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You are here: MacNN Forums > Software - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Applications > Your top 5 (or so) freeware/shareware apps for OS X?

Your top 5 (or so) freeware/shareware apps for OS X? (Page 4)
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dmcnickle
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Dec 21, 2003, 06:08 PM
 
Here are the ones I use the most:

iApps
Still Life
Amadeus II
freePhotoConverter 2
iPhotoDiet (even though I have been having trouble with it lately)
MacJanitor
VueScan

I haven't tried LaunchBar. I guess I will have to check it out.
     
mindwaves
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Dec 26, 2003, 04:44 AM
 
Forgot a simply indispensable untility:

PDF plugin

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/9542

View pdfs right in your browser!
     
bergy
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Dec 26, 2003, 11:51 AM
 
Originally posted by mindwaves:
Forgot a simply indispensable untility:

PDF plugin

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/9542

View pdfs right in your browser!
Wow! That is really nice ... works in Safari ..
instant viewing of pdfs.
Tiger 10.4.8
     
huxbnw
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Dec 27, 2003, 02:15 PM
 
That PDF plug-in does away with the most annoying aspect of Safari for me. Thanks a ton!
     
libraryguy
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Dec 28, 2003, 01:53 AM
 
Here is a small list of the shareware apps I use:

WeatherPop
Money
ChatClientX
Snood
iBlog

"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." -George Washington Carver
     
Rando
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Dec 29, 2003, 03:46 AM
 
In order:

LaunchBar
Ittec
iTunes
WeatherPop
Safari Menu
--=Rando=--
"We're sure to sell a million units ... in January."
...ad for the Beach Boy's "Smile" album
     
Castor
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Dec 31, 2003, 04:17 PM
 
In no (known) particular order
Launchbar
Finderview
iAddressX
iWork
Shadowclipboard
NetNewsWire(Lite)
Almost anything from Omnigroup
iOrganize
Bookit
Transmit
Fruitmenu or Open Menu (undecided)
Prefling
Camino
CSSEdit
Whatsize
BarcodeCreator
Renamer4mac
iPocket
Art Directors Toolkit
Art files
TouchCMM

Check 'em out!
     
moofman
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Dec 31, 2003, 09:16 PM
 
Sofa has just rocketed to the top of my list. This is an amazing litle piece of software. Blows every other iTunes remote/album cover display away. I've yet to have it grab the wrong album cover off the net. It could've done better a few times, like it grabbed the Japanse cover of a Nico album instead of the American once, but it's never picked the absolute wrong one.

http://sofa.ouvaton.org/index.php

Check it out.

I keep x-Tunes around for when I don't fell like using the mouse to skip tracks back and forth, but other than that, Sofa is the one and only iTunes add on I'll ever need.
     
Carbonic
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Jan 1, 2004, 05:55 AM
 
Originally posted by torifile:
You mean OmniWeb?
yah yah, you know what i mean

i cant wait for version 5 =)
     
carney
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Jan 2, 2004, 06:39 PM
 
Not counting stuff that came with Panther:

-TexShop (and by extension the Tex/Latex compilers, ghostscript, dvi2ps, ps2pdf, etc...)

-Bibcite (A little GUI for managing .bib files)

-gnuplot

-OpenOffice (I don't use it to make anything new, but for some reason peop-le still insist on sending me M$ Office files)

-UI Browser (Very useful for scripting the unscriptable, slightly nicer than the Elemenet Inspector which I also sometimes still use)

Hnorable mention:

-DesktopManager (I find myself using this less and less since Panther)

-HyperEdit (just started using this, I think it will get a lot of usage)
Scott
     
angelmb
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Jan 4, 2004, 02:16 PM
 
Proud registered user of LittleSecrets. The encrypted notepad.

http://www.mani.de/en/software/macos...ets/index.html
     
dennis cheung
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Jan 6, 2004, 02:02 AM
 
openoffice
mplayer os x
adium
rbrowser lite
fink
     
saddino
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Jan 9, 2004, 01:10 AM
 
Well, perhaps I'm biased, but Beholder:

[URL=http://www.mesadynamics.com/software.htm[/URL]

is pretty cool.


Other great apps I'm not affiliated with:

GraphicConverter
Cocktail
MacMAME
     
haley
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Jan 11, 2004, 11:32 AM
 
Apple stuff - iTunes, Mail, Safari, iCal

Other-

Another Launcher: Menubar/docklet launcher, including Google search and iTunes controls and shortcuts

Adium- best chat program ever, use the latest binary if you're gonna download it.

Acquisition- P2P

Inquisitor- Web search application

[edit: added descriptions]
     
LadyBlue
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Jan 13, 2004, 01:35 AM
 
I'm a n00b with Macs, and since this is my first one, I found this sticky very useful.

Transmit
Candybar (since I love to customize things)
Firebird (close second is Safari)
Poisoned
VLC
iJournal
Adium


I just got Synergy and Launchbar...so I'm trying those out.
I <3 Macs!
     
sjk
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Jan 13, 2004, 03:38 AM
 
(Free|Donation)ware:

Emacs (carbonized version)
MenuMeters
On My Command
PithHelmet and Sogudi (for Safari)
SoundSource
TinkerTool

Shareware/Commercial:

Carbon Copy Cloner
Circus Ponies Notebook
CodeTek Virtual Desktop
DEVONthink
GraphicConverter
iNet Stream Archiver
Mulberry
NetNewsWire


I'll eventually try LaunchBar and/or Another Launcher.
     
Zadian
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Jan 13, 2004, 08:34 AM
 
fugu - my favourite sFTP application. Since version 1.1 it is even better since i can use config. files for my ssh servers.

vlc - best way to watch quake movies or other movies found on the web.

rBrowser lite - the way the finder should be and a very good ftp-client. I mostly use it as ftp-client but from time to time it is quite useful to browse invisible folders.

SubEthaEdit - perfect for creating xHTML and CSS files and for the fast writing of small Java apps.

Dilo - German-English dictionary using leo.org as source. Quite essential for me on the web, or while reading the latest T. Pratchett book.

Good Apple Apps that come with Mac OS X (and that are underestimated):

Stickies - i really like that App, it's the best addition to the paper and pen piling up beside my Mac.

TextEdit - nice little word-processor, i really like the easy way to create rtf files and text files encoded in Unicode.

Preview - perfect for viewing the pictures i make. Since 10.3 it offers full screen viewing, thus making it useful.
     
moonmonkey
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Jan 18, 2004, 02:15 AM
 
VLC
Bit torrent
Poisoned
Windowshade
Candybar
     
Judge_Fire
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Jan 19, 2004, 12:32 PM
 
How could I have forgotten iBert...

Great little app

Be sure to pop up the calendar for easy browsing. The site has other interesting apps, too.

J
     
vandymac
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Jan 19, 2004, 07:16 PM
 
here i go

1) Shapeshifter
2) Sofa
3) iComic
4) Konfabulator
5) Slashdock

tough to stick to five, with all the good stuff out there. i just found this thread, so i have a long list of apps to check out, could take a while
     
cemo
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Jan 21, 2004, 07:37 AM
 
-- IrssiX
-- VLC
-- Skedit
-- bittorrent
iBook 933 14" 640mb 40gb wlan bluetooth
     
MacMcMacintosh
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Jan 22, 2004, 08:58 AM
 
1) ClearDock
2) Knofabulator
3) VLC
4) MenuMeters
5) MSN Messenger
     
calle73
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Jan 24, 2004, 06:20 AM
 
Mellel
PageSpinner
RBrowser Lite
Ev Nova
Graphic Converter
     
ae77
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Jan 26, 2004, 04:01 PM
 
my favs:
Adium - IM client
Carbon Copy Cloner - backup utility
JAlbum - photo album creator
MacJournal - diary app
NetNewsWire Lite - RSS web news reader
^_^
     
Anderton
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Jan 30, 2004, 08:54 PM
 
- Mozilla Firebird 0.8+
- Graphic Converter
- VLC Media Player
- Diva
- Handbrake

(Well, it's pretty hard to come up with ONLY 5 apps... )
     
benign
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Feb 6, 2004, 10:55 AM
 
OSX Shareware/ small utility apps
I have supported include:

Misc Utilities in use
PathFinder
Hog bay notebook
ExhibitionX
ViewIt
VLC
CandyBar
AudioHijackPro
FileType
Default folderX
SleepLess
Snapz Pro
shadowClipboard
Another Launcher
Iconographer

APE
windowshade
fruitmenu
shapeshifter
metallifizer
mightymouse

Contextual
LaunchItemsX
Ittec
FolderIconX
MoveItemsX
OpenSubfolderCM
QuickImageCM
QuickPlayCM
AmSetFileTypeCMX
InternetLocationCM
AmScriptFileCMX


No longer in use
Dragthing
Max menus
Drop drawers
Pixadex
xounds
labelX
iorganize
iCan
iPulse
XScope
F10LaunchStudio
PicturePopProCM
Audion
WorkstripX
Synergy
Typeset
Switchpic
Jotz
Konfabulator
iconIt
Duality
Dockfun
Circus ponies
ClipMasterCM
Brickhouse
Acquistion
MenuMeters


Simple Empire...
     
ryaxnb
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Feb 9, 2004, 10:05 PM
 
LaunchBar - Excellent Keyboard Launcher!!
Pac The Man 2 - Pac Man clone, better graphics.
Firefox 0.8 - DELETED! Replacement: OmniWeb 5 b3. Another web browser.
Safari - Web browser.
iTunes, iPhoto, Preview - Preview = Shows PDFs and images
iPulse - Neat system monitor
Tex-Edit Plus - Text editor/manager
ShapeShifter & APE - Change computer themes
CandyBar - Change icons
TinkerTool - View hidden options.

That's my new, updated list. (Older list is on page 2.)
( Last edited by ryaxnb; Mar 15, 2004 at 02:47 PM. )
Trainiable is to cat as ability to live without food is to human.
Steveis... said: "What would scammers do with this info..." talking about a debit card number!
     
mike one
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Feb 10, 2004, 10:38 AM
 
desktop manager (kick a$$!)
fink (ok, technically not freeware, not shareware)
firefox
fugu (buggggggy)
rdesktop client (from MS, really great, better than VNC!)

runner up: tinkertool (don't use it so much anymore)
     
IronPen
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Feb 10, 2004, 08:23 PM
 
In no particular order:

- Safari
- Fruit Menu
- Proteus
- Watson
- Quicksilver
- Graphic Converter
- Synergy
- SlimBatteryMonitor

I have tried other launchers, such as, Another Launcher (difficult to pick up on right away, which turned me off) and LaunchBar (nice, but not as configurable or slick as Quicksilver) and I really like Quicksilver. I didn't even realize the usefulness of application launchers until recently. A MUST for laptops or those of us who like to use the keyboard over the mouse.

Synergy is great for controlling iTunes from the keyboard no matter what app is in the forefront. I have yet to purchase it, but it is only $5 or $10, depending on whether or not you have PayPal. I wish it downloaded album art again.

I'm closely watching the development of the Mozilla products: FireFox, Thunderbird, and Camino (this one is still around...and it has a new icon...but no new features as far as I can tell). They look promising.
MacBook C2D 2.0GHz/Combo/2GB RAM
     
moofman
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Feb 12, 2004, 06:24 AM
 
Thanks for the tip on Quicksilver! LaunchBar never did anything for me. I can't really say why, but I always thought that it was ugly and limited... This is sexy though. I love the menubar thing, where it pops up in place of it instead of awkwardly jutting out of it...
     
IronPen
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Feb 14, 2004, 10:51 AM
 
No problem. Quicksilver is my new favorite app. It's like a new toy. I love using it and I'm finding it more and more useful everyday. And as you mentioned, it is so slick. I like using the Menu bar transition, although the window option is cool, and the bezel is neat as well. If you've tried LaunchBar, try this one. I think you'll like it a lot better.
MacBook C2D 2.0GHz/Combo/2GB RAM
     
Phat Bastard
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Feb 14, 2004, 09:47 PM
 
I couldn't find Quicksilver on Versiontracker or even googling it...can you post a download link please?
The world needs more Canada.
PB 12" 867 MHz, 640 MB RAM, AE, OS 10.4.2
Black iPod nano 4GB
     
angelmb
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Feb 15, 2004, 02:48 PM
 
Originally posted by Phat Bastard:
I couldn't find Quicksilver on Versiontracker or even googling it...can you post a download link please?
Never heard about that app, but MacUpdate goes to the rescue!

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/13260
     
IronPen
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Feb 15, 2004, 09:39 PM
 
MacUpdate is awesome. I haven't been to VersionTracker in a long, long time.
MacBook C2D 2.0GHz/Combo/2GB RAM
     
neutrino23
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Feb 22, 2004, 12:17 AM
 
Tex-Edit Plus -- Excellent text editor, really good AppleScript support
Graphic Converter -- image file converter, browser, slide show, thousands more
ASM -- restores the application switching menu from OS 9
FileMaker Pro -- database
Adobe CS (photoshop, indesign, illustrator) -- just now switching to these
Nisus Express -- word processor
AppleWorks

I've noticed that I use a lot fewer third part apps than I used to now that I have OS X. QT, iApps and the OS cover a lot of ground.
Happy owner of a new 15" Al PB.
     
saranwarp
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Feb 22, 2004, 07:17 AM
 
- Launchbar (although maybe I should try Quicksilver)
- ClearDock
- Synergy
- Acquisition
- Graphic Converter
     
brettcamp
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Feb 28, 2004, 04:54 AM
 
this is a good thread, but it'd be a lot more useful to less experienced users like me if each application name were followed with a parenthetical explanation of what it's used for (e.g. page layout application, application launcher etc.)
     
badtz
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Feb 29, 2004, 09:33 AM
 
Originally posted by angelmb:
Never heard about that app, but MacUpdate goes to the rescue!

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/13260
I can't believe this! I never thought I would ever toss LaunchBar out the window.

Quicksilver is definitely better [imo]! WOW!

Still shocked. lol.

     
brutal
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Mar 1, 2004, 11:03 AM
 
Here's a direct link to the makers of Quicksilver --> Blacktree

btw: I�ve also deleted Launchbar now. Quicksilver ROCKS!
( Last edited by brutal; Mar 1, 2004 at 01:34 PM. )

     
pope52
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Mar 7, 2004, 02:17 AM
 
Originally posted by brutal:
Here's a direct link to the makers of Quicksilver --> Blacktree

btw: I�ve also deleted Launchbar now. Quicksilver ROCKS!
Meh. Quicksilver uses 5 times the resources as Launchbar.
     
njitkoff
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Mar 8, 2004, 03:36 PM
 
Originally posted by pope52:
Quicksilver uses 5 times the resources as Launchbar.
Does it?
     
Dale Sorel
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Mar 8, 2004, 11:23 PM
 
A new haxie that hides your desktop icons: http://media.flip.macrobyte.net/file...sweeper1.0.dmg
     
ervier
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Mar 12, 2004, 09:39 AM
 
- Firefox (more and more preferred over Safari)
- Dragthing (but I'm going to try Quicksilver!)
- Neo Office (Openoffice Java port, a bit slow but support for more osx features)
- Acquisition (MLMac is an alternative sometimes)
- HPIJS printer drivers (for my HP6L via linuxprinting.org)
"Chance is irrelevant. We will succeed."
== 7 of 9 ==
     
Alan Flanary
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Mar 13, 2004, 10:16 AM
 
Originally posted by pope52:
Meh. Quicksilver uses 5 times the resources as Launchbar.
Go to prefs/extras and check "shrink icons to save memory." That helped a bunch for me.

The author is aware of this issue and has mentioned he is working on it.

Good forums for Quicksilver here.
     
Stuphalina
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Mar 13, 2004, 10:57 AM
 
Okay, I'll bite...

- Butler - I love this app. I use it mostly for the iTunes remote via key combo and for a simpler fast user switching.
- Adium
- Quick Access CM
- Open Menu
- Shapeshifter - because I'm a theme addict

Honorable mention (just my way of getting more than five in b/c they are all essential for me...):

- Spell Catcher
- USB Overdrive - for better external mouse configuration
- Sidetrack - helps me when I don't have my mouse hooked up to my Alubook
- Konfabulator - yeah, I know. I only use 3 widgets and they are for space conservation
- ClearDock
- TransparentDock - for extra stuff

There's ma list. Most apps can be found at MacUpdate or any other such site.

Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!
     
d_oob
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Mar 13, 2004, 11:40 PM
 
� podworks
� transmit
� trash
� transparent dock
� serial box

     
B3dd
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Mar 14, 2004, 11:16 PM
 
1. VLC

2. DiskSpace, let you see how full your hd is and give an alert in menu bar

3. iCalVieuwer, nice, put ical on your desktop

4. Onyx, can do a lot but i use it to put my dock right up/top of my screen

5 Graphicconverter

6. Iconsizeenabler, doesn't work anymore with panther. shame on you apple. i loved it. you can adjust the size of your icons on i.e. desktop, to huge format.

7.mactracker

Blomm
iBook700 lacie porsche160 and a lot of classic macs.
     
ryaxnb
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Mar 15, 2004, 02:43 PM
 
Originally posted by brettcamp:
this is a good thread, but it'd be a lot more useful to less experienced users like me if each application name were followed with a parenthetical explanation of what it's used for (e.g. page layout application, application launcher etc.)
I'll edit my list.
Trainiable is to cat as ability to live without food is to human.
Steveis... said: "What would scammers do with this info..." talking about a debit card number!
     
ryaxnb
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Mar 15, 2004, 02:44 PM
 
Oops- meant to hit Edit.
Trainiable is to cat as ability to live without food is to human.
Steveis... said: "What would scammers do with this info..." talking about a debit card number!
     
saranwarp
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Mar 16, 2004, 01:41 AM
 
2. DiskSpace, let you see how full your hd is and give an alert in menu bar
This seems sort of pointless...I get alerts when I get down to 250 MB and below, and to see how much room you have left all you have to do is click apple-I on the HD icon.
     
 
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