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A new Best Mac apps thread

Just bought a Mac 10 days ago and so far here is my list of favorites

Pages - Word Processing
Numbers - Spreadsheet
Keynote - Presentations
BusyCal - What iCal should have been
OmniFocus - The BEST task manager out there
Pocket Money - Was using it on my iPhone/iPad and now have a desktop client
Bento 4 - Great data base type app, been using it on iPhone and iPad so it was a no brainer to go with the Mac version
Splash ID, again a tie in to the iPhone/iPad
McSolitaire, again used on iPhone/iPad
Day One, great little app for journaling/diary
Kindle
Today, great little desktop pop up that shows your schedule and tasks
Microsoft Office:mac

Some of these apps (Today, BusyCal, and Office:Mac) are still in trial versions so I haven't yet decided if I am keeping them all. I would like to keep Office since that is what I have been using the past 15 -20 years on my PC but the more I use the iWork components I'm not seeing a reason to buy Office, especially since Outlook seems useless compared to it's PC counterpart.
 
These are the ones I use regularly as part of my workflow...

Google Chrome - I just love this browser, it is always open on my Mac and with it's top notch standards support, included developer tools and some additional extensions (such as Page Speed and Pendule) it is my main development and benchmark browser while I am working on web sites.

Fireworks CS5 - Sure, it could use some improvements, notably in the performance and UI departments and I am as disgruntled at Adobe due to their latest antics as the next guy. But frankly, this app is just amazing for designing websites right from the wireframe to the finished stage. I used Photoshop before moving to Fireworks for designing web sites and the switch dramatically improved my workflow.

TextMate - For doing HTML and Javascript/jQuery and to edit the regular SQL or PHP file. Gotta love it's power, flexibility and the additional features that the bundles bring.

CSSEdit - Hands down the best app for writing CSS. It does needs an update, fast, as it lacks CSS3 support and it would also be nice to have some customization options for the editor's colors.

Transmit - For all things FTP.

Things - Things is to me the cream of the crop as far as to-do apps goes. Simple, elegant and very intuitive to use. The quick entry shortcut whereby I can be in any app and quickly add a todo-item, with or without some selection, is also a real time saver.

Evernote - My go to app when it comes to note-taking, storing pictures, quotes, images for visual reference, web pages, etc. Also have it on my iPhone and like how they both sync over the air. As in Things, I like how I can be in any app and quickly clip anything I select into Evernote.

iOS Simulator -Come with the iOS SDK, very nice to have for checking out sites in the iOS devices.

VMware Fusion -Only have this to run Windows 7/XP for the mandatory testing of websites in IE 9-6.

MAMP -To create a local server environment.

XMind -Nice free app I use for creating flowcharts.
 
Apple & Blizzard?

I wish Apple would team up with Blizzard to make a better online community for the next WoW game. Put it up on the app store and run the mac platform through it like that. Still connect to the same server but damn do I love the OS X platform.
 
mixitup2006 said:
Most of these apps have to be paid...

I am new to Mac..do you guys pay for these?
Click to expand...

Some of the Mac applications are free.Here is the list of free mac application;
1. Anxiety:provides a streamlined, easily accessible interface to add and check off your tasks, while remaining poised to melt into the background at a moments notice.
2.Appointments:Keep record of customers, contact persons and important events related to them.
3.BackBoard:A Mac app to collect notes and tasks.
4.Camouflage:Hides all the icons and leaves nothing but the pure wallpaper
5.Evernote:Easily capture information in any environment using whatever device or platform you find most convenient, and makes this information accessible and searchable at any time, from anywhere.
6.Todos:Todos shows you all your applications in a complete dock.
7.Think:Helps you to concentrate on your current task and activity.
8.TaskMate:Simple Mac to-do list application.
9.SketchBox:Sticky Notes Manager for your Mac Desktop.
10.Namely:Fast way to open applications.
 
1Password
DaisyDisk
Divvy
Dropbox
Knox
MakeMKV
Max
Quicksilver
Transmission
VLC
 
For developers:
SvnX - great and free GUI SVN client;
MajicRank - displays rankings for your iOS/Mac OS apps
 
Some great recommendations here, thanks!

I am still trying to figure out one thing regarding system and battery monitors. I have looked at iStat Pro, iStat Menus, and iStat Nano plus Coconut Battery. It seems that most here use iStat Pro along with Coconut Battery. Is there a reason? What is the advantage of Pro over Nano? What does Menus give that the free ones don't? Also, doesn't iStat give you a battery monitor? What does Coconut Battery do that the others won't?

Thanks for any input! I just don't want to overload my new MacBook with useless apps that I won't use (kind of like my iPhone, LOL!).
 
Nikh said:
For developers:
MajicRank - displays rankings for your iOS/Mac OS apps
Click to expand...

This is awesome, thanks!

For my list:

Automatic (torrent RSS)
Transmission (Torrents)
HandBrake (Video Conversion)
Magic Media Marker (TV & Movie Metadata tagging)
Better Touch Tool (Makes your Magic Mouse/Trackpad better)
 
ladytonya said:
I have looked at iStat Pro, iStat Menus, and iStat Nano plus Coconut Battery. It seems that most here use iStat Pro along with Coconut Battery. Is there a reason? What is the advantage of Pro over Nano? Also, doesn't iStat give you a battery monitor? What does Coconut Battery do that the others won't?
Click to expand...

Never used iStat Menus. Pro puts on one large pane what Nano shows over many. I use Pro on my 27" iMac and Nano on my MacBook. Coconut Battery shows the number of battery cycles. You can get the same data from System Information. When I discovered that I deleted Coconut Battery.
 
Thank you, Talmy! I just downloaded iStat Pro and I like it. Looking at their web site, Nano did look rather cluttered with all those different windows, I like that you can have pro in either horizontal or vertical orientation and it is interesting to look at. I did find the battery information in my system profiler. My battery health is 99% and I have 2 cycles, although I charged it over night so it's probably at 3 now. LOL! I don't think I have anything to worry about anytime soon. :apple:
 
Definitely subscribing to this thread. I'm not new to Mac, but I've never explored much on the Mac App store.

Also, I've seen a lot of finance apps. Which would you guys suggest for a college student? I have a two B2S giftcards, but I dont really want pay upwards of 30 bucks for a financing app.

One more: Any suggestions on some good diet/fitness plan apps?
 
DreamscapeRuins said:
Also, I've seen a lot of finance apps. Which would you guys suggest for a college student?
Click to expand...

Assuming "impoverished student" you probably don't have that much in the way of finances to track. Why not just use a spreadsheet? I did that for years.
 
talmy said:
Assuming "impoverished student" you probably don't have that much in the way of finances to track. Why not just use a spreadsheet? I did that for years.
Click to expand...

I do use a spreadsheet, but if theres an App out there that does the same thing, that would be even better. I don't have too much in the way of finances, but I do like to keep an eye on my bank account and credit cards - as well as plan out how much money I'll have in the upcoming months.
 
Thanks for this fabulous thread. Bump to make sure it is never lost. BetterTouchTool is simply brilliant and without it, my Mac experience would not be anywhere near as rich as it is. Thanks to those who suggested it.
 
DreamscapeRuins said:
I do use a spreadsheet, but if theres an App out there that does the same thing, that would be even better. I don't have too much in the way of finances, but I do like to keep an eye on my bank account and credit cards - as well as plan out how much money I'll have in the upcoming months.
Click to expand...

I looked around a year or so ago for an application but ultimately, I went back to spreadsheets. I only list basic information as I only have cash/debit (best combination IMO) but if you're fluent with Excel, you can do pretty much everything paid applications can do and more.

I mean, it's Excel lol.
 
wunderlist is fantastic for to do lists

Dia and Dia Shapes is a MS Visio like app

iSedora for DLNA connection for your TV

Cloud to share files
 
So the best music apps would be either Bowtie or TunesArt? I gotta check out all of these when I get home. Thanks guys!
 
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