Essential Applications for a mac switcher.

Hi guys,

I am counting the days until I switch and it isn't long!
I just wanted to know what applications I will need for the switch.

The only software that I might need immediately for the switch (which I don't already have) are:

CD/DVD burning software, DVD authoring software, win rar / zip app, an app which lets me play all kinds of video files in either quicktime or windows media player & DVD backup software. - ALL preferably free, but if not it doesn't matter.

Any suggestions?

Also, if there are any cool apps or essentials I have not thought of let me know, i really appreciate this.

First things first...U dont need a burning software to begin with...u can make a burn folder and burn ur cds/dvds from there...If thats not enough for ya u can buy Toast 8 which is great.
For zip/rar/etc u just need to download stuffit, which is free.
No dont install windows media player to ur Mac pls -.-"
U just need vlc player which is again free and can play subs and all video formats. (is something like bs player but lighter).
I think u could be fine with those to begin with, well at least i was ok with them. Also i found a very useful lil app that adds on ur right click a "New File" option which is very handy..take .
that too, for free.
Hope that helps

ahh! thank you!

VLC is alright, but I myself use Flip4Mac and Perian. Those two apps will allow pretty much everything to play within Quicktime, which I prefer. Your choice!

vaughan80 said:

Hi guys,

I am counting the days until I switch and it isn't long!
I just wanted to know what applications I will need for the switch.

The only software that I might need immediately for the switch (which I don't already have) are:

CD/DVD burning software, DVD authoring software, win rar / zip app, an app which lets me play all kinds of video files in either quicktime or windows media player & DVD backup software. - ALL preferably free, but if not it doesn't matter.

Any suggestions?

Also, if there are any cool apps or essentials I have not thought of let me know, i really appreciate this.

Click to expand...

In addition to the sticky that Eric linked you to, the search feature on this forum will yield a ton of results on this topic.

It's always best to check the stickies and use search as you'll find a wealth of information on most topics.

vaughan80 said:

Hi guys,

I am counting the days until I switch and it isn't long!
I just wanted to know what applications I will need for the switch.

The only software that I might need immediately for the switch (which I don't already have) are:

CD/DVD burning software, DVD authoring software, win rar / zip app, an app which lets me play all kinds of video files in either quicktime or windows media player & DVD backup software. - ALL preferably free, but if not it doesn't matter.

Any suggestions?

Also, if there are any cool apps or essentials I have not thought of let me know, i really appreciate this.

Click to expand...

CD/DVD burning: OS X can handle this without additional software, but I highly recommend Toast which has a lot more options/features.

DVD authoring: Every new Mac comes with iDVD.

RAR/ZIP: OS X has a built in utility to create/expand ZIP files, and comes with Stufit Expander which will expand RAR and a whole lot more. You can buy a full version of Stufit for more features.

Video Playing: VLC will play just about anything you throw at it. It's open source and free (so you can play with it on Windows before your switch).

DVD Backup: Providing you're willing to buy Dual Layer DVDs you can do this "free" by using MacTheRipper, and then burning the resulting folder normally. If you want to stick to single layer DVDs, then you'll need to pay some monnies for a "shrinker". There are a few products that will will do this, but my fave is MacTheRipper + Toast (Like I said I highly recommend Toast).

You really don't need (or want) WMP for Mac; but Flip4Mac will let you watch WMV files embedded into webpages, which VLC wont.

I wish Windows Media Player Classic was easy to install on the Mac. Personally, it's better than VLC to me because you can maximize the window while maintaining the same video screen size (so you have a black, full screen behind your video frame). Last time I checked, VLC doesn't have this ability.

I know you'll eventually encouter this somewhere along the way, but, get QUICKSILVER. Superb program that much more than a file launcher.

I cannot recommend Quicksilver enough. Just install it and try it out, at first just as a launcher, but then it can become so much more.

Quicksilver is apparently one of the best applications for a Mac that no one can describe, haha.

That's because everyone uses it differently. I use it to rate songs in iTunes as they play, open applications and folders, move files, etc.

Sounds cool. I'll definintely check that out.

I wouldn't call Quicksilver essential though.

It is for me, though Your Mileage May Vary.

u need something called search

Sandwichman said:

It is for me, though Your Mileage May Vary.

Click to expand...

Yeah, Quicksilver helps so much with multitasking, and navigating with only my keyboard. For a laptop user like me, keyboard navigation is a huge plus!

I tried Quicksilver for a few days and then got rid of it because I never used it. I'll have to try it again for a bit and see what happens; but at this stage I wouldn't call it essential.

Actually, the first thing I would install is AcidSearch; without it I'd still be using FireFox (not that there's anything wrong with FireFox).

I'll have a look. Anyone know of any other cool apps that are exclusive to mac?

schweb said:

In addition to the sticky that Eric linked you to, the search feature on this forum will yield a ton of results on this topic.

It's always best to check the stickies and use search as you'll find a wealth of information on most topics.

Click to expand...

This sticky was mentionned before, it has all the info you need so look it up: A switcher's guide to OS X Software. This subject has been brought up so many times...