The Initial Transformation: Part I

July 11th, 2006

Recently I have been seeing my friends purchase new computers, both Macs (hurray!) and PCs (alas!), and have been asked to put on their new computers software that I think every computer should have. And after I did this a couple of times in the past week, I noticed that I have a pretty set group of things that I believe every new computer should have.

I have gathered everything you need and will be posting it in this three part Initial Transformation series – the first on OSX Programs, the second on Windows programs, and the third on miscellaneous software that’s necessary for both. Without further ado, here are the Apple OSX Essentials:

CD/DVD Burning Roxio Toast: Though I don’t burn anything except data cds and dvds, Toast is the easiest way to create video dvds, music cds, burn images, and all of it with a really simple user interface. Alternative: DiscBlaze
Instant Messaging Adium: Adium is a free instant messaging application for Mac OS X that can connect to AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, and more. Alternatives: Proteus, Fire
Windows Virtualization Parallels Desktop: The best and fastest program that to run Windows (or any other OS) on your intel Mac out there, hands down. See my post below for more information. Alternatives: Q, Crossover Office
Desktop Manager Virtue Desktops: The amazing accessory to Parallels Desktop that allows you to switch between Windows and OSX like this. Alternative: Desktop Manager
Web Browser Mozilla Firefox: A skinable, secure, customizable web browser with tons of features, plug-ins, and anything else you would need. Be sure and install the adblock and tabbrowser preferences plugin I mentioned in my post below. Alternatives: Camino, Safari, Omniweb, Opera
FTP Browser Transmit: An amazingly simple, very pretty FTP Browser. If you own webspace, this is a must. Alternative: Cyberduck
Media Player VLC: The media player to have to play everything from DVDs to Divx movies to simple AVI’s. Alternatives: Quicktime, Divx Player

Stay tuned for parts II and III for more OSX and Windows programs that are a must on any new computer!

my writing

my website is a collection of my work and writing since 2004, so please don't be surprised if things seem a little outdated, particularly in the technology section. That said, the concepts behind most posts should be interesting given all that's happened since they were written so enjoy!