Digital Overtone

Some free (or nearly free) Mac OSX software worth trying out, if you’re not using it/them already:

• Witch: In the same way Alt-tab allows you to tab through programs, Witch allows you to tab through windows. Assign different keyboard shortcuts to tab through windows for the focused program, all open programs, all open windows, hidden windows, minimized windows, etc. Fully customizable. Runs as a system preference. Free.
• SizzlingKeys: SizzlingKeys allows you to assign keyboard shortcuts to perform different iTunes functions even when the program doesn’t have focus, including assigning star ratings to the current song, viewing song details in a little floating window, viewing playlists or browsing your tunes in floating windows, etc. Runs as a system preference. Free with upgrade option for USD5.
• Textpander: Automagically expands text codes or fragments into full text. E.g. by typing "tTime" Textpander will expand the code into the current time based on your settings. Fully customizable, includes a list of useful variables (hour, day, month, etc) and allows you to include not only text but images, as well as allowing you to assign cursor position after expansion takes place. Runs as a system preference. Free.
• Netflix Freak: If you have Netflix and run OSX, this program, while not free, offers the same functionality as the Netflix web site in a much prettier, more compact, and user-friendly package. USD15.
• Adium: The best IM client I have run on any platform. Allows simultaneous access to all the major IM providers, as well as some I’ve never heard of. Offers tabbed windows, if you’re so inclined. Beautiful, lightweight, and free. Works wonderfully with, and includes:
• Growl: A floating window notification utility. Integrates seamlessly with many programs to notify you when Stuff Happens. Also fully customizable. Runs as a system preference. Free.
• TextWrangler: Write code? Don’t want/need something as expensive and bulky as Dreamweaver or BBEdit? TextWrangler offerns nearly all the same functionality in a near, small program. Recently improved by the 1337 hax0rz skillz of your favorite Mac geek and mine, John Gruber (check out his CSS syntax checker). Free.
• Cyberduck: Light, easy to use FTP client for Mac. No longer plagued by the instability issues marring its earlier releases, Cyberduck is now a stable, reliable, logical, and easy-to-use client for all your FTP needs. Great for those who run web sites or need to connect to FTP on a regular basis.
• VLC Media Player: Need to play…anything? VLC’s got it covered. Slightly unstable reaction to user input with big files (e.g. 350MB video files). Free.

If you are so inclined, add others to the comments and will add them to the list. The only requirement is that it run on Mac OSX (not necessarily exclusively) and that it be nearly free (say, USD25 or less).

Posted by Kyle / linkspam