Useful MAC Applications [Ongoing Updates]

[Jeff Hammond]

yeah, i hear you.
i've always done that in the past (didn't go to snow leopard until 1.6.5 for instance) but i have 3 computers now and i'm looking forward to a few of the new lion features so i'm going to be an early adopter this time around.. at least on one of the computers

[Mike Lucey]

This app is very like PhotoSketcher the free app for Windows. Initially I thought it was by the same company. However I now believe its
not.

On the Sketcher site the app is priced at €11.40 plus tax. But, its available at €5.49 on an intro offer at the App Store! I've been a bit envious of the nice output from the Win users with PhotoSketcher but not any longer as I think Sketcher has more bells and whistles even if it cost €5.49. http://neatberry.com/products/sketcher/

Mike

[solo]

And it's also available for Windows.

[Mike Lucey]

You're right Pete ... I was trying to keep it to the Mac users

[pbacot]

Thank you Mike for this great find. I have been wanting to get my Windows HD working again on my Mac, mostly just for a few programs like Photosketcher. Now I can procrastinate on that some more. The image that you posted is the chapel in Yosemite Valley California. It's a great part of the Valley (well it's all great parts really).

[Mike Lucey]

..... like you Peter, I'm procrastinating about getting Windows operating on the Mac again BUT I just hate working with Windows. Running PhotoSketcher was one of the main reason also! Now like you I can put it on the 'long finger' But I feel I will have to in time!

[Mike Lucey]

Hi Guys,

I watched the Lion presentation this evening and came to the conclusion that its too bloody perfect Joking aside there are some nice new features coming along with all the 'pinching' and 'swiping'!

The presenter said there were 250 new features but just went through the 10 main features!

It will be a bargain at $30 or so, the usual price I think! Check it out here if you have not already
http://www.apple.com/macosx/

Mike

[Mike Lucey]

Hi Guys,

I loaded up EverNote today on the Mac and iPhone and think it works pretty well. Its free provided you stay under a certain limit (?) over a month. I imagine if you go over the limit you would have to delete some notes or go Premium at $50 a year.

Still, I found it simple to use and up to speed after a few minutes. I have been using the incorporated 'Notes' feature in Opera up until now note quick note taking but this did not allow pic grabs so not ideal. I've also played with Circus Ponies and Together both worked okay but not as handy as EverNote.

It also syncs with my iPhone which should be useful also.

Link to EverNote,
http://www.evernote.com/

Mike

[Edson]

mike,

I have been using evernote for some weeks and it is proving to be quite useful.

some other small apps that I have been using:
MsgFiler: very good to help you file messages in Mail.
JABMenu: to give you acess to the Address Book without having to open it.
Moom: to control the size of your app windows.
TextExpander: as the name says, it expands text in ALL applications
DesktopCurtain: to hide the apps behind the one you are using.

[Mike Lucey]

Thanks Edson. I've adopted Moom a few weeks ago and find it very handy. Must look at the others.

[Mike Lucey]

Hi Guys,

I came across TerraRay http://www.avisnocturna.com/site/TerraRay.html in the App Store and played with the demo and liked it. I think the app is a great way of dipping your big toe into the waters of terrain generation painlessly both from a learning curve and pocket point of view.

After I played with the demo and discovered that I needed the full version to import a 3DS model I stumped up the $14.99. I think it is something that I will experiment with and enjoy at the same time and maybe even learn a little over time

Mike

[Edson]

a very useful and free task manager: Wunderlist. it is easy to operate and is multi-platform to boot. there is a good explanatory video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrdDUPpGV4U

Screen shot 2011-07-27 at 1.43.28 PM.png

[Mike Lucey]

Thanks Edson. I will check it out

[pbacot]

This app is very like PhotoSketcher the free app for Windows. Initially I thought it was by the same company. However I now believe its
not.

On the Sketcher site the app is priced at €11.40 plus tax. But, its available at €5.49 on an intro offer at the App Store! I've been a bit envious of the nice output from the Win users with PhotoSketcher but not any longer as I think Sketcher has more bells and whistles even if it cost €5.49. http://neatberry.com/products/sketcher/

Mike

Have you been working with Sketcher, Mike? Have you been able to compare it with PhotoSketcher? I can't run PSketcher at present. Finding the Sketcher results a bit rough, and there is no "undo". But trying it out some, I find you don't want to run your line work through it. I have been recompositing the linework and Sketcher output (for color-only SU export) in Gimp and it is OK. In Gimp I haven't managed to get an easy WC process yet, so this might be a way.

Peter

[Mike Lucey]

Hi Peter,

I haven't had a chance to play around much with Sketcher. However your comments will encourage me to get back to it.

Mike

[driven]

A Quick note,

been using this with 'Export 2D Graphic' as EPS then saving as PDF in this, and it has lots of other tricks.
http://skim-app.sourceforge.net/
john

[Mike Lucey]

Skim Screenshot attached, looks useful!

[mwm5053]

I've been using Win since Win95 got a Mac Pro and Loving it I inherited a Mac Pro and had SL on it upgraded to Lion.

Not sure if I like this auto save tried to disable it everytime I start SU from icon on dock it opens last file i was working on instead of new

I really like that Moom app with KT and Gimp ver. for MAC now I'm happy Just a self taught hobbyest

Would like to see Mac and Win (separate of coarse) OS about SU forum stumbled on this thread because of new post wouldn't known about it otherwise

Walt

[driven]

welcome to the hiding room...

update your profile if you use SU on your mac.
I do try to reference here in other posts so people find it...

john

[wind-borne]

Not sure if I like this auto save tried to disable it everytime I start SU from icon on dock it opens last file i was working on instead of new

free preference pane that works with SU

http://restoremenot.info/

[Mike Lucey]

Punakea! I have no idea what the name means but this little app helps with the day-to-day struggle of managing your files.

The app cost $25 but could be well worth the price if it saves on searching time! There is a 30 day trial available for testing.

You can check it out here, http://www.nudgenudge.eu/home but I recommend viewing the screencast here, http://www.nudgenudge.eu/punakea/screencast

I'll let you know how I get on with the app once I have tested it.

[pbacot]

Punakea: barely visible rainbow, or white coral. Hawaiian.
Puna is spring (of water), also coral. Kea is white.

[Mike Lucey]

I made the move to Lion over the weekend and found that a couple of App I was using were not compatible with Lion.

One particular app was Doodim, it permits one to dim the background of the foremost application thereby enhancing its visibility. Very useful if one keeps an untidy desktop, like me.

I did some searching for and alternative and found BackDrop, its not quite as flexible as Doodim but does the job well.

BackDrop can be located here, http://www.johnhaney.com/backdrop/ for free!

[Mike Lucey]

While searching the App Store I came across DoodleDesk. Its a little pricey at $5.99 but a nice way to play around with freehand doodles and notes on your desktop! http://imaginaryroots.co.uk/doodledesk/

[solo]

Mike, I just upgraded to the iPhone 4s, I was so wanting the new Lumia Windows phone but realized once you go iPhone you don't go back. Rest of family are haters, all Android Galaxy fanboys...tsk!

I got SIRI they got nada.

However I gotta say that my wife has the Asus slider tablet (nvidia) and it kicks my iPad 2's ass in everything....grrrr.

[Mike Lucey]

I think I found a better app than Back Drop (above). Its Isolator and can be downlaoded here http://willmore.eu/software/isolator/

I'm attaching a screen shot of the prefs. Isolator is very customizable!

If you like and use it be sure to make a donation to the developer it good kudos and helps the developer to improve the app

[mwm5053]

Mike- I like that very cool. How do you like Lion? To find everything open on desktop have you used the F3 function to see everything you got open. You may know about this but Docker a pretty neat app to customize the dock. My favorite is Moom presets and customize windows very useful if you have several apps on desktop at same time. When i got my mac it was a hand me down had SL but upgraded to lion in a week and Loving every minute of it.

Walt

[Mike Lucey]

Walt, I'm okay with Lion and learning about the bits and pieces. I was disappointment that I could not run Canvas X (for Ma) on it, now I have to use Parallels to use the app in Win!

At least Isolator covers up my messy BumpTop desktop ... not a pretty sight!

[Edson]

I have just come across PlanGrid, an amazing iPad app to take blueprints with you on the road, but not only that, it allows you to annote them for reference when you go back to the office. it has a free plan and a couple of paid ones. the upload is done through your mac. you can find at www.plangrid.com

Screen shot 2012-03-10 at 9.25.59 AM.png

[Mike Lucey]

Looks useful Edson, thanks for headsup.