Apple Mac software (functionality rather than aviation)

[RakiuraSkies]

As a consequence of the decision I have made to shift to the Apple Mac environment from Windows, it has become essential that I identify software that is going to provide the utility and functionality I have to demand from my computer. Surprisingly, it's a LOT cheaper to achieve on a Mac than a PC, whilst retaining much if not all (in some cases more) functionality.

Here's a few I reckon I'll be using pretty regularly, with prices and the Windows software it'll be replacing indicated too:

• OS-X (obviously!) instead of Windows
• Adium (free) replacing a multitude of Windows chat clients
• AppZapper (free) replacing the Windows control panel uninstall utility
• Back-In-Time (USD$29) adds significant functionality to the (free) TimeMachine backup software provided with OS-X
• Bento (USD$49) whilst not quite a full replacement for MS Access, it does add significant functionality to the preinstalled OS-X appliations Mail, iCalendar and the iLife suite of products
• Burn (free) replaces products like Nero etc on the PC for burning CD/DVD etc.
• Carbon Copy Cloner (free) creates a bootable backup image of your system drive, complements the pre-installed TimeMachine incremental backups, replaces the likes of Norton Ghost
• CoconutBattery (free) Battery status monitor, for laptops
• Espionage (USD$35) Secure file and directory encryption for OS-X
• Freeway (USD$79-Lite, USD$249-Pro; discounts available) Web development software, replaces the $500+ Dreamweaver
• iStat Pro (free) system monitor -quite a remarkable piece of software this -check it out!
• MacUpdate Desktop 5 (USD$20pa) Keeps all your apps up-to-date
• OnyX (free) OS-X system maintenance utility, replaces literally dozens of Window equivalents
• OpenOffice (free) Office suite, replaces Microsoft Office at a really good price!
• Optimal Layout (USD$18) fixes one of a PC-Mac switchers biggest gripes!
• Pixelmator (AUD$80) image manipulation software, almost fully replaces Adobe Photoshop -at something ridiculous like 5% of the price I paid!!!
• 1Password (USD$40) Complete password, software authorisation and credit-card management system
• PathFinder (USD$40) My favourite -a fully functional file and FTP manager with archive support built-in. Replaces Windows Explorer (how I hate that programme!) Directory Opus (very expensive) on Windows and Mac's own OS-X Finder which is crippled by poor functionality
• Sequel Pro (free) Manages MySQL databases -which underpin this website!
• Snapz Pro (USD69) If there's one utility I am constantly using, it's screen-capture -this is it for the Mac, replacing Tech Smith SnagIt at less than 1/2 the cost
• Transmit (USD$34) FTP client

The upshot of this is, for around a grand-total spend of around USD$500 (call it AUD$600-$800, depending on the day) I can replace something like around AUD$7-8 thousand of Windows equivalent!!! Not to mention the money I will not be spending on anti-virus software and updates. Naturally, I have no intention of buying and installing all this software on any one given day. Rather I'll add the elements of this list as and when needs must, further spreading the financial burden of the OS switch.

Pretty significant I reckon.