7 Apple Apps That Make Life Easier
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During 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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Daily Stories SEOmoz | Separating Web Spam from Quality Content -People Are Commenting On Your Blog Posts – On7 Apple Apps That Make Life Easier5 Steps to Write Effective Articles in Less Time6 Reasons Why Your Linkbait FailedOfficially Using Google Reader NowSEOmoz | StumbleUpon – Demographics and ReturningHow To Evaluate a Internet Property Part 1 -
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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!
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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
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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.
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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.
Good compilation, I will check this out when I buy my Mac
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Thanks Cow,
I just have a Mac and managing and setting it up as we speak, good timing
Dang all you people with MACs
If only they were CHEAPER!
-Mike
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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
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Mac? Never heard of it, is it some sort of toy computer?
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Those apps are now so much attached with our life that we can’t thing without them too.. Really life is beautiful.
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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
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thanks for sharing; I am definetely going to try out DockDrop soon.
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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.
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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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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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I like that Twirl application … just downloaded and installed. Will probably also try 1password. Thanks.
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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.
Just gettin used to all this Mac suff and the nice apps ! Great change from the Windows World ..
Red Ring Of Death
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.