7 Apple Apps That Make Life Easier
Posted on March 19th, 2008 by John Cow under The NetDuring the years we’ve build up a certain amount of ignorance towards the constant stream of new applications. It seem someone is bringing out something new every day, and we just can’t be bothered with checking them all out all the time. So here we are, figured we’d make a list of the apps we do use on a daily basis - apps that made our life easier.
(1) DockDrop - This has to be one of the simplest, yet most useful of the bunch. DockDrop is a little folder icon that nests itself in your OS X toolbar. Once you’ve configured it, you can simply drag any file you’d like into the folder and it will upload itself to any designated FTP folder you’ve set. Once that’s done, the link will automagically get copied to your clipboard. It’s so handy for sharing stuff with your friends, uploading images in one movement etc. We’re sure you can find good use for this little gem.

(2) Things - The name is deceptively simple but it hits the nail on the head. Things is an extensive task management tool. We’ve tried a few of these, only to find limitations or too much hoohaa most of the time. Things is simple, flexible, efficient and above all, a great piece of eyecandy. Adding daily or weekly tasks is a breeze with simple drag and drop functionality. If you receive an email about something you need to do, drag it on the dock icon and Things will store it on your todo list. Its that easy. This app is still free since its in Beta but in Spring this year, you’ll have to pay for it.
(3) Xyle Scope - From the same people that brought us Things, Xyle Scope is a fantastic tool that will save any webmaster hours of work by increasing workflow. All it really does is open whatever website you’re visiting like normal in safari, but on the right side, the whole sourcecode and CSS will be neatly dissected for quick and easy bug tracking. Perhaps this isn’t a tool that will come in handy for everyone, but for those of you with your own websites, we bet there’s a ton of time to be saved with Xyle Scope. There’s a 10 day full feature trial available.

(4) 1Password - The days of re-requesting your passwords via email from sites you haven’t logged into for a while are gone with 1Password. Sure, your browser has a password manager, but how often does it happen that you clear cookies or whatever? Right, back to the hassle of a new password via email, changing it etc. Bah. Not anymore, this password manager does one thing and it does it really well. All you need to remember is your master password. With one click of a button, you’ll log in to any site that you’ve ever visited with 1Password. The trial version lets you use up to 20 sites and that’s more than enough for us at the moment. Excellent time saver and frustration preventer.

(5) DiggUpdate - Yes, Digg can be a huge waste of time when there’s work to be done, but with the DiggUpdate app, you’ll get informed about new stories that have become popular in a none-intrusive little AJAX powered window on the top right of your screen. After all, you don’t want to miss out on anything current eh? Click at your own risk. Completely free and they have a windows version too. Good stuff.

(6) HotSpot Shield - We only use this because it gets us onto U.S sites that are usually blocked for foreign IPs, like HULU.com. Just turn this baby on and HULU.com will think you’re ok, allowing you to watch all their content. Besides that, here’s what the creators of the app have to say about it:
“Sure, public Wi-Fi hotspots are great. After all, what would life be without checking your email each morning at your favorite café? But while you’re enjoying your latte and a bagel, some hacker might be accessing your passwords, credit card numbers, sensitive company data and much more. And standard antivirus software won’t protect you.
That’s why AnchorFree is pleased to offer Hotspot Shield. This free security software keeps your Internet connection secure at public hotspots, home or work.”
[Too bad they didn't have a snazzy logo we could use here.]
(7) Twirl - The picture says it all.
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March 19th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
March 19th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Thanks for this great post. Although I’ve been using a mac since 2006, I’ve nver heard about 1passwd. It looks like a great app!
Art of Webhosting - Jeremy’s last blog post..3 myths of cheap shared hosting packages
March 20th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Thanks for these great tips John. I wish I had a mac right now so I could try out these apps. I will definitely use this as a reference to give to my visitors that request information of the sort, very well written
Jim’s last blog post..The Net Fool’s Big Contest Experiment
March 20th, 2008 at 3:01 am
Sadly i’ve never used a mac before. I’m currently looking at the new Mac Book Pros though. If only I had enough money to buy myself one, I kinda recently spend alot, but when I do get it I’ll be coming back here.
Thanks.
Robin Haney’s last blog post..Introductory
March 20th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Hi John. Excellent Post. Anchorfree is a fine service but if you want the anonymizing and security benefits of a VPN without the ads in your browser, give WiTopia a try at http://www.witopia.net. One click Mac installer and a free PPTP account for your iPhone or PC is included as well.
March 20th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Good compilation, I will check this out when I buy my Mac
Mr. Javo’s last blog post..Promote Your Blog With Blogsvine
March 20th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Thanks Cow,
I just have a Mac and managing and setting it up as we speak, good timing
March 20th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Dang all you people with MACs
If only they were CHEAPER!
-Mike
Mike Huang’s last blog post..6 Important Blogging Tips
March 20th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Hey John,
Thanks for the cool little list, I’m going to try out 1Password. Things looks enticing, but I’m already using OmniFocus which is working out great for me. I do like the screenshots, so maybe I’ll check it out anyway. Too many “organization apps” can defeat the purpose though, and I’m already using a total of three. lol
Jay
Jay’s last blog post..Spring Cleaning Collectibles
March 20th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Mac? Never heard of it, is it some sort of toy computer?
Money Making Schemes’s last blog post..No More JohnChow.com
March 20th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Those apps are now so much attached with our life that we can’t thing without them too.. Really life is beautiful.
March 20th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
March 20th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Thanks for the Dockdrop tip, I needed that.
I am using OmniFocus now but like all my other “todo lists”, it is “full” and it is time to start a new one! Things should fit that bill nicely
March 20th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
March 20th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
thanks for sharing; I am definetely going to try out DockDrop soon.
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March 20th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
March 20th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
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March 20th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
March 20th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Great list - I added Things already. I do a lot with video, and I can’t live without http://www.videopaste.com - encoding and hosting. Takes all the guesswork out of it.. worth an add to the list.
March 20th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
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March 20th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
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March 20th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
it’s interesting, since swapping to mac the type of “Favorite Programs” has changed for me, on Windoze it was all system utility junk that were designed to constantly Fix windoze, now my favorite apps are actually apps… love the mac..
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March 20th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
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March 21st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Thanks for posting the apps, I’m going to install a few of them on my wifes MacBook to help her with her horrible organizational skills.
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March 21st, 2008 at 3:01 pm
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I like that Twirl application … just downloaded and installed. Will probably also try 1password. Thanks.
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March 24th, 2008 at 6:24 am
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March 30th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
[...] Mac applications. Want more favourite apps? Take a look at more recommendations, but this time from John Cow. Geeks take note. Posted under General Chatter · Like this article? Subscribe to our [...]
March 30th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
You just gave me more reasons to part with my hard earned cash for a new Macbook, love the 1Password it will save me a lot of time and grief.