I decided to format my Mac when updating to Lion. Great chance to start fresh.
My last post on recommended Mac OS Software was written when I was new to the OS. Having been a convert for sometime now, here’s my updated list of recommended list of Software for the Mac (considering Lion). I’ve only listed down the software that I’ve found a need for and installed. If you want a more exhaustive list of software, you should check my old post (when I was in an experimentation phase).
Stock Mac apps:
- Safari – (Primary Web Browser)
Safari always had a better UI than the contenders. But it was slow and lacked many features. Safari 5.1 comes with a new webkit2 engine and it’s now blazingly fast. It still uses a nasty amount of memory but my Macbook Pro has 8 Gb ram, so I’m not too worried. The Extensions that I use: AdBlock, Youtube5 & Invisible Status Bar (Using Google Chrome as my backup browser now).
- Mail.app – (Email access)
I previously was content with accessing email through a web-browser (Gmail was great). But this is 2011 and i should be able to send my emails in Lucida Sans. They also got threading right with Lion and that was the only niggle holding me back. Advantages of having an independent email client: (offline email access and backup, choice of moving email providers, custom font, common inbox for my different emails accounts).
- iTunes.app – You might additionally find this script to quickly removing dead links useful.
- Time Machine – I have it setup with an external 1TB Hard disk. Plug it in and it takes care of itself. Drop dead Simple and works.
Essentials:
Keyboard Maestro – $36 and worth every cent – A macro Program that lets you control your Mac. I cannot write enough good things for this piece of software. I would say this is one of THE best Mac OS Software….EVER! Think AutoHotkey for the mac, but infinitely more user-friendly and functional.
BBEdit – $40 – Text Editor
I’ve switched camp from Textmate. This is far superior in performance, customer-care and customization. You can write an apple script to do anything you could possibly want in BBEdit.
- Dropbox – Free – Syncing files across workstations
- 1Password – $20 – Password Manager – Because we all need one.
- nValt – Free – Best note taking app – I have it synced with SimpleNotes + Dropbox.
- VLC.app – Free – Video Player (I hope you’re not using… gulp… QuickTime)
- uTorrent – Free – For all those legal torrents you want to download
- Carbon Copy Cloner – Free – Bootable Backups (Time Machine is for restoring single files)
- F.lux – Free – If you’re the type that spends too much time in front of a monitor, you want this app.
- Growl – Free – Convenient app for good looking desktop notifications.
- Microsoft Office 2011 – NOT Free – well cause you can’t do without it any more.
- Twitter for Mac – Free
- Synergy – Free
With this awesome piece of software you could use a single keyboard and mouse across computers. Current Lion support completely sucks, but they’ve promised a better release (it’s completely open source so you’re not allowed to complain).
Nice nuggets to have:
- DeTune – Free
This is probably my most mightiest find. Finally something that lets you take your stuff out of an iOS device.
- Tune Instructor – Free – Quick Menu bar access to iTunes
iStat Pro Dashboard – Free – not an app per say, but really useful widget for the dashboard.
DoublePane – $3 – allows quick arrangement and positioning of windows.
Multi Media conversion Software:
- HandBrake – Free – For ALL your video ripping + conversion (not editing though).
- Max.app – Ripping audio from CD/DVDs.
- Adobe Audition – $100 – Sound Editing
I know Logic Pro is far superior but I’ve used Adobe Audition right from it’s Cool Edit Pro days. It’s now available for the Mac and works pretty darn well. Things just get done faster “for me” with AA.
for the geeks:
- LittleSnitch – Free – To track your network bandwidth usage application wise.
- NameBench – Free – getting the best DNS configuration settings for your ISP.
- NameChanger – Free – best program to batch rename files
- Sequel Pro – Free – best MySql Developer IDE for the Mac.
- iceClean.app – Free – think CCleaner for the Mac