More Recommended OS X Apps

I was fortunate to get a bunch more recommendations for OS X apps from Twitter and my previous post. I’ve included most of them below. I skipped a few that seemed particularly specialized, or specific to a particular profession (for example, software developer, web designer, and so forth). Here they are:

AppTrap – Ensures that all files are removed when you uninstall software.

Boxee – From what I gather, a kind of free, open source media centre.

Calaboration – For syncing Google Calendar with iCal. I’ve tried three solutions, and this is the only one that’s worked without serious agony.

CrossOver Games – Apparently a ‘seamless’ tool for playing PC games on OS X.

DoubleCommand – A utility for remapping your keyboard. Apparently useful for using a non-Apple keyboard with OS X. I’m going to give this a try, as I want to use my big old Windows keyboard instead of the dainty one that came with my iMac.

DropBox – Storage app and syncing service for storing and sharing files. For what it’s worth, I tried this tool on OS X 10.4 and had a difficult time uninstalling it.

Evernote – Very handy research, note-taking and forget-me-not tool. I’ve never used their software, but have lately used their Firefox add-ons for research on our book.

Freedom – Turns off your network connection for eight hours, enabling you to temporarily defeat your Internet addiction so you can do actual work.

iAlertU – A car alarm for your laptop. It uses your Mac’s built-in motion sensor to trigger an alarm and snap a photo of the apparent thief with the iSite camera.

iTunes Alarm – Predictably, turns iTunes into an alarm clock.

Jumpcut – Access your clipboard’s history, and edit the contents on the fly.

LittleSnapper – Yet another screen capture app.

Little Snitch – A firewall app that can tell you what’s coming in and out of your computer’s network connection.

MacTheRipper – Extracts DVDs to video files. I used this app about a year ago, and it worked like a charm.

Mojo – Looks like a modern-day Napster or Kazza.

Popcorn – Another tool for extracting your DVDs to your computer.

Scrivener – Another app specifically built for the writer. Looks quite cool, though I wonder how a tool like this influences the kind of work you might create.

TextExpander – Saves you time by enabling you to create customized keyboard shortcuts for commonly-used phrases.

Transmission – A pretty terrific BitTorrent client that I’ve used on occasion.

TrueCrypt – “Free open-source disk encryption software for Windows Vista/XP, Mac OS X, and Linux.”

Thanks to Aaron, Masey, Newley, Rebecca, Darren, Chris, Mike, Ross, Kerry, Peter and Brian for the suggestions.