Things I install on a new computer – revisited Fall 2009

My new MacBook Pro arrived yesterday. This will replace my aging, 2-year old version. It’s a thing of beauty. Whenever I get a new machine, I’m tempted to just run the simple data migration to move everything over, but never do. Instead, I start from scratch. This is a complete pain in the ass, but very much worth the trouble. It just feels so good!

Below is a list of things I installed this time. I’m listing only software, not the geeky bits like Ruby On Rails, MacPorts etc. It took me most of the day yesterday, but I think I’ve got things pretty much how I like them.

• Launchbar – Without a good launcher, using a Mac feels like working with one hand behind my back.
• Dropbox – Sync made so easy it’s ridiculous.
• Tinderbox – “The tool for notes” (and nearly everything else.) This is where I live.
• 1Password – Passwords, forms, card numbers, etc. Beautifully done.
• Yojimbo – An anything bucket. Simple enough that it actually gets used.
• BBEdit – Text editing done very well. Yes, better than TextMate.
• OmniFocus – Task management with enough oomph.
• AppZapper – I change my mind a lot.
• Backblaze – Online backup without thinking. Just in case.
• BusyCal – Because iCal isn’t good enough, and I don’t like web based calendars.
• Daylite – Gotta put all those contacts and opportunities somewhere.
• DEVONthink Pro – Anything project related goes here, and I’m guaranteed to find it.
• Fluid – For running web stuff as their own “apps”.
• Interarchy – SFTP client. I’ve been using this for years. No reason to change.
• MarsEdit – Still the best way to consistently post to a number of sites.
• MindManager – Mindmapping. Expensive, but still the best there is.
• NetNewsWire – Because even the good web-based readers suck.
• OmmWriter– Weird, new-agey writing app for distraction-free writing. Surprised by how much I like it.
• Photo Mechanic – Not used as much now that I don’t shoot digital, but it’s great for pulling photos of cards when I do.
• QuickCursor – Like the “Edit In…” plugins, without the hacks.
• Sequel Pro – Best MySQL management GUI available.
• SizeUp – Move and size windows with the keyboard.
• Skitch – Almost perfect screen capture.
• Spirited Away – Automatically hides inactive apps. Fits my minimalist tendencies nicely.
• SuperDuper – Simple, bootable backups. Saved my ass a number of times.
• Ulysses – Complete semantic writing environment.
• WriteRoom – Distraction free writing.
• Lightroom – Image management and editing. Does everything.
• Nik Plugins for Lightroom – The Complete Collection. Awesome set of tools for Lightroom.
• SilverFast Ai Studio – The best scanning results, with the worst UI of any software, anywhere.
• TextExpander – Wonderful typing utility/accelerator. I’m lost without this.
• iStat Menus – Very nice system monitors. I use the menu bar calendar instead of the built in version.
• Mail Act-On – Keyboard email management for Mail.app.
• Chronosync – Synchronizes all my external drives nicely, automatically, on a schedule.
• Acorn – It really is “The image editor for humans.” I despise Photoshop, and now I don’t need it.
• ClickToFlash – Great Safari plug-in which gets Flash under control.