Apple convert

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dothack

79 posts

Master Geek

#86883 14-Jul-2011 23:57

Ok so im a long time windows user recent convert to apple buying my first macbook pro 13".
So any good advice, software, links to great mac sites would be much appreciated from some of the older wiser mac osx users. So post your recommendations.

Sorry if this has been covered before i did search for simular threads but didn't find anything, Honest!!

porche20002

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#493572 15-Jul-2011 05:21

Welcome to the other side!

First thing you have to get is Alfred. It's like an application launcher but much more powerful. It can also google search, calculate and has actions.

Also Carbon Copy Cloner is great for doing the whole disk backup in conjunction with Time Machine. I use an app called Flash Frozen to keep an eye on the Flash plugin draining my CPU. When it gets too high (say 30% CPU) the menubar icon turns red and the you can click it to end the flash process!

Reeder is a great Google Reader application, similar to the iPhone version. It is beautifuly designed.

Lastly one of my favourite apps at the moment is Moom. Moom only pops up when you mouse hover above the green button on windows. It brings up a small menu which lets you move/resize your windows and it's genius! Sort of like aero snap on Windows 7.

Enjoy

Cheers,
Chris

Student
MacBook Pro 15inch
Canon 5D Mk II
Family IT support

dothack

79 posts

Master Geek

#494075 16-Jul-2011 18:29

@porche20002 Thanks for the tips i'll check out that software you recommended.
Does anyone know if macbooks are like iphone when it comes to battery i.e. can you leave them plugged in all the time without overcharging the battery and do they have no memory effect so you can charge and discharge them when ever you want?

Dunnersfella

4100 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 887

#494094 16-Jul-2011 19:23

Here's my list of 'must have' apps for my Mac.
1: Either Chrome or Firefox... Safari isn't my thing.
2: Handbrake (to convert files for my ATV2).
3: VLC (to play back whatever I want).
4: Microsoft Office for Mac - yes, yes I know. But I still 'need' it from time to time. Well, not 'need' it, but it's easy to integrate into other peoples lives.
5: AppCleaner (OSX doesn't delete software easily / well, this is brilliant for this).
6: Flip4Mac
7: Gimp (open source graphics programme)
8: iStatMenu's (great menu app to see what the 'puter is doing.
9: Skype (duh)
10: Stufflt (it takes care of unzipping files etc)
11: Angrybirds (again, duh).

nickb800

2735 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 829

Trusted

#494112 16-Jul-2011 20:07

Im in the middle of converting to mac as we speak, got a 13" MBP yesterday.

Nothing too surprising, the process for installing software is quite a bit different though, google it for a proper explanation

For video playback get perian - its a codec pack for quicktime, lets you play most things

A useful shortcut is cmd+ctrl+option+8 ;)

Re: the battery thing, check out the apple website for more info, they suggest that you discharge it every now and then http://www.apple.com/batteries/

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 133

#495820 20-Jul-2011 16:20

Here is a very important advise. Make sure you pin this up !

There is no such thing as "merging files" in folders with the same name in a unix environment.

I've known of people who do a traditional windows cut and paste and the have lost all their files in the destination folder.

use rsync instead or a GUI that uses rsync.

E.g. you have a folder structure like
C:\Folder A\File 1
C:\Folder A\File 2
C:\Folder A\File 3

and
D:\Folder A\File 4
D:\Folder A\File 5

if you copy everything from D:\Folder A\ and replace into C:\Folder A\ you will only end up with File 4 and File 5.

Seems obvious but you'd be surprised how many people don't

miguelwrang

121 posts

Master Geek

#496011 20-Jul-2011 22:46

^^thats fixed in Lion thankfully

I recommend:
LaunchBar- applauncher which does a whole heap of other things like Alfred or Quicksilver
BetterTouchTool- customise multitouch gestures- I find 3 finger middle click indispensable
Adium- the best IM client
Hazel- watch folders to automate common tasks.
Transmission- bittorrent client

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

dothack

79 posts

Master Geek

#496038 21-Jul-2011 00:00

Thanks for the tips everyone. I thought i would put a few things i found useful so far as well. Bettertouchtool lets you make full use of multi touch. Hot corners but using them with the shift key otherwise you keep activating them by accident. Also found a really good site for looking for new software called macupdate.com. MAMP was also really awesome and simple to get a running web server. One thing i discovered by total accident, if you own the iphone earphones with the mic and volume controls you can use them just the same on the mac i.e. stop start the music with the middle button turn the volume up and down. Just a nice lil bonus for nothing since i already had the headphones.