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Software of Choice

14.06.14 05:05 PM By David Butt

In the few years since I migrated to an iPhone and MacBook I've accumulated various pieces of software to meet my needs. Where possible it has been Open Source, though I have paid for software and Apps which have value to me. Here's a partial list:

Macbook

  • Adium - an Instant Messenger. Largely replaced by iMessage and SMS.
  • Adobe Reader - for the occasional document which does not render well in Preview.
  • Audacity - I've used Audacity for recording segments for Creston Lodge VoIP telephone system, and creating MP3 of presentations I want to commit to memory.
  • Bogeda- an alternate to the Apple Applications store for the Mac. Bogeda was created by a team in Winnipeg! No longer available.
  • Dropbox - useful in far too many ways to exclude from the toolbox.
  • Filezilla - an Open Source FTP program. Since I no longer am maintaing the CIPHI website, this application gets less use.
  • Forklift - a useful file management tool. Is also a great tool to maintain an up to date archive on a local network drive.
  • GNUCash - another Open Source program. GNUCash is the accounting program we use to manage financial accounts for Lodge, Shrine Club and Creston Hall Association.
  • Google Earth - self-explanatory.
  • GoTo Meeting - a great tool for collaborative meetings.
  • Growl - gives notifications of events occurring in closed or buried windows - email, calendar events, etc.
  • iVI - video encoder allows viewing windows coded video on the Mac.
  • KeePassX - KeePass is an open source Password Manager. KeepassX is the OSX port.
  • Notebook - an excellent tool for gathering information to create projects. supports the accumulation of information and ideas from a variety of sources into one place. 
  • Open Office - an Open Source application comprising word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software. It meets all my office application needs.
  • PaintFX - a simple paint program
  • Shortcuts of Mac - reminders of all the keyboard shortcuts available on the Mac. 
  • Simple Note - a cross platform note taking program.
  • SkyDrive - access to Microsoft's Cloud solution for file storage. This lets me easily access files shared by those who use this tool for file sharing. 
  • Skype - still the most used computer communications application as far as I know!
  • SuperDuper! - create clones of computer hard drive for backups.
  • TaxTron - Canadian Tax software for the Mac.

iPhone and iPad Apps

  • BC Liquor Stores - Lists products available throughout the Liquor store network
  • CAA - useful app when you need roadside assistance.
  • CBC - a number of CBC Apps including Music, TV, and News
  • Christmas Shopping List - a useful tool to keep on track for Christmas gifting for family and friends.
  • CoPilot GPS - my goto application for finding my way around in unfamiliar territory. It proved a life-saver in Europe, where the in car GPS was taking us on unsuitable routes through the downtown of large cities at rush hour!
  • Craps Game - I wanted to learn more about how this game works.
  • Dilbert - well, Dilbert!!!!
  • Dropbox - companion app to that on my Mac.
  • Facebook - I use the app, rather than the webpage on my iPhone or iPad.
  • Free Books - a number of different apps hosting collections of classics and old texts no longer covered by copyright.
  • Geocaching - occasionally dig around looking for Geocaches.
  • Glympse - allows me to share up to the minute travel locations with friends, or as a safety tool. Shows my location on a map on their computer or device.
  • Good Sam Camping - companion app to the big book of Good Sam camping locations.
  • i-nigma QR Code reader - reads QR codes and Barcodes and translates them
  • iBooks - Apple's book reader
  • Kindle - just to have in case
  • Kobo - ditto
  • LinkedIn - needed(?) by just about every professional these days. Not sure what to do with it yet!
  • Media remote - allow control of my Smart TV from the iPhone or iPad
  • MiniKeePass - companion to KeePassX on the Mac
  • MotionX GPS - more of a traditional GPS than CoPilot. allows creation of tracks etc. GPS increases battery drain, so it gets used where additional backup battery is available.
  • MyScript Calculator - a fun app which interprets mathematical formula entered free-form on the iPhone or iPad.
  • OneDrive - companion to SkyDrive on the Mac
  • PC Plus - supermarket shopping points collection tool.
  • PlainText - simple note taking program.
  • SimpleNote - companion to Simplenote on the Mac.
  • Skype - need I say more?
  • SendMap - sends a friend of your choosing a map of your current location.
  • Speedtest - to determine 3G download speeds.
  • Square Register - accepts Credit cards for payment. Good rates.
  • StoCard - keeps all those pesky store discount cards in order! This has become my go-to App for points cards of all sorts.
  • Tapatalk - manages a number of the discussion boards I follow when using the iPhone
  • TimmyMe - can't be without a map to the nearest Timmies!
  • TuneIn Radio - delivers Internet radio from around the world, including my hometown.
  • Twitter - the official App
  • Units - an excellent converter of units
  • Walmart camping - just in case!
  • Wattpad - budding authors deliver their works in instalments, and gather input from their readership. Another Canadian effort.
  • Weather Network - one of the most talked about topics in our house every day.

I'll add links and other in depth information in a future post or update. 

David Butt