J David Macor

If the Windows apps left you wanting something simpler and more stylish, then have I got a list for you. Welcome to Part 2 of my Back to School Series! I am going to help you fill that new MacBook up with all of the essentials that you will need to start your semester off with a bang. Don’t forget to check out Part 1 where I detail the PC programs that will save your academic life. In Part 3, I will list the best web apps for getting you back into your school groove.

Well, I hope you are ready to receive your dose of Mac goodness. I have a great bunch of apps that will help you to become the next Stephen Hawking; except without the bionic parts… Anyhow, as with the Windows apps, some of these are free and some are not, but they are all worth whatever it takes to get them. They are essentials, after all! And, a big thanks to my brother, Jason, for being my fan boy adviser!

Office Suites

• Microsoft Office 2004 – It seems to still be the consensus that this set of programs is still the best way to get work done. The Office apps are simple, solid, and, quite frankly, the standard. And even though the Mac version is behind its Windows iteration, it is still a fantastic program.
• iWork ‘08 – The latest version of iWork is by far the best yet. Not only is it all slick and Mac-like with fantastic looking templates, but the folks at Cupertino have also added a spreadsheet app to boot! Sure, some of the templates are a little immature, but they are all polished and shiny; just as you would expect.

Getting Things Done

• iProcrastinate – According to their own website, this “is the only killer homework/task management app you need.” And besides being a bit cocky, they are also right. You can break down your class assignments into specific tasks and assign them priorities. There really is no better way to handle your work load.
• Yojimbo – Yojimbo is your best bet for a research companion. Technically speaking, it is an information organizer. You can store links, notes, recipes, images, or whatever it is you need! It is perfect for researching something like a term paper, so that you can easily reference all of your info.

Communication

• Adium – This little ducky will solve all of your communicative needs. It supports a plethora of chat clients, so you can be on AIM, MSN and whatever else at the same time. It also features tabbed chatting and supports file transfers. And sure, you can’t do video chat, but what multi-protocol chat client can? Seriously, I am asking…

Backup/Protection

• Carbon Copy Cloner – *Stuff* happens. And even if it is not as frequent as with a Windows PC, you still need to back up your files while you are at school. What will you do if you lose that homework you had been working on? That is why you need Carbon Copy Cloner to back up your system.
• Norton AntiVirus – I still don’t buy the whole “Mac’s Don’t Get Viruses” argument. And why mess around with protection? If you wouldn’t mess around with the girl next door without protection, you shouldn’t get on the internet without protection. It is that simple.
• Wallet – As long as we are talking about protection, let’s talk about keeping your credit cards and other login information safe. Having to jumble around passwords for your student bank account, facebook, myspace and whatever else is hard to do. With Wallet, you just let the app handle remembering everything for you!

Filesharing

• Transmission – If Windows is flashy, then Mac is simple and clean. That is the case with this Torrent app. You need Torrents, of whatever nature, and this will get you them. It is easy to use, with no fancy distractions; just the way Mac users like it.
• Cyberduck – Well, as I said in Part 1, you should always have an FTP client. Who knows what situation may arise when you desperately need one? Well, you may never desperately need one, but to remain consistent, I will recommend that you get Cyberduck for your FTP needs.