Useful MAC Apps and Hardware [Ongoing Updates]
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Hi Guys,
I've been looking for a simple / powerful app that would allow me to organise my stuff on the Mac. I wanted something that I felt comfortable with.
I have tried out quite a few but have not been converted as yet, that
is until I came across Note Book by Circus Ponies, http://www.circusponies.com/store/index.php?main_page=videotour&sub=introduction&zenid=8e3cb306363803d4aac1b0d953633310The above link is to the Video Tutorials page. Its well worth spending a little time checking these out.
What I like about Note Book is that is a very down to earth system that all of us are familiar with. The way Circus Ponies have put this system together is simple yet VERY effective.
I would value any opinions.
Mike
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Hi Guys,
I've been using Canvas as my desktop published since V6, its now at V11 for Windows. But for some reason the company have decided to discontinue upgrades for the Mac so I am stuck at V10. I'm not pleased to say the least.
Since I moved to the Mac I have found a lot of small dedicated applications that do ONE job well. Bean is a good example and I now use it for all my letter writing, its simple, fast, nice to use and gets the job done. Oh! its also free.
I have just noticed the launch of iStudio Publisher, a simple and easy to use app. I've read the overview, watched the videos also downloaded the small program and tried it out.
I have a feeling it will be replacing Canvas as my DP. Okay, its not free but at £35 its a bargain and a fraction of the cost of Canvas. I am also very pleased to read about the upgrades that will be following at a quick pace!
If any of you are looking for a simple and easy to use DP application I'd say its worth a look. The link is,
http://www.istudiopublisher.com/index.php/home/home/Let me know how you get on.
Mike
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i recently came across Freeway (http://www.softpress.com/index.php), a web design app for people who do not wish to learn coding. i had a look at their videos and got the impression it is better than iWeb and RapidWeaver, the two apps that do the same. there are two version, express and pro, as well as educationnal licenses.
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Thanks Edson, I checked out Freeway and must say the it looks to be superior to iWeb and Rapidweaver. The video tutorials are excellent. The narrator has a good turn of phrase and easy to listen to. It's probably worth going for the Pro version with the added features.
Mike
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Thanks Tim, will look at that as I have yet to find a good Dock system.
Mike
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Hi Guys,
Sometimes the simple apps are the most useful. I've come across Fresh from the makers Yep.
The blurb goes, 'Fresh. Why bother finding it when its right there?' This app makes sense as it mimics real life (untidy) desktops, mine in anycase
Have a look and let me know what you think. http://www.ironicsoftware.com/fresh/
Mike
PS: At €7.50 its cheap
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Hi Guys,
I've just discovered Sketchers Studio and its Mac only (so far). Shhhhhh! Don't tell any of the PC guys about this application as I think it might upset them.
We have been seeing a lot of cool animation programs for SketchUp lately but most were for Windows. I have just been checking out Sketchers Studio and it looks like it may make up for the disapointments. It also reasonably priced
http://sketchersstudio.com/en/index.html
Let me have your thoughts.
Mike
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mike,
this thread is invaluable. almost all your entries are new to me and i have purchased several of them. sketchers studio seems very competent indeed. thanks.
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Cool thread Mike, it's nice to see that there are some 'real' work related software being made for Mac's these days
@unknownuser said:
Shhhhhh! Don't tell any of the PC guys about this application as I think it might upset them.
You are right, too many choices on the PC side can be frustrating, it's so simple when you have less to choose from.
(tongue in cheek)
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@burkhard said:
Do anyone know a little prog which samples the program Icons on the desktop?
( Now I'm in the Mac family, too )Thanks Mike. I am meaning an easy way to start my apps from the Desktop without folder structures. I have similar something for windows, where I can organize my apps and start quickly what I need ( without having the desktop blowup with copied Icons).
Burkhard
i realize your post is old and you may have found a solution you like but...
one of the easiest/fastest ways to launch apps is via spotlight.
- ⌘-space (spotlight shortcut)
- type in a few letters from the app's name ( 'sk' --> Sketchup)
- press return to launch
this works better with leopard.. with tiger, the first item highlighted in spotlight was 'show all' but with leopard, they made the apps highlight first so you simply have to hit return to launch..
another method is to drag your application folder into the dock as a stack.. that gives you one-click access to all of your apps.. (well, sort of... some of your apps are nestled in folders within the application folders and only those folders show up in the stack.. i made a little script that finds all your apps and creates aliases in a separate folder which can then be placed in the dock so only the launch icons will appear in the stack.. basically, this puts all of your apps in the dock but only uses one icon worth of space... i can share that if needed)
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Screen Recycler -- (the link is to a new site called appstorm.. if you're into finding tasty little mac tidbits, it's worth an rss)
http://mac.appstorm.net/reviews/utilities/screenrecycler-re-using-old-displays/
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Thanks Jeff, Screen Recycler looks to be a useful app.
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Hi Guys,
There is a good offer at http://www.macheist.com/. $622 worth of software for $39 and it is not warez
It has a nice presentation and a video for each tool as review. I have a few of them, Acorn and Picturesque already but think it is still good value.Mike
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Mike,
I was just about to post about the Macheist bundle but you beat me to it!If you follow them on twitter and post a single message informing your followers about the bundle then they'll add Delicious Library 2 and a game called Multiwina for free!
I haven't installed all the apps, just the ones I want (or think I want). So far I've found Little Snapper to be very good, World of Goo is fun, and I'm looking forward to having a good go with Kinemac.
Dam good value for $39, thats only £26.43 in real money
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Thanks Paul,
Well I can highly recommend Acorn for quickie graphics jobs.
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rhino for OS X has been in development for little while now.. you can sign up as a beta tester if you'd like and get free use of the app plus offer any feedback if you wish:
http://community.irhino3d.com/
(top right under 'getting started'... fill out an application)
it's going to be free for a good long while until the final release is ready..
here's an interview with bob mcneel which gives a rough road map for the app:
http://mac.develop3d.com/2009/04/irhino-quick-update-with-bob-mcneel.html -
It's not the best app available on Macs, but just for your knowledge...
OpenOffice.org 3.0 has finally gone Mac. I didn't know till yesterday.
"Available for the first time as native Mac OS X application."
http://download.openoffice.org/index.html -
CodeWeavers CrossOver
The blurb goes,
**Welcome to CodeWeavers - Your Home for Windows Compatibility on Mac and Linux
Our flagship Windows-to-Macintosh compatibility tool. Intended for Intel Mac OS X machines, CrossOver Mac will allow Mac users to run their favorite Windows applications seamlessly on their Mac. Windows files can be opened directly within your file browser, or from email attachments. No rebooting, no switching to a virtual machine, and no Windows Operating System license required; CrossOver is a complete replacement for your Windows OS as far as your Windows software is concerned. Your Windows Mac compatibility solution!**
I have just d/l the demo and will give it a tryout with some Win programs that I still use from time to time. I would be nice not to have to reboot or go into Parellels.
Mike
UPDATE: Yep it seems to work fine with the couple of Windows programs that I have brought through so far.
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Typing utility: TextExpander 1.3.1
If you find yourself frequently typing the same text, TextExpander 1.3.1 can save you hours of work—and your fingers hours of typing—each month. It lets you assign abbreviations to snippets of text; the abbreviations are automatically expanded to the full text snippets when you type them. For example, when I type homeadd, TextExpander types my full home address. TextExpander can also insert images or a mix of text and images, and you can create new snippets from selected text. TextExpander works systemwide, so your snippets are available in any OS X application that lets you type text. ($30; SmileOnMyMac)
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