great mac apps
Forever I've been meaning to write up a little "How I like Mac vs. PC" since I did the big switch. I've got a lot to say about it, but the most annoying thing has been how when you're saving or opening a file you couldn't delete or rename a file you saw in the browser window. Well, guess WHAT?!?!? There's a wonderful little app that will solve this woe!!! yay!!!!Faithful reader ddcrane (Dave) was so awesome to not only refer my services to someone at his company, but also send me a great list of links to some fancy mac add ons to make the mac life even easier, prettier and more efficient. aww yaaa - Thanks Dave!
First & foremost I must share with you the best app I've seen yet, since it takes care of the annoying Open/Save file rename/delete problem:
Default Folder
Description: Lets you assign command keys to user specified folders for use in open or save dialogs. Tacks on a small toolbar to the right of dialogs with lists of numerous functions such as "recently opened folders", "favorites", "rename file", etc. Lets you specify a default folder to open on any dialog for a given application (hence the name). Lets you click on already saved files' filenames and puts it in the "Save as" field. Springs to the last file opened on subsequent Open dialogs. Excellent software.
AWESOME!
Here's some more that caught my eye, with my comments below:
Quicksilver, Butler or Launch Bar:
I use Launchbar & love it... It takes care of needing most of the other oh so handy mac add ons in my opinion. Quicksilver would be something I would check out if I already hadn't gone w/ Launchbar... same thing really. If you're not using one of these, you've got to check it out - it most definitely makes finding anything you want so fast at the click of a few keys. And it learns!! I love that.
MenuStrip
I like this one too - I like that it has the Auto hide feature, the other app I was using for that was annoying because you couldn't turn it on & off easily enough so it took over & got really buggy w/ password windows & such. This looks pretty cool, but that's the only feature I really care to have and so I'm not sure I'd pay $12 just for that. Plus, you don't really need an app fr hiding applications as you switch between them. If you're really into it, you can hide others when switching by holding down the option w/ the command key when you either tab/command through your other open apps or select it in the dock using the mouse. Hoping a free one comes out - or the AutoHide one I downloaded before gets an update with an on/off button implemented.
WindowShade
This looks kinda cool to me...I like the idea of how it minimizes to just a bar instead of hiding/minimizing the window to the dock. I might check it out later...
A Better Finder Rename -
Description: Absolutely essential if you work with large numbers of files and you need to rename them on any regular basis. Incredibly powerful software lets you make alphabetic or numeric lists, rename characters within a file name with choices of "at the beginning", "at the end", "anywhere", etc. You can either drag files to a droplet icon, choose "Rename" from contextual pop-up, or press Option-Cmd-R. Money well spent, IMO.
This is pretty cool. I don't really need it right now, but I like knowing there's an app in case I do!! :)
FruitMenu
I really like the FruitMenu feature of having a 'Set Desktop Picture' option in the right click at all times and being able to customize the Apple menu. Weird that mac's don't already have those two features! However, all the rest you can pretty much do w/o that app. I have my Application folder in my dock and you can right click on that to quickly browse, so you could do the same w/ your HD. But I usually just use Launchbar to quickly get to most anything. But those first 2 things almost make me wanna get it :)
TinkerTool (FREE!)
Description: Enables dozens of previously inaccessible options, like having both scroll arrows at both ends of the scroll bar (i'd pay for this!) -Finder Quit (& restart) -control system fonts -turn off font smoothing below any size you want.
Wow, this looks cool! Lots of neat additions - and free! woohoo! :) I downloaded this one right away.
Which apps do you love?
UPDATE!! UPDATE!! If you like this list, see the new willotoons' recommended mac apps 2005 list I just posted!
