If you use some great software packages (utilities or applications) missing in this list, let me know. Thanks. Appreciated.
- Operating Systems: Linux – Ubuntu – Apple Macintosh OS – Apple iPhone OS – MicroSoft Windows
- Open-Source Software Packages: Open-Source Software Packages -Â Open-Source Mac – Open-Source iPhone Software -Â Open-Source Windows
- Linux: —
- Macintosh: – ClamXav – The Unarchiver – Disk Inventory X – OnyX – Maintenance – Deeper – Desktop Inspector – Service Scrubber – AppCleaner – Burn -Â QuickSilver – MercuryMover – CyberDuck – iRed Lite – Romeo – KisMac – Adium – Fink – Fink Commander – YourSQL -Â NeoOffice – Aquamacs Emacs – Apple iLife – Apple iWork -
- Windows: – ClamWin – AVG Free -Â IZArc -Â Programmer’s NotePad -Â IrFanView -Â ListGarden -Â Core FTP -Â WinAMP -Â Real -Â Cube Explorer -
- Cross-Platform: – Java – Adobe AIR – Skype – TimeLoc – BitTorrent – Mozilla SunBird – Mozilla FireFox -Â Opera -Â Chrome – Apple Safari – GreaseMonkey For FireFox -Â Mozilla ThunderBird – RSS Owl -Â Adobe PDF Reader -Â VLC – Apple QuickTime – MPEG StreamClip – Audacity -Â HandBrake – GIMP – Inkscape – Blender – FreeMind – Open Office -Â Kompozer – Nvu – Serna – R – Vdrift -Â Google Earth -
UPDATE: Chris Hibbert lists his favorite software packages for Macintosh in the comment area. (I used his tips to update the listing above.)
KeyNote is a vast improvement over PowerPoint.
I’ve tried Numbers, but I prefer Excel. If you’re less keyboard-centric than me, Numbers may be better for you.
Emacs: Aquamacs.
QuickSilver is an application invoker. I don’t understand how Apple thinks people are supposed to invoke apps other than the ones they keep in their dock. QS makes finding apps and documents easy. I also use ClassicMenu.
I use Shrook as my feed reader.
SeaShore is the drawing/graphics editing tool I use these days.
I use Adium for IM. It’s compatible with all the interesting protocols.
MercuryMover is a useful utility that lets you move and resize windows without having to move the mouse to the title bar.
Thanks, Chris. I will investigate that and update the post. Happy Sunday.
Oops! I left out Fink and FinkCommander. If you’re using more than a few open source packages, Fink helps you maintain and update them. FinkCommander puts a prettier face on Fink.
Fink seems to be a very important software and platform/environment. Thanks for the tip.
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By the way, I have listed QuickSilver but have not downloaded it (yet). What I am using right now:
- I put *all* the applications and utilities on the (always apparent) dock (which became tiny, but I magnify a lot when the cursor hovers the icons);
- Secondary button for the right-click of the mouse;
- Application Switcher when the scrolling ball of the mouse is pressed;
- Spaces when the mouse is squeezed.
With all this, I am happy I can access all the apps and utilities.
However, I will test QuickSilver once I sense some limitations.
QUESTION FOR MISTER CHRIS HIBBERT:
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With my old PC Windows ME, I was obsessed, on a daily basis, with:
- Scanning the hard drive for little errors (which happened not very often but often enough);
- Defragmenting the hard drive.
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With the Mac, I use OnyX. There are 2 functions that looks into the hard drive (verifying SMART status and verifying start-up volume). However, I have not spotted any utility that would “defragment” the hard drive. Why is that? Does this mean it is never useful on a Mac?
Chris, I would highly recommend that you start using Quicksilver ASAP. I keep NO applications in the dock, since all I have to do to open an application is hit command-spacebar (I changed the hotkey) and type the first 1-3 letters of the app name to start it. MUCH faster than using the dock, and my screen is far less cluttered.
It’s also great for contacts in your AddressBook; just start typing someone’s name and you can go straight to their “card”.
Excellent tip. Thanks a lot. I will start using QS and I will update the IT file.