Above all, she promises to keep the requisite yet bypassed without fail introductory paragraph to a minimum, while arranging the list in descending order of renown so as not to suggest she’s a twat who believes that no-one in the general vicinity of this article has ever heard of these apps, though the liberal comma and third person perspective usage may have already nixed the mission statement by this point.
In any case, following are the Mac OS applications I find indispensable when it comes to writing, blogging, and assimilating new ideas and methods on refining my expertise in procrastination.
7. TextWrangler
Syntax highlighting, optional line numbers, tabbed browsing between open files – naming all of the features of TextWrangler feels almost like doing it an injustice. Nothing is tacked on. Everything is perfect. The fact that TextWrangler is entirely free boggles the mind when thinking about what else the paid version could possibly include.
6. xPad
More tabbed browsing between open documents fun, only with text formatting capabilities and an interface which truly lends itself to xPad’s primary purpose as a digital notepad. Sticky Notes epitomise the meaning of redundant in the face of this light and speedy app.
5. Alarm Clock 2
There are many alarm clock apps and dashboard widgets out there. Few have as simple yet beautiful interfaces as Alarm Clock 2, which are accessible from the menu bar, and which at the same time have a hook into the real world due to their inclusion of such vital options as ‘wake my computer/laptop from sleep so as not to render my simultaneous installation of this app and membership into Greenpeace entirely effin’ pointless’.
4. InstantShot!
Another menu bar accessible app, in this case with an uncomplicated yet powerful array of screen-grabbing options. One particularly pleasing feature is InstantShots’ ability to ‘shoot’ inside rectangles with predefined dimensions. (You may snicker immaturely now).
3. Get-A-Matic
The interface is plain. The development is non-existent. Yet like an unloved child abandoned to the filthiest corner of the lowliest orphanage, this download manager … well, heck. Download managers shouldn’t be waxed lyrical about, no matter how useful, free, and smile-inducingly simple they are. Screw it.
2. Genius
Students, quiz show fetishists and anyone attempting to learn a language who aren’t already using Genius should, you know, install it effin’ now. A study area designed to be as free from distraction as possible, along with a clever Learn-Review feature (you’ll see) make this a must-have gem.
1. Scrivener
This is the (I refuse to emphasise that last word, though the intended effect is hopefully appreciated) app for writers. While ‘shareware’ must be uttered here, there is a gracious 30-day trial period during which you will definitely (I refuse to emphasise that last word, though the intended effect is hopefully not misconstrued as an attempt at brainwashing) fall in love.
Among its innumerable features, some favourites which make it my first choice as a blog post writing tool include its nested folders, ‘Paste and Match Style’ feature (ideal for pasting links from your web browser without having to redo formatting) and full screen mode.
Time for a witty closer …
Enjoy, and download safely.
… You blew it
Yup.
Phil
13.05.08 #
Wow, I remember a whole long time ago when I said to you I might get a Mac, an old one, to play with.
I now own an iMac and my work gave me a MacBook Pro, I’m in the gang, I’m there.
I still have never heard of many of those apps though! I use Text Wrangler, but work bought me TextMate and I can see why. Code completion and the ability to open entire projects in one window for even better tabbed browsing are two of the things that you pay for and that are worth it.
I also use Screenshot Plus as my screen grabbing widget tool.
but what about all the other apps? Where’s Adium, for all your inane daily chatter, Firefox, for… duh, NeoOffice, ‘cause sometimes you’ve got to open a .doc…?
Now I have a Mac, I can talk about this properly, don’t I feel pleased with myself? :D
Yvonne
13.05.08 #
You should feel pleased with yourself!
iMac and MacBook Pro – damn, I’m still on the iBook I’ve had for the last two years.
I can see why TextMate would be a good purchase, but I think TextWrangler is good enough for the average user. And of course Adium and Firefox (and VLC, and xTorrent…) are must-haves. I just wanted to highlight some apps which some people might not know about.
Btw, I recommend AbiWord over NeoOffice/OpenOffice. Much speedier and tidier.
Jac
13.05.08 #
I got myself an old g3, but for some reason I cant justify spending so much on a new mac, when for the same price you can get a decent pc with everything that you want in it.
Another thing about the mac, is that i dont like not having the second click.
Yvonne
13.05.08 #
Well, I’ll admit as much that the only thing stopping me from running out and getting a brand new MacBook is the price tag, and that I got my iBook on a student discount.
Also, I agree Jac, the right click issue (as well as the ‘no cut option in Finder’ issue) can be annoying. But I find Option-mouse click passable enough.
And damn it, I’ll stop right here before I descend into a fangirl rant :)
kristarella
16.05.08 #
Heh, your third-person intro made me smile. :)
I’m very tempted by xPad, I wish I’d found Genius before I finished all my exams, and I’ve opted to use LaTeX with TeX Shop instead of buying Scrivener because it’s free, I’m mainly doing academic writing with a lot of referencing, and my husband suggested I’d be lame if I didn’t give it a proper chance. :P
I guess if you want to use Windows it has everything you want. :P
People always ask me if Macs are expensive – I tell them that they’re competitively priced in comparison with PCs, it’s just that Apple doesn’t sell cheap equipment.
Also, new versions of Windows and Office are more expensive than OS X and iWork.
I guess I’m a bit of a fan girl myself. :P
Yvonne
16.05.08 #
Well, xPad is pretty much identical to Scrivener, excepting a miniscule faster loading time, a plainer interface and a less efficient folder system.
Hmmm, I’ve never heard of LaTeX. It looks very similar to xPad, actually.
Btw, I hope you don’t mind that I edited your comment to fix up the blockquote code ;) Textile is a bitch, sometimes.
Martin Weiss
21.05.08 #
All new macs have the right click as well now. It took some years, but it got there in the end :)
Yes, a mac costs more than the cheapest pc laptop, but you quickly gain the price-difference by increased productivity and decreased frustration.
Or, as my wife put it, this is the first time she fell in love with a computer.
Oh, and did I mention that a mac holds better in value?
Yvonne
21.05.08 #
That’s so true, Martin. Better to shell out a bit more with the initial purchase than to pay a lot more in the long run :)