One could conceivably get by without ever paying for an application. But sometimes by pitching in a few extra bucks (or for some applications several hundred) you get your money’s worth and then some. There are a handful of apps I use daily that I bought and never looked back. Here are the programs I was glad to open my penny jar for.
Cha-Ching - Financial Software
I have been using the beta version of Cha-Ching for a while and it does just what I would want my income / expense program to do: work easily, and quickly. I mainly want to track my finances so I can know where I’m spending my money and how I can more streamline my spending patterns.
Wouldn’t you know it but Cha-Ching is releasing version 1.0 today for $40 - Buy it here.
SuperDuper! - Backup Utility
SuperDuper! - Heroic system recovery for mere mortals. This is one heckofa backup program. It does what I want and works every time. Just like it should. I have no doubt that my data is safe and sound on my external Lacie (which is good considering I think my hard drive is close to crashing).
The only qualm I have with SuperDuper is that I cannot backup specific folders; only drives. Because of all the design work I do I have a partition on my external hard drive specifically for extra data. It would be great to add the new files into the design folder without erasing the old ones; keeping a comprehensive backup of all my design work.
SuperDuper! rings in at $27.95 - Buy it here.
Transmit - FTP Client
The main reason I bought Transmit was because of it’s Quicksilver integration. That and I was sick of Cyberduck crashing on me. If you don’t do much uploading and downloading then there’s not much reason to purchase Transmit. But if you are using an FTP client on any sort of regular basis for any work you do then I would highly recommend Transmit. Although I saw a screencast on Flow [still in private testing] that makes Transmit look like a weenie.
Transmit costs $29 - You can try before you buy here.
Ecto - Desktop Blog Publisher
What more can I say about ecto that I didn’t say here? Well actually something funny is that a few days after writing my review on ecto setup I downloaded the latest version of Tiger (10.4.9) and ecto stopped working. I haven’t trouble-shot it yet so for the past month I have been blogging from the WordPress online editor. Go figure. I’m still an advocate and hope to get it up and running again soon.
UPDATE: After deleting some files and cleaning out the library and re-installing ecto, it is now back to par. I’ll have to update my preferences, but at least it’s working again.
ecto costs $17.95 - You can download a trial version here.
Adobe Creative Suite - Graphic Design
I bought Adobe’s Creative Suite two years ago and learned as I went. Thanks to the help of some design friends I’ve picked up a few tricks and now do enough print and web design to keep me busy in my free time and fall in love with graphic design.
I pre-ordered the CS3 Design Premium upgrade a few weeks ago and hopefully will receive it soon since they’re shipping now.
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This is the final post from the Tour My Mac series. If you missed any you can check them out here, here, here, here and here.
What are some applications you’ve bought that were worth it? Any that weren’t?
Phil said:
I’ve been checking out Flow as well, it looks really speedy, in the mean time I’m on Cyberduck, but I’ve never given Transmit a chance. I’ll wait til Flow comes out though before I lay and cash down for an FTP app. I also saw today that there are Student editions of CS3 as well, I’m now sorely tempted to buy once my loan arrives on Monday, fed up of my shoddy CS version.
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 6:06 am
Jeff said:
Cha-Ching shuts down every time I try to import my Quicken info. Looks nice, but so far unuseable for me…
I use Transmit exclusively for my ftp needs.
Photoshop is a must.
I have always used Macromedia Freehand exclusively for my graphic design, but since the new Microsoft (Adobe) bought Macro, I guess I’m gonna have to suck it up and learn Illustrator.
Quicksilver is much better than Mac’s Spotlight.
Addressix is wonderful for sending out snail mail since it links seamlessly with Address Book.
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 9:52 am
Leonard Klaatu said:
I agree with Transmit and Super Duper. Add to the list (for me) Audio HiJack Pro and SOHO Notes (but I’m looking at alternatives).
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 9:56 am
Jo said:
Big props to Cha-Ching. Still playing around with it… but so easy to use! Every night, I go through my receipts and lot it in. I can also set up pending payments that will link to my iCal! No more trying to remember when to pay certain bills!
The only thing I’ve found so far: I have put in some “pending payments” but these are included in my acct. overview. So it’s hard because it isn’t giving me a current balance but what my balance will be in a month if I don’t spend any more. Is there something I can change? Or a better view to look at?
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 10:07 am
{Shawn} said:
@ Jo: I noticed that about the pending payments too. I’m not sure. I honestly haven’t dug around too much within Cha-Ching. I’m waiting for v.1 to come out and then I’ll start learning more.
I’m not putting in any pending payments at the moment.
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 10:31 am
Jackson Bohlender said:
Shawn - what kind of Mac do you use primarily? I’ve seen you use a 12″ PowerBook in the prayer room, but I’ve also seen you on a 17″ MacBook Pro and a 13″ MacBook.
how many Macs do you have?!
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 11:59 am
loud said:
…And Jackson wins stalker comment of the day.
I like Cyberduck; it’s never crashed on me.
Mori is donation-ware, but since it’s the best GTD app around, I’d pay for it.
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Idhrendur said:
Well, I’m of course on the PC side here, but I actually haven’t paid for any of the really good apps I use. Because I was a computer science major, I got all kinds of Microsoft apps for free (legally, too!). So, until such time as I need newer versions (or to make money from these apps), I’m in the clear.
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 2:39 pm
{Shawn} said:
@ Jackson: I only own one mac. My 12″ PowerBook G4. I have an extra screen at home when I’m working in my office. But I’ve never touched a 17″ MacBook Pro other than at the Apple store.
@ Loud: I just heard about Mori the other day. I’ll have to check it out.
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Jackson said:
Ha, Loud, I guess I am part stalker. I like to notice which kind of Mac different people have. It’s a calling.
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Jo said:
Sounds good… thanks Shawn. I think I’ll keep playing around too. I’ll probably just take out the pending and just update as I go. I still love it! Nothin’ like having a fun piggy bank icon!
Posted on April 20, 2007 at 7:13 pm