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Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

post #1 of 115
1/13/07 at 1:19am
Thread Starter 
Thought I'd ask all Mac users within this forum to help
compile a list of essential software for the Mac.

Whether it be FREEWARE, SHAREWARE or something to
be bought, this should be a list of the most interesting
and useful software you have found to date.

If possible, give a brief description of what the software
does, an indication of whether it is FREEWARE or not, and
even a link to the download area. All that is optional.

Looking forward to some of your suggestions
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post #2 of 115
1/13/07 at 6:21am

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Essential:
Firefox - Freeware
Alsoft Diskwarrior (Absolute Essential) - Paid Disk Miracle Worker http://www.alsoft.com
AudioHijack Pro (or not Pro) - Free/Shareware - Record/Timeshift audio from all apps http://www.rogueamoeba.com
DVDPedia (and rest of pedias) - Shareware - Catlogue software that can import from DVDProfiler - http://www.bruji.com
VLC (Freeware) - Mediaplayer
MacParDeluxe - Fee/Shareware - For .rar files
Voodoo Pad or Mori (Free/Shareware) - Notebook style apps
Stuffit Expander or equivalent The Unarchiver (Freeware) - File Archive Expanders
Podworks (Shareware) - iPod utility to backup iPod contents and more - http://www.scifihifi.com/podworks/
Realplayer (Freeware/No junk installed either)
MPlayer OS X (Freeware) - Mediaplayer
Flip4Mac (Freeware/Shareware)) - Plugin for .wmv files - http://www.flip4mac.com
VueScan (Shareware - if you have a scanner) - Near Universal Scanner application - www.hamrick.com/
USBOverdrive or Steermouse- Configuration software for USB Devices (Sharewares)

Other options:
EyeTV (Play/re-record/re-edit .ts files and Timeshift TV)
MactheRipper
Any of the Unsanity.com haxies
VNC Client - Timbuktu/ChickenoftheVNC
DynDNS Client
Meteorologist
Bookit - Bookmarks utility
SharePoints - Configure for Windows Sharing
MacTFTP Client
Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition
GarageSale - Ebay Listing App
Toast - CD/DVD burning app
R-Name - Batch File Renamer
Split and Concat - File join/split gui app
DiskCatalogue Maker
CandyBar and Pixadex - Icon and GUI changing apps
Firewire SDK - DVHS and Firewire CATV recording/playback apps
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post #3 of 115
1/13/07 at 8:08am

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Butler (freeware) - among many other things, launches applications by keystrokes; great if you don't like to mouse to everything and don't want to clutter up your dock

http://mac.softpedia.com/get/System-...s/Butler.shtml
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post #4 of 115
1/13/07 at 9:26am

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Ron, First of all, choose Universal Binary versions at all times if it's an option. Those are optimized to run on MacIntel hardware. Non-universal will run, but under the Rosetta emulator, leading to lower performance (but they run fine, just slower).

Handbrake. Freeware. And its sister Instant Handbrake. Converts DVD to video iPod format in one program. For iPod use only, use Instant.

MacMP3Gain, Freeware. *TRULY* normalizes audio files (MP3, AAC) by analyzing the entire song for average volume then setting them to the same average volume, not by the old (and highly inaccurate method) of setting peak levels the same. This has allowed me to have all 4000 songs on my iPod, all of which were mastered at very different audio levels on CD, to sound approximately the same volume, eliminating my need to change volume when louder/softer songs come on.

iLife - included with your system purchase. Check it out, buy a book if you have to. Garageband - great beginner music recording. iDVD. iPhoto. Photobooth. You get the point.

VLC Player - freeware, media player

Flip4Mac, freeware plugin, shareware option, plays WMV files on Mac.

How long until the new "Mac" subforum appears?

Let me know of your hobbies and I'll post some payware. Like:
Screewriting: Moviemagic Screenwriter or Final Draft.
Music Recording/Postproduction: Pro Tools LE/M-Powered or Apple's Logic Pro/Express
Video editing: Apple's Final Cut Pro
etc.
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post #5 of 115
1/13/07 at 12:51pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Not having a Mac, I'm going to stay out of this thread after just seconding Joseph's VLC recommendation. In fact, I'd recommend installing VLC on BOTH partitions. Best video player I've ever used.

Windows download:
http://www.videolan.org/mirror.php?f...8.6a-win32.exe

Mac OS X download:
http://www.videolan.org/mirror.html?...vlc-0.8.6a.dmg
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post #6 of 115
1/13/07 at 1:47pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Gents,

Since I am playing with .dmg files I would like an antivirus
installed "just in case" something goes wrong.

I'd rather not have to purchase a second anti-virus program
on top of the one I am going to use with the emulated Vista.

Is there a FREE Mac antivirus (like AVG) that lets you do
simple scans on files before executing them?
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post #7 of 115
1/13/07 at 1:51pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Thanks to the recommendation from Joseph...

Since I am a power DVD PROFILER user I am wondering whether
it will be better continuing to use PROFILER under Windows or get
DVDPedia?

Any preference as to which is better?

Keep the software recommendations coming. Great stuff!
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post #8 of 115
1/13/07 at 2:22pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Do you have a barcode scanner other than the PS2 Cuecat? I used the PS2 Cuecat with the PC, but could not with the Mac. DVD Profiler runs fine under Parallels, but for me it would have been hand-entry of the UPC codes.

So I got a Bluetooth scanner in conjunction with Delicious Library:

http://www.delicious-monster.com/

- Steve
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post #9 of 115
1/13/07 at 2:24pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Heya Steve!

I have the cue-cat and I figured it would run
fine under Parallels, no?

Update

Found the scanner. Very nice! Will it work with
DVDpedia as that seems the closest to being compatible
with DVD Profiler?
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post #10 of 115
1/13/07 at 2:48pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

SnapZ Pro X 2.0 (shareware, Ambrosia Software, $29 for still capture or $69 for still + motion capture)

Advantages:

1. Much more flexible than Mac OS X's screen capture. Still capture works very well. (Motion capture should be evaluated for performance with your system and your application.)

2. If I remember correctly, it doesn't artificially cripple itself when the DVD Player application is running.

Disadvantages:

1. Likes to put up a modal display that delays the system for two seconds or so at startup time. Removing the application from the startup item list and running it yourself is a workaround for this.

2. The vendor uses a registration scheme where the program only accepts registration codes for 30(?) days from the date of issue. If you pay for the program, then use it for a year, then do a clean install of MacOS 10.5 ("Leopard"), you'll probably find SnapZ X Pro telling you that you are an "unregistered user", and refusing to accept the registration code from your initial purchase. To be fair, you can request another code from the vendor, and they'll look you up in their registration database, and send another one out -- if they're still in business.
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post #11 of 115
1/13/07 at 3:03pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Photoshop Elements (or full PhotoShop). These aren't Universal, but should become Universal in their next major upgrade cycles.
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post #12 of 115
1/13/07 at 3:23pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

If you're fond of hierarchical application menus, you can drag a folder icon or disk icon into the right side of the Dock. Populate the folder with aliases and subfolders. Then right-click on the Dock icon to open the menu as needed.

On my system, the Dock has the most-used applications, and the "menu folder" points to other programs I use less frequently. The folder even has an Aqua-themed Apple icon (from one of the freeware icon collections) to make it look like an updated version of the Mac OS 8 "Apple menu".
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post #13 of 115
1/13/07 at 5:10pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

The usb cuecat scanner apparently works with DVDPedia natively. I use a handheld Bluetooth scanner which I can get to work natively with Delicious Library and via Serial Magic Pro with DVDPedia. I can't say how either PS2 or USB Cuecats are in Parallels, because my G5 tower won't be replaced until the rev2 Intel towers come out this Spring/Summer.

DVDProfiler has a much larger db to pick from and higher quality images, so I pretty much used my original library and transferred over. DVDPedia has a full screen mode that looks better than Front Row and runs much faster than Delicious Library. Delicious Library looks great, but runs real slow on fast machines. The lack of a way to import from DVDProfiler sealed Delicious Library's fate on my machine even though I bought the program and scanner from them. It takes way too long to rescan everything and correct mistakes on OOP, first gens mislabeled as SEs, and foreign imports when you have around 2K DVDs.
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post #14 of 115
1/13/07 at 6:32pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Is the Cuecat USB or PS2? The USB one will probably work.

- Steve
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post #15 of 115
1/21/07 at 9:47am

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Delicious Library.
http://www.delicious-monster.com/

It's an alternative DVD cataloging software that is very cool. It has virtual shelves, lending tracking, and also if you have an iSight, it can scan the barcode and grab the DVD automatically from the web.
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post #16 of 115
1/21/07 at 10:53am

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Graphic Converter
Default Folder
Audio Hijack
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post #17 of 115
1/21/07 at 12:47pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

fink fink.sf.net need to use linux and unix software, and are not afraid of the command line and X11? This is an easy way to install thousands of software packages.
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post #18 of 115
1/21/07 at 6:56pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Excellent thread guys.... Keep them comming!!
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post #19 of 115
1/22/07 at 10:16am

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

I like the following...

1. Pro version of Quicktime is a worthy upgrade imho.
2. Onyx - maintenance utility.
3. ClamXAV - anti-virus although really not needed I still run it.
4. Microsoft Office - so I can work on my regular work files.
5. Delicious Library - the BEST music and video collection software out there imho. Scans bar code with the iSight!
6. OmniGraffle - the best object based drawing program I have found.
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post #20 of 115
1/23/07 at 9:09am

Memory Miner

Memory Miner is a great photo album/story telling application.

You can record grandma's stories about old photos and include the video/audio as well as maps on where it happened.

You can create flash and HTML presentations with you photos that will make any Flikr slide show seem like a very poor substitute.

It's hard to put into words, but definitely check Memory Miner out -- it is truly the family album of the 21st century.

Ted
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post #21 of 115
1/25/07 at 12:26pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Scoggins
1. Pro version of Quicktime is a worthy upgrade imho.
AMEN!

And besides the normal stuff that is also PC based (like Photoshop, DivX player, Firefox, etc.) - as far as Mac only software, I only have a couple suggestions...

FTP application: Fetch - I've been using this since the beginning and it's wonderful.

I've also used Renamer4Mac as a nice utility for renaming a large number of files (which is the equivalent to using the DOS prompt in windows).
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post #22 of 115
1/25/07 at 7:55pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Another great utility is OS X Cocktail. Terrific.
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post #23 of 115
1/26/07 at 11:36am

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Scoggins
...
5. Delicious Library - the BEST music and video collection software out there imho. Scans bar code with the iSight!
I have to disagree with this recommendation: IMO the current versions of DVDPedia (& CD/Book/*Pedia) (v.3.3.x) blow Delicious Library (v. 1.63) out of the water.

Yes, the *Pedias do indeed support iSight, but they also have a whole host of vital features, starting with IMDB/CDDB support that DL lacks. DVDPedia's full screen mode and VIDEO_TS or trailer launching ability is great. And for anyone with a HTF sized collection, Delicious Library, by Wil Shipley's own admission, chokes at 2000.

In fairness Shipley is working on a Leopard only 2.0 version of Delicious Library, which I eagerly await, but that won't be out for many months, if then, and the Bruji (DVDPedia) developers aren't standing idly by. For right now, especially for someone with a large or international collection, the *Pedias are the only game in town.

For additional info, if somewhat dated info, see also this thread: http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...d.php?t=206868

Ted
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post #24 of 115
1/26/07 at 11:50am

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

"Yes, the *Pedias do indeed support iSight, but they also have a whole host of vital features, starting with IMDB/CDDB support that DL lacks."

IMDB support is nice but I like the user interface of Delicious a lot.
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post #25 of 115
1/26/07 at 12:18pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkHastings
AMEN!

And besides the normal stuff that is also PC based (like Photoshop, DivX player, Firefox, etc.) - as far as Mac only software, I only have a couple suggestions...

FTP application: Fetch - I've been using this since the beginning and it's wonderful.

I've also used Renamer4Mac as a nice utility for renaming a large number of files (which is the equivalent to using the DOS prompt in windows).

Let me second Fetch. It is a good little program. Reading this thread is depressing me a bit. I work on Macs, but at home I am "limited" to Windows machines. The Mac solutions for DVD cataloging look so much better than anything available on a Windows machine.
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post #26 of 115
1/27/07 at 1:37pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

I discovered Aurora last night - it's an alarm clock with graduated volume, and wake computer from sleep mode. Works fantastic so well.
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post #27 of 115
1/27/07 at 3:14pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

I've been trying CyberDuck as my FTP client as its freeware and seemed to offer the features that I needed. So far its done what I've expected so you might consider it if you want a freeware solution.
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post #28 of 115
1/28/07 at 10:52am

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Incidentally, I have used Cyberduck, and had weird problems. Frequently I would update a file and it somehow wouldn't actually get updated properly. It happened alot. It worked fine uploading new files, but to update them properly, I had to delete them and upload the new ones, and sometimes even that didn't work right. So, I went to Transmit, which isn't free, but is so significantly better, I don't care. It also lets you open windows on two servers and move stuff directly between tham. If you are doing much FTP at all, I highly recommend it.

Also, for backing up volumes, SuperDuper is exactly that. Well worth the small shareware fee. It has saved me hours of work when my boot drive started dying.
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post #29 of 115
1/29/07 at 5:44am

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

Interesting. I may have seen something similar yesterday updating a file on one of the servers that now make me wonder if it really did get updated.
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post #30 of 115
1/29/07 at 1:34pm

Re: Macintosh: Most recommended software list?

I'll tell you Andrew, I was ripping my hair out with frustration until I finally realized Cyberduck was causing the problems.
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