Essential Mac Apps/Games/Tips

A good shortcut for when your apps start behaving nasty...
Shift + apple key + escape
It's the Mac equivalent of 'cntrl, alt, delete' for quitting dead apps
 
paperbag said:
A good shortcut for when your apps start behaving nasty...
Shift + apple key + escape
It's the Mac equivalent of 'cntrl, alt, delete' for quitting dead apps
Click to expand...

A correction to the above would be 'option + apple key + escape' as that is the equivalent of control alt delete. Or you can just right click the app icon in the dock while holding the 'option key' and click force quit.

Dude, just ask a question and we will gladly help out a fellow Apple convert. Welcome to the family! lol
 
Ok. Well here is my 2 cents worth.

Apps:
App zapper to remove apps. Works brilliantly.
iGetter as a download manager
Paragon NTFS for Mac to write to NTFS drives
VLC & DivX & Flip4Mac for Mac to play all video files
iWork 2009 or Office 2011 for Mac
ILife 2010

Tips:
Learn to use your mouse pad suggestions
Use hot corners and spaces as they make life so much easier
Learn everything about Automator! It can be a godsend when needing things done automatically. You create an action and then use iCal to execute the action at a time and date if your desire.

Dude. I can't think if anything else right now. I love my Mac and will never own go back to a windows based laptop after I got my first Mac 5 years ago. Ask me anything else and I will help if I can.
 
Is there a built in program that shows me useful shortcuts and gestures?
 
Once you go Mac... ;)

First, a link for OSX keyboard shortcuts... It might be handy while you're getting used to your Mac http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

Then, I can't live without iWork but you might prefer Office '11 'cos you'll be used to it... Also, have a look at AppFresh to keep your apps up to date, I'm running CleanMyMac (which also removes apps), Transmission for torrents, Speed Download as a download manager, Unison for newsgroups, The Unarchiver for RAR files, RipIt for ripping DVD, Micro Video Converter if you want to convert video for an iPod or iPhone, TidyUp to get rid of duplicate files. IceDrema mentioned Flip4Mac but I'm also running Perian 'cos I prefer to watch video in QuickTime... DivX needs their player 'tho.

Pretty much like PC, if there's something you need to do on your Mac, there will be an app for it.

Oh, nearly forgot... The trackpad is awesome on a Mac but your next addition should be a Magic Mouse... A lot of the functions of the trackpad and the convenience of a mouse.
 
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My macbook pro doesn't have a delete key on the keyboard which sucks if you are a coder. I found that if you hold down the fn key and press backspace you get delete.
 
My Mac makes an excellent guest computer for when friends and family visit. It goes very nicely with the the duvet covers in the guest room. I need something without training wheels when I use a computer, but the Mac is perfect for guests and guest rooms.
 
The only reason I didn't mention perian component for QuickTime is because I have had problems with it. I don't know why but my Mac had quite a few kernel panics when opening video files and when I removed it, all was well again with my Mac. I now use those 3 things for videos and they work perfectly.

uTorrent for Mac in my opinion works better than transmission.
Appfresh is a good one. Left that one out.
I also have my reservations about CleanMyMac as I had a hiccup with that program as well so have never used it again.

Lastly, StuffIT Expander handles any archive, including RAR files and works like a dream.

I honestly can't think of anything else right now. I also use Adobe Acrobat Pro and the photo suite.
 
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My must haves:

DefaultFolderX
Windowshade
Perian
Little Snitch
Vuze
RarMachine and Stuffit deluxe
 
IceDreama said:
The only reason I didn't mention perian component for QuickTime is because I have had problems with it. I don't know why but my Mac had quite a few kernel panics when opening video files and when I removed it, all was well again with my Mac. I now use those 3 things for videos and they work perfectly.

uTorrent for Mac in my opinion works better than transmission.
Appfresh is a good one. Left that one out.
I also have my reservations about CleanMyMac as I had a hiccup with that program as well so have never used it again.

Lastly, StuffIT Expander handles any archive, including RAR files and works like a dream.

I honestly can't think of anything else right now. I also use Adobe Acrobat Pro and the photo suite.
Click to expand...

Perian has worked for me 'tho... It's a personal thing but I really don't like having a whole bunch of video players... Even with DivX, all I wanted were the codecs but they're bundled with the DivX player and I still can't to get DivX video to work in QT... Oh, and every time I open DivX, it takes over my screen and there's no exit or escape option... Ever had that?

I suppose you just get used to using certain apps, and that's me with Transmission and CleanMyMac... 'tho I really do love CleanMyMac.

I also have Stuffit and it's the bomb... It's expensive 'tho and if you've just paid for a MBP and you're also looking at iWork or Office, springing an extra $50 to open RAR files might be an issue when apps like The Unarchiver can do it for free... I started with a couple of free apps when I got my MBP and have upgraded as I've gone... iPhoto became Aperture, iMovie became Final Cut and so on... That's pretty much my best advice for Mac newbies... Get what need now and then add and upgrade as you go.
 
THIS IS WHAT I USE FREQUENTLY:
I have had no problems (yet) with PERIAN in the 3 years.
So, PERIAN = MUST imo.
VLC
Handbrake (file converter)
Alarm Clock (minor problems, but works for me Every morning)

Command + Shift + 4 = Screengrab (check previous shortcut link for different combos)
Spacebar to OPEN folder when you are busy dragging a file/folder
Also check out nice keyboard shortcuts with "Alt" to get: êøî í åoôøió ïë
Command + Shift + N = new folder
Drag apps into Grey Part of Finder Window to make SHORTCUTS
Press Shift while dragging "Landing strip" in DOCK to move it to side or bottom
Command + Alt + D = Turn on/off DOCK AUTO HIDE
 
Pooky said:
Is it ok to leave my macbook on sleep for extended periods of time?
Click to expand...
Yes, you should only need to restart your machine periodically and after updates.
 
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