So last week I was playing catch up on my reader and found a post about 25 Free Mac Apps. Well I can’t help but pass on the news. I haven’t downloaded and used all of them yet, but I’ve been researching these for y’all.
1. Name Changer
Rename lists of files, the perfect software to batch change the files your clients are sending to you. It can be good when working with pictures too.
- Used this today and it is amazing. I often do newsletters and programs so I receive 20 files off a camera that has some random name with numbers and letters. Well I can go in and tell it to remove the parts of the files names that I don’t like and replace it with something that I can easily identify.
2. Anxiety
Manage simple to-do lists with this lightweight application. Perfect for people who don’t want or need complicated GTD software.
- Couldn’t get this one to open but I wish I could have. It seems like something that I would use.
3. Cyberduck
FTP software with a nice and usable interface, integrated with several text editors.
We use this at work. Fugu is another FTP software that is free to use.
4. Adium
Connect to all your messaging accounts in this open-source instant messaging application.
- I didn’t try this one. Let me know what you think.
5. Carbon Copy cloner
Create complete and bootable backups with this easy-to-us utility.
- I don’t have a hard drive at work to back up to, but it looks to be a good tool if you don’t have leopard with time machine.
6. The Unarchiver
Unpacking utility that handles tons of formats.
- Once again I didn’t try this one.
7. AppCleaner
Don’t leave any files on your computer when uninstalling applications with this great little app.
- And this is another one that didn’t work when I tried it. I use AppZapper. There’s a fee but it’s easy to get around.
8. The Gimp
Image manipulation software, a decent alternative to Photoshop.
Also available for Windows.
- There was something that wasn’t on my computer at work for this to work. Who knows. That computer is a little out of date and has been messed with over the years from what a hear.
9. Skype
Voip service to make free computer to computer calls, or cheap computer to phone calls.
Also available for Windows.
- Didn’t try it
10. Firefox
Free and open source web browser, customizable with tons of great addons.
Also available for Windows.
- Who doesn’t use this? I don’t use anything else.
11. Caffeine
Don’t let your Mac go to sleep, keep it caffeinated.
- I don’t like caffeine.
12. Burn
Advanced CD and DVD burning on Mac.
- Didn’t try either
13. Handbrake
DVD to Mpeg converter, useful for recovering data on DVD.
Also available for Windows.
- Don’t really have a need for this one.
14. Audacity
Open source software for recording and editing sounds.
Also available for Windows.
- Once again, no need.
15. Smultron
Free and powerful text editor for Mac.
- A better looking Text Edit, but I still have Office and I use Stickies for the simple stuff
16. InkScape
Open source vector drawing editor, a decent alternative to Illustrator.
Also available for Windows.
- Don’t have Leopard, and couldn’t use it.
17. Freemind
Mind mapping software, my favourite way to organize my thoughts.
Also available for Windows.
- It is a weird program but it is a good program if you need to make cloud maps of thought and projects and what not.
18. Disk Inventory X
Disk usage utility for Mac OS X, quickly see what’s taking space on your system.
- Didn’t try
19. Colloquy
Advanced IRC client, chatting with a nice interface.
- Not even sure what that it.
20. Neo Office
Open Source office suite for Mac, a great alternative to Word & Excel.
- It looks similar to Word and has some of the same functions.
21. QuickSilver
Application launcher and much more, a real productivity booster.
- I had a hard time with the interface. I”m sure if I were to use it a lot I might be able to use it as it was intended.
22. NetNewsWire
My favourite RSS reader, opened every morning while having a coffee.
- Didn’t try.
23. DeepVacuum
Download full websites or web pages with this software through http or ftp protocol.
- Didn’t try
24. HyperDither
Batch image resizing utility, time-saving if you don’t want to use Photoshop actions.
- It creates bitmap images using a dither filter. For a screen-printer it might be a great tool in the tool box.
25. Transmission
Filesharing made easy with this simple BitTorrent client.
- Didn’t try
I want to add a couple of Apps I’ve found over the years.
1. Disktracker
It’s a great program for keeping up with files on cds and dvds. Just drop the cd/dvd icon into Disktracker and files names are stored in a database. It’s easy to search for the file names and then find the cd/dvd without having to search each cd/dvd individually.
2. Boomerang
Have you ever accidentally deleated a file that you didn’t mean to and then it was gone forever. Well fret no more as this is a program that will recover files for you. It’s only a free trial but it works!
