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Best Freeware Application?

Soulstorm

Soulstorm

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 1, 2005
1,887
1
Vote here for the best freeware application that exists for OS X.

I make the start: VLC

Others post your recommendations here! This thread was made for users to know about many freeware applications that exist but they didn't have the opportunity to learn more about them.

NOTE: It must be FREEware, NOT shareware or commercial!
 
iTunes. It changed the way I used a computer, from work-related to being the centre of my digital life, be it music, movies, games, whatever... I first ripped all of my CDs to it, and now im in the process of getting all my movies on my computer too. No more rooting through hundreds of CDs to hear one track. I think its amazing how so many people take iTunes for granted. It revolutionised how I listen to my music, and thats a big big thing.

3rd party-wise, would either be ffmpegx. SubEthaEdit, Opera or Skype.
 
I'd have to say AdiumX or FireFox.

Adiumx is essential for me on the Mac, but firefox created a good size revolution as far as web standards go.

Very few apps do what FF has; FF impacted more than just those who use the app.
 
I'd say there are different categories of freeware and it's tough to come up with a single 'winner'

In the 'Games & Fun' category, I'd say that Solitaire XL is brilliant; it looks great and plays great.

Otherwise, I'd go for Superduper (although it's shareware for its advanced features) but its basic 'clone the hard drive' is free without a limited number of clones and makes it very easy to understand what the back up is doing.
 
I'd probably put Safari on top. If I came up with a list of 10, 8 of them would probably be made by Apple, if you can consider all software that comes bundled with a new Mac as "freeware."
 
Applespider said:
In the 'Games & Fun' category, I'd say that Solitaire XL is brilliant; it looks great and plays great.
Click to expand...
It is a nice game, but why must it come with a Color Label? WHY?!?!?!?! That is the most annoying thing. Why must the ruin a great game?


I know it only takes 2 seconds to turn it off, but it is the principle of the thing. It doesn't stop me from playing though.
 
Chundles said:
Handbrake
Click to expand...

You know, handbrake has been around for a while from what I can tell, but I had never heard of it before a week ago. Now I see it mentioned almost every day.
 
grapes911 said:
It is a nice game, but why must it come with a Color Label? WHY?!?!?!?! That is the most annoying thing. Why must the ruin a great game?


I know it only takes 2 seconds to turn it off, but it is the principle of the thing. It doesn't stop me from playing though.
Click to expand...

True... I turn it off too... but it is addictive!;)
 
Sorry, I can't pick just one...

For music it has to be itunes.

For video...even though VLC is really well made, it lacks a few features that I really need...so I have to go with Niceplayer.

And here is hoping iTheater will be the best media center app...7 days, 8 hours...the suspense!!!
 
My vote is for SilverKeeper, because backing up data is essential... and SilverKeeper makes it easy (and free!).
 
I remembered another great one: LinoType FontExplorer X.

It's a very nice font management program, that rivals (or even exceeds) the quality/features of the expensive commercial font management apps.
 
I too will go with Firefox because of how it is finally nailing the coffin, albeit slowly, on MSIE. :)

If I were to go with best public domain / open source / freeware of all time, I would go with Mosaic, though. Because the thing that it began...is a beautiful thing. :)

There're a couple more like GIMP and <R> that deserve kudos for being multi-platform, team-developed, open-source, free programs that can go toe-to-toe with the best commercial products in their classes.

In the Mac specific world, ignoring apps that are commercial and closed-source, but which Apple gives away, I'd have to also go with AdiumX. :)
 
I'll place my votes for MtR & Azureus.

Also, regarding the programs by Apple, I don't really consider any of them - except iTunes - freeware. Their cost is bundled into the computer or OS upgrade cost you pay, IMO.
 
Hard to say!
I cant decide between these. They are all essential to me, even if there are other alternatives for every single one of them.
* iTunes
* VideoLAN Client
* Camino
* Adium
 
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