ThinkFree, info@thinkfree.com, http://www.thinkfree.com
Looking for an Office alternative? Don't want to shell out your entire paycheck for a word processor and spread sheet package? ThinkFree Office is a $50 scaled down version of Microsoft Office. The suite includes four main apps-Write for word processing, Calc to handle your spreadsheet needs, Show for creating presentations for clients, and Folders to help you manage your files. Requires a G3 or faster Mac, Mac OS X 10.1.3 or later, and Java 1.3.1 Update 1 or later.
4D, Inc., http://www.my4dportal.com
It's hard to get organized these days, but this cool efficiency portal will put you and your business team on the same page. 4D Portal allows you to globally manage and collaborate on projects via the Web, giving you access to calendars, content, applications, chat rooms, and more. Schedule appointments, delegate tasks, conduct surveys, plan events, create forums, send postcards-the productivity possibilities are endless. Requires a Power Mac and Mac OS 8.5 or later (including OS X).
Pocket Software, http://www.pocketsw.com
Our Shareware Pick of the Month! Here's a great app that not only lets you jot down and organize notes in OS X, it's one of the coolest looking notepads we've seen. Slap on a skin to provide instant decor on your desktop. This flexible notepad app also features a powerful outliner, includes multiple skins, a links shelf to store URLs and emails, unlimited undo, customizable interface, password protection, search capabilities, priority settings, supports multiple languages, and a lot more. Requires a Power Mac running Mac OS X.
Jamie Outlaw, jamieoutlaw@mac.com, http://homepage.mac.com/jamieoutlaw/software/
Requirements: G3 or faster Mac, Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later
If you look in the mirror and fret about the extra baggage in your caboose, your friendly grippable love handles, or your condor-sized underarm wings, you need Muscle! This little fitness journal will help keep track of your progress toward Arnold-hood-motivation not included.
Trans-Tex Software, tombb@aol.com, http://www.tex-edit.com
Requirements: G3 or faster Mac, Mac OS X 10.1 or later
This scriptable, styled text editor gives you a lot of the power of a full-fledged word processor without the hefty price tag. It features a spell checker, formatting options, QuickTime movie play, and supports drag-and-drop, Apple's Speech Manager, and can even clean up text for transfer over the Internet.
LAJ Design, lajdesign@mac.com, http://www.lajdesignsw.com
Thinking about selling your wares online? You've got to have a method for order processing, and this app may just be the ticket. Web Proofs creates Web forms and other documents so that when users submit orders on your site, the app processes the info, and sends you the order via email. The forms will show the cost for each item, allow the user to select a quantity, show the total for the product (cost x quantity), and calculate both the sales tax and the total cost for the order. Web Proofs will then create the server side code (.asp or .php) or use PayPal to process the order for your product (emailing you the order). Requires a Power Mac and Mac OS X 10.1 or later.
Centromedia, info@centromedia.com, http://www.centromedia.com
This sophisticated, multiplatform info manager not only stores and sorts names, addresses, and phone numbers, and can dial the telephone through a modem and speaker, it's also free. It also prints envelopes, labels, Rolodex cards, and pocket phone books. Requires a Power Mac and Mac OS X 10.1 or later.
Logiciels Malus Softwares, malus_tech@sympatico.ca, http://www3.sympatico.ca/fuzzies/EN/index.html
This intuitive utility tracks the time you spend working on projects via a timer that appears in a floating window. Use it to track time for one or multiple tasks and projects. Requires a Power Mac (G3 or faster for OS X) and Mac OS 8-9.x or OS X or later.
Script Software, julian@sierra.net, http://www.scriptsoftware.com
Freelancers, take note: if you're looking for a way to document your time spent on projects, check out this nifty app. It records how long you spend working in almost every mainstream Mac app. Requires a Power Mac (G3 or faster Mac for OS X) and Mac OS 8.1 or later (with CarbonLib) or Mac OS X 10.1 or later.
Nano Software, accounts@nano.com.au, http://www.nano.com.au
Got a hole in your pocket or are you just happy to feed me? Accounts is a Mac OS X-only application that helps you keep track of your personal and small-business finances, so you know where all your money goes. Requires a Power Mac, Mac OS X 10.1 or later.
Mindlube Software, support@mindlube.com, http://www.mindlube.com/
Requirements: G3 or faster Mac, Mac OS X 10.2 or later
If you've got a zillion things to do and seemingly no time to do them, this app may just be the ticket to help manage your life. Slacker is a well thought-out to-do list app that features great extras like an outliner, repeating to-do items, sorting, drag-and-drop, alerts, freshness dating, multi documents interface, Stickies integration, calendar view, notes view, and more. Maybe they should rename this one Anti-Slacker.
Burning Bytes, bbsupport@directbox.com, http://www.burning-bytes.com/
vMemo X is your virtual Notepad! But it is not one of the usual notepads you can find out there, where you write your memos down. With vMemo X you can speak your notes! Just click the Record-button and start speaking! The voice-notes are date-stamped, so you don't have to search for what you recorded last time. Requires Mac OS 10.0.4 or higher, microphone.
Black Cat Systems, info@blackcatsystems.com, http://www.blackcatsystems.com
Physicists, engineers, mathematicians, and those of you with a penchant for numbers will benefit from this app. iUnit converts between over 500 different units of distance, mass, volume, velocity, density, and other types of units. iUnit is perfect for students, engineers, scientists, and other professionals who need to quickly, easily, and accurately convert between various units of measurement. iUnit also displays the values of many physical constants. Requires a Power Mac and Mac OS X 10.1 or later.
Loopware, webmaster@mcgavern.com, http://www.mcgavern.com
Requirements: G3 or faster Mac, Mac OS X 10.1 or later
Have trouble learning stuff? This full-featured and free flashcard program allows you to test yourself by displaying cards front first, back first, or randomly back or front, and in random order. You supply the content and let the app do the rest. You can even check off those cards that you have down pat, so you learn more efficiently.
Tex-Edit Plus fills the gap between Apple's SimpleText and a full-featured word processor.
