So... Im getting a MacBook

Hey everyone,

Ive been a forever HP, Windows user. I now realize Id like to get a Mac, and I don't like Windows or Vista anymore. Anyway, what cool programs or what is necessary for my new Mac? Any suggestions or interesting things I should know about in your guys opinions?

Thanks!

Don't upgrade the RAM from Apple, purchase RAM from

http//crucial.com

http//pure-mac.com is a good place to start for software. http//download.com is also good if you set it to Mac down on the left bar. I would recommend downloading Firefox first of course. Here's a few more I recommend checking out

StuffIt Expander - to deal with all the .zip's,url==http://=http:///url .rar'surl==http://=http:///url and etc.
Onyx - for maintenance needs, but do not need to be performed often.
Monolingual - for deleting excess languages that you don't need. Usually saves 2.2 GB.
VLC Movie Player- plays any type of movie format, well almost.
YemuZip - easy to use zip utility.
Cyberduck - my favorite (free) FTP program.

I used to swear by Adium as a chat client but I've gone back to iChat since the release of Leopard. iChat flows a lot better with the upgrade of Leopard than it did before and Adium started getting on my nerves. I would recommend downloading the Chax update for iChat if you plan to try it out, it makes it flow better

http//www.ksuther.com/chax/

Also, if you are craving for even more space on your Mac, I recommend XSlimmer. I used XSlimmer and saved a bunch of free space. It shaves stuffs off programs and I know that immediately raises some red flags in your system but it has a safe list and I did a whole slew of programs on both my Macs three months ago and have not had a single problem. It's not free, but the $12 is well worth it if you decide to purchase it

http//xslimmer.com/

If you are dying for some more programs, you can just google for Digg stories, they always have good ones. Just google "essential mac programs" or something.

Thanks a lot Jkirk! +Karma!

What are you doing with your old laptop? You should sample Ubuntu really quick and see if you like it.

Gotta get Undercover! It's an app that runs in the background and in the event that your MacBook is stolen, it will provide network information to the company that created the software allowing them to track the notebook down to a physical location. It will also take pictures (via iSight) of the thief while he uses your MB.

Check out the link for more info and there are a couple of recover stories with pictures. I have this program and tell everyone with a Mac to get it.

Oh, and VLC (as mentioned above) is essential. Mac doesn't play WMV or AVI by default, but VLC will take care of that... and thanks a ton JKirk for mentioning Chax. I use Adium but really love the features iChat has (screen sharing, etc.) and noticed Chax creates one contact list with all accounts. I think that about does it. Downloading now.

I wouldn't be surprised if I thought of something later and popped back up in this thread.

I know I'm a Windows fan, but the thought of running Leopard and Vista on a new Macbook Pro...)

But I don't have $3,600 to spend. (

[quote8c2e3a2b88="mistertomlinson"]Gotta get Undercover! It's an app that runs in the background and in the event that your MacBook is stolen, it will provide network information to the company that created the software allowing them to track the notebook down to a physical location. It will also take pictures (via iSight) of the thief while he uses your MB.

Check out the link for more info and there are a couple of recover stories with pictures. I have this program and tell everyone with a Mac to get it.

Oh, and VLC (as mentioned above) is essential. Mac doesn't play WMV or AVI by default, but VLC will take care of that... and thanks a ton JKirk for mentioning Chax. I use Adium but really love the features iChat has (screen sharing, etc.) and noticed Chax creates one contact list with all accounts. I think that about does it. Downloading now.

I wouldn't be surprised if I thought of something later and popped back up in this thread.[/quote8c2e3a2b88]

Whoa that seems pretty cool. How does it know if the Mac gets stolen though?

$3,600?!?! I just bought the new 17" MacBook Pro they just released (no upgrades) and it only cost me $2,824 (with a friend's college discount). A 15" would cost you about $2,000.

[quote2a09ace5d6="YourGiftsFree"][quote2a09ace5d6="mistertomlinson"]Gotta get Undercover! It's an app that runs in the background and in the event that your MacBook is stolen, it will provide network information to the company that created the software allowing them to track the notebook down to a physical location. It will also take pictures (via iSight) of the thief while he uses your MB.

Check out the link for more info and there are a couple of recover stories with pictures. I have this program and tell everyone with a Mac to get it.

Oh, and VLC (as mentioned above) is essential. Mac doesn't play WMV or AVI by default, but VLC will take care of that... and thanks a ton JKirk for mentioning Chax. I use Adium but really love the features iChat has (screen sharing, etc.) and noticed Chax creates one contact list with all accounts. I think that about does it. Downloading now.

I wouldn't be surprised if I thought of something later and popped back up in this thread.[/quote2a09ace5d6]

Whoa that seems pretty cool. How does it know if the Mac gets stolen though?[/quote2a09ace5d6]

When you purchase the software (I think it's $40-50) you are given an Undercover ID #. When it's stolen, you call them or fill out the form at their site and give them your #. From then on, when your MB goes online, their servers will recognize the MB as stolen. The software then begins collecting network information including the IP address. From there they can determine the ISP. They contact them and explain what has happened and are given the physical address of the person who owns that account. The police are then contacted. The software is not in your apps folder and the only way to uninstall it is to KNOW how. I had to contact them for the instructions once. You also wont have to worry about them reinstalling Mac OS X if you set up Open Firmware Password (I believe that's what it's called). It seems foolproof.

[quote11c4d09cfe="mistertomlinson"]$3,600?!?! I just bought the new 17" MacBook Pro they just released (no upgrades) and it only cost me $2,824 (with a friend's college discount). A 15" would cost you about $2,000.[/quote11c4d09cfe]

Cool, man, thanks for posting that Undercover thing. I was just thinking the other day how I would like to get one but didn't know a good one.

Also tip to someone who is interested in buying a Macbook Pro. If you aren't dying to have the cutting edge technology, you can always buy the last generation or even last 2-3 generation MBP's from MacMall.com. Generally, there isn't much difference between the newest ones and the older ones except for a video card and maybe LED or something. D

[quote4a140da4d1="JKirk"][quote4a140da4d1="mistertomlinson"]$3,600?!?! I just bought the new 17" MacBook Pro they just released (no upgrades) and it only cost me $2,824 (with a friend's college discount). A 15" would cost you about $2,000.[/quote4a140da4d1]

Cool, man, thanks for posting that Undercover thing. I was just thinking the other day how I would like to get one but didn't know a good one.

Also tip to someone who is interested in buying a Macbook Pro. If you aren't dying to have the cutting edge technology, you can always buy the last generation or even last 2-3 generation MBP's from MacMall.com. Generally, there isn't much difference between the newest ones and the older ones except for a video card and maybe LED or something. D[/quote4a140da4d1]

So true. I actually just read somewhere they did a test on the newest generation of MBPs that were just released and the generation before them and the new ones are actually a tiny bit SLOWER due to the new Penryn Processors.

Little Snitch[=http//www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html]Little Snitch
(watches out for apps phoning home)

Burn[=http//burn-osx.sourceforge.net/]Burn
(good free burning program)(or get toast or handbrake)

Carbon Copy Cloner[=http//www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html]Carbon Copy Cloner
(good clone software, just used it worked great)

Un rar x[=http//www.unrarx.com/]Un rar x
(simple easy to use unrarer)

Azureus[=http//azureus.sourceforge.net/howto_osx.php]Azureus
(may not be the best but it works well for me)

App zapper[=http//appzapper.com/]App zapper
(removes app fully nothing left behind)

Cash box[=http//www.fadingred.org/cashbox/]Cash box
(simple money management software)

Google Earth[=http//earth.google.com/download-earth.html]Google Earth (lame I know but cool to have)

anyway these are a few I have installed

enjoy

wow i havent been on this forum forever. sorry, not trying to steal your thread but i also just ordered a mbp and cant wait for it to come. i was looking for a case for it. it seems like the speck seethru is the best that ive come across. anyone else have any suggestions for a case and stuff i need to dl when i get it?

OMG! Nobody mentioned Quicksilver yet! Yay I get to plug it.

Quicksilver is a program which allows users to use the keyboard to rapidly perform tasks such as launching applications, manipulating files and data, running scripts or sending e-mail. It lets you setup a hotkey to activate it (mine is control + spacebar) and start typing for a program/file to find (it does this fast) and then hit enter to launch it. No need to wait for Spotlight to slowly search for it nor goto my Applications folder!

Flock is a social networking browser built somewhat off of Firefox. It's also available for Windows and integrates with social networking sites such as Twitter, Digg, Flickr, Myspace, Facebook, etc.


I got my RAM upgrades on Buy.com for about $10 per stick of 1GB (2GB total) thanks to a sale they were having and the Google Checkout $10 off offer. I bought one and my friend bought one for me so we got $20 off total. I believe the brand was Crucial.

As for hard drive, I picked up a 250GB off TigerDirect the other day for about $100 along with a $10 enclosure for my current drive.

VLC Player is essential for playing AVI, DivX, XviD, and all other video files.

Adium is my IM client of choice.


[quotef9568608f3="toiletpaper55"]wow i havent been on this forum forever. sorry, not trying to steal your thread but i also just ordered a mbp and cant wait for it to come. i was looking for a case for it. it seems like the speck seethru is the best that ive come across. anyone else have any suggestions for a case and stuff i need to dl when i get it?[/quotef9568608f3]

http//www.bodyguardz.com is your best bet. Get one of these protective skins for your MBP, and don't worry about extra bulk when carrying it around. Then tack on a GelaSkin to customize it =P For example, my iPhone has a GelaSkin plus a BodyGuardz invisible skin on it to protect from scratches and whatnot. Check it out

http/" alt=""/img355.imageshack.us/img="355/1430/photo49rm2.jpg[" alt=""/imgf9568608f3]

Basically you can't even tell the invisible shield is on. It adds friction and protection to the entire thing and you can peel it off to apply a new one whenever you see fit =]

[quoteeaba6138ff="toiletpaper55"]wow i havent been on this forum forever. sorry, not trying to steal your thread but i also just ordered a mbp and cant wait for it to come. i was looking for a case for it. it seems like the speck seethru is the best that ive come across. anyone else have any suggestions for a case and stuff i need to dl when i get it?[/quoteeaba6138ff]

Like a backpack or just a plain case? I would recommend this

http//www.radtech.us/Products/Backpacks/Evolution.aspx

I have this and yes it is very expensive for a bookbag but it's definitely worth the money. The laptop sleeve has kept my MBP pristine and it has a lifetime warranty.

I'm partial to STM brand bags. I dunno... they just look nice to me (I'm referring to soft cases though. Not a hard case like the Speck you mentioned). You might be interested in one of these. It's a thin invisible skin-like material you apply to most of the notebook to protect from abrasions. I had one on an old MBP but took it off because I live with a bunch of smokers and the film had developed a yellow tint. But it was nice.

[quote6f83b24405="mistertomlinson"]I'm partial to STM brand bags. I dunno... they just look nice to me (I'm referring to soft cases though. Not a hard case like the Speck you mentioned). You might be interested in one of these. It's a thin invisible skin-like material you apply to most of the notebook to protect from abrasions. I had one on an old MBP but took it off because I live with a bunch of smokers and the film had developed a yellow tint. But it was nice.[/quote6f83b24405]

I'm tellin' you, they are good stuff if you don't mind spending money on a high quality bag for school or whatever.

I've been considering getting a Macbook as well.
YGF, which Macbook are you getting, and are you getting any customizations?

Also, how hard is it to go back and forth between my desktop PC and a Mac as far as keeping files synced?
I think I'm just going to get a small external drive and keep everything saved on there so it's available in both places.

One more thing, do any of you mac owners run Windows at all?
That was something I was wondering. And if you do, what were the main purposes of doing so?

[quote2d1dbfc788="samz465"]I've been considering getting a Macbook as well.
YGF, which Macbook are you getting, and are you getting any customizations?

Also, how hard is it to go back and forth between my desktop PC and a Mac as far as keeping files synced?
I think I'm just going to get a small external drive and keep everything saved on there so it's available in both places.

One more thing, do any of you mac owners run Windows at all?
That was something I was wondering. And if you do, what were the main purposes of doing so?[/quote2d1dbfc788]

I ran Vista (RC2 Beta) for kicks, didn't like it. I ran XP to play Magic Online for a while before quitting that (got too expensive, I stick by paper now). I no longer run Windows on my Mac, I feel that I can be as productive on OSX (and even more) than dual-booting both Windows and OSX.

[quotef72a9da46a="samz465"]
One more thing, do any of you mac owners run Windows at all?
That was something I was wondering. And if you do, what were the main purposes of doing so?[/quotef72a9da46a]

I currently have XP Pro along with OSX. I used XP mainly for a while because there were a few programs that I needed that were Windows only. However, the XP has developed so many virus/spyware problems that I can't even load common websites on Firefox anymore. So, I use OSX now, which is way more stable. Although, I don't like the Firefox for OSX that much though. Safari seems to operate better and more efficiently.

Just on Digg
http//tinyurl.com/32gb5z

[quote1be4dfb9a4="JKirk"][quote1be4dfb9a4="mistertomlinson"]I'm partial to STM brand bags. I dunno... they just look nice to me (I'm referring to soft cases though. Not a hard case like the Speck you mentioned). You might be interested in one of these. It's a thin invisible skin-like material you apply to most of the notebook to protect from abrasions. I had one on an old MBP but took it off because I live with a bunch of smokers and the film had developed a yellow tint. But it was nice.[/quote1be4dfb9a4]

I'm tellin' you, they are good stuff if you don't mind spending money on a high quality bag for school or whatever.[/quote1be4dfb9a4]

i have a northface bookback with a laptop sleeve. i just think ill want/need something to protect it when its either in there or laying around. either a sleeve or hard case. i cant decided between the two. the bodysticker thing is nice for looks but i dont think itll be enough protection for me. thanks though...anyone have opinions between sleeves and cases?

[quoted86ce10c2b="ajasax"]Just on Digg
http//tinyurl.com/32gb5z[/quoted86ce10c2b]

Haha Yeah I saw that on digg )

[quote19bc159f17="samz465"]
Also, how hard is it to go back and forth between my desktop PC and a Mac as far as keeping files synced?
I think I'm just going to get a small external drive and keep everything saved on there so it's available in both places.
[/quote19bc159f17]

I don't think you can do that but I'm not 100% sure. Whenever I got my external it made me convert it to a special Mac format that would work on Mac and I take it that if there's a Windows version that's limited to Windows then the Mac version is limited to Mac, as well?

[quote8f14de10bb="unknown uchiha"]OMG! Nobody mentioned Quicksilver yet! Yay I get to plug it.

Quicksilver is a program which allows users to use the keyboard to rapidly perform tasks such as launching applications, manipulating files and data, running scripts or sending e-mail. It lets you setup a hotkey to activate it (mine is control + spacebar) and start typing for a program/file to find (it does this fast) and then hit enter to launch it. No need to wait for Spotlight to slowly search for it nor goto my Applications folder!

Flock is a social networking browser built somewhat off of Firefox. It's also available for Windows and integrates with social networking sites such as Twitter, Digg, Flickr, Myspace, Facebook, etc.


I got my RAM upgrades on Buy.com for about $10 per stick of 1GB (2GB total) thanks to a sale they were having and the Google Checkout $10 off offer. I bought one and my friend bought one for me so we got $20 off total. I believe the brand was Crucial.

As for hard drive, I picked up a 250GB off TigerDirect the other day for about $100 along with a $10 enclosure for my current drive.

VLC Player is essential for playing AVI, DivX, XviD, and all other video files.

Adium is my IM client of choice.


[quote8f14de10bb="toiletpaper55"]wow i havent been on this forum forever. sorry, not trying to steal your thread but i also just ordered a mbp and cant wait for it to come. i was looking for a case for it. it seems like the speck seethru is the best that ive come across. anyone else have any suggestions for a case and stuff i need to dl when i get it?[/quote8f14de10bb]

http//www.bodyguardz.com is your best bet. Get one of these protective skins for your MBP, and don't worry about extra bulk when carrying it around. Then tack on a GelaSkin to customize it =P For example, my iPhone has a GelaSkin plus a BodyGuardz invisible skin on it to protect from scratches and whatnot. Check it out

[ig]http//img="355.imageshack.us" alt=""/img355/1430/photo49rm2.jpg

Basically you can't even tell the invisible shield is on. It adds friction and protection to the entire thing and you can peel it off to apply a new one whenever you see fit =][/quote8f14de10bb]

neat, just curious, i have a gela skin on my ipod video and i dont understand why you would need an invisible shield as well. the gela skin covers a good 85% of the ipod and it has a screen protector!

Gelaskins for the iPhone/iPod Touch do not come with the front cover (that's an extra $8). A crystal-clear screen protector and the invisible shield have a huge difference in feel and protection =] One peels off easily and can't be seen at an angle while the other one is permanent (untill you peel it off yourself with brute force) and adds extra grip. I also put my invisible shield on top of my gelaskin so I wouldn't get dust or dirt underneath the gelaskin =]

Does MS Office 2008 MAC work with MS Office 2007 PC??

If i create a doc in office 2007 will ms office 2008 mac open it and work with it?

[quote9d4d9316a4="manOFice"]Does MS Office 2008 MAC work with MS Office 2007 PC??

If i create a doc in office 2007 will ms office 2008 mac open it and work with it?[/quote9d4d9316a4]

Yes, your safest bet when working with 2008 or 2007 on either PC or Mac is to make it .docurl==http://=http:///url instead of .docxurl==http://=http:///url too.

I grabbed the gmail notifier program even though i have windows tehehe

[quote06629bb750="AsuraRain"]I grabbed the gmail notifier program even though i have windows tehehe[/quote06629bb750]

.DMG'surl==http://=http:///url will not work on Windows. (

Do not use Office 2007 or 2008. Microsoft tried to make it too retard-friendly and it looks like shit. If you are on Windows, stick with 2003. If you are on OSX, stick with 2004.

Bump. Anyone have anything to add to this?

My Macbook Pro should arrive by Monday so I'm looking for stuff to load it with.

[quotec66efacba4="tracemhunter"]Do not use Office 2007 or 2008. Microsoft tried to make it too retard-friendly and it looks like shit. If you are on Windows, stick with 2003. If you are on OSX, stick with 2004.[/quotec66efacba4]
Meh, it's an acquired taste. I didn't like it much at first due to everything being in a different place, but once adjusted it's quite nice. Pretty much the same as I feel about the switch to Vista -- now that it's stable and I'm comfortable with the changes, I hate when I have to use XP.

Office Mac 08 is actually pretty nice once you get the hang of it.

I don't like the new .docxurl==http://=http:///url shit tho