Paul Stamatiou and Charles Stroup gathered a list of 10 applications every new Mac user should download. Those probably are the essential apps that you will need sooner or later. I have checked the list and they are pretty sane in term of functionalities coverage. I think there are two applications that can be optional for some new Mac users: Cyberduck (FTP client) and Nvu (HTML editor):
- AdiumX – Instant messaging
- Cyberduck – FTP Client
- Firefox – Web Browser
- iBackup – Backup Solution
- Nvu – Web Authoring App
- Quicksilver – Launcher Utility
- StuffIt Expander – Compression Utility
- TextWrangler – Text Editor
- VLC – Multimedia Player
- Windows Media Player – Multimedia Player
10 Apps Every New Mac User Should Download – [PaulStamatiou.com]
What the hell is Windows Media Player doing on that list?!?!
Because you can’t get by without it. VLC and MPlayer OS X do not play all types of Windows Media and Flip4Mac is shareware. If you read my synopsis about Windows Media Player, I don’t like it too much either.
I prefer Fugu over Cyberduck. It has fewer bugs, can transfer larger files, and allows you to set up SSH tunnels! And quite free.
@spstanley: Found the link on Fugu. Thanks! Look like it is a well designed application.
Nice list. I’ve been able to get the disk image utility that is built in in OS X to give me what I need for normal personal backups (http://www.digital501.com/2006021110/mac-backup-osx/), but iBackup looks like it might be a good replacement for more complicated things.
For people doing long distance sports like running, biking or hiking there’s also a MacOS X freeware to plan routes and journalize workouts. TrailRunner integrates well with the Nike + iPod Sports Kit and with GPS devices like the Garmin ForeRunner or Garmin Edge. http://www.trailrunnerx.com
Flip For Mac is a good alternative to Windows Media Player. It allows you to play .wmv files through quicktime, which looks a lot better than WMP.