What essential downloaded applications do you have on your Mac?

I’ve got a few new Mac computers I’m going to be installing programs on. I want to make sure to get all the programs I want/need on it from the start. While I will make sure to have the necessary paid Applications such as the Adobe suite and Final Cut on the machines, I also want to make sure I get the freeware/open source/shareware downloadable applications loaded from the start so I don’t have to go back and add things later. For better communication there should be unified communications solutions for your business. Below is the preliminary list of ‘necessities’ I’ve compiled. Check the list out and let me know what I’m missing? Just add an the app name and what it’s used for in the comment box if you could so all can see the entire list. Thanks!

  • Audacity – for audio editing
  • Audio Hijack – application that grabs audio to allow for editing
  • Chrome – web browser
  • Disk Inventory X – scans computer to show you what is gobbling up space on your hard drive
  • Dropbox – cloud file sharing application
  • Filezilla – FTP client
  • Firefox – web browser
  • Handbrake – changes FLV files to mp4 files
  • Hootsuite – social media client
  • Jing – video screen capture
  • Microsoft Silverlight – browser plugin needed for some interactive media items
  • OpenOffice – open source alternative to Microsoft office
  • Soundslides – multimedia slideshow progam
  • Skype – VOIP, make calls over the internet
  • TextWrangler – text editor
  • VLC  – open source, cross-platform multimedia player

Aaron Manfull

Aaron is in his 26th year of advising student media. He is currently the Director of Student Media at Francis Howell North High School in St. Charles, Missouri. He is the Journalism Education Association Digital Media Chair and co-Director of Media Now. He is the 2023 JEA Teacher Inspiration Award Winner and is a former Dow Jones News Fund National Journalism Teacher of the Year. He is one of the authors of the textbook "Student Journalism and Media Literacy." You can find him on X and Instagram @manfull. He's a proud father. A transplanted Iowan. And an avid Hawkeye Fan.

Aaron Manfull has 865 posts and counting. See all posts by Aaron Manfull

2 thoughts on “What essential downloaded applications do you have on your Mac?

  • April 26, 2011 at 10:22 am
    Permalink

    MPEG Streamclip – converts video files. FREE download

    Tweetdeck – Social Media aggregate

    Mac the Ripper – sometimes if Handbrake won’t convert the file, Ripper will

  • April 26, 2011 at 4:12 pm
    Permalink

    Evom (converts YouTube video to both mp3s and other video formats)
    Planbook (digital planning software that integrates with both Mobile Me and iCal – small fee from HellmanSoft)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.