Free Downloads
Links to useful, free software (**see the disclaimer at the bottom of this post):
please let me know if any of the links become broken in the comments below!
AdBlock for Safari (Safari extension)
Carbon Copy Cloner (clone your system / backup utility)
CheatSheet (find out the shortcuts for any app with a single kep press; only works on Lion 10.7 and later)
ClamXav (virus scanner)
Dropbox (online storage and syncing)
DRM Removal Tool (remove copy protection on eBooks)
dupeGuru (duplicate file scanner)
EasyFind (search tool, supplement to Finder)
etrecheck (system diagnosis tool for troubleshooters)
FastTasks (utility for common Terminal tasks)
Find Any File (search tool, supplement to Finder)
GeekTool (get a cool desktop clock like this and other geeky things)
GIMP (open-source alternative to Photoshop)
Inkscape (open-source alternative to Adobe Illustrator)
iTerm2 (more powerful replacement for Terminal)
Kopypasta (multiple clipboard utility)
LibreOffice (open-source alternative to Microsoft Office)
MAMP (free personal webserver software)
Notational Velocity (open-source alternative to Notes.app)
OmniDiskSweeper (find out what’s taking up all your disk space on your HD)
OnyX (maintenance program)
Skim (pdf reader)
smcFanControl (monitor and control Temp and Fan speeds)
Tincta (text editor)
If you’d like to recommend a free software program that you’ve found especially useful, drop us a link in the ‘Tips and Trick’ thread in the forum. Please note recommendations from vendors or those connected to a vendor will be removed. If you’re a vendor or developer and would like me to review your product, please email me.
**Disclaimer: The apps I choose to put on this list have to meet two criteria: they must be free, and I must have used them myself and thought them worth recommending. I can’t guarantee, however, that they will work on your system or that they will meet your needs, nor will I take any responsibility for any harm they may cause to your system. You try them at your own risk! Contact the developer concerned if you have any technical queries concerning them. I do not and cannot provide support for other people’s apps!
In regards to mackeeper…….i just downloaded an app you have recommended on your site, the omnidisksweeper, upon downloading it, it showed the download in progress to my downloads folder, however in the same folder the mackeeper.pkg shows up in the list as well. It will not let me move it from here, if i try to move it to the trash another window displays can’t show mackeeper.pkg in finder because mackeeper.pkg has been moved since you downloaded it. When i close the window and open my downloads folder in my dock the mackeeper.pkg is not in the downloads folder???? Is the initial window just some sort of list? Do i need to worry about it? I cant locate anything with mackeeper through the finder either. I don’t understand?
If you mean the downloads list in Safari > Window > Downloads, just click the ‘Clear’ button at the bottom of that window to remove it from the list.
Thanx for the advice about the removal of mackeeper…….on an unrelated note, i have searched for info on the “shared” section of the sidebar when i open my mac hd and have been unable to find anything. Under this section it shows “tech-fe34ba52b3″ with “connection failed” status underneathe and “connect as…” selection below that. I have no idea what this is, what it does or if i need to be worried about it as i do not want anyone else connected to my system. Any guidance with what this is would be greatly appreciated.
http://appcleaner.en.softonic.com/mac is free.
I used it to remove MacKeeper. See comments I made on http://applehelpwriter.com/2011/09/21/how-to-uninstall-mackeeper-malware/.
Hi CheeMIss
First, a disclaimer: The apps I choose to put on this list have to meet two criteria: they must be free, and I must have used them myself and thought them worth recommending. I can’t guarantee, however, that they will work on your system or that they will meet your needs. Nor will I take any responsibility for any harm they may cause to your system. You try them at your own risk!
Regarding problem solving/troubleshooting, you should contact the developers of any app here that you are having problems with for technical support. I have neither the inside technical information nor the experience to offer help on non-Apple products.
As for ClamXav, I will say this, as there’s often a lot of confusion about Macs and anti-virus software: Anti-virus software is unnecessary except if you are running a Windows installation on your Mac, in which case you might want something to scan your downloads.
If you’re going to use ClamXav, note that there are two versions: the App store version and the version on the developer’s website (which is the one I’ve linked to). Both are free, but only the second one contains the background scanner utility (the ‘ClamXav Sentry’).
I operate Mac OS X 10.5.8 so I could not download the latest version. Once I downloaded the older version again, I clicked update. Big mistake, the entire file crashed. hmm?
Was that update for my mac or for the new Snow Leopard or Lion?
I searched youtube for tutorials. I did not get a Wizard Set Up when I downloaded the old version. What am I doing wrong? All I get it this teeny weeny pop up as stated in my previous post.
DupeGuru web site is NOT USER FRIENDLY.
- ClamXav (virus scanner), do we really need it?
- Sentry – There are two different ways to download. Thru them directly & get the Sentry or the Apple store & no Sentry. Which is better?
- Do we have to disable this feature in anyway if we are installing apps?
- DupeGuru, I just downloaded it & the pop up “Select folders to scan & press Scan” is frozen. I cannot even close it or remove any of the stuff I put into it. Their tool bar is all greyed out too! Bottom line, they do not offer a Tutorial for Dummies. Only a FAQ section.
Not good. I have to uninstall it now bcos it won’t close.
Phil, maybe you could offer a Tutorial, since your A+ at it. Please?
Hi Nick, well that’s not a free app ($40, I think) and not one of I’ve ever used. Sorry! I did a quick search and there’s plenty of reviews around the net though.
I just purchased DeltaWalker and it seems to be an okay program. But now you got me freaked out about utility software (just went through the macKeeper clean up).
Just curious about your opinion on DeltaWalker.
Thanks,
Nick