New Mac user - essential software?

Hi

I have finally taken the step away from Windows and have ordered a PowerBook.

My question is for any Mac users out there - I know there are a few - what is the essential software for the Mac? What can you not live without?

Also, any general hints and tips?

You'll probably want some sort of "office productivity" software - word processor, spreadsheet, &c. Appleworks is an inexpensive alternative; Microsoft Office is probably the best if you have the budget for it. I use an older version of Microsoft Office.

I personally couldn't live without CodeWarrior, my development IDE, but nonprogrammers wouldn't need this.

I have a bunch of other useful little applications I've accumulated over the years, but none of it is really in the "essential" category.

The main tip I have is this: if you can't find a feature that you are used to on your prior platform, spend some time looking for it. It's probably there, but it may be just a little different - and to a new user, the little differences can be hard to figure out. Don't be afraid to post in the Mac forum here, or on other Mac sites. Within a few weeks, you should be working more efficiently than ever.

The Apple site contains a lot of downloadable programs in the OS X section.

They have it broken down by category and they can have anything from Freeware to Demos to Patches for various applications (from games to IDEs).

Make sure to check it out, you can find some nifty stuff in there.

You can start by going to macosxapps.

I use these : desktop manager, geek tool,notational velocity,quick silver .

Uh-oh - I assumed OpenOffice would work on Max OSX - apart from shelling out loads of cash are there any alternatives?

Microsoft have a version of MS Office for Mac. Reasonably priced I believe (especially as Mac software goes).

Originally posted by Rick Beaver:
Uh-oh - I assumed OpenOffice would work on Max OSX - apart from shelling out loads of cash are there any alternatives?

A quick search of the openoffice.org site reveals this:

Openoffice for Mac OSX

Hope that helps,

Mark