Must Have Mac Apps
As more of my friends become Mac users - whether as a result of my encouragment nagging or their own wisdom - I find myself constantly recommending great apps that make an already great Mac even better.
In an attempt to share this information in its current form, I have compiled my recommendations for must-have Mac apps. Please let me know your experience with these programs and any that you think should be on the list.
Quicksilver
Before Blacktree software unveiled the first beta version of Quicksilver last year, Mac users were left to fend access programs using a variety of shortcut bar apps, the dock, and the finder.
Before I explain in great detail what Quicksilver does, I must first state clearly that it will transform the way you interact with information on your Mac.
Quicksilver is first and foremost a launcher app. Like many of it's predecessors it enables OS X users to input a keyboard shortcut and then more easily access information on their computers.
Where Quicksilver shines is in its ability to allow for commands and information to be accessed from the same information panel. Files can be e-mailed, text can be modified, and data from within programs can be accessed. The two most powerful uses of this tools revolve around the address book.
Say I have a file called "Project Memo." I type the word letters "P, "r," and "o." As I type a list is displayed attempting to match the results of my typing as I type. With each additional letter the list shrinks revealing results closer to my desired file. Once I type enough letter to get at what I am trying to find, I hit tab and a list of actions appear. I choose to "Email to..." and the file is opened as a new e-mail in the Mail program of my choice and I fill in the address information and go.
If, for example, I am working on something and realize that I need to call someone immediately. Instead of calling up the Address Book and finding them I simply begin typing their name. "R," "o," and "b" yields the "Rob" entries of my entire computer. Because I recently accessed one of them it is at the top. I hit tab, scroll down to "Home Telephone," hit enter and in large text the number is displayed on my screen. if I had my phone hooked up the computer it could call or fax at this point.
The power of Quicksilver comes from its ability to easily plug in to other programs. The list of existing plug-ins is breathtaking and is updated constantly.
I strongly recommend installing the latest beta and have it scan for development releases. They perpetually add great features.
NetNewsWire
One of my most common Quicksilver entries is NetNewsWire. After checking my e-mail this program is my number one source of information, far before my regular browser.
NetNewsWire is simply the best RSS/Atom reader for Mac. To throw a bone to the Windows world, Bradbury Software's FeedDemon is downright gorgeous and is one of the few apps out there that offer a better experience for Windows than Mac.
NetNewsWire, however is nothing to scoff at. Using the common three panel interface it aggregates headlines, summaries, and PodCasts from a limitless list of feeds. I currently track 226 feeds sorted into 8 primary categories.
The recent addition of PodCast support allows me to use my information aggregator to download embedded mp3 files automatically, import them to iTunes, and delete them from my downloads folder. In the last few weeks, this has enabled me to listen to On the Media on my iPod. As more NPR, BBC, and CBC programs get on the PodCast bandwagon, NetNewsWire will connect my iPod to their web sites.
NetNewsWire allows me to take all of this information, collect it in one place, and then filter it as I wish. In addition to browsing each feeds headlines individually I have a number of "Smart Lists" that search all of my feeds for keywords.
If, for example, The Carpetbagger Report of Talking Points Memo mentions anything from my list of "Church / State" keywords NetNewsWire calls it to my attention.
Without NetNewsWire I would not be able to keep up with the blogosphere. The downside, however, is that it creates the illusion that one can keep up with the blogosphere. From my 226 feeds I currently have 4,945 unread headlines. So it goes.
Ranchero Software offers NetNewsWire in two flavors. Buying the full version is worth the $39.95. While you are at it, be sure you get the latest beta.
MacStumbler
Less often used but just as important, MacStumbler allows me to display all available WiFi networks within range. Anyone who travels often knows that finding a free WiFi network at the right moment can mean the difference between reading Fark and reading a book.
MacStumbler reveals the SSID, channel, signal strength, and WEP security status of nearby networks. More importantly, and for research purposes only, it displays the vendor of the base station. If you were so inclined, you could use this information to test default passwords to gain access to otherwise secure networks. As this is naughty, however, I'm sure you won't try it, I wouldn't.
Sofa
Last, but not least, Sofa is yet another iTunes remote control app. What makes it stand out from the pack is its easy to use album art downloader.
When a song is played, Sofa automatically downloads the cover art from the Amazon country of your choice and applies it to all tracks of that album in iTunes.
It has only been wrong a few times and for someone as obsessed with pure metadata and complete album art as I am, this is a must have app.
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A practical addition: Maintain1, which is my favorite system shell script utility. This handy (and free) utility allows you to run Unix shell scripts that can fix many Mac OS maladies. The interface is clean, and the tasks it performs are very handy for keeping your Mac running well.
Some other fun possibilities:
The folks at Unsanity make some wonderful interface enhancements for the Mac. Some of these are even somewhat functional. WindowShade X brings back the oft-missed windowshade feature from Mac OS 9. FontCard organizes the font menu in both Carbom and Cocoa apps, allowing an easier way to find the font you need.
And then there's ShapeShifter, which allows you to change the UI in many, many ways. Want to make your UI look like the upcoming "Tiger," or maybe like a stylized Sumi-E parchment print, or even Windows XP? It can be done. ShapeShifter will even let you change the mouse pointer, system icons and desktop pictures, either alone or as a package. And it does all this without permanently modifying your System packages.
If you own an iPod, you owe it to yourself to invest in PodWorks, which is a wonderful tool for doing what Apple doesn't want you to do: copy songs from your iPod to your Mac. Sure, there are many apps the do this, but none are as spiffy as PodWorks. The interface is remarkably similar to iTunes, so learning the ropes is easy. The app also lets you backup by playlist, which is a great way to selectively backup your 'pod. This app has helped me out more than once, after my iPod had taken a turn... somewhat south.
And for IM, my personal fave is Adium. Adium allows a single interface to use AIM, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger and ICQ. The interface is "skinnable," allowing for a custom user experience, and the message windows are tabbed, which reduces screen clutter. Adium is also blessed with a an active developer community, which means improvements a'plenty. There's even a Quicksilver plug-in for Adium, which makes it even more cool. Give it a try!