Feek's macOS useful tools, utilities and applications thread

dannyjo22 · 27 May 2022 at 15:20

As a new user to Mac OS shortcuts have been my mountain to climb from PC. Found a nice little program to show me all a program I am currently using short cuts just by holding option key...

GrandTotal - The preferred invoicing program for the Mac

Write invoices and quotes on your Mac, generate electronic invoices, bill working hours and much more

www.mediaatelier.com

Free. Made using Lightroom and even safari so much easier.

So a question, I used to use a free program ccleaner on my pc, any good free ones for Mac? Or one that doesn't cost the earth for a bit of maintenance every now and then.

Feek · 27 May 2022 at 15:28

dannyjo22 said:
So a question, I used to use a free program ccleaner on my pc, any good free ones for Mac? Or one that doesn't cost the earth for a bit of maintenance every now and then.

I know it's a generalisation to say this but you don't need one. macOS doesn't really pick up crap like Windows, there's no registry to get stuffed full of rubbish. If you uninstall something from macOS, the only thing likely to be left is a handful of preference files which won't affect the OS like a bloated registry.

If you ever feel the need to clear caches or anything like that then grab Onyx but it's not something you need to do, the OS doesn't need a bit of maintenance every now and then. Avoid cleanmymac like the plague.

Cromulent · 27 May 2022 at 15:31

dannyjo22 said:
As a new user to Mac OS shortcuts have been my mountain to climb from PC. Found a nice little program to show me all a program I am currently using short cuts just by holding option key...

GrandTotal - The preferred invoicing program for the Mac

Write invoices and quotes on your Mac, generate electronic invoices, bill working hours and much more

www.mediaatelier.com

Free. Made using Lightroom and even safari so much easier.

So a question, I used to use a free program ccleaner on my pc, any good free ones for Mac? Or one that doesn't cost the earth for a bit of maintenance every now and then.

That looks good. I don't really use many shortcut keys in general but it'll certainly speed up some things I do. Thanks for the link.

Jimbeam3678 · 27 May 2022 at 20:48

dannyjo22 said:
As a new user to Mac OS shortcuts have been my mountain to climb from PC. Found a nice little program to show me all a program I am currently using short cuts just by holding option key...

GrandTotal - The preferred invoicing program for the Mac

Write invoices and quotes on your Mac, generate electronic invoices, bill working hours and much more

www.mediaatelier.com

Free. Made using Lightroom and even safari so much easier.

So a question, I used to use a free program ccleaner on my pc, any good free ones for Mac? Or one that doesn't cost the earth for a bit of maintenance every now and then.

Thanks Danny

Cromulent · 17 Jun 2022 at 12:47

Before I buy them, does anyone know if Rectangle Pro and Path Finder are the best tools for the job or is something else better?

Also, is the Screenshot application in macOS the best option for screen recording, or is there something else I can use?

ChrisD. · 17 Jun 2022 at 12:53

Why do you need Pro? The free version works perfectly fine.

I do like Pathfinder, but I don’t like that I can’t hide Finder. Hence I’ll likely not buy it.

The macOS in built screenshot tool does everything I need including screen recording.

MacRS4 · 17 Jun 2022 at 14:00

Ref the screen recording thing, it really depends what you're doing. I spend most of my life writing stuff so screen shots & recordings are a daily thing - so I use something called Cleanshot X. It's an annual sub (gah I hate them) at about 90 quid a year but it's not my money (aha..) and it's brilliantly useful.

As a sidenote I think SetApp has Pathfinder and Cleanshot (perhaps not Pro) in it - may want to check that out as depending on your collection of apps it could work out cheaper.

Feek · 17 Jun 2022 at 14:41

MacRS4 said:
SetApp

If I were a new macOS users, I would definitely look at SetApp, especially with the educational discount which makes it just $30/year which is a bargain when you look at everything it includes.

Cromulent · 17 Jun 2022 at 14:42

Feek said:
If I were a new macOS users, I would definitely look at SetApp, especially with the educational discount which makes it just $30/year which is a bargain when you look at everything it includes.

That does look good. Thank you both.

Rilot · 18 Jun 2022 at 11:25

SetApp is $60 per year for Education. I just tried it.

MacRS4 · 18 Jun 2022 at 11:56

Yup, I paid 60US$ for it. Looking at my invoices though the first one was 30$+UK VAT so I think there may have been some promo on for it. W~~eirdly, if you look at the full pricing, my Edu version for one account works on all my Macs? I didn't realise they charged per unit - I've certainly only bought one~~.

Ignore me, seems the extra units are charged at US$2.49/month.

Feek · 18 Jun 2022 at 11:56

Rilot said:
SetApp is $60 per year for Education. I just tried it.

Oh my stupid tired brain wasn't doing sums properly yesterday. I blame broken Pringles.

ChrisD. · 18 Jun 2022 at 11:57

SetApp looks good, any other discounts besides EDU?

ChrisD. · 20 Jun 2022 at 12:03

Screw it, just bought it. For what I currently use (and already have licenses for) it's probably cost me more money for the few apps I want to use from their catalogue. However, I get to try out loads of other apps which I probably currently don't know that I need if that makes sense.

Cromulent · 20 Jun 2022 at 16:41

ChrisD. said:
Screw it, just bought it. For what I currently use (and already have licenses for) it's probably cost me more money for the few apps I want to use from their catalogue. However, I get to try out loads of other apps which I probably currently don't know that I need if that makes sense.

I'm going to get it as well. It looks good.

whiskycycle · 20 Jun 2022 at 19:26

I’ve got lifetime licences for most of the apps in SetApp I’d use, mainly from when I first went Mac a few years ago… struggling to purchase justify paying for it!

Si. · 21 Jun 2022 at 12:45

Does SetApp allow multiple devices? I would pay if I can use it on my home and work Macs.

ChrisD. · 21 Jun 2022 at 12:52

Si. said:
Does SetApp allow multiple devices? I would pay if I can use it on my home and work Macs.

Yes but you need one of the more expensive plans.

Pricing | Setapp

How much does it cost to use Setapp? What do you get in a monthly subscription? Everything you’d like to know about Setapp pricing policy.

setapp.com

They also do a 2 Mac plan without iOS, but you need to have an account to see it I think as it's not on the pricing part of their site.

I'm off work until October so I'll likely change my plan then.

Si. · 21 Jun 2022 at 12:53

OK thanks. makes it less appealing having to pay more for 2 devices given the apps I want are cheaper alone.

Si. · 25 Jun 2022 at 06:42

can anyone recommend a Visio alternative for Mac? must be able to read and edit Visio files.