Applications
Tables 1.0.8 addresses some minor issues and improves the compatibility of the functions CHOOSE(), HLOOKUP(), INDEX(), MATCH() and VLOOKUP().
AppZapper 1.8 allows you to UnZap apps in case you accidentally remove something, along with other modifications.
Blogs
Uneasy Silence has a detailed post on everything related to Mac OS X’s built in screen capture utility. Included are keyboard shortcuts, along with associated third party tools and tips for capturing frames from DVD playback.
Rumors
Applegazette publishes a rumor that Aqua will be replaced in Leopard with a new UI scheme title Illuminous. Applegazette’s sources claim that the new UI will be revealed in January at Macworld Expo.
AppleInsider claims that Adobe will release a public beta of Creative Suite 3 for registered Creative Suite 2 users later this month. The suite will feature the usual apps – Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat. New to the suite will be Dreamweaver, which replaces GoLive, and Fireworks, which replaces ImageReady. The beta, which is code named “Banana Split”, is on track for a second quarter 2007 release.
Category: News
Applications
Firefox 3.0 Alpha 1 has been released for all platforms. The release, under the code name, “Gran Paradiso”, has a number of under the hood updates for Mac users. Most notably, Firefox now renders Aqua widgets for forms. However, the biggest change for Mac users is that Firefox now uses the Cairo graphics library, which is providing much sharper text rendering than the previous release.
Cha-Ching 0.4 is released. Cha-Ching is a finance management application, not unlike Quicken. Version 0.4 features major interface changes, among other improvements.
Tangerine 1.0, which analyzes the beats-per-minutes and intensity of your iTunes libary and builds playlists of similar songs. Tangerine is $24.95.
Adobe Reader 8 makes its way in to the world featuring new hooks in to Adobe Acrobat Connect, a hosted service that provides for real time collaboration. Adobe Reader is free.
Deals
First generation, refurbished iPod Nanos back in stock at the Apple Store for $89 (1GB) or $149 (4GB). Both are available in black and white.
Blogs
Jon Hicks of Hicksdesign examines the significance of the new graphics library being used in Firefox 3.0. Screenshots of are provide detailing the improvements.
Uneasy Silence highlights a Mac user who had his Macbook Pro stolen, and then recovered, with the aid of Orbicule Undercover.
Category: News
Adobe has been taking a beating lately from Mac users. It’s understandable, as some of the main tools that professional designers use, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, are still not a Universal Binaries. Apple no longer sells any new PowerPC Macs, yet Adobe has yet to convert any of their shipping applications (Acrobat 8 will be the first Universal Binary when it ships in November).
Today, this pervasive feeling from Mac users that Adobe really doesn’t care about them got a boost from two pieces of news. The first, is the release of Adobe Contribute. Contribute is a Macromedia pick-up. This application allows everyday people to edit HTML pages that have been created with Dreamweaver. Contribute 4.0 is also not a Universal Binary. The release of a major application like Contribute as a PowerPC only application at this time reeks of carelessness and indifference. Contribute 3 was released nearly 18 months ago, so it’s development cycle fell very close to the Intel announcement in May of 2005. Releasing this application as PowerPC only without any explanation from Adobe as to when or if a Universal Binary update will be released is just arrogant. (more…)
Category: Opinion
If your line of work requires you to sit at a computer and create something for a client, you understand the need to accurately compile your time and generate invoices for your customer. There is no shortage of applications that tackle this task on the Mac. iBiz and iRatchet are just a few from the crowded field of contenders. Today, there’s a new app on the block, and it’s definitely worth a look.
Billable, from Clickable Bliss, is a time tracking, invoice creating application that handles the core tasks extremely well. Billable features an easy to learn and use interface. The workflow in Billable would likely proceed like this. You first setup your business’ information. Next, you setup your clients information. This process can be simplified if your clients are in your address book. Billable allows you to scan your address book and add clients from your address book library. (more…)
Category: News,Software
Apple has given us a rare sneak peak at some improvements that are coming to .Macs Webmail in the near future. In this rare sneak peak, Apple announces that the following improvements will be added:
- New look mimicking Mail.app
- Drag and drop between folders
- Message pane
- Smart refreshes
- Quick Reply
- Built-in Address Book
- Message Previews
- Message Flagging
- Keyboard Shortcuts
Let’s hope this is one of many improvements coming to .Mac.
Category: News
