Apple Freeware

infernalaffairs

Hi, I'm new to the world of all things mac, just wondering what the essential freeware is for Apple.

Thanks in advance.

Marty_J

If you do a search, there are a few threads on this already, but I don't mind giving you some suggestions.

HandBrake - mp4 video converter for iTunes/iPod (among other things).

Adium - IM client that works with MSN, AOL, Yahoo, Google Talk etc.

Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes - a collection of AppleScripts for doing really useful things in iTunes.

MacTheRipper - a tool for ripping DVDs.

Growl - a useful system notification app.

Safari AdBlock - does what you'd expect - blocks ads in Safari.

Perian - adds support for lots of additional file formats to QuickTime.

Windows Media Components for QuickTime - adds support for Windows Media files to QuickTime.

The above are what I always install after reinstalling OS X. If you're looking for anything specific, I'm sure I can recommend something.

RobertoMoir

Always nice to take part in these threads, I always pick up something new to try myself. Big "Oh Yeah" to Marty's reply. I use or at least tried all the above and liked them. On with what I can see on my macbook...

NetNewsWire is freeware, iirc? That's good

Burn - DVD burning software

VLC - Video playback

The unarchiver - ultimate unzipping tool

Plex - plex is a media centre app that is just great if this is your thing, an alternative is boxee. If you fancy the mac media centre idea then I suggest trying both and keeping the one you prefer. I've actually got a mac mini tied to the TV in my lounge full time with plex on it, and very nice it is too.

Colloquy - IRC chat.

Coconut battery - useful if you have a laptop.

AppFresh - If you've come from the world of Windows I'm sure you've discovered Apple software update and figured out it's like Windows Update. Now imagine if that covered most/all of the apps on your computer, not just the ones from the operating system supplier?

Cyberduck - top quality FTP client.

Leopard

Marty_J wrote: »

The above are what I always install after reinstalling OS X. If you're looking for anything specific, I'm sure I can recommend something.

You really are a :staradmin:staradmin:staradmin:staradmin:staradmin hero, Marty J. :A

And all with links. :bdaycake:

Personally, I cannot thank you enough for having pointed me to Safari Adblock - the operating temperatures inside my Macs have dropped spectacularly (by some 20 to 25 degrees C) as a result of eliminating animated advertisements.

And it's just updated itself to work with Snow Leopard, too; it's brilliant!

Wish I could give you a hundred "Thanks" for that one!

Marty_J

Leopard wrote: »

Wish I could give you a hundred "Thanks" for that one!

I'm glad you're enjoying it! :cool:

In Safari, if you go to View > Customize Toolbar, you'll see there's an AdBlock button you can add to your toolbar which allows you to quickly enable/disable AdBlock; useful if you come across a website that isn't playing nice with it.

Apologies if you've already discovered it, but it can be easy to overlook.

Leopard

Many thanks; I hadn't found that one - I've used the switch it installs in Mail's Preferences a couple of times.

When I have time I'll track down a hundred of your postings that I haven't yet thanked and click the button on them! :money:

RobertoMoir

Leopard wrote: »

And it's just updated itself to work with Snow Leopard, too; it's brilliant!

Wish I could give you a hundred "Thanks" for that one!

How are you finding SL so far? My copy is still in the post so I was wondering what people thought of it before I install - hopefully tomorrow when the postman calls and I get home from work!

Marty_J

RobertoMoir wrote: »

How are you finding SL so far? My copy is still in the post so I was wondering what people thought of it before I install - hopefully tomorrow when the postman calls and I get home from work!

I like it a lot; it's noticeably snappier than Leopard. There aren't many UI changes, but there are a number of tweaks. Being able to scroll in the grid view in Stacks is nice (no more having to open it in the Finder to get something that doesn't fit), and the AirPort menu now shows the signal strength beside the available networks. Mail seems to be a bit faster, and QuickTime X is very nice. Being able to directly upload movies to YouTube is a nice touch if you're into that sort of thing. Spotlight searches are noticeably faster (and I thought they were fast before), and you can filter and sort the results. You can also play a movie in its thumbnail (which can now be up to an enormous 512x512 in size) without having to even use QuickLook.

With Snow Leopard, Apple are really just laying the groundwork for where they're going to go with Mac OS X. Once developers start taking advantage of its new technologies such as Grand Central and OpenCL, only then will we see its full potential.

thescouselander

Another thumbs up for Snow Leopard here too. Not really much different to look at but as said already the whole computer seems a lot snappier.

Leopard

RobertoMoir wrote: »

How are you finding SL so far? My copy is still in the post so I was wondering what people thought of it before I install - hopefully tomorrow when the postman calls and I get home from work!

It's brilliant - you'll love it. :happyhear

But be sure to back up your current system first.

I've only installed it on a reformatted external drive, so far, then booted a ProBook with it by Firewire 800, but that has all gone faultlessly - I'm using it to write this.

Some new Black Sticks are currently on their way to me by Airmail from America and next week will be a busy one with virgin 2.5" drives, screwdrivers, eggcups, ramekins, tiny screws...

(Just as well my companion will be abroad with her office Dell and I'll have the kitchen table all to myself for a couple of days!)

infernalaffairs

Thanks for the replies, just a follow up question, whats the best current antivirus & firewall for a macbook, ideally freeware.

Thanks