Free productivity and security software for your Mac
There are just some applications that every Mac user should get for their Mac, some may or may not apply to you but I tried to select applications that should appeal to all walks of life.
First on the list is NeoOffice, NeoOffice is a port of OpenOffice for Mac OSX available for both Intel and PowerPC processors and it essentially replaces Microsoft Office. If you have bought Microsoft Office or you can get it on a discount then please, do so but if you don’t want to hand over extra cash for Microsoft Office for Mac then get NeoOffice. I don’t recommend OpenOffice on Mac because it requires the installation of X11 and NeoOffice does not.
Every computer needs a Mozilla based browser but for Mac OSX, it is not Firefox, it is Camino, which is probably not only the fastest browser for OSX but the fastest browser period.
HandBrake and MacTheRipper are DVD ripping utilities but both have their own specialties, I haven’t fully checked them for the difference in features, yet but chances are if you are ripping DVDs on your Mac you will at one point need one or the other, or both.
SeaShore is an opensource image editor, like the GIMP but once again, the GIMP requires the X11 environment to be installed before use. I’ve heard that sometimes OSX 10.4 likes X11 and sometimes it doesn’t and there are varying degrees of success so I’m not going to bother. Seashore is a port of the GIMP that does not require X11. It’s the way to go if you don’t need (or want to) pay for PhotoShop.
Adium, is the best IM client on OSX, bar none.
If Adium is the best IM client then Frostwire is the best P2P client but please use it responsibly (don’t pirate software or copyrighted works).
For blogging, Windows has Live Writer and Mac has Qumana, Qumana is freeware and works with almost every blogging service under the sun. I am aware of Ecto but Ecto isn’t freeware.
Now, there are those of you out there that balk at the thought of installing antivirus or antispyware software on your Mac but you know what, you need it, it’s still possible for a Windows virus to reside on your Mac and send itself out to your (most likely) PC owning friends. Don’t do it for yourself, do it for them.
First up on that is ClamXav, based on the ClamAV engine this is a GUI interface for ClamAV and best of all it’s free, it’s all you need on your personal Mac, really. Make sure to set the Sentry to watch any folders you intend to download files to. For help on configuring ClamXav this should help you.
The last program on my list is Mac Scan 2, the only paid program in this roundup. Mac Scan 2 is a spyware/tracking cookie remover and I can attest to the fact that it did find some (2) infected files on my brand new Mac but were not very much of a threat but I’m paranoid. Mac Scan 2 will run you $24.95 payable via PayPal (if that’s you thing) or credit card.
That wraps up the programs but there is one more thing to do, go to your Apple Menu and head to System Preferences and then to Internet and Network, you need to configure some options in Sharing. Turn on your firewall, do. it. now. After you’ve turned it on, set it to stealth mode in the Advanced settings and if File Sharing is off, leave it off for extra security, I’m not saying you shouldn’t turn it on if you need it but it shouldn’t be turned on unless you absolutely do.
Related Posts:
