ss3_gokoux

Ember bought a MacBook Pro today. I've lost count of how many people I've converted, so I'll say she's fifth. I've compiled a list of free/shareware applications that she, any other Mac user may enjoy:

• Adium. Best instant messaging client in the world. Free.
• Fip4Mac. Windows Media codec for QuickTime. Free.
• Perian. A whole bunch of useful codecs for QuickTime. Free.
• DivX. DivX codec for QuickTime. Will also try installing other garbage which is easily removed. Free, but includes nag-ware pro trial.
• VLC. Will play any file QuickTime can't. Free.
• The Unarchiver. Extracts all kinds of compressed archives, and faster than the built-in decompressor. Free.
• TinkerTool. Changes all kinds of hidden system and popular application preferences. Free.
• Onyx. Similar to TinkerTool, also has lots of system maintenance/cleanup stuff. Free.
• Boot Camp. Apple's dual boot solution. Free.
• Parallels. Run Mac OS X and Windows simultaneously. Not free.
• PithHelmet. Blocks ads in Safari. $10.
• Growl. Adds system-wide notification for many 3rd party applications that support it. Free.
• Inquisitor. Enhances Safari's Google search with as-you-type results and auto-suggestion. Free.
• Acquisition. Great LimeWire client. $18.99, yet still full-featured aside from random nag alerts.
• Xtorrent. Great BitTorrent client (I don't care that some trackers ban it, it works with Demonoid which is all that matters.). $20, caps downloads to 10 KB/sec after an hour. Solution: Quit and re-open it, downloads will start from where they left off.

Most of the applications I listed as free accept donations.

In addition to all the great software above, I also use the following on a near-daily basis:

iTunes, Mail, iPhoto, Preview, TextEdit, QuickTime, Transmit, iCal, Address Book, Remote Desktop, GraphicConverter, Ping, Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, Final Cut Studio, Safari, Safari Stand, Saft, SurfRabbit, Firefox, Synergy, Spark, Monolingual, Toast, QuickTunes, MenuMeters, MenuTemperature, Service Scrubber, ffmpegx, HexColorPicker, GrimRipperCM, Symbolic Linker, MacTheRipper, Application Enhancer, ClearDock, FruitMenu, ICeCoffEE, Slider, Diablotin, LiteSwitch X, Little Snitch, TextExpander, DiskWarrior, DockArt, iSquint, Max, Pacifist, and WhatSize. Though there may be some others I missed.

MacUpdate is a good site for finding applications.

I haven't eaten dinner today. I'd do that now if I didn't have such an overwhelming desire to go to bed.