This is meant to be an update to the many articles out there on which applications new mac users should download or buy. All sections here assume you are running OSX Tiger on Intel, but if you search for the applications’ websites you will probably find a panther version too (or at least a powerpc for Tiger version). Here we go!

Firefox

firefox_220×150.jpgFirefox is the first application on this list, and also the one which is most important. Safari isn’t too far behind, because of its rendering catch up with version 3, but what sets them apart is Firefox’s extendibility via its extensions, while Safari offers no such functionality. The current version of Firefox starts slowly and may hog resources at times, but Firefox 3.0 will introduce a new mac interface and better resource management. Download Firefox.

 

Transmittransmit logo

Transmit is my FTP app of choice. Web developers agree: this IS the best FTP application on the mac. If you are confused about what FTP is, you can read more about it here. Unlike Firefox, Transmit isn’t free, but it has a lengthy trial period and is worth paying for. Download Transmit.

Mozy

Mozy is a truly great piece of software. You simply create an account, download the application, and you are granted 2 GB of storage space(2.25GB if you use the link at the end of this paragraph). The first backup will take much longer because Mozy works on a brilliant principle. Instead of backing up all your documents/files you tell it to back up, it backs up everything once, then only backs up what you change. Mozy is also very light and requires very little RAM and CPU to run. You can download Mozy by following this link.

Coda

Coda is another application for web developers. Let me say it right from the get-go: Coda has a hefty price. Not as expensive as Adobe Photoshop, but it will cost you $80. If you can get past that, then Coda is the most complete web development application available. It has a built in browser so you can see that little change you just made without opening Firefox, and includes HTML, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), PHP, and Javascript books. Yes, thats right, books built right in to the app. Coda can edit just about any language but HTML and CSS are the two main ones. This application is definitely worth a try, and you’ll have plenty of time to do that during the 15 day trial period. Download here.

Quicksilver

At first glance, Quicksilver is a lightning-fast Application launcher. But quicksilver can also be so much more. The functionality range is huge, and just the search functionality is worth downloading this app for. Oh and did we mention this app is completely free? Download.

VLC

vlc_220×150.jpg VLC is the all purpose media player for the Mac. Equipped with almost every codec known to man, if you can’t play the video in VLC, chances are its not a video. The one exception to what VLC can do is a .wmv file, but that’s what Flip4Mac is for! Download.

Flip4Mac

Flip4Mac is a Quicktime component that allows you to play .wmv files, the most popular type of video file on the web. It’s built right into QT, so you don’t need to open another application, and if you’re on the internet, it can display . wmv files in your browser as well, using the Quicktime Player. Download it here.

Stuffit Expander

This application uncompresses almost every compressed format out there (.zip, .rar, .tar.gz, .stix, and more) and chances are you’ll encounter one of these formats that isn’t a .zip. Mac OSX can unzip .zip files natively, but for all the other’s you’ll need this app. It’s also available for Windows, though I use WinRAR on my PC. Download here.

Delicious Library

Delicious Library is easily one of the prettiest apps out there for the mac. It allows you to index your music, movies, games, and books into one program by scanning the bar codes of said media. It is incredibly fun, and even though after you scan in your movies there isn’t much to do, the delicious monster team is working on that for Delicious Library 2. Download.

Cocktail

Cocktail is a great little application that keeps your system running smoothly, and more efficiently, than it would on its own. Unless you want to go through all your applications and empty their caches and individual trash cans (like iMovie’s or iPhoto’s), download this app. Download here.

CandyBar

Candybar is another application developed by Panic, the company that created Transmit and Coda, but this app has nothing to do with web design. This is an application to help you personalize your mac by changing the system icons. Check it out if you’re going to browse a site like iconfactory.com. Download Candybar Here.

Quicktime Components

These Quicktime components aren’t technically applications, but I put them on here anyway because of how useful they are. Instead of using an application of VLC, to play dvix or .avi files, you can play them in the Quicktime player by installing the Xvid and Divx codecs for Quicktime.