Mac OS X: Favorite added programs for mac users

iTunes

Without more specific info about problems with iTunes, I'm only guessing.... But when first using iTunes to burn CDs I had to remind myself to be sure I was in a playlist and that the songs to be burned had the selection box checked. There are also a couple of items in the preferences that you should check. Be sure that in the Burning area you have the type of CD selected that you intend to burn, ie. data, mp3, audio. (I'm sitting at an OS 9 computer now and can't remember the exact preferences tabs in OS X)

One piece of software I use a lot for photo work is Photoshop Elements. Another good image editing program is Graphic Converter from Lemke software.

What is <winmail.dat> ?

In reply to: Agree by mrmacfixit 

Maybe this should be a new thread...but I was reminded of a mystery. Someone tried to email me a long Word document, but it came through as <winmail.dat>. I couldn't find an application to open the package. Is this some kind of compression file?

Thanks for your help!

(NT) Thanks. You're the best.

In reply to: Winmail.dat by mrmacfixit 

itunes

Just curious. What problems have you been having in itunes. Maybe I'm lucky but I've found extremely easy to use and a fast way to burn cds without having to go to another program.

No Problem

iTunes is fine for burning Music CD's, and if that's what I'm burning, that's what I'll use.

It won't do data CD's or DVD's though.

Lampie

Favorite Mac apps

I don't know OS X's translation capabilities, but I've been using MacLinkPlus for ages. It can convert files sent to you (Mac and PC) in very many programs that you may not have into a form that you can read and use. For example, if someone I know uses a file in a program that the Mac can't automatically translate, MacLinkPlus almost always has a translator. For example, some of the photos I get come in forms that I can't open, but MacLinkPlus can translate them into compatible files. I suspect that I am not even beginning to use its capabilities fully, but I do recommend it, if Mac OSX doesn't fill the bill adequately.

Someone else mentioned Stuffit Expander. You may well have the free version on your Mac already, and it's great. There are also other versions (ones that you pay for) with features that you can try out first. They include other features, such as programs for .zip and .tar files and a compression application. Each is quite reasonable in price, and you don't have to take them all.

My favorite email program so far is Eudora. I have the free one, but I'm sure that the others are very good, too. My current browser is Netscape, but I have heard that (for users of OS X) Firefox is excellent, and it's free. I think that Firefox has a companion email program as well (different name, which slips my mind at the moment). Some people like Safari, of course, and you already have that in OS X.

You don't say what ISP you are using. If it's AOL, you already have a bunch of programs for some of the purposes I've mentioned, I believe. Some other ISPs also offer fine software, though mine (Mindspring, part of Earthlink) tends to offer most of their special software (apart from their own suite of programs for Macs) for PCs only. You might want to look into that, if you haven't already done so.

If you don't need the full Photoshop, you could use Photoshop Elements, a stripped-down version.

Make sure you have Acrobat Reader, so you can read PDFs. That, too, probably is already on your computer. If you need to create PDFs (or edit ones that have been sent to you) often, you'll want to have the full Acrobat. If you just need to create a PDF but don't need the app for frequent use, I believe that Adobe (is it still Adobe?) will let you try Acrobat on a limited basis, just to see whether you want to buy the whole thing.

There may even be a teacher-and-student version of Acrobat at a lower price, though such versions sometimes don't have all the bells and whistles. Then, again, some of us don't need all those. It's always a good idea to look into what is and isn't available in any program that interests you. Several have versions that are representated as being meant for educators and students (though anyone can buy them), and sometimes the more limited version is good enough for your purposes.

There are others that I could mention, but otherwise, I second the recommendations already mentioned. Check out CNET for free (and other) downloads of software you think you want and also look into VersionTracker. Even Mactopia (the dark side's--Microsoft's--Mac-related Web site) has things to download like updates for Microsoft software. That can be very helpful, and a fair amount of what is offered even is free.

Enjoy your Mac and welcome to the club of Mac enthusiasts. Don't hesitate to go to the various CNET Mac forums if you have further questions. There are many very well-informed people logging in (wish I were one of those), and as a whole, we are a warm-hearted bunch.

jenny