[markw10]

I have my new C2D MBP on order and am a switcher from Windows XP and am wondering if there's any must have software out there, software that many mac users have. I know with Windows there are a few like this. Of course I know the mac has more built in programs and is easier to use so I likely won't need as many programs to buy.
I am undecided if I'll go with Safari for web browsing or Firefox. As well, for PIM use I'm not sure if I'll use Entourage or ical/address book/mail
What I will get though are Office 2004 since I do a lot of heavy office work as well as Macromedia/Adobe Suites since I do graphic design as well as web design.
Beyond that, I want a program that does good desktop video editing, a good newsgroup reader, probably will get toast platinum.
I will use my mac at home where I also have a home office and it's kind of going to be for all kinds of uses, maybe even a occasoinal game. I just want anything that will make my life even better wtih a mac. it's coming on Tuesday and I can't wait!

One last kind of unrelated thing. With Windows you can map a drive to a server computer. I do have a Windows based computer in my house I use as a server. I hope to switch that to a Mac Pro someday but with Xp I simply map it as a drive such as drive Z. Can I do the same with a Mac? I do have a friend who has one but his only complaint is you can select and log onto a server drive but as soon as you reboot the computer this drive is gone and you have to redo it each time.

[awaspaas]

Be sure to look into Apple's Final Cut Express or Final Cut Pro. They're pretty well unrivaled for pro video editing on the Mac.

You can certainly connect to a windows server from a Mac, just do Connect to Server in the Finder's Go menu (command-K shortcut) and type the address. Windows servers will usually be in the format of smb://IPaddress/share. But yes, doing it this way requires a reconnect at each boot (although most Mac users tend to reboot VERY rarely). The network drive can be permanently mounted though - do some searches for automount on the Mac.

[markw10]

Thanks. I'll give that a try.

[siMac]

Originally Posted by markw10 

With Windows you can map a drive to a server computer. I do have a Windows based computer in my house I use as a server. I hope to switch that to a Mac Pro someday but with Xp I simply map it as a drive such as drive Z. Can I do the same with a Mac? I do have a friend who has one but his only complaint is you can select and log onto a server drive but as soon as you reboot the computer this drive is gone and you have to redo it each time.

To have a network drive connect at login, you need to connect a first time (tick the box to add the password to the keychain) then drag the mounted drive's icon to the Login Items list in System Preferences > Accounts > (Your Username) > Login Items. The drive will mount automatically at every login.

As for Must-Have software I can recommend a few of the best free/donationware ones:

Adium - multi-protocol IM client.
VLC - will play back almost any video file.
Quicksilver - hard to explain all the things it can do, check it out.
Growl - system notifications
Inquisitor - enhanced searching for Safari
FontExplorerX - the best (and cheapest) font management app.
RSS Menu - keeps your feeds in the menubar.
MenuCalendarClock - turns your menubar clock into a calendar.

And if you go with Mail/iCal/Address Book:
MailAppetizer - email notifications for Mail