Must Have Applications and Can't-live-without Websites: My List. What are yours?
I've used thousands of applications and websites over the years, and I thought it might be useful to share my favorites with you. I'm sure I'm missing some great ones, and would love to hear your favorites in the comments! Part 1: ApplicationsTweetie (Twitter client for Mac)
In my opinion, the best Twitter client for Mac that's currently available. Sleek design, easy navigation and control and wonderful support for multiple accounts. There's a free version, which throws in the occasional ad, or you can pay a few bucks for the pro version. I've played with all the Twitter applications fairly extensively - this one is the king! The only downside is that it doesn't support grouping of users like Seesmic Desktop or TweetDeck.
URL: http://www.atebits.com/tweetie-mac/Skype (communication)
Skype is how the modern web user communicates. Whether your looking for regular chat, or VOIP/Video chat - this free application is a must have. It's also becoming ubiquitous so chances are the people you want to connect with have it also.
URL: http://skype.comXMind (mind-mapping)
This free software is the best I've seen for creating mind-maps, fleshing out ideas or creating just about any kind of structures chart. I've tried the expensive programs, this one beats them easily. Hint: If you're going to use XMind, you'll want to learn the keyboard shortcuts.
URL: http://www.xmind.netEvernote (Clipping notes, ideas, images, etc. from the Web)
Evernote (Mac, PC, iPhone, Blackberry) is an awesome tool I didn't realize I needed until I had it. I can easily clip anything to Evernote, add notes of my own and synch the notes to all of my devices. A software journalist could explain better why you might need this tool, but I think anyone who spends a good amount of time on the web just does.
URL: http://www.evernote.comSeesmic Desktop (Twitter client)
My second favorite Twitter application is also my first when it comes to Groups. Sometimes I don't want to sort through my entire stream of Tweets - especially when I'm catching up after being away for a while. Seesmic allows me to create groups so I can focus on tweets from the users I choose to focus on. It's also good for managing multiple accounts and supports Facebook updates as well. If I could only have one Twitter application, it would be Seesmic because it's well rounded (until Tweetie comes out with group support).
URL: http://desktop.seesmic.comBlogo (blog editing/posting for Mac)
Back when I used a PC as my primary computer, I relied on Windows Live Writer to post to my blogs. Instead of logging in and using the blog softwares editor, I could use a more sophisticated tool and then just upoad them when I was done. After moving to a Mac and realized there was no Live Writer for Mac, I was quickly pointed to Blogo, and it's been a great replacement.
URL: http://www.drinkbrainjuice.comNetNewsWire (RSS Reader)
NNW is a powerful RSS reader. It behaves like a desktop mail client and includes all kinds of powerful ways to manage your feeds. If you use RSS and have a Mac, you probably already have this software. Unfortunately there's no Windows version and the equivelant is just not that good. NetNewsWire replaced Google Reader for my RSS reading needs.
URL: http://www.newsgator.comBit.ly Sidebar (URL Shorterner and then some)
If you use Twitter, chances are you've used a URL shortener and you know what they are, so I'll conserve space. The bit.ly sidebar adds a little extra flavor though, in that it's a bookmarklet that lives in your browser, and when activated it will provide you with a shortened URL for the page you are on, as well as show you other tweets which include that URL and some basic stats. Very cool.
URL: http://www.bit.lySo? What did I miss?Keep an eye out for Part 2: Websites and Part 3: iPhone Apps
In my opinion, the best Twitter client for Mac that's currently available. Sleek design, easy navigation and control and wonderful support for multiple accounts. There's a free version, which throws in the occasional ad, or you can pay a few bucks for the pro version. I've played with all the Twitter applications fairly extensively - this one is the king! The only downside is that it doesn't support grouping of users like Seesmic Desktop or TweetDeck.
URL: http://www.atebits.com/tweetie-mac/Skype (communication)
Skype is how the modern web user communicates. Whether your looking for regular chat, or VOIP/Video chat - this free application is a must have. It's also becoming ubiquitous so chances are the people you want to connect with have it also.
URL: http://skype.comXMind (mind-mapping)
This free software is the best I've seen for creating mind-maps, fleshing out ideas or creating just about any kind of structures chart. I've tried the expensive programs, this one beats them easily. Hint: If you're going to use XMind, you'll want to learn the keyboard shortcuts.
URL: http://www.xmind.netEvernote (Clipping notes, ideas, images, etc. from the Web)
Evernote (Mac, PC, iPhone, Blackberry) is an awesome tool I didn't realize I needed until I had it. I can easily clip anything to Evernote, add notes of my own and synch the notes to all of my devices. A software journalist could explain better why you might need this tool, but I think anyone who spends a good amount of time on the web just does.
URL: http://www.evernote.comSeesmic Desktop (Twitter client)
My second favorite Twitter application is also my first when it comes to Groups. Sometimes I don't want to sort through my entire stream of Tweets - especially when I'm catching up after being away for a while. Seesmic allows me to create groups so I can focus on tweets from the users I choose to focus on. It's also good for managing multiple accounts and supports Facebook updates as well. If I could only have one Twitter application, it would be Seesmic because it's well rounded (until Tweetie comes out with group support).
URL: http://desktop.seesmic.comBlogo (blog editing/posting for Mac)
Back when I used a PC as my primary computer, I relied on Windows Live Writer to post to my blogs. Instead of logging in and using the blog softwares editor, I could use a more sophisticated tool and then just upoad them when I was done. After moving to a Mac and realized there was no Live Writer for Mac, I was quickly pointed to Blogo, and it's been a great replacement.
URL: http://www.drinkbrainjuice.comNetNewsWire (RSS Reader)
NNW is a powerful RSS reader. It behaves like a desktop mail client and includes all kinds of powerful ways to manage your feeds. If you use RSS and have a Mac, you probably already have this software. Unfortunately there's no Windows version and the equivelant is just not that good. NetNewsWire replaced Google Reader for my RSS reading needs.
URL: http://www.newsgator.comBit.ly Sidebar (URL Shorterner and then some)
If you use Twitter, chances are you've used a URL shortener and you know what they are, so I'll conserve space. The bit.ly sidebar adds a little extra flavor though, in that it's a bookmarklet that lives in your browser, and when activated it will provide you with a shortened URL for the page you are on, as well as show you other tweets which include that URL and some basic stats. Very cool.
URL: http://www.bit.lySo? What did I miss?Keep an eye out for Part 2: Websites and Part 3: iPhone Apps
