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Ask Download Squad: Which apps do you wish were cross-platform?
Last week's question, on dealing with spyware and malware, drew a great response, with many of you saying Firefox was your main bulwark against such risks. Fortunately, most of you don't put all of your eggs in Mozilla's basket, and also use anti-spyware programs, with free software such as MS Anti-Spyware, Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy proving to be popular choices. And, as always, a fair share of Mac users chimed in to say they don't need no stinkin' anti-spyware tools. For the sake of their data, I hope their confidence isn't misplaced.Earlier this week, I commented on the fact that O'Reilly's Matthew Russell was frustrated that he couldn't use the "File, Print FedEx Kinko's" utility on his Mac. And that got me thinking: what apps do you really wish were cross-platform? If you're a Mac user, are there any Windows apps you really wish you could use? And, Windows users, are there any Mac programs that make you aqua with envy? I'll start with two of my favorites that have yet to bridge the gap: On the Mac side, there are any number of "command-space" launchers, which let you launch apps by hitting those keys and then typing an abbreviation. The best-known is Quicksilver, but the category includes Butler and LaunchBar as well. On Windows, the closest thing is AppRocket, which I've found doesn't come close to approaching the sophistication, speed and flexibility of the Mac programs, especially Quicksilver, which happens to be free. Going in the other direction, one Windows app I've become dependent on is EverNote, a free notepad utility. Yes, there are programs on the Mac, such DevonThink that do many of the same things it does, such as make web page clippings, copy text and allow you to add tags to your notes. But EverNote has a simple, straightforward UI, and it's free as well.
Those are my choices. Now, what are yours? Post your answer in the Comments section below. And, if you'd like to have your question included here, send it to us using this form. We'll post one question each week.
Comments
31
Subscribe to commentsrobbySep 25th 2005 10:44PM
ups worldship for mac would make my job 20 times easier. comandeering a pc every time i need to ship sucks.
MattSep 25th 2005 11:39PM
at Napo: try handbrake...i think its just as good as dvd shrink...
MattSep 25th 2005 11:39PM
forgot to post link...http://handbrake.m0k.org/
Charlie AbbottSep 26th 2005 10:38AM
Outlook for Macs
Leaving the Mac client in the development wilderness has helped Microsoft hang on to those corporate big boys for some time. Us Mac users have business needs too, hell we'd even entertain having an Exchange server if we could replicate the functionality on our shiny silver boxes. Office 2004 and the subsequent updates are a step forward but come on you know they're just holding back on the full integration to keep the Mac out of the corporate picture.
.Mac for Windows
1Gb storage for all your email and photos, icards, isync, group calendars, your own website and the most flexible and easiest to use backup utility. Longhorn may address some of this but how long do we have to wait and have you seen the interface......
Charlie AbbottSep 26th 2005 10:36AM
Outlook for Macs
Leaving the Mac client in the development wilderness has helped Microsoft hang on to those corporate big boys for some time. Us Mac users have business needs too, hell we'd even entertain having an Exchange server if we could replicate the functionality on our shiny silver boxes. Office 2004 and the subsequent updates are a step forward but come on you know they're just holding back on the full integration to keep the Mac out of the corporate picture.
.Mac for Windows
1Gb storage for all your email and photos, icards, isync, group calendars, your own website and the most flexible and easiest to use backup utility. Longhorn may address some of this but how long do we have to wait and have you seen the interface......
markSep 26th 2005 10:55AM
They need Yahoo Music Engine on Mac. It has been one of the things holding me back from making the switch. The service is amazing, but there are no "On Demand" music services to speak of on the mac.
markSep 26th 2005 4:33PM
They need Yahoo Music Engine on Mac. It has been one of the things holding me back from making the switch. The service is amazing, but there are no "On Demand" music services to speak of on the mac.
And I agree, they need Audium for Windows.
AlexSep 26th 2005 6:01PM
Windows needs SubEthaEdit.
andr3Sep 26th 2005 10:22PM
netnewswire to windows!!! LoL i can't believe only another person has mentioned it... when i read the title i immediatelly thought of this. ;)
Also, SubEthaEdit to windows as well. Although, being Cocoa based apps, i don't see this happening any time soon.
ghostshadowSep 27th 2005 2:12AM
I would really love to see Swishmax on the mac, there are tons of people wanting it on the mac, but the developer is stubborn.. or the whole swish suite, it would be great on the mac.
some dudeSep 27th 2005 11:55AM
Google Earth! Duh! If Google wants to be seen as "not evil" they need to get this done ASAP. It's the most incredible software to come out in years...and it's still not cross platform. LAME!