Useful MAC Apps and Hardware [Ongoing Updates]

Mike Lucey · 25 Mar 2010, 02:37

Just discovered BumpTop, downloaded the free version and brought the Pro version for $29 after 20 minutes! It's the type of DeskTop organiser that I have wished for. Check it out here, http://bumptop.com/mac/

rickgraham · 25 Mar 2010, 13:15

being a fairly new Mac user, I scanned through your list and found it to be very helpful. I will sit down and read each one later when time permits.

I bought this program and find it to be invaluable as far as what all you get: Mackeeper (http://www.zeobit.com). It is one of the best $40 I have spent.

Also, if you are not already aware of them, Macheist and Macupdate have some good bundles on (although the current one I have almost all the apps. I still might get it though to get the one or two apps that seem really good).

And Techsmith SnagIt for Mac is under beta. I've been using it for a while and love it! I use the PC SnagIt at work and was lost. But then again, I also have Voila and Little Snapper.

Someday I will make up my mind and start clearing house!

Rick

chrisglasier · 1 Apr 2010, 11:55

Those who downloaded the Mac version of cgScenes should have seen something like this on opening:

Unfortunately, I understand you actually saw an empty dialog with a small red square.

Not an auspicious start to getting the first web dialog based plugin to work on Macs as well as PCs.

But you know the reason was John ["driven"] who made the conversion also was keen to get it working on an iPhone and left a link to one of his local testing files. (Aside - think about manipulating a Sketchup display from a phone!). The upshot was that his testing of the plugin we published went fine on his machine with the linked file but not of course for anyone else.

So if you would like to download the new version (with sample model) please go here, and please don't remain silent again, be good enough to post any problems; it just might benefit the community.

tfdesign · 18 Apr 2010, 21:50

I really loathe Adobe Flash. So I've decided to sack it 99% of the time. Now my browser is flying!! No crashes today at all. No fans all on at all pelt, and no Activity Monitor telling me that Flash is sucking 1gB of memory out of my computer! Hooray!

All because of this little freeware gem;

http://clicktoflash.com/

The installer doesn't ask for a password, which is a bit strange. It can't be a security hole? Can it? Dunno, but clicktoflash is working really well. It seems highly configurable, so it comes highly recommended!

pbacot · 9 May 2010, 00:14

@mike lucey said:

Just discovered BumpTop, downloaded the free version and brought the Pro version for $29 after 20 minutes! It's the type of DeskTop organiser that I have wished for. Check it out here, http://bumptop.com/mac/

Yes, check it out. They've been acquired by Google and the product snuffed out.

Mike Lucey · 9 May 2010, 00:23

I read about Google buying it. While there were no concrete details, it hinted that the pro version would be made free and further developed ...... remind you of anything?

Mike Lucey · 9 May 2010, 00:26

http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/mowi/article.php/3879996/Google-Buys-BumpTop-3D-Desktop---Maybe-With-Mobile-in-Mind.htm

Edson · 3 Jun 2010, 22:05

I just came across Path Finder, a Finder replacement that is very impressive. the screencast makes one wish to buy it at once. there is a very good review of it on Macworld.

pbacot · 23 Jun 2010, 17:07

@edson said:

I just came across Path Finder, a Finder replacement that is very impressive. the screencast makes one wish to buy it at once. there is a very good review of it on Macworld.

Has anyone given this a trial? I can't tell, but, Mike you seem to like using third party Mac utilities... what I want is a way to create a finder view with certain FOLDERS open and in the format and position I choose:

If I don't mess with certain folders, I can do that now by opening each one. Here's what I need: For a particular project I may have a few folders with drawing files in them. then I have related folders with output files (pdf) that are made from the drawing files, and need to be periodically updated and sent off. I would like to have a finder view of these folders and nothing else for working on these tasks. And, of course, a way to save it and have it come up with a button or menu selection.

I don't really find a need to have "Spaces" limit what applications I can use. I don't understand that. I use all the same applications all the time. It's finder clutter I need help with.

Sorry for the long explanation. Any ideas?

Peter

Edson · 23 Jun 2010, 17:23

@pbacot said:

@edson said:

I just came across Path Finder, a Finder replacement that is very impressive. the screencast makes one wish to buy it at once. there is a very good review of it on Macworld.

Has anyone given this a trial? I can't tell, but, Mike you seem to like using third party Mac utilities... what I want is a way to create a finder view with certain FOLDERS open and in the format and position I choose:

If I don't mess with certain folders, I can do that now by opening each one. Here's what I need: For a particular project I may have a few folders with drawing files in them. then I have related folders with output files (pdf) that are made from the drawing files, and need to be periodically updated and sent off. I would like to have a finder view of these folders and nothing else for working on these tasks. And, of course, a way to save it and have it come up with a button or menu selection.

I don't really find a need to have "Spaces" limit what applications I can use. I don't understand that. I use all the same applications all the time. It's finder clutter I need help with.

Sorry for the long explanation. Any ideas?

Peter

why don't you try their 30-day demo? I am testing it and am liking it. it is well documented (good videos) and full of features. it certainly is better than the Finder.

Mike Lucey · 23 Jun 2010, 17:27

Peter,

Let us know how you get on with Path Finder as it looks very capable. I am not using it but will give it a try soon.

Mike

pbacot · 23 Jun 2010, 20:44

OK. I'll try it. What have I got to lose? Thanks, Peter

Mike Lucey · 23 Jun 2010, 21:03

Peter,

You might also have a look at Blast by Apparent Software. It keeps track of the files you've been using and gives you fast access to them. Not a total solution but then again there is no perfect solution.

I have had Blast on my Menu Bar for the past couple of days and find I am using it quite a lot. I probably will fork out the $9

Check it out here, http://www.apparentsoft.com/blast

Mike

Mike Lucey · 24 Jul 2010, 16:09

Hi Guys,

I came across this 'Inklet turns your trackpad into a Wacom-style tablet'

MacBook Articles

Explore the world of MacBook at TUAW, where we delve into everything related to Apple's iconic line of laptops.

TUAW (www.tuaw.com)

301 Moved Permanently

(www.tenonedesign.com)

..... and it works quite well.

Mike

Edson · 24 Jul 2010, 19:37

I ended up buying a license for PathFinder. I find it so resourceful that I have stopped using the Finder altogether.

Edson · 24 Jul 2010, 19:51

I have recently found some very useful free plugins:

for MAIL

Letterbox is a plugin for Mail that reconfigures the interface by moving the Preview pane to the right. This gives Mail an "Outlook- or Entourage-like" appearance which many feel is a more efficient use of screen real estate, especially on Macs with wide-screen monitors. It is proving to be wildly popular. The developer promises more improvments in the future. Freeware.
Herald is a notification plugin for Mail.app, Apple's Mac OS X email client. Inspired by the excellent Mail.appetizer plugin, Herald shows you popup notifications whenever you receive new Mail. It also allows you to perform common actions directly from within the notification window, including deleting messages, initiating replies, viewing messages in Mail, or marking messages as read. Freeware.

for the MAGIC MOUSE
MagicPrefs is a free menubar and preference pane application for OSX which aims to improve the functionality and configuration options of the Apple Magic Mouse.
It features the ability to bind a variable number of finger clicks, taps, swipes, pinch and other gestures to functions like Middle Click , Hold Down Both Mouse Buttons , Spaces , Expose, Dashboard , Recent Applications, Tweet, Read Tweets, Google Reader etc.

when the magic mouse was first released it was impossible to orbit with it in sketchup, since it lacks a scroll ball/wheel. with MagicPrefs you can do it easily.

Mike Lucey · 27 Jul 2010, 15:54

Thanks for the headsup on those apps Edson

Mike Lucey · 27 Jul 2010, 16:03

I am in the process of moving from my old MacBook Pro to a new one and using Snow Leopard also. One app that I became reliant on was Sticky Windows. This app allowed me to stick active windows to the sides, top and bottom of the screen. The apps became a tab with part of the window description. I was disappointed when I learned that Sticky Windows would not work with Snow Leopard!

I looked for an alternative and found one that I think is even better! Its called Fantasktik (The Incredible Taskbar)
http://www.docklandsoft.com/fantasktik/

I have set up the 30 day demo and DO find it 'incredible'. It offer me a way of keeping my screen 'clean' and uncluttered. The 'sleeping' windows are nicely position of a taskbar and when I hover over one it shows me a transparent view of the window, very clever!

Its not a free app, but at $14.95, I think its very reasonable considering the time and confusion saving ability of the app.

Mike

Edson · 27 Jul 2010, 17:06

@mike lucey said:

I am in the process of moving from my old MacBook Pro to a new one and using Snow Leopard also.

have you used apple's migration assistant to pass everything from the old macbook to the new one?

Mike Lucey · 27 Jul 2010, 19:10

Doing it today. I had to get a cable to do the job, bought one today so will try it out. I did bring some things over manually though. The process makes you look at things you never use