Mac Apps

I got a new Macbook Pro recently and took note of my favorite applications while getting it all setup.  I’ve used a Mac for several years now and built up quite a library.  I’m skipping some, but here’s a list of my ‘must have’ Mac applications..

  • Google Chrome - my new favorite browser.  I also installed the following extensions.  Make sure you install the dev channel build to enable extensions & bookmark manager.
    • Google Mail Checker
    • Facebook
    • Google Reader Notifier
    • RSS Subscription Extension
    • Tabs to the Front! - I don’t like when new tabs open in the background
    • Evernote Web Clipper
  • Things - Hands down the best productivity app ever.  I would never know what to do next without this.  Handy iPhone app too.
  • LaunchBar - QuickSilver is no longer in development (and Google Quick Search Box kinda sucks), but LaunchBar is flat out amazing.  Do yourself a favor and take the time to learn how to use it.  You’ll thank me later.
  • 1Password - Great password manager, but also nice for software licenses, credit cards, and other personal things.
  • Dropbox - Easiest & best way to keep files synced on multiple computers.  So many uses like keeping your Things & 1Password in sync.
  • Tweetie - Nice, simple, clean Mac client for Twitter.  Not a fan of the icon though.
  • Firefox + Firebug - Firefox used to be my #1 browser.  Now I really only use it for web development purposes.
  • Fluid - Turn your favorite websites into Mac applications.  I have one for Gmail, Salesforce, Jira, Google Reader, and more..
  • Gabble - Very nice native Mac app for Yammer, which we use pretty often at work.
  • Skype - Phones are overrated.
  • Spanning Sync - I keep my personal calendar and contacts in sync with Google Calendar & Gmail Contacts.  Handy.
  • PandoraBoy - Pandora is great, but PandoraBoy is even better with hotkeys and Growl support.
  • Balsamiq - Fantastic mockup tool.  Perfect blend of powerful with quick & dirty.
  • CoverSutra - The perfect iTunes helper.
  • Maildrop - Great companion for Mail.app that lets you save emails to Salesforce.com
  • CSSEdit - My favorite CSS editor.
  • Evernote - Literally my second brain.  I’ve tried a lot of tools for keeping up with all my “stuff” and this is by far the best.
  • Picturesque - Nice little app I got for free and ended up using quite a bit.
  • Adobe Fireworks - Yes, I prefer Fireworks over Photoshop.  Great tool for my needs.
  • Picasa - Faster, easier to use and all around more enjoyable than iPhoto.
  • Skitch - Wonderful little app for quick screenshots and simple annotations.
  • TextMate - I don’t really use it that often anymore, but definitely a handy tool to have in the arsenal.
  • AutoRate - Sweet little tool that automatically rates your iTunes music in the background.  Based on play count, skips, etc.
  • Syncopation - For keeping music and other media synced between multiple computers.