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newb01 · Jun 23, 2007, 10:17 AM

Well igot my first apple notebook yesterday. Second highest macbook. I am wondering what applications i should use for instant messaging, web browser, and if theres anything else i should use and or download. thanks again
JB

Cold Warrior · Jun 23, 2007, 10:34 AM

I'd download and try out FireFox if you aren't content with Safari. Also consider MS Office 2004 for the Mac if you need a good office suite and don't prefer a free alternative (e.g., NeoOffice).

There are a lot of IM choices out there, including the included AIM-compatible client iChat. A lot will depend on what you used before or what IM network you want to use.

chabig · Jun 23, 2007, 10:40 AM

IM: Use whatever your friends use. iChat is great though, if they're on AIM.
Browser: Safari, of course. It's great. So is Firefox.

You should definitely download and install the following Quicktime plugins:
Perian
Flip4Mac

shinji · Jun 23, 2007, 11:19 AM

I like Adium - Download for IM

Cold Warrior · Jun 23, 2007, 11:56 AM

Skype is great for video chats.

shinji · Jun 23, 2007, 12:02 PM

Oh you might wanna check out quicksilver: anything, everything, now. , must-have imo.

newb01 · Jun 23, 2007, 12:21 PM

thanks for all the help. and shinji i love adium so far! thanks keep em coming if u know of any other programs that u guys couldnt live without

newb01 · Jun 23, 2007, 12:36 PM

what is quick silver and what is it used for?

shinji · Jun 23, 2007, 12:43 PM

It's kind of like an application launcher. So if I want to run an app that isn't in my dock, I can just do command+shift+up (which you can change), type in the first few letters of the app, and it runs. I can also control itunes with it, making it pause/play, prev/next song, or search for a song.

That's all I use it for really, but there are a bunch of other plugins for it. It's actually very intuitive and it can be as complex as you want it to be.

Other apps I use:

colloquy for IRC
voodoopad for todo lists, notes, etc.
smultron as a text editor
transmit for ftp
coda for web development, along with dreamweaver
unison for usenet
newsfire for rss
gmail notifier of course

can find links and reviews here iusethis mac software: New Releases and Mac, Palm, and Windows Software Updates and Downloads - VersionTracker

That's pretty much my most commonly used apps along with photoshop. I do use Camino. Mozilla Power, Mac Style instead of firefox though.

tiger · Jun 23, 2007, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by chabig

IM: Use whatever your friends use. iChat is great though, if they're on AIM.
Browser: Safari, of course. It's great. So is Firefox.

You should definitely download and install the following Quicktime plugins:
Perian
Flip4Mac

I agree with almost everything except in my experience Firefox has been a pain. It takes a long time to load and on top of that it freezes when it goes into certain cites were Safari just rocks.

newb01 · Jun 23, 2007, 12:52 PM

is there any way to remove some of the icons on the bottom of the screen like some of the thngs ill never use?

shinji · Jun 23, 2007, 12:52 PM

Just drag them off the dock. That's what I did to iMovie, iPhoto, garageband, etc.

newb01 · Jun 23, 2007, 01:02 PM

i seem to b getting a few pop ups. is that normla or do i need to install a good popup blocker

EndlessMac · Jun 23, 2007, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by newb01

is there any way to remove some of the icons on the bottom of the screen like some of the thngs ill never use?

Just drag them off like shinji said. What I like to also do is to drag a shortcut icon of my applications folder on the right side of the dock. This way all I have to do is right click the applications folder in the dock to get a list of all my applications similar to how Windows does it when you click on the startup menu. It's a quick way to open programs that I don't use often enough to place in my dock.

PowerPC4Ever · Jun 23, 2007, 01:36 PM

What Application Do I use If. . .

Cold Warrior · Jun 23, 2007, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by newb01

i seem to b getting a few pop ups. is that normla or do i need to install a good popup blocker

Turn on Safari's pop-up blocker or get FireFox with Adblock Plus. I prefer the latter.

newb01 · Jun 23, 2007, 03:30 PM

thanks for all the help!

roller · Jun 23, 2007, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by newb01

thanks for all the help!

There are a few good sites for those new to the mac. I invite you to check the "How to Switch" article I linked to on my iSwitched lens (see sig). It will answer a number of your questions before you know to ask them. Also, linked from iSwitched is a support site on Apple.com dedicated to switchers entitled Switch 101.