New to Mac?

Being a relatively new user to Mac, and having lived in an Windows world for so long, I thought I would share some of what I think is critical for those switching from Windows to OS X.

First, a little history of my situation:  About 1 year ago (Nov. 2005), I was one of those that decided to take the step of becoming a switcher.  My drug of choice at the time was the Mac Mini.  It was cheap and I had a 43in HD TV with a VGA in that I could use as the monitor.  I purchased the Mac Mini, as well as the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.  Very quickly I learned I needed a new mouse and switched to the Kensington bluetooth mouse.  I MUST have right-click and scroll wheel.  It is what a must for Windows users switching.

My Mac Mini is basically how I view all of my Video Podcasts, as well as, is my always-on server so I can securely tunnel in via Putty and VNC from wherever I am.  Click [Here] to watch a video on how to set this up.

More recently, I have purchased a black Core 2 Duo Macbook which is running XP under Parallels and under Bootcamp.  I have also purchased an iMac for my wife. 

iMac

The iMac replaces the "over-the-air" TV in the Kitchen and uses Slingbox to view Directv and Tivo from our bedroom.  Better selection, better picture.  Plus she has her own computer that I do not mess with (her main complaint about the Windows machine at home).

From these 3 new Mac endeavors, I have the following "10 MUST HAVE" freeware/shareware/software for switchers.

1. Parallels and/or Bootcamp.   You will need this for those apps you must have that are Windows only. 
2. Camino and/or Firefox.  I could never get use to Safari.
3. MainMenu or OnyX.  Coming from Windows, I just feel the need to always be cleaning up the system.
4. Remote Desktop so you can Remote into your Windows machine.
5. Cyberduck FTP
6. Adium, since there is not Trillian for Mac.
7. Transmission or xtorrent for your torrents.
8. VLC Media Player - plays most all types of video unlike Quicktime.
9. AppZapper - I must feel like I am uninstalling most everything vs. dragging just the .app to the trash.
10. Flip4Mac - so you can play windows media files in Quicktime.

Of course there are many, many others, but from personal experience, this is where I would start.

Then I would also subscribe/download and listen to The Mac Attack with Steve Stanger, NosillaCast with Allison Sheridan and Mac ReviewCast with Tim Verpoorten for the latest tips, tricks, freeware and shareware for your Mac.

Good switching!