My essential OS X apps
With the recent harddrive crash in my Powerbook, I had to reinstall all my applications (or at least restore them from my backup). So, in the dreadful case that it happens again, I'm going to make a list of all the software I need to reinstall. This isn't a "best applications for OS X" post, but rather a "best applications for Bill" post. If I don't use these programs daily, I use them weekly.
Since my recent backup literally saved everything important, I'm now backing up at least weekly, and trying to more often. I'm still working on the best solution for this, but when I do get my backup system how I like it, I'll probably put something up explaining what I do. It saved me some headaches, so I'm sure others may benefit too.
So, on with the software list...
Productivity:
- Microsoft Office [$]
- Apple iWork [$] - still learning these apps
- Quicksilver - I still mainly use this as a launcher, but occasionally use the other features
- OmniGraffle Pro & OmniOutliner Pro [$] - flowchart and outliner apps on crack
- CopyWrite - sadly neglected writing application
Communications:
Financial:
- Quicken [$] - keeping our personal finances in check
- QuickBooks Pro [$] - keeping my self-employed finances in check
Development:
- TextMate [$] - best text editor, ever
- MySQL
- entropy.ch's PHP Apache Module - why compile PHP yourself, when this one has everything
- YourSQL - GUI frontend for MySQL
- Paparazzi! - simple website screenshot maker
- SvnX - decent GUI for subversion source control
Graphics & multimedia:
- Adobe Photoshop CS2 & Illustrator CS2 [$] - essential graphics programs
- VideoLan Client - multi-format video player
- Flip4mac - lets WindowsMedia files play in QuickTime
Assorted add-ons:
- Growl - transparent message notice windows that ties into many apps
- GMail Notifier - menubar notification of new GMail
- GMail + Growl - adds Growl support for GMail Notifier
- growliChat - adds Growl support to iChat
- iMote - nice menubar app for many iTunes shortcuts
- iScrobbler - posts my listening to last.fm
- MenuMeters - keep track of your system resources
- 1001 - updates me with new friends' photos on Flickr
- CandyBar [$] - change system and application icons, easily
Comments
- Scott said on 08 April 2006:
Nice taste. I use most of those apps myself. But I hadn't heard of Menu Meters. I am definitely trying it out.
Oh, I found your site via A2B, you are the closest site to me that was actually functioning, so it looks like we're neighbors. ;^)
- David Harrington said on 23 March 2007:
How does Copywrite work out for you? I am considering trying it for large projects. Unfortunately, the trial only lets me plug in 5 documents, so I haven't a sense of how it would work on a novel of about a million pages.
- Bill said on 24 March 2007:
To be honest, I haven't used it much lately. In fact, there have probably been many updates since I last opened the app up.
If you're looking for something new, I might now actually recommend you take a look at Scrivener. It's been getting fantastic reviews and the developer is very responsive to suggestions.
Here's the site: http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html