Thread: Most useful Mac Applications

hi guys, I wanted to introduce you an application I'm using a lot. It's called DataGraph. As mentioned by the name, the application draws all kind of graph and is fully compatible with excel (what I mean is you can copy paste your data from excel to DataGraph). The main advantage is that it's really, really easy to use and easy to manipulate. I'm using it a lot for difference things (analysis, report, presentation...) and I thing it's far more user friendly and powerful than the Graph option in Excel. Give it a shot if you are interested by the trial, the final version cost 90$ and can be used on multiple devices. Also if you get stuck at some point, the programer team is really fast to answer you problems !

Filebot looks cool for easy renaming.

I've been using ABetterFinderRename which is awesome, but I often spend more time working out the sequence of filters I need to run than if I'd have just sat and renamed the files all manually. :D

Seconded for Sparrow. :D Too bad Sparrow for iOS doesn't support Push notification (i.e., Apple refused to let them do it), and I'm forced to jailbreak my iPhone to get this feature...

As for other applications, I love OmniGraffle (Std: 99.99 USD, Pro: 199.99 USD) for drawing diagrams like flowcharts and UML diagrams. I also find myself using the tools in MacTeX quite often for my school work; I use AquaMacs as my editor though. For compiling stuff from other *nix OSes, don't forget MacPorts and Fink and Homebrew too!

Great thread I'm in the process of crossing over to the other team and was wondering what programs you guys use for FTP from your seed boxes? Been in the hunt for an app that supports segmented downloading (else my seed box speeds suck) and also simply supports folder downloads.... Igetter is great for speeds but not be able to download folders makes getting your files a lot of messing around and is a massive let down to a program I might actually pay for if they simply added the folder downloads. Till they do I'll wait the 30 seconds each time it starts or move onto something else if anyone knows of something

What a great list! I will definitely check out the ones I don't already use.

I'm interested in getting Sparrow for an email client, but I've gotten so used to gmail's online interface that not using a client hardly bothers me.

Browser: I have Firefox and Chrome for different uses. I would also like to add World of Trust and Do Not Track as add-ons, on top of the useful ones gm0ney already mentioned.

Word processing: iA Writer and Word are already mentioned, I've also been using a trial version of Scrivener and I think I'm really liking it. It's more feature-rich so it's definitely not minimalist, but it has all the templates/features for possibly everything you want in a writing app.

Here are some other free alternatives to the ones gm0ney has mentioned:

-Quicksilver (alternative to Alfred, although I believe it hasn't been updated in a while)
-Cyberduck (FTP)
-The Unarchiver (dealing with archives such as .zip or .rare)
-Disk Inventory X (free alternative to DaisyDisk, but less pretty)
-TextWrangler (text editor, maybe less features than TextMate, but good enough for my light html needs)

ps: I'm not affiliated with any of the app developers, so my recommendations are based on my personal use.
pps: You should be able to google the apps I mentioned, but if you need help or not sure, let me know in this thread or by PM.

Hope this helps!

---------- Post added at 11:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:13 AM ----------

Originally Posted by cutler777

What do you recommend to use for epub/mobi files? I have Kitabu but I'm not a fan of it.

I don't know if you're still looking for an app for ebook files given the date. I would definitely recommend Calibre for managing ebooks. It has a built-in reader for various file formats, can convert one file type to another, allows you to edit metadata easily, and I use it to manage my ebooks in my portable e-reader. It may or may not be what you're looking for, but it's really great if it is.

A_J paragon ntfs wow this is gonna make my life so much easier have to search around for it and check it out.
Cyberduck FTP doesn't seem to segment so I'll keep looking around.

Anyone have any experience with speed download from yazsoft? Claims to be the most feature packed http/ FTP application around on their website but i can not find if they allow folder downloads......

It's not much, but Hyperdock is one of my favorite little Mac apps. Hyperdock allows you to quickly snap any window that may be open to various different sizes. I love it because i'm always on my computer in class so I quickly snap my web page and my Word .doc so that I can simultaneously type notes and surf the interwebs eliminating any sort of repetitive switching between screens action.
Also hovering the mouse of a particular dock item / program that is open, will show output a small picture of what is going on in that screen.

Cost: $9.95
developers : http://hyperdock.bahoom.com/get

Wow, I had no idea so many people viewed this thread. I am humbled.

Originally Posted by jd_oz

Great thread I'm in the process of crossing over to the other team and was wondering what programs you guys use for FTP from your seed boxes? Been in the hunt for an app that supports segmented downloading (else my seed box speeds suck) and also simply supports folder downloads.... Igetter is great for speeds but not be able to download folders makes getting your files a lot of messing around and is a massive let down to a program I might actually pay for if they simply added the folder downloads. Till they do I'll wait the 30 seconds each time it starts or move onto something else if anyone knows of something

You want to use Transmit and nothing else. Trust me.

Originally Posted by cutler777

What do you recommend to use for epub/mobi files? I have Kitabu but I'm not a fan of it.

You want to use Calibre. And it's on Windows (and better) too.



I'm going to need to make a v2 of this thread because things change quickly in the Mac world. One thing I can't live without is the Bartender app to save my menu bar from destruction! I'll go ahead and update it in the coming weeks!