January 26, 2005 | View Comments (71) | Category: Our Thoughts
Summary: I now own a Mac. What do I put on it to make me as proficient as I was on the PC?
So I was at the Apple store yesterday looking into getting two 20" LCDs for the system at work/home to replace the behemoth 2x21" Dell CRTs (that weigh about 900lbs a piece) and I ended up walking out the store with a lot more than expected.
Long story short I now own a Dual 1.8Ghz Powermac and a 30" Apple Cinema Display (words fail me when trying to describe this thing). Anywas, this will be the first time ever in my life I am going to be using a Mac for the main computer. For a short time last year I owned a 12" Powerbook, but that was mostly for email and web surfing so no work was ever done on it.
What I ask of all you Apple people is to provide me with what I call your 'Designer's Config'. What this includes is:
If you could just help me out a bit while I get acquainted with the new surroundings it would be great. Thanks!
Trackback URL: http://9rules.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/388
I'm pretty much in the same shoes you are. I have been on my iBook as my primary weapon of choice for about a month now. It's still a work in progress but this is how i have it set up so far:
* RSS Reader - NetNewsWire (lite for now)
* Photoshop 7 / Illustrator 10 for graphics
* MS Office for mac but looking at Pages from Apple
* Right now the dock is at the bottom of the screen in the smallest size possible, but i shift it to the left when in Photoshop due to the iBooks smallish resolution
* iTunes for music
* IM - iChat/Rendezvous
* Still missing my HomeSite 4.0 for editing, but skEdit is treating me pretty good so far.
Ray (http://www.reh3.com/)
RSS: NetNewsWire
Graphics: Fireworks
Word Processing: SubEthaEdit, actually. And I just picked up iWork; not sure how Pages will function as a word processor, though...
Dock: Varies, but usually the bottom. Or the right.
Music Player: iTunes is, to my mind, the best. But you might wanna give Audion (http://www.panic.com/audion) a try.
Multi-chat app: Adium X, which handles everything you mentioned.
And I'll second SKEdit. I've become a big fan of that little app.
Jason
RSS Reader: NetNewsWire (or NetNewsWire Lite) is my favourite but NewsFire is nice too.
Graphics Software: if Fireworks is what you like, stick with that.
Word Processing Software: you can use TextEdit, which comes with OS X, for basic word processing and for opening/editing Word files but for any serious word processing, you should probably get Word.
Where do I put the dock?: wherever you like. I just keep it at the bottom.
Music Player: iTunes does pretty much everything you could want. Is there some feature in particular that you'd like?
IM Software: Proteus should provide everything you're looking for.
Text Editor: BBEdit or, if you want freeware, TextWrangler.
For web development on the Mac, I strongly recommend getting these up-to-date and easy-to-install versions of PHP and MySQL.
Jeremy Keith (http://adactio.com/)
Could you please post some pictures? :) I've been willing to buy a similar system for some time now..
Olav B
So I guess this is where $XX,XXX went, huh?
RSS Reader: There are many great choices. My favorite is NetNewsWire, but NewsFire and PulpFiction are workth looking at too.
Graphics Software: If you're used to Fireworks, then I'd stick with it on the Mac, too.
Word Processing Software: Depending on your need iWork's Pages may be great for you. it's perfect for me. If you need more advanced word processing features, I guess MS Word is the way to go.
Where do you put the dock: I keep it at the bottom, myself.
Music Player: I just use iTunes.
IM Software: I use individual clients, but I know Adium X is very popular for those who prefer an all-in-one.
Text Editor: If you like vim, then use it. It's there, so why not? I also like skEdit, and I'm keeping an eye on TextMate -- I think it has a lot of potential.
Jeff Croft (http://jeffcroft.com)
Very jealous of the 30" display... but I'm pretty happy with my dual 2GHz G5 and 20" cinema display.
RSS Reader: NewsFire or NetNewsWire
Graphics Software: Adobe Creative Suite and/or Macromedia Studio Pro suite
Word Processing Software: Apple iWork '05/MS Office (though I really don't use/care for Office all that much)
Where do you put the dock? At the bottom of the screen
Music Player (any besides iTunes?): Just iTunes - you don't need anything else really
IM Software: Gush and iChat AV
Text Editor: BBEdit (the best by a long mile)
FTP: Panic Transmit
Fonts: Extensis Suitcase X1
Browsers: IE 5, Camino, Firefox, Opera, Safari and OmniWeb
Get Virtual PC 7 with Win XP for testing (if necessary)
OmniGraffle is great for doing architecture diagrams
ecto rocks for managing a MovableType (or other) weblog
CocoaMySQL for managing MySQL databases (and also phpMyAdmin)
Roxio Toast for burning more complex CD/DVDs than the sytem can handle on its own
Quicksilver - it will change your life (at least until Tiger/Spotlight come along)
Other Useful Things to Do:
- Install the Xcode Developer Tools
- Setup your shell profile (I use the default Bash shell)
- Install the W3C HTML/XHTML validator (see Apple Developer Connection for how to do this)
- Install MySQL (binary or compile yourself with Developer Tools)
- Setup a local CVS repository
Scott Boms (http://blog.wishingline.com/blog/)
Fire for chatting
For RSS, I have NetNewsWire but I really don't do much RSS on my mac (which is a G3 white ibook)
For graphics, photoshop or fireworks
BBEdit for text editing, or the xcode software that's in developer tools is also very slick (it's more for desktop apps, but IIRC it has some web stuff built into it, too)
You should have the new mac office suite with your mac, so stick with that unless it doesn't do what you need. And be sure to play with Keynote, it's fantastic.
I keep the dock on the bottom, fairly small. I used to have it do the nifty getting bigger on mouseover thing -- that was the very cool thing that sold me on OSX in the first place -- but I found it's kind of annoying for working. My coworker seems to go back and forth between having his on the lefthand side and on the bottom, but hidden until you mouse over that part of the screen. I've come to the conclusion that having it be fluid and not a solid window border like the Windows taskbar is is kind of an annoyance. Of course, I have a 12 inch laptop screen, not a 30 inch cinema display, so I have a bit less real estate
JC (http://forevergeek.com)
Yay we have the same setup! Except I don't have a Cinema Display. :(
I use bloglines for RSS, but NNW is nice too.
I use Photoshop CS for graphics. But I use ImageWell if I just need to resize or convert an image, rather than having to start up Photoshop.
I don't really word-process anything, but I have Office for Mac so I just use Word. Might start using Pages once I get it though.
I always have the dock on the right side of the screen.
Why would you use anything other than iTunes for music? I use Synergy to control iTunes though, so I don't fill up my screen with a music player.
IM: I use iChat and MSN Messenger, but if you want something that combines all of them, there is Proteus and Fire.
I use Dreamweaver and skEdit for text editors.
You'll want VLC for playing movies. It plays DivX and all of that stuff.
Quicksilver is the greatest thing ever.
PS I hate you for being able to play WoW on a 30" cinema display.
Derek (http://www.violetphoto.com/)
* NetNewWire[Lite] is a good choice. I've been using Bloglines lately because I move around from my home computer (Mac) to work (PC).
* If you're used to using Fireworks just keep on using Fireworks. Both Macromedia and Adobe release all of their graphics software for the Mac, so you shouldn't have any difficulty here.
* MS Office is good, much better than for Windows. I haven't tried Pages yet, but it looks interesting. You could learn LaTeX and use your regular text editor.
* Bottom of the screen, autohidden with zooming. The 12" PowerBook just doesn't have a huge amount of real estate. With your 30" (I envy you) I'm sure you can get away with max zoom and no hiding on any edge of the screen.
* I'm curious as to why you want something other than iTunes? I've found that its tagging and organizational abilities surpass any other player I've seen. You can also get a LAME plugin if you're worried about encoding quality, although I've found that AAC at 192kbps is very nice.
* Check out Adium X. From the website: "Adium supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo!, Rendezvous, Yahoo! Japan, Gadu-Gadu, Jabber, Napster, Lotus Sametime (via the Meanwhile plugin, and Novell GroupWise."
* There's a pretty large array of text editors on OS X. I use TextMate which is very nice and under rapid development. It also has a pretty vibrant user community.
Extra Note: Grab Quicksilver. Even if you only use it as an application launcher it will serve you very, very well.
Also, when searching for OS X software, Version Tracker can be very useful.
Jason Terk (http://rain.xidus.net)
I operate on a dual 1.8 G5, just like yours with an extra 120gb internal drive, and 768mb of ram. I have a 20" cinema.
1. NewsFire
2. Photoshop CS
3. Pages
4. Bottom, hidden
5. Nope, just iTunes
6. iChat
7. SubEthaEdit
Michael Simmons (http://www.thoughtanomalies.com/)
.. my Config ..
* RSS Reader
have a look at Mozilla Firefox with the "Sage"-RSS Extension (http://www.hicksdesign.co.uk/journal/588/sage-on-os-x)
* Word Processing Software
Payware: Apple "Pages", Freeware: OpenOffice
* Music Player (any besides iTunes?)
Freeware: Audion (http://www.panic.com/audion/)
* IM Software (preferrably one that can handle ....)
Adium (http://www.adiumx.com/)
* Text Editor
Payware: BBedit (http://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/index.shtml), Freeware: TextWrangler (http://www.barebones.com/products/textwrangler/index.shtml)
.. works pretty well for my.
good luck
serge
Graphics Software :), only one I can think of that is synomyous with a Mac is Adobe :), photoshop and illustrator.
I used to use Fireworks, but I love photoshop too much and I am not getting into illustrator more, however I still suck at making custom vector logos/images.
Bryan (http://www.juicedthoughts.com)
RSS Reader - Pulp Fiction
Graphics Software - Fireworks/Photoshop
Where do you put the dock? - Top right as an app switcher, I use Drag Thing as a Dock replacement
Music Player - iTunes + Synergy
IM Software - Fire
Text Editor - Smultron or Text Wrangler
I dont think anyone's mentioned xScope - http://www.iconfactory.com/xs_home.asp
Tom (http://www.dottom.co.uk)
RSS Reader: PulpFiction
Graphics Software: Stick with Fireworks if you know it
Word Processing Software: Pages, Word
Where do you put the dock: bottom, but I'm unusual
Music Player (any besides iTunes?): No
IM Software: Adium
Text Editor: BBEdit (get the freeware version if you want)
Erik J. Barzeski (http://nslog.com/)
* RSS Reader - I like using Firefox with the Sage extension
* Graphics Software - Photoshop/Imageready
* Word Processing Software - I guess TextEdit?
* Where do you put the dock? Bottom, not hidden, small as possible
* Music Player - iTunes & FoxyTunes extension for Firefox
* IM Software - iChat
* Text Editor - TextEdit and TextWrangler
Robert (http://tinylittlesparks.com)
Oh and just to let you know Jeff and everyone else, this is not where the $XX,XXX went. I do try to make money besides selling the Vault :-)
Scrivs (http://9rules.com/)
RSS: NewsFire. Very simple, works a treat.
Graphics Software: None yet, but I'll be getting Photoshop. If you're able to get Fireworks for the Mac - and I think you are - then you should get it. It's what you're used to.
Word Processing Software: I think you're stuck with MS Word... it looks like the best word-processor for OSX.
Dock: Down at the bottom
Music: iTunes
IM: Adium
Text Editor: I've heard that OSX's vi is broken, but you can get versions of VIM for the Mac if this becomes a problem. Personally, I use Smultron for text editing.
David Barrett (http://dave.antidisinformation.com/)
Hi Paul welcome to the Mac world ;-) A very complete list of Mac tools of all sorts (http://scene24.net/openweb/index.php?MacSoftware). Everything you need is there. Text is in Dutch but you'll figure it out what they are. If you see "gratis" it means that they are for free.
Veerle Pieters (http://veerle.duoh.com)
I have slowly started using my Powerbook for production tasks.
For RSS, I like NetNewsWire (the 2.0 betas are looking great). I have an applescript that lets me publish directly from there to my del.icio.us list.
I like BBEdit for coding. I have most of the HTML shortcut keys setup like Homesite on my PC, so I can move between them easier.
I use Firefox as my browser and Thunderbird for my e-mail.
I use GmailStatus for checking my gmail account. I use iTunes for music.
I have just started messing around with Quicksilver, but it seems pretty solid so far.
Check out Merlin Mann's OSX list on del.icio.us for some great software links.
Also, I keep my doc on the left side, small, with little zoom.
Jeremy Flint (http://www.jeremyflint.com)
I use a 15" PowerBook as my only machine, for what it's worth.
RSS Reader: NetNewsWire
Text Editing: BBEdit, Pages (soon), Text Edit, TexEdit Plus (better and simpler munger than BBEdit), and xPad which is excellent.
Where do you put the dock: bottom, hidden
IM Software: iChat, Skype (does text as well as voice)
Backup: SuperDuper (shirtpocket.com) Excellent, by the way.
MarsEdit (weblog client)
Transmit (ftp client)
Delicious Library (with iSight)
LaunchBar (although look at the Tiger demo movies at apple before doing much in this category)
And before you download a lot of "widget-like" stuff to gunk up your clean install, check what's coming with Tiger. I use weatherpop and a stockticker called wstock but those will surely go away with tiger as it will have similar functionality in widgets that are bundled.
I highly recommend now going back and reading all of John Gruber's relevant posts (daringfireball) if you've not already. Especially the one where he debunks some of zeldman's excellent strategies.
Have fun and welcome.
Richard (http://www.richardsnotes.org)
I use the same as most other posters: NetNewsFire, both Macromedia and Adobe suites, I use SubEthaEdit but BBEdit rules, have MS Office for use with client files, Dock on bottom, iTunes, iChat, Toast.
Add Notational Velocity for notes, Snapz Pro X for screenshots, Disk Warrior and TechTool Pro for disk maintenance.
I'd also consider an external drive (or second internal) for backups and .mac for the backup software. Easy as pie, also includes antivirus and some disk space. May not be the cheapest option, but it sure makes backup simple.
Marilyn Langfeld (http://www.langfeldesigns.com)
Andy Budd had a great list of Mac backup stuff here:
http://www.andybudd.com/archives/2005/01/backup_solutions_for_os_x/index.php
David Barrett (http://dave.antidisinformation.com/)
RSS Reader = NewsFire
Graphics Software = Adobe CS. It should be illegal to have a Mac without CS. If you're laying down $$ for a 30" display, I bet you can afford it.
Word Processing Software = M$ Office is hard to beat
Where do you put the dock? = Left hand side
Music Player = iTunes ;-)
IM Software = Fire
Text Editor BBEdit or SubEthaEdit
Scott Jungling (http://www.sundstromsystems.com/blog)
RSS Reader: NetNewsWire is awesome. Sure NewsFire is sleek, but lacks in organization and features. I tis growing fast however.
Graphics Software: CS Suite! Can't go wrong.
Word Processing Software: MS Office. I know, but it's a standard.
Where do you put the dock?: Bottom, hidden.
Music Player: iTunes.
IM Software: iChat for AIM. For everything else, including AIM, Skype.
Text Editor: BBEdit. SubEthaEdit is also a great free app. for personal use.
Check VersionTracker for links. Now for the cool stuff!
Mouseposé. Helps you find that little cursor on your new large display.
Quicksilver is a great app keyboard launcher.
MarsEdit for blog posting.
OnyX for system maintenance.
X Resource Graph to monitor your memory, CPU, network activity, disks, stocks and even weather.
xScope for on screen rulers, guides, zooming and web screen sizes.
The list goes on and on.
Enjoy!
Jay
NewsFire is the best looking RSS reader out there for the Mac. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of some of the other options, but it gets the job done. Adium is a great multi-client IM program. My dock I keep hidden at the top of the screen. It's a bit of a hack, but I like it.
You also must get Quicksilver. It basically lets you launch apps, open files, and run scripts with key commands and a small interface, but it will totally change the way you work on the Mac. I can't live without it. Read some of Merlin Mann's raves and reviews of it at 43 Folders.
If you're looking for a text editor for programming, try skEdit. It's got all the standard coding aides (including code hinting and autocompletion) and you can edit files directly on the server via SFTP.
Finally, try these other resources for several lists of essential OS X software.
Have fun!
Feaverish (http://www.feaverish.com)
Pulp Fiction for RSS.
Photoshop, Fireworks, and the Gimp are all available for Mac OS X.
Dock goes wherever you want it. Tinkertool will let you put it on top if you want, even. Get QuickSilver though and you won't even care about the dock.
Appleworks, MS Word, Mellel, and Open Office all work on the Mac. Again, up to you.
Audion 3 is now free and seems to work pretty well. I like the interegration of iTunes, but it's a personal preference.
Adium is a great IM client. Supports any protocol you need and is very themeable.
And for text editing, BareBones software just released TextWrangler for free. It's not quite BBEdit, but it's good. And SCiTe (my favorite for Windows and Linux (I migrate a lot) works with OS X, too.
Kenneth Love (http://www.eyeheartzombies.com)
You have to admit Scrivs, it's funny as hell reading that you sold the Vault for $XX,XXX and then the next day your entry is about buying a Mac with a big-ass display. I know I laughed out loud. :)
Anyways, when I do work on my Mac, most of my time is spent either in Photoshop, Illustrator, or BBEdit. The first two need no introduction. BBEdit is the old standard of development-oriented text editors for the Mac. It's mature and very powerful. However, new alternatives have risen up recently which are very good, depending on your needs (TextMate and skEdit, in particular).
Every professional Macromedia software title (as far as I know) has a Mac version, so no need to worry about that (unless it means repurchasing your PC software for Mac versions; that sucks).
NetNewsWire was my RSS weapon of choice before I switched to Bloglines.
The Dock can be a little different for different people. My configuration is different from most other people's, and you might find it good for your uses:
1. Get TinkerTool. Among other things, this allows you to pin one side of the Dock to a side of the screen. Mine goes down the right side, pinned to the lower-right corner of the screen.
2. Minimize effect to scale (it has a shorter animation). No magnification. Relatively small icons.
3. Don't use the Dock as a launcher (for the most part). I only keep about 4 applications permanently in the Dock, and I use Quicksilver to launch anything else.
Good luck with the switch!
Chris Vincent (http://passivedigressive.com/)
Nice display :)
Two links which helped me a lot:
http://maczealots.com/articles/applications/
http://the.taoofmac.com/space/HOWTO/Switch%20To%20The%20Mac
* RSS Reader: NetNewsWire
* Word Processing Software: NeoOffice
* Where do you put the dock?: Bottom
* Music Player (any besides iTunes?): Maybe Audion?
* IM-Client: Adium
* Editors: SubEthaEdit or skEdit
And definitely install Quicksilver - great timesaver...
Stefan (http://apfelfreun.de/)
Webv development must have Applications;
BBEdit - text editor for HTML, PHP, CSS and anything under the sun (Textwrangler is a free trimmed down veriosn of BBEdit
CSSEdit - Beautifully put together CSS editor
Graphic Converter - Will open and export files in any format you like
Cyberduck - pretty good open source FTP
Other Apps I love are;
Konfabulator - Dashboard (OS 10.4) before Dashboard
VLC - Open nearly any video format including Windows media
Cocktail - perform automated house keeping tasks for you OS
mijlee (http://homepage.mac.com/mijlee)
Scrivs, what are you using for your mouse/keyboard?
One thing, I like about ol' Winders, is that you can basically do everything from the keyboard, unlike, MacOSX...
El Capitan
El Capitan - you can actually do a good bit from the keyboard.
Mac OS X Keyboard Command List
Jeremy Flint (http://www.jeremyflint.com)
I was going to start with "lucky bastard", but you're really just a good businessman who's been making some money... Welcome to the beginning of the best computer-using years of your life :)
So, from my G51.8DP to yours (I've got 3GB RAM in mine, I recommend you put at least 2GB in yours if you haven't already).
RSS Reader (on the PC I used FeedDemon)
NetNewsWire 2.0 (still in beta, but stable as hell)
Graphics Software (on the PC I used mainly Fireworks)
Keep Fireworks if that's what you like. I use PS and FW depending on my mood.
Word Processing Software
Microsoft Office 2004 (though Apple Pages may end up becoming the new standard -- hell, just buy iWork '05 anyway, Keynote is worth having for any and all presentations)
Where do you put the dock?
On the bottom, hidden, really small with nothing in it. I use DragThing custom docks and drawers for my app launching/process dock.
Music Player (any besides iTunes?)
You don't need one besides iTunes, it's perfect in just about every way.
IM Software (preferrably one that can handle AOL, Yahoo, and MSN)
Proteus is my choice.
Text Editor (probably just stick with Vim)
Try BBEdit (it's always a good choice), or skEdit (recently started using this more often, also Jon Hicks' editor of choice, with good reason). I use both at the moment depending on my mood. Or just stick with Vim/any *nix editor, since they are all available.
IM me if you have any other questions -- I used to be a full-time Mac technician before I got into the web, and I still provide service to a few high-maintenance clients.
Dan Rubin (http://superfluousbanter.org/)
RSS Reader:
Newsfire, simple and elegant.
Newsfire
Graphics Software (on the PC I used mainly Fireworks):
Keep Fireworks of course if that's what you're comfy with ;-)
Word Processing Software:
MS Word, but consider Nisus Writer, less bloat at a lower price and compatible with Word.
Nisus Writer
Where do you put the dock?
At the bottom of the screen and set to autohide.
I combine it with Tigerlaunch.
Music Player (any besides iTunes?)
NO ;-)
IM Software (preferrably one that can handle AOL, Yahoo, and MSN)
I never chat, but Proteus looks good.
Text Editor (probably just stick with Vim)
BBEdit, of course.
Besides that here's another app I can't do without:
Xscope.
Also another vote for Quicksilver, great if you're on a laptop.
Welcome to the Mac community!
Erwin Heiser (http://www.pixelsandtext.be)
RSS Reader: NetNewsWire Lite
Graphics Software: Photoshop CS, not fireworks :)
Word Processing Software: Word or Open Office
Where do you put the dock: Bottom...I don't know why you'd put it on the side like some people...that get's annoying when using the web...
Music Player: iTunes....didn't think I'd like it after winamp....but ummmm...I love it
IM Software: sorry I just use AIM until iChat has all the features of AIM....
Text Editor: TideText
If I were you, I'd check out versiontracker. That's probably the easiest way to find software.
Joe Clay (http://www.gra-phix.com/)
Over at codingforums, we had a long discussion about this:
http://www.codingforums.com/showthread.php?t=45813&page=2&pp=10
Dock on the bottom -- start using real designer programs and you'll know why when your transparent dock starts creeping into your toolbar.
RSS - NetNewsWire
Graphics programs? The Adobe Creative suite for web design, a few other recommendations for print that I'll leave out here
Office programs -- openoffice for X11... or suck it up and sell out to microsoft until you buy 'pages'.
Itunes for you music player
IM software -- I loved Adium, but Proteus has all the same features AND allows me to be invisible if I need to, or choose to. I like that feature, so I paid for the proteus, but Adium is free and just as good, if not more appealing graphically.
Text Editor: BBEdit, you'll learn to love it and never look back. Hicks Design swears by SKEdit, and it has many powerful features - but BBEdit still has the all around winner covered.
check out the codingforums link for software, but I'd recommend:
System Optimizer (to clean out the OS when needed)
Xscope like posted above
MenuCalendarClock by http://www.objectpark.net/
...and I have tons of little programs I use on occassion -- you are welcome to whatever you need, drop me an email if you'd like.
Brady J. Frey (http://www.dotfive.com)
RSS Reader - PulpFiction
Graphics Software- Adobe CS
Word Processing Software - Word. I tried OpenOffice for a while, but going through X11 was too clunky.
Where do you put the dock? - Left, hidden
Music Player - iTunes
IM Software - Adium.
Text Editor - SubEthaEdit for code, xPad for notes and such
Julie (http://www.accidentaljulie.com)
Haven't read through the comments at all but the single most important thing for you to install is LaunchBar. Don't ask any questions... just install.
Mike D. (http://www.mikeindustries.com)
For AIM/MSN/etc, I use Adium X (http://www.adiumx.com/)
I got used to iTunes pretty quickly. Took a while to re-tag all those CDs that I never properly tagged before (my old mp3 player used to just list the file names, but since getting my iPod I had to properly tag everything).
I keep the dock pretty empty except for a few programs that I use everyday (Safari, Thunderbird, iTunes, etc) and use TigerLaunch for other applications.
chris rhee (http://www.onlinefame.com/)
Not sure anyone's mentioned this so... if you really like a two-button mouse, there are plenty out there to choose. I mostly use the Wacom mouse or stylus.
Marilyn Langfeld (http://www.langfeldesigns.com)
Once you get Quicksilver, you can't live without it. I rarely use my Dock anymore, but it's down on the bottom, hidden.
Robert Bousquet (http://debutwebdesign.com)
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I will certainly make sure to look into these. If you would like to continue to help me out look at these two entries over at FG:
Scrivs (http://9rules.com/)
What I use:
*RSS Reader
- NewsFire
*Graphics Software
- Fireworks and Photoshop
Word Processing Software
- Word... though I can't tell you the last time I opened it.
Where do you put the dock?
- On the right, habbit from my 15in TiBook, I enjoyed the extra horizontal space
Music Player
- I just use iTunes...
IM Software (preferrably one that can handle AOL, Yahoo, and MSN)
- iChat and Skype, would use AdiumX if I talked to anyone on Yahoo/MSN I suppose.
Text Editor (probably just stick with Vim)
- For html, I use skEdit, its $20 and worth every penny.
Let me tell ya, I was in the Apple store today drooling on that 30" display... it's almost too big ... if thats possible.
Aside from that and the video card, I have the same machine as you and love it.
Jason G (http://www.jgleman.com)
Wow, this thread should really help me out. I'm just about to get my Mini Mac (as soon as the store get's theirs), and I was wondering the same things. Thank you so much for perfect timing. Sorry I couldn't contribute much though.
Jeff (http://nokrev.com)
I concur, NetNewsWire Lite.
Transmit for FTP, seriously. It's so nice & only $25 or something.
http://panic.com/transmit/
BBEdit for text, because it's rediculously integrated with everything on a Mac, including Transmit.
Letting go of one of the Dell displays? Drop me a line if so, with asking price. Ship to Ohio.
Congrats on your purchase.
Bradley S (http://www.bradleysepos.com/)
Oh yeah, I didn't put this in my previous comment, but damn you for getting the 30".
I have a 23" HP LCD and have been out-done (I had to be able to hook it up to both a PC and PowerBook, leave me alone Apple fans!)
chris rhee (http://www.onlinefame.com/)
I don't know if anybody mentioned but for RSS Feed I would strongly recommend mozilla thunberbird. It's pretty handy and cheap, actually free. I'm not a mac user yet due to high equipment cost(i'm flirting with the macmini)but i'm definately saving some dough to buy one very soon.
Juliano Dasilva (http://www.julianomoreira.com)
Regarding Dock...I have an iBook, and have recently removed the dock entirely (smallest size, show only on mouse touching the bottom edge) and use QuickSilver to start apps.
Aleksandar (http://www.aplus.co.yu/)
RSS Reader: NetNewsWire from Ranchero Software
Graphics Software: Photoshop, Fireworks, pretty much anything you've got on Windows
Word Processing Software: I simply use MS Word
What to put in the dock: I normally group appications by what they do on the dock, and on the right hand side put my Applications Folder, Home Folder, and WebServer folder on the dock next to the trash. The Webserver can be found at /Library/WebServer/Documents
Music Player: iTunes handles pretty much everything for me.
IM Software: There is nothing on any platform that is better than Adium.
Text Editor: Here's where OS X really shines. If you're looking for a straight up text editor you can buy Barebones Software BBEdit or use their scaled down but free version Text Wrangler 2.
For all web related work that I do, I use a program called skEdit (turned on to it by Jon Hicks' site). It is absolutely the best $20 I've ever spent.
You also are going to want to look up a program called Quicksilver (http://quicksilver.blacktree.com). It allows you to launch any program, file, or action by invoking a hotkey combination and then typing out the first few letters of application or file. For example. Instead of going to the dock to launch Firefox (and thus having to take my hands off of the mouse) I simply press Apple+Space to bring up quick silver and then F I enter and Firefox launches. If I want to IM my father I simply press Apple+Space, RIC, Tab, IM, Enter and it brings up a tab window.
I also find it very useful to enable the hotcorners for Expose. I use the bottom left for Show All Windows and the bottom right for Show Desktop
Alex Cabrera
First of all... Welcome to the community. It sure is cozy here and you would soon relish the difference the Mac OS will provide you... Please confirm in 3 months if it hasn’t been so.
Software? You will see that options narrow... But the quality and simplicity goes several notches higher... A sampler:
* RSS Reader
NetNewsWire 2.0 is a workhorse... The grandpa of RSS readers in the Mac an still the best at usability and fancy things like shared feeds on local network, smart lists and powerful search.... Perfect for team work.
http://ranchero.com/netnewswire/
PulpFiction 1.2 is the one that offers most control, with automatic rules, alarms, tagging and labeling, shorting... Perfect for control freaks. It is also rather cute. http://freshsqueeze.com/products/pulpfiction/
My choice though: The simple and fast Shrook (http://www.fondantfancies.com/shrook)... Why? It syncs with a free online service ( http://www.shrook.com) for checking your news while on the road. Tel me it isn't a great idea!
Stay away of free http://www.thinkmac.co.uk/newsmac/.. .It is a usability nightmare
If you want pure simplicity: http://www.app4mac.com/xtime.html. By the way... Its author: David Watanabe is the creator of the best P2P client on any platform, on any planet... It is a joy to use and will change tyour life: Download NOW (You will thank me later):
* P2P
http://www.acquisitionx.com... Simply awesome.
* Graphics Software
The whole gamut of Adobe and Macromedia is identical in the Mac... I favor ImageReady over Fireworks because it syncs beautifully with Ilustrator and the powerful Photoshop (almost identical)
* Word Processing Software
I use Office 2004 which is even better than its PC counterpart (If you don't believe me, check PowerPoint 2004 and will see the difference in rendering, shadowing, animation, etc)... It is almost a necessity to remain functional: http://www.microsoft.com/mac
I am quite curious about the promised fluidity of newly released Pages from iWork though... Check its features: http://www.apple.com/iwork/pages/
* Where do you put the dock?
Bottom... Not hiding (It takes a while to get used to it) . On your 30-inch screen it will hold scores of tools.
* Music Player (any besides iTunes?)
Stick to iTunes... But add the can't-live-without Synergy Classic plug-in... All my PC friends drool on its abilities: http://wincent.com/a/products/
Also... Get http://www.dizzypenguin.com/automac-it/ to power-search Album covers.
* IM Software (preferably one that can handle AOL, Yahoo, and MSN)
Adium X is then your choice ( http://www.adiumx.com) ... But iChat still holds the best experience and incomparable videoconference of them all (in any platform)... Get your PC buddies to download the compatible AIM ( ttp://www.aim.com)and you will see ( http://ichat.twosailors.com is fun)
You also have http://www.skype.com/ which works well for audio
* Text Editor
I have not much use for them... But programmers swear by BareBones BBEdit 8
http://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/index.shtml
Other hand-picked recommendations to your Mac arsenal:
* For serious Photo archiving (and cross-platform):
http://www.iview-multimedia.com/ (iPhoto is getting better and better though in the new iLife) If you stick to iPhoto (I don´'t blame you) http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/... You will appreciate: http://www.stuntsoftware.com/software/Downsize/index.html
* Easiest FTP:
http://www.panic.com/transmit/ (Panic 3 coming very soon)
* For your Smartphone Bluetooth pairing:
http://www.reelintelligence.com/BluePhoneElite/index.shtml... Turns your Mac into a Customer Suport engine.
http://homepage.mac.com/jonassalling/Shareware/Clicker/... Turns your phone into a remote.
http://www.novamedia.de/e_pages/e_produkte_mac_mhs_3g.html... Helps you get Internet access on the road (For PowerBooks, obviously).
http://www.macronsoft.com/pages/en/gsg.html... If the previous does not work.
* For scrapping loads of images off sites (and Google):
http://www.positivespinmedia.com/shareware/NetScrape/index.html
* Best download manager: http://www.yazsoft.com/
* Note taking:
http://www.chronosnet.com/Products/sb_product.html... Syncing with PDAs.
http://www.devon-technologies.com/... Pro
http://maniacalrage.net/xpad/ ... Simplicity.
* Project management:
http://www.app4mac.com/xtime.html ... Like Microsoft Project (it is compatible)... But fun. Need more power?: http://www.projectwizards.net/merlin/en/news.shtml
* Address Book on steroids:
http://www.objective-decision.com/en/products/od4contact/
This is useful too for uploading AdressBook to Gmail: http://homepage.mac.com/kenferry/Software/docs/AddressBookToCSV.html
* Calendar:
iCal of course... But add http://www.objectpark.net/mcc.html to the mix
* URL Manager:
I use to use http://www.url-manager.com/... But it is way too ugly and complicated.. Now switched to the multi-platform http://www.a9.com/
* Browser:
If you are a Pro: OmniWeb hands down (http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omniweb)... The thumbnail tab browsing will raise eyebrows (And it also has a decent integrated RSS reader... No OPLM support though). But Firefox ( http://www.firefox.com) is the MOST compatible with PC world and supports useful plug-ins such as as the previous A9. Still not finessed though.
* Book Archiving:
http://www.dizzypenguin.com/automac-it/ is what makes the Mac so much a different product... Is a work of genius. Compliment it with http://homepage.mac.com/imaxinc/DeliciWeb/index.html
* Software testing:
http://www.serialz.to/serialbox.html... Use with care and only for testing. Promote the Mac software community by purchasing their products.
* Widgets:
Put to a use that pixel real state of yours:
http://www.konfabulator.com/
* CD finder:
http://www.cdfinder.de/screenshot.html
* Recipe organizer:
http://www.advenio.com/
* Quickie CSS editing:
http://www.macrabbit.com/cssedit/
* If you miss functionality on Open dialog box from your PC:
http://www.stclairsoft.com/
* Offline blogger.
http://ecto.kung-foo.tv/
* Power-Screenshots
http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/snapzprox/
* Nifty screen tools
http://www.iconfactory.com/xs_home.asp.... Fun!
... Enjoy man, enjoy
David
David Gómez-Rosado (http://gomez-rosado.com)
>Where do you put the dock?
Using TinkerTool I put it in the bottom right corner and turn auto-hide on. Then I drag a folder to it that has sub folder with aliases to applications organized by app type (one folder for graphics, one folder for office apps, etc) then I control click that folder to get the menu structure and click apps to launch them (this is WAY more usable than dragging the Applications folder to the dock). I don't leave unopened apps in the dock.
Adium is the chat king imho.
Make sure you install the Developer tools for vim/ssl/cvs/etc.
God luck with the mac.
Dan (http://inmyexperience.com)
I answer only for the parts I really use.
* Word Processing Software
NeoOffice/J (or just TextEdit, if you don't need tables)
* Where do you put the dock?
Bottom-left, so the apps you put in the dock to stay, always stay in the same place.
* Music Player (any besides iTunes?)
No way. iTunes. Minimized to the very small window, when just playing.
* IM Software (preferrably one that can handle AOL, Yahoo, and MSN)
Adium X, which also has a nice way to handle multiple contacts that refer to the same person. It's the Cocoa port of Gaim (sort of).
* Text Editor (probably just stick with Vim)
TextEdit for simple things.
Smultron or TextWrangler if you want syntax-colouring and other nice features for coders.
Pinolo
Hey Scrivs,
Here are a few of the apps. most I use myself but
there are a few that i don't.
* RSS Reader *
The best thusfar IMHO:
1. Newsfire
2. MiNews
Others include:
1. NetNewsWire
* Graphics Software *
Take your pick:
1. Photoshop
2. Fireworks
3. Gimp.app
4. Illustrator
5. Freehand
For flowcharts, graphs,etc.:
1. OmniGraffle
2. ConceptDraw
For Desktop movies and onscreen snapsthere is only
one real choice:
1. Snapz Pro X
Need a little help with a color scheme?!:
1. Color Schemer Studio X
the BEST! ;)
* Word Processing Software *
Well there's:
1. MS Word
...and then there's:
2. Adobe InDesign
the BEST DTP app available and makes one
of the most fun word processors around! ;D
* Where do you put the dock? *
Uhmmm... where did you put your taskbar in Win?
you can have it on the bottom, left or right of
your screen.
* Music Player *
"(any besides iTunes?)"
Yes, but none better IMHO!
* IM Software *
Not that big of a IM user. I mainly use
iChat.
1. iChat AV
2. MSN Messenger
3. Yahoo! Messenger
* Text Editor *
Here are a couple:
1. Voodoo Pad
2. Tag (XHTML/CSS/PHP/ColdFusion/XML, etc.)
...and let me introduce you to one of the slickest
CSS editors for the Mac:
1. CSSEdit
I'm a Mac software junkie so if you're looking for
some cool and fun apps just give me shout. You can
reach me either by email(below) or on AOL at:
pantherX3reme.
Take care man! :)
Brian S. Radford
As a designer I'd also suggest you have a good look at the included 'Font Book.app' for font management, and a good explanation of how fonts on OS X work here:
http://tinyurl.com/6kwn8
Other tools:
http://developer.apple.com/fonts/OSXTools.html
metafeather
congrats on your new Mac and welcome to the club! :) if you ever run into problems just ask at our forum and also come over check out our blog to get some tips on best use of Mac for a designer.
ivan (http://creativebits.org)
Check this link out - "Mac Specialist: Essential Mac Applications", a great collection of free or lowcost apps for OS X. Covers everything there is.
And oh yes, the *best* editor there is for OS X is of course SkEdit
Sepez
I bought an ibook shortly before Chrimbo, because I had a lot of work to take with me to Blighty and no laptop. Haven't been near the PC since (except to configure server stuff to make the ibook run better).
For RSS, you might want to take a look at Flock (http://flock.sourceforge.net/), a Java RSS client which gives you a sweet HTML interface (or wait for the next version of Safari).
For graphics, you can stick with Fireworks. I would personally recommend the Gimp. Can do most things PS can and more than Fireworks, but free.
Found no substitute for iTunes yet :(
Fire and Adium can handle most popular IM protocols, and being Mac software they are much prettier than PC stuff.
Vim is already installed with OS X (I think: it's the first thing I install on any system I get my hands on, and I may have installed it myself reflexively). Unfortunately, only the console version. This must be my biggest gripe. That and the fact that Python is an older version, compiled without readline support.
My PC runs Linux and has done for years. For me, Mac OS X is the way forward. All the power of UNIX/Linux wrapped up in a GUI MS could only dream of.
If you're not afraid of the Terminal, you'll find many wonderful programs UNIX and Linux users can't live without at http://www.osxgnu.org/
I would heartily recommend learning AppleScript (as I am trying to do) to get the most out of your apps. At another (often lower) level, learning shell scripting will, along with AppleScript, give you a machine so damn powerful and flexible that you could never dream of under MS.
OS X is on two levels: the BSD level; purest UNIX, the OS every critical machine of note in the world uses.
The GUI level: the sweetest, prettiest, most user-friendly GUI ever designed.
OS X must be the epitome of OS design. Easier to use than MS and Linux; as powerful, if not more so, than Linux; and free of the malware which plagues Windows.
I got my 60 year-old dad one for Christmas as his first computer, as someone who has never used a computer before. I shun my Linux PC as a power user in favour of the ibook. Need anyone say more?
Dave
i got an ibook in 2003 with my student loan, had problems, but after 3 fixes, im back on track!!I study graphic design at art college, so i use all kinds of stuff from home, especially jobfinder.co.uk!
Id use office for mac, its really handy for doin stuff that you think you dont!
Then theres typical adobe stuff like Photoshop CS and Illustrator CS, which are both top quality.
Freehand, Dreamweaver and Director MX are good, bit tedious but handy when creating decent works if you need them.
Quark Xpress is ok, but with many programs, its all about patience, as learning them is the hard part, but after a few weeks, it become second nature.
on a mess around front, itunes is quality, imovie, and windows media player for watch music vids from. u can get most stuff for a mac that u can use for a pc, seems pcs are littered with all kinds of stuff you never in your lifetime get time to try out!
If your interested in design, especially mac based, computerarts.co.uk is a great site, full of hints and tips with programs, and tutorials on how to become on hell of a designer.
Good luck with it all :)
Craig
RSS: Newsfirerss
Word processing: Pages (iWork)
Music Player: iTunes (you wont need another)
Text editor: BBEdit
Colin Cameron (http://www.colincameron.com)
RSS Reader: NewsNetWire
Graphics Software: Adobe's Creative Suite
Word Processing: Office 2004
I put the Dock on the right. With a wide screen monitor that would seem to me to be the best position.
Music Player: Audion 3 or iTunes
IM Software: Fire 1.5
Text Editor: BBEdit 8
As you can see, many have also picked these apps, and with good reason. They're fast stable and a joy to use. Audion is handy because it can import tracks direct from your iPod. That's if you have one. Proteus is a good IM client option. Fire seems to be more stable to me. Don't use any of the 'original' IM clients from Yahoo and or MSN. They're crap. Oh yeah, also mentioned was OmniGraffle, this is also a must have. This little line up will make you wonder why some use a PC at all!
Egor Kloos (http://dutchcelt.nl/)
quick note on the dock:
I'm in the minority--I keep it on the right. If you've been using Macs a long time, as I have, this makes sense, because it places the trash can in the bottom right corner, where it's always been and always should be under Mac OS.
If you happen to be right handed and a frequent mouser, it's also the least amount of effort to access things from the dock on the right.
That said, if I were used to a PC I'd put it on the bottom or the left.
fwiw
LF (http://www.hitthosekeys.com)
Welcome to the Cult of Mac!
I do graphics & webdesign over at Netlash
Dirk Sabbe (http://www.netlash.com)
NetNewsWire Lite
Photoshop
Word
My dock's on the right hand side
Nothing beats iTunes... You probably want to look at synergy too. It's a wonder.
Adium
SubEthaEdit
jeremy (http://www.moliu.org)
Wow, I am amazed at all these people having their dock at the bottom - with a 12" ibook that gets really annoying. Mine is on the left and small.
Word is handy although Nissus writer (it uses system spell checking, meaning all those accents in french or spanish are at your fingertips even on an ibook keyboard) is great. If you need to write in a foreign language or are cutting and pasting to the web it is superb. It also opens Word PC docs and costs only $49.
All agreed BBEdit is one of the great Mac advantages.
Photoshop, Graphic Converter and illustrator.
iTunes is fine. MP3 Cutter for editing.
Julian (http://stillives.com)
Aww... why is it that everyone has a Mac but me? *cries*
A 30" display? I don't think I could cope with that... I'd need a lower desk for starters :)
Not many people use OpenOffice for Mac, would it help if it looked like an OS X app? Or is there some other reason against it?
The Wolf (http://www.pixelcarnage.com)
Not that you're lacking in comments, but here's another set of answers:
- RSS: Bloglines
- Graphics: Not that I do much at all in this area, but when I have to, Fireworks.
- Word Processing: Word, very occasionally LaTeX, and yet to try out Pages
- Dock: Bottom
- Music Player: iTunes all the way
- IM Software: I have heard other people complain about Proteus being buggy, and it is slow on my iBook 700 G3, but I like how it looks, and love the grouping of contacts (meta contacts if you're familiar with Trillian - one person on three different mediums is just listed as one person). If you want a truly free option though, I've heard good things about Adium
- Text Editor: I only use Vim when in Terminal, otherwise SubEthaEdit.
Pat Allan
OK, I didn't read all the above comments so this may have been said already. As an avid user on both the Mac and PC for web development I've got a couple comments.
-NOTHING on the mac comes close to FeedDemon for RSS Reading. I've tried them all, some are OK - but not even close to FeedDeamon.
-All the Macromedia software runs slower and is less user friendly on the Mac. The interfaces are clunky and I find navigation difficult.
30" LCD, Adium and Quicksilver come close to making up the difference, otherwise I much prefer the PC for web development ESPECIALLY Flash development. The Mac Flash interface SUCKS.
Good luck, those 30"ers are breathtaking.
Paul Mayne (http://www.paulmayne.org)
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#1
I have a pretty boring configuration.
I use NewsFire for RSS. Its fast, looks great, and is simple.
Fireworks.
Office for Mac
I keep the dock on the bottom.
I just use iTunes.
Since I only use AIM, iChat works great.
I use jEdit.
chet (http://www.chet.mancini.name)