Video Freeware solutions for the Mac
VLC Media Player
QuickTime is great, but some video formats still throw QuickTime for a loop. VLC is loaded with features and plays almost any video format including DVDs and VCDs. VLC is worth its weight in gold for MacBook users; with VLC users can increase the volume up to 400%, MacBook users can actually hear DVDs from the computer's anemic speakers.
Perian
Perian calls itself “The swiss-army knife for QuickTime.” Once you install Perian, users will wonder how they ever lived without it. Perian works in the background helping QuickTime play audio and video formats browser's used to choke on.
Handbrake
Handbrake does one thing and it does it extremely well; Handbrake rips DVDs. Need to watch a DVD on the video iPod? Get Handbrake. Need to transfer a movie from DVD to a MacBook? Get Handbrake. Plus it’s drop-dead easy to use.
Mac OS X Freeware System Utilities
ClamXav
Many Mac fanatics claim that there is no need for antivirus software, but ClamXav is free and helps keep your Mac protected. ClamXav antivirus is based on the UNIX toolkit ClamAV, the de facto standard protecting virtually all UNIX based servers. ClamXav virus definitions are updated daily. ClamXav runs in the background and can use “watch folders” to scan downloads.
OnyX
OnyX is a maintenance and optimization tool for OS X. Use OnyX to fix permissions and clean the computer cache at least once a month. OnyX does its magic deep in the inner realms of the Mac System, so be careful with selection options.
AppCleaner
Back before the Mac made the jump to OS X, deleting an application was as simple as dragging it to the trash. On OS X, applications can dump files deep in the system folder. AppCleaner finds the mysterious files and trashes them.
Productivity and Mac OS X Virtualization Freeware
Quicksilver
Quicksilver is a launcher/utility/search application that’s hard to define. It can launch applications, manipulate files, and run scripts. Some love it, some hate it and others just don’t get Quicksilver at all. Many hardcore and novice Mac users swear by Quicksilver.
Bean
Bean is a lean and mean word processor. It’s fast, easy to use and isn’t bogged down with gazillions of features users will never use. When Mac users need to get some serious writing done and don’t need Word feature bloat, Bean comes to the rescue. Like the Mac, Bean just works.
VirtualBox
Virtual computing is all the rage these days, and Sun Microsystems open-sourced VirtualBox gives you a free and feature rich option for running Windows, Linux and other operating systems. Use VirtualBox to try out Ubuntu or run Windows to stream NetFlix movies online.
Cyberduck
Sure FTP is so last decade, but it’s still the most common way to transfer files across the Internet. Cyberduck handles FTP and SFTP, supports external editors and OS X goodies like Spotlight, Keychain and AppleScript. Most commercial applications aren’t as polished nor work as seamlessly as Cyberduck.
Bubbling Just Under the OS X Freeware Hit Parade.
- Seashore: An easy to use image editor.
- Transmission: A solid BitTorrent client.
- The Unarcharver: Decodes virtually all compressed files.
- Carbon Copy Cloner: Makes a bootable backup of your drive.
- Sidenote: A handy desktop note taker.
- Adium: An IM client that communicates with AIM, Yahoo and MSN.
- Audacity: Think Adobe Audition and ProTools, but free.
Download this software and more from MacUpdate or VersionTracker.
