suggestions regarding the applications for my macbook

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Hey guys,

I am a newbie to Macs. Wanted to know whether or not do we need to install a separate security software for this system (Antivirus, Internet Security, etc)

Some good image editors (free)

And an alternative to Corel on Mac.

A free or paid download manager like IDM, FDM or Jdownloader for windows. - IMPORTANT

Any must haves for macs (as are for windows)

Now my transition from the PC to the Mac has made my life really peaceful which was not the case when I used Windows with all the updates, pop ups, antivirus and security management, updation, and system maintenance.

Therefore to make it a bit messy i started googling around for applications and stuff which I would never actually require but would install and tinker around with. I was really confused with the various sources available. Kindly mention a few reliable and updated sources and forums where I could post my Mac specific queries and issues (if there are any) like installing Windows in conjunction with OS X etc.

Cheers and any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
C

chas_m

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Hey guys,

I am a newbie to Macs.

Congrats and welcome to the Light Side! :)

Wanted to know whether or not do we need to install a separate security software for this system (Antivirus, Internet Security, etc)

No. There aren't any viruses for the Mac. A few isolated Trojans exist, but are extremely rare and easily avoided -- don't pirate software and don't install "video codecs" to watch porn, and you'll be fine.

Some good image editors (free)

"Good" and "free" don't really go together as often as people think, and "image editor" is kind of a vague category, but here's some starting points:

You already have Preview (which can do VERY basic image editing) and iPhoto (which can do somewhat more sophisticated photo editing). iPhoto is excellent for your general consumer-type photo management and touchup stuff. GIMP is free but fugly as all get-out. ACDSee Pro for Mac is free while its in beta, but perhaps overkill for what you're looking for. It's super-fast and powerful but not yet "done" and won't be free when it is.

A lot of people here like Pixelmator ($50 or so). I own it, but I'm not that thrilled with it. It's good, but Graphic Converter ($40) is more of a swiss army knife of image editors. The best of the bunch when it comes to just photo editing is probably Photoshop Elements ($99 retail).

And an alternative to Corel on Mac.

Photoshop (the full version) or Pixelmator. Drawing programs are something else again, you basically have Illustrator or lesser programs (some of which are excellent, like Intaglio).

A free or paid download manager like IDM, FDM or Jdownloader for windows. - IMPORTANT

No, you don't actually need one. At least, not in my experience. They tend to cause more problems than they solve.

Any must haves for macs (as are for windows)

You Mac mostly came with all that stuff. There's all kinds of third-party things you COULD add on, but really you should start by focusing on what already came with your machine, particularly the iLife stuff.

That said, here's a VERY short list of things I think a Windows switcher should download (all free):

1. Flip4Mac WMV Player and Perian to enable QuickTime to play back just about any web video.

2. VLC as an alternative player to the standalone QuickTime player for those rare occasions where the QuickTime Player has trouble.

3. Maintenance, a simplified form of OnyX. Just a nice little maintenance utility. There may be others that people like better, I just happen to like this one. Macs don't need much attention in this department, but a little bit every now and again is a good thing.

That's really about it for stuff I think you really HAVE to get that isn't already included.


Kindly mention a few reliable and updated sources and forums where I could post my Mac specific queries and issues (if there are any) like installing Windows in conjunction with OS X etc.

Here.

If you're in Canada, then I also recommend EhMac.ca. Another friendly forum.
 
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Your Mac's Specs
MacBook Pro | LED Cinema Display | iPhone 4 | iPad 2
Beyond chase_m's great response, I'd suggest taking some time reading, searching, or perusing the stickies in out Switcher's Hangout forum. A lot of great information already exists there you might fine helpful.

Switcher Hangout - Mac-Forums.com
 

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