Softwares are tools and tools are ways the mind developped to achieve some purposes. But there is also a kind of positive retroaction. In a way, tools have an influence on the way we think, we create, we interfere with the world. The Mac and some softwares have a positively influence the way I work. I like them...
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4D is probably the most powerful web-based, cross-platform database development solution on Mac. The complete product line includes tools for development, deployment, productivity, connectivity and Internet servers. As a non-expert, I use it since 1986, when Laurent Ribardière was the only devevelopper. |
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BBEdit is a professional HTML and text editor providing an abundance of features for editing, searching, and manipulation of text : grep pattern matching, search and replace across multiple files, function navigation and syntax coloring for numerous source code languages, FTP and SFTP open and save, AppleScript, Perl and Mac OS X Unix scripting support, glossary support, and a complete set of HTML tools. High productivity tool here! |
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Cyberduck is a nice open source FTP and SFTP browser with an easy interface, integration with external editors and support for many Mac OS X system technologies such as Spotlight, Bonjour, the Keychain and AppleScript. |
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FireFox : the best open source web browser in 2006 |
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GraphicConverter manages about 190 graphic formats and gives access to powerful editing, browsing and publishing features. Not a Photoshop but an indispensable trustable shareware. |
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NeoOffice is the Aqua port of Open Office on Mac. |
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QuickSilver is a kind of miracle. Spotlight is great to find stuff. Dock is great to launch stuff. Yet, QuickSilver is both a better finder and a better launcher. But it give you the possibility to deal with the elements the way you like. Call somebody? Duplicate a file? Open a file with another application?, Create an iCal event? Just take 10 minutes to understand the way it works and your life with your Mac will change for ever. It is free, it is sexy, it is the best utility you can put on your disk! |
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Vienna is an open source RSS/Atom Newsreader for Mac OSX with a simple and intuitive user interface, built-in tabbed browser, smart folders for organising related feed articles, custom article display styles and full AppleScript support.
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Yojimbo : same publisher as BBEdit. This is a very nice information organizer. Yojimbo makes keeping all the small (or even large) bits of information that pour in every day organized and accessible. I use it for passwords, serial numbers, grocery's lists, medical records etc. Perfect interface and syncable between several machines via a .mac account. |