Open Source Mac Software (meaning free and good)

Staying to my Apple roots and the technology swagger of this blog I came across an awesome site for Apple nerds this evening. It is loaded with all of the best open-source software that has been and is being developed for Apple computers. The site to find the software is http://www.opensourcemac.org/, here are my top 4 picks:

  1. Firefox: Oh where would I be without the most secure and highly extensible web browser. I have tried stints in other browsers like Safari and Camino, but all the sweet add-ons for Firefox and the Greasemonkey scripts keep me coming back. Add-ons like “Make Link” which will take any link on the page and then format it into html or your preference for pasting, Better Gmail which combines all the best Gmail Greasemonkey scripts, or Commentful from Blueflux that helps you track blogs you have commented on, or Scribefire which lets you compose blogs right from the browser…. The list goes on and on, and the added functionality is too much to pass up on – especially for the productivity boosts! Firefox is the best browser, hands down, and my #1 pick.
  2. Handbrake: Want to take that DVD and make it a watchable movie on your computer in one click? That is Handbrake. I actually have ended up using it a lot for my own movies to watch through Front Row, or Apple TV now, and I have also used it to take small snippets that plug in better to programs like Media Shout for youth programs. Very nice!
  3. Audacity: I have not used this program much, but every tutorial I come across for podcasting or audio references this program. I believe there is an Apple and Windows version (same with Handbrake above), and it is very feature rich for the price. This is definitely the sleeper in my list. It has a high value for any one dealing with audio.
  4. Adium: If you are a pc user than you have heard of Trillian, a program that combines all of your IM accounts into one buggy and frustrating interface. Well, Adium does that without the buggy and frustrating. Really, for all the services it is plugging into it is a fast and clean program that definitely gets the job done. One another note, just pick 1 (2 at the most) IM clients. If people need to chat with you they can use your IM service. (I use Skype primarily “tony.steward” so add me and we can chat!)

June 8, 2007 | Filed Under Apple Tips 

Comments

One Response to “Open Source Mac Software (meaning free and good)”

  1. ChrisW on June 8th, 2007 5:47 am

    Here is a good source for both PC and MAC free software downloads. It is a very extensive list, so its kind of hard to manage, but it has some very good stuff. http://www.digitaldarknet.net/thelist/

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