The past decade has seen Apple transform itself from a fledging competitor in the computing world to
arguably one of the most popular brands in the world today. In fact, some recent business brand
rankings have shown Apple to have the most powerful brand name in the world. Indeed, never before
has desire for Apple's products been so high, nor the company's profits so elevated.
For many years, independent software developers largely ignored Macintosh computers, simply
because there was not a large enough segment of the population using these devices. It made much
more financial sense to develop programs for Windows machines. While Windows-based systems
continue to outnumber Apple computers substantially, Apple has begun to chip away at the dominance
of the standard PC in recent years. With high numbers of new adopters regularly turning to Mac
products, Apple's market share continues to grow at a rapid speed.
Of course, some of the brand's impressive growth is no doubt due to the other devices Apple produces,
such as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The development of those products has introduced the Apple brand
to a new spectrum of consumers who may never before have considered purchasing an Apple product
for their home office, instead of the traditional PC found in most homes. With a flair for elegant
product design and an overall product development mentality that eliminates the need for complicated
computing knowledge, Apple has catapulted itself to the forefront of the computing frontier.
While the number of developers creating software for the Mac has no doubt risen, it is nevertheless
important to sort through the many different products created for these machines. Both freeware and
paid applications for the Mac abound online, but finding the right software package can prove to be a
real challenge. Fortunately, armed with the right information about the specifications and capabilities of
the different products available, consumers can make an informed decision on what product they would
like to welcome to their home.
The information contained within this white paper takes a careful and in-depth look at some of the
premier solutions available for the Mac today. These products have not only proven themselves to be
some of the most popular, but they have also demonstrated proficiency in accomplishing their intended
tasks on the machines in which they've been installed. Armed with this knowledge, consumers can
make a better informed decision on what software package will work best for their Mac.
Professional teams have taken a look at this software, basing their judgements on performance on the
Mac, along with public perception of the application. Those that have been deemed to be some of the
best of their field are competitive with other applications on a variety of different points, including
price factor. Some applications may be available to download free of charge, while others are priced
competitively to compete w
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...
The Top 10 Applications for Mac Reviewed
1. Whitepaper
“The Top 10 Applications for Mac Reviewed”
Reviewing the premier applications available for computers running the Macintosh operating system
from Apple Computers.
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
www.mac-reviews.net
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 1
2. Index
Whitepaper..............................................................................................................................................1
“The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed”....................................................................................1
Summary..................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction........................................................................................................................….................4
Word Processing and Productivity – LibreOffice ...................................................................................5
Notification Systems – Growl ................................................................................................................6
Productivity and Note Taking – Evernote ..............................................................................................7
Social Networking Tools – TweetDeck ..................................................................................................8
eReader Applications – Kindle ...............................................................................................................9
Database Management – Bento.............................................................................................................10
System Tools – Caffeine .......................................................................................................................11
Utilities – The Unarchiver.....................................................................................................................12
Media Players – VLC ...........................................................................................................................13
Conclusions...........................................................................................................................................14
About Mac-Review.net..........................................................................................................................15
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 2
3. Summary
The past decade has seen Apple transform itself from a fledging competitor in the computing world to
arguably one of the most popular brands in the world today. In fact, some recent business brand
rankings have shown Apple to have the most powerful brand name in the world. Indeed, never before
has desire for Apple's products been so high, nor the company's profits so elevated.
For many years, independent software developers largely ignored Macintosh computers, simply
because there was not a large enough segment of the population using these devices. It made much
more financial sense to develop programs for Windows machines. While Windows-based systems
continue to outnumber Apple computers substantially, Apple has begun to chip away at the dominance
of the standard PC in recent years. With high numbers of new adopters regularly turning to Mac
products, Apple's market share continues to grow at a rapid speed.
Of course, some of the brand's impressive growth is no doubt due to the other devices Apple produces,
such as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The development of those products has introduced the Apple brand
to a new spectrum of consumers who may never before have considered purchasing an Apple product
for their home office, instead of the traditional PC found in most homes. With a flair for elegant
product design and an overall product development mentality that eliminates the need for complicated
computing knowledge, Apple has catapulted itself to the forefront of the computing frontier.
While the number of developers creating software for the Mac has no doubt risen, it is nevertheless
important to sort through the many different products created for these machines. Both freeware and
paid applications for the Mac abound online, but finding the right software package can prove to be a
real challenge. Fortunately, armed with the right information about the specifications and capabilities of
the different products available, consumers can make an informed decision on what product they would
like to welcome to their home.
The information contained within this white paper takes a careful and in-depth look at some of the
premier solutions available for the Mac today. These products have not only proven themselves to be
some of the most popular, but they have also demonstrated proficiency in accomplishing their intended
tasks on the machines in which they've been installed. Armed with this knowledge, consumers can
make a better informed decision on what software package will work best for their Mac.
Professional teams have taken a look at this software, basing their judgements on performance on the
Mac, along with public perception of the application. Those that have been deemed to be some of the
best of their field are competitive with other applications on a variety of different points, including
price factor. Some applications may be available to download free of charge, while others are priced
competitively to compete with similar applications. In no instance are any of the applications included
within this whitepaper related to the teams responsible for the reviewing process of the software,
professionally or otherwise.
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 3
4. Introduction
The world of Mac applications is a quickly evolving arena, flooded with a wide assortment of different
products and software solutions from many different developers located across the globe. The number
of applications developed specifically for the Mac platform continues to grow exponentially, as does
the number of secondary software packages available that were originally developed for other
operating systems. Further defining the landscape is the plethora of applications that were originally
developed for devices running Apple's mobile iOS operating system, some of which now also have
desktop versions for Apple computers.
Indeed, the development of applications for Apple's mobile devices has greatly impacted the software
selection available for desktop Mac products. Not only have the products themselves begun to spill
over to the desktop world, but Apple has also begun to capitalize on the distribution channels through
which consumers are able to purchase and receive their software. Whereas previously computer users
had to seek out such applications in a physical store or through their web browser, the App Store
developed specifically for Mac has allowed Apple to become a key component in the procural of
software for its machines.
Software developed specifically for iOS has been modified in some instances, in order to make it
compatible with desktop applications. In other cases, the software itself has been rewritten to be viewed
on the large screen of a computer. One example of this can be seen through the immensely popular
game, Angry Birds. Originally developed for iOS devices, the popularity of this game led to it being
introduced on a variety of additional platforms, including Mac OS.
Many of these applications are now available to customers through the App Store, which comes
standard on new Macintosh computers. In addition to the wide assortment of paid software available
through this store, there are also plenty of freeware applications available for download through the
channel. The App Store serves as a powerful way to find new applications available for a consumer's
machine, in addition to working as part of the chain used for downloading new applications to the
computer itself. This entire process is familiar to anyone who has ever downloading something from
the mobile App Store on their iOS device.
Of course, users are still free to download applications elsewhere, as many software packages are not
yet available in the App Store. Regardless of the channel through which the product is acquired,
however, one thing remains certain: effective applications can greatly improve the overall computing
experience. For this reason, finding the best of the best is an important step for any computer user.
By taking the different facets of an application into consideration, consumers can save themselves the
hassle and frustration of purchasing a product that turns out to be a poor solution for their machine.
These reviews serve to demonstrate some of the strongest contenders in a crowded field of applications
developer for the modern Mac user. All of these applications has consistently proven to be some of the
best available on the market.
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 4
5. Word Processing and Productivity – LibreOffice
Cost: Free
The successor of the immensely popular OpenOffice suite, LibreOffice is
a word processing suite that is quickly gaining ground amongst Mac
users. Available on a variety of different operating systems, LibreOffice
was built on the code of its predecessor, which is now being developed
separately under the Apache Foundation. This powerful processing suite
includes several different tools for creating a wide range of documents,
from standard text files to spreadsheets and presentations. The
capabilities of the software itself, combined with its free price tag, make
it an exceptionally attractive solution for computer owners looking for a
powerful processing suite.
LibreOffice has no shortage of competitors up against it, including Apple's own iWork suite. While
iWork was previously only available as a whole with all of the pieces bundled together, Mac users can
now download each piece of software individually. Pages continues to be one of the most popular word
processors around, but it can't begin to perform the same functions of LibreOffice, as it doesn't create
presentations or spreadsheets. While it is available at a relatively attractive price, this lack of
functionality without an upgrade to the entire iWork suite makes LibreOffice the clear winner.
In addition to the competition directly from Apple, LibreOffice has many other competitors to contend
with, including Microsoft Word. While all of the available software options have different pros and
cons, LibreOffice can hold its own with the big developers. This makes it a logical solution for every
day users looking for a simple software package that can perform the tasks they require.
For users who have never before installed an application like LibreOffice, it may come as somewhat of
a surprise that this office suite does not have any official support team in place. As the software is
developed independently using free source code, users are instead directed to forums and an established
FAQ page if they encounter difficulty while using the product. Surprisingly enough, these resources are
generally more than adequate for solving whatever problem the consumer may find himself faced with
when using the software.
Perhaps one of the most functions available in LibreOffice is the ability to save files in a wide variety
of different formats. Many users have difficulties when exchanging files across operating systems and
word processing platforms. LibreOffice eliminates many of these issues by giving users the opportunity
to save files in many different ways. From open formats that can be understood by similar software
programs, to the popular .doc format created by Microsoft Word, saving in the right format means there
should be no problem sharing the document across devices.
Consumers interested in installing LibreOffice on their own computers can do so by visiting the official
website of the product. The download can be tailored for the exact operating system of the user.
Furthermore, the website can be referred to for any further questions regarding the product's use and
installation questions.
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 5
6. Notification Systems – Growl
Cost: $1.99
Growl is a notifications system developed specifically for the Mac
OS X. This application allows all others that are coordinated to
work with Growl to send the user updates as soon as activity occurs
within the application. For example, Growl is currently supported
by mail email clients, such as the native Mail application that was
developed by Mac. Whenever an email arrives in your box, Growl
can be set up to display information regarding this email
immediately in an unobtrusive popup box on the screen. This
allows the user to continue working, while also being notified of
what is occurring within other applications.
One of the best aspects of Growl is that it works once it has been
installed on the computer. There are not complicated setup
procedures to follow, in order to link the other applications on your machine with Growl. Instead, once
Growl has been installed, it will automatically begin to display notifications from all applications
installed on the machine that support its use.
Another great feature included in Growl is known as “Rollup.” This allows you to quickly see all
activity that has recently occurred on your computer. This practical function is particularly useful for
busy professionals who may need to step away from their desk to tend to other matters. Upon returning
to the computer system, all of the missed activity can quickly and easily be reviewed by looking at the
information available in the Rollup.
The themes used within Growl are completely customizable, which is another nice option for computer
users, as it means that the specific display of your notifications can easily be altered to better fit the
overall style of the machine and the user's personal preferences. Presently, there are over 20 themes to
choose from on Growl. Users who feel like tackling a challenge may instead choose to create their own
custom theme for the notifications system.
Users also have the ability to alter the notifications shown for particular applications.For example, this
is particularly useful if one would like to see all notifications from the email client, but only wants
sporadic updates from the games installed on his system. All of these preferences can easily be altered
and changed directly within Growl. To access the notifications system, the user simply needs to click
on the small icon that is placed in the bar along the top of the Mac screen.
If there are any issues encountered when using Growl, they can generally be resolved quite easily by
referring to the website. Help documentation is available both for endusers and software developers,
making it a perfect solution for anyone who uses Growl or intends to do so. If a particularly
cumbersome issue exists, customers also have the opportunity to directly contact the development team
behind Growl, who will be happy to help resolve the problem at hand.
Users interested in purchasing Growl can do so directly from the App Store on their Mac. Further
information can be found by visiting the Growl official website.
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 6
7. Productivity and Note Taking – Evernote
Cost: Free; $5/month or $45/year for Premium Service
Developed for busy students, professionals, and every day workers on the
go, Evernote is a helpful program that makes it easy to take notes and share
information across all of the platforms and devices in one's arsenal. With software solutions available
for Mac and Windows, along with mobile applications for several different platforms, including
Android, Blackberry, Palm, and iOS devices, Evernote is the perfect solution for anyone looking for a
note taking application that can easily sync across multiple devices.
Unlike other note taking applications developed for the Mac, Evernote is not solely capable of
understanding text entries. Instead, users can include photographs, web clips, audio, and files within
Evernote. Browser extensions are also available, making it easy to forever save favorite websites and
pages online. This information can in turned be accessed from all of the different devices one uses with
Evernote. Simply login with the account information established when Evernote was installed, and the
user is ready to go.
While Evernote is certainly a practical solution for keeping one's thoughts and notes organized in one
place, it is also a great way to share information with friends and colleagues at the touch of a button.
This is the perfect answer for those working on a major project together, as it allows individuals to
convene ideas and inspiration in one single location. Furthermore, for companies and schools that don't
use the same platform across the board, Evernote's adaptability makes it a great fit.
While Evernote is free to use and install on all devices, a premium version of the application is also
available. For $5/month or $45/year, users can access all of the features includes within the premium
version of Evernote. Some of these many features include the ability to search PDF documents for
information, up to 1 GB of storage for files uploaded each month, and pin lock on certain mobile
devices. The pin lock simply adds another level of security to the information stored within Evernote.
One thing that users should be aware of when using Evernote is that all information submitted to the
servers can be used and viewed by the Evernote team, as explained in the user agreement. While this
shouldn't present an issue for most endusers of the product, it could potentially be a stumbling block for
those wishing to work with confidential information from third parties. For this reason, Evernote is not
a suitable solution for most lawyers, doctors, or other professionals working on the part of another
person. While this information will not intentionally be exploited by Evernote, it should nevertheless
remain in a safe location where it can only be accessed by those who have been granted the proper
authorization.
Evernote is available for the Mac free of charge through the App Store located on the desktop. Versions
for other platforms are available through the respective application marketplaces of the platforms
represented. For further information and help documentation, the official website of Evernote should be
referred to. Here, users can access information regarding group discounts for the premium service,
inspirational stories about other Evernote users, and follow the blog to learn more about recent
developments in the Evernote service.
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 7
8. Social Networking Tools - TweetDeck
Cost: Free
TweetDeck is a social networking client designed to make managing
one's social networking accounts a more streamlined process. Utilizing
the power of Adobe AIR, TweetDeck was originally designed for those
looking to effectively stay on top of all of their tweets. For this reason,
it has long been favored by major corporations, celebrities, and
individuals who use Twitter on a daily basis. In addition to serving as a
client for displaying Twitter feeds, TweetDesk also includes links to
major social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, and
Foursquare, making it a true solution for those who want to stay
connected to an assortment of different networks.
TweetDeck is the most popular Twitter client available, with most
estimates showing that it dominates with approximately one-fifth of all Twitter traffic. In addition to
the desktop version available for Mac OS X, TweetDeck can also be used on Windows-based machines,
Chrome OS, and Linux. The client is also available in two mobile versions, with phones and tablets
running iOS and Android able to access the client.
TweetDeck works by establishing columns of information on the user's machine. The user provides
login information for all of his accounts to TweetDeck, which in turn displays the information from the
news feeds and status updates of other individuals. This is a practical solution for diehard Twitter fans,
as information from different groups of people can be displayed in different areas. For example, a user
might choose to establish a column for friends that he follows on Twitter, and another column for
business acquaintances. In this way, the two can be kept separate from one another and can be replied
to more effectively.
In addition to allowing the user to establish multiple columns of information, TweetDeck is a great
solution for individuals who use multiple Twitter accounts. This may occur if someone has a personal
Twitter account and another that is used to manage a company's brand, for example. In this instance,
different columns can display tweets from either account. A simple button at the top of the application
makes it easy to switch from one account to another, eliminating the need to login each time a tweet
needs to be posted from the other account.
TweetDeck was purchased by Twitter earlier this year, so the development of the software now lies
directly in the hands of Twitter. To that end, the applications ties to other social networking could
potentially be in jeopardy. Twitter has yet to announce any major changes to the application, aside from
the removal of deck.ly compatibility. This was a function that once allowed users to tweet longer than
140 characters.
Users interested in downloading the software for their computer can do so at TweetDeck's official
website. Additionally, information regarding updates to the program and help documentation can be
found here. For mobile versions of the software, users should refer to the Android Marketplace or the
Apple App Store respectively.
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 8
9. eReader Applications – Kindle
Cost: Free
For fans of reading eBooks on their computer screen, no other
application is able to offer what Amazon's Kindle application can do.
While Mac continues to offers books through its digital marketplace,
the content purchased can not be viewed on the Mac itself. Instead,
users must possess a iOS device, such as an iPhone or iPad to access
such information. The Kindle removes this barrier, allowing users to
easily share reading material across a wide assortment of different
devices.
Indeed, it is this feature that makes Kindle for the Mac a popular
reading tool. Users can easily access any eBooks purchased through
Amazon.com on their machine, simply by logging into the account
established on that website. This is particularly useful for users who like to read on multiple devices at
the same time. For example, a busy commuter may start a novel on his iPhone while sitting on the train,
and choose to pick up his reading again on his home computer once he arrives home.
In addition to the Kindle application available for Mac, content for the Kindle can be accessed on the
Kindle device released by Amazon, PCs, Android, Blackberry, and Windows Phone 7. A cloud reader
for the content is also available. This means that any eBooks purchased from Amazon can easily be
read through compatible browsers.
While the ability to share content across a variety of different devices is no doubt the prime factor in
the Kindle for Mac's popularity, the access it gives users to the reading content available from Amazon
is another major plus. Amazon is often the first to have access to eBooks from some of today's most
popular authors, due to it being the number one retailer of such material in the world. Prices are
sometimes more competitive on Amazon, which further gives customers an incentive to purchase their
reading material there, versus through Apple.
Many of the great features available on the Kindle make the transition to the Mac application. With
Lion, users have the opportunity to read their material in fullscreen mode. Of course, Amazon
Whispersync also makes the transition to the Mac, meaning all content read on one device is
automatically synced to the appropriate page on other devices. This helps make reading on multiple
platforms a seamless transition. Dictionary word lookup is another feature available in the eReader
application, and the background color and font size of the reading material can easily be altered to fit
the user's preferences.
Further information about Kindle applications and the content available can be accessed directly
through Amazon.com. Downloads for other systems can also be found here, though the download for
Mac is instead available free of charge through the App Store on the computer's desktop. Support
features are also available on Amazon.com, where customer service representatives can respond to
specific inquiries and offer advice about purchases.
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 9
10. Database Management - Bento
Cost: $49.99
Bento is a database management tool favored by business owners and professionals who need to keep
track of multiple individuals and clients, along with projects and precise information regarding each
individual. Projects can easily be tracked and customers can be organized efficiently using this tool.
Furthermore, versions available for the iPad and the iPhone mean all of this information can be shared
cross-platform by syncing to the server.
Many individuals enjoy using Bento because of the included templates. 35 different templates make it
easy to add information about a variety of different specifics, including client information and project
management. The application's links to other applications on your machine is another great features
that allows for seamless management of large amounts of data.
For example, Bento brings together iCal and Address Book, making it easy to schedule appointments
and meetings with specific individuals. The application is also linked to iPhoto. This means that
keeping multimedia files and dynamic graphic information linked to specific projects and clients is
easily done.
Additional features include the ability to quickly print mailing labels and address information for the
customers in the database. Name badges and inventory stickers are also easily created using Bento.
Location aware services make it easy to enter in information and record where it was created, which is
perfect for those who are constantly collecting data on the go. Of course, all of the information
collected in templates within Bento can be exported for print.
Bento is also a good fit for sharing information with colleagues and other employees, thanks to the
ability to link with up to five others across a network. One feature that has yet to become available in
Bento, in spite of customer requests, is the ability to complete a mail merge. Nevertheless, Bento is by
far the winner in terms of the easiest software available for tracking complicated clients and projects in
one simple database. Furthermore, at a mere $49.99, customers can experience the power of an
advanced database for much less than one would expect to pay for a dedicated database server.
For further information regarding Bento 4 and the different variations available, users should consult
the official website of FileMaker, the development team behind the product. Support and help
documentation can also be found here. Users can also demo the software by visiting the site.
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 10
11. System Tools – Caffeine
Cost: Free
Sometimes the greatest tools for your computer can be those that provide just a simple fix for a
common problem. Such is the case for Caffeine. This small program adds a little icon on your machine,
which can be clicked whenever you would like to disable the power settings that have been created for
the computer using the system preferences. This is a perfect solution for someone who is stepping away
from the computer for a few moments, but does not want the computer to launch the screensaver or dim
the screen.
The power settings of the computer can easily be altered by visiting the System Preferences panel of
your machine. To get to this important area, simply click the small Apple icon that appears in the upper
lefthand corner of the computer's screen. Here, you will select System Preferences from the list. The
specific preferences you would like to alter can be found under Hardware, where the heading Energy
Saver is located. Here you can set the intervals that you want the computer to respect before going to
sleep.
While this is the right course of action if you have determined that you do not like the intervals your
computer currently follows, Caffeine fills in the gap for those moments in which you simply need the
interval to be extended until you can return to your work. Some individuals use this function when
working with video editing software or watching clips on their machine. If the computer does not
recognize that video is being viewed, it may automatically dim the lights. This can easily be avoided by
simply clicking on the Caffeine icon.
Although the software is relatively simple in nature, there are nevertheless a few preferences that can
be altered directly inside of Caffeine. If you would like Caffeine to be launched when the computer
starts up, simply click the small box next to this option. Additionally, you can choose to have a message
displayed on the computer when Caffeine launches. This is a good way to be reminded that there are
processes happening in the background that may not necessarily be evident to your eye.
In order to download Caffeine for the Mac, simply visit the App Store on the computer's desktop. The
application can also be downloaded directly from the developer's official website. Remember, once you
launch this software, you may wish to alter the duration of Caffeine's intervals for dimming the
computer's screen or launching the screensaver. By default, Caffeine will run indefinately, though you
may wish to alter this slightly if you only want the computer to remain awake for a set period of time.
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 11
12. Utilities – The Unarchiver
Cost: Free
Exchanging files with other computers can be a tricky task when the file in
question is bloated in size. This is often the case for large video files,
software applications, and multimedia packages. In order to make these files
more manageable and more easily uploaded and downloaded, many
computer users will compress the file in question. While this theoretically
makes the exchange take place more efficiently, it can also prove to be a
challenge, as certain compression methods aren't understood across a wide
variety of different platforms.
Fortunately, The Unarchiver is here! The Unarchiver is a powerful tool that can be used to open
archived files that have been saved in a wide assortment of different formats. Apple computers come
with their own utility for unpacking files that have been archived, but The Unarchiver is much more
effective at opening difficult files. Its free price tag also makes it an attractive solution for computer
users looking to save some dough.
All of the most popular formats are supported by The Unarchiver, including Zip, RAR, Stuffit, and
7Zip. In addition to these modern archive formats, many outdated and older file saving methods are
also easily understood by The Unarchiver. This makes the software a good fit for computer users who
may be attempting to access information saved by older computer systems.
While the software was developed specifically for Mac, computer users looking to port it cross-
platform can do so, thanks to the code being made available directly by the developer. This means that
Windows and Linux machines can also benefit from The Unarchiver. This is a perfect solution for users
who use their files on a variety of different machines.
In the event that a file's encryption or archive method is unknown, users can still attempt to open the
file by using The Unarchiver. The software should recognize the archival methods immediately and
begin working to open the file on the machine. In the event of a misread or if the file has been
corrupted in any way, the software will notify the computer user that the unarchiving process can not
continue as requested.
For further information about The Unarchiver, visit the development team's official website. The
application itself can be downloaded either from the site, or by visiting the App Store on the Mac
Desktop. If users have questions about using the product or any difficulties are encountered, discussion
forums on the site may be able to help solve the issue.
White Paper, “The Top Nine Applications for Mac Reviewed” http://www.mac-reviews.net 12
13. Media Players - VLC
Cost: Free
Arguably one of the most popular media players available for modern
computer systems, VLC is an open source multimedia reader available
across a variety of different platforms. It is this compatibility with several
different systems that makes it so popular. Particularly on Mac machines,
the VLC media player is incredibly useful, as it allows the users to view
files that were saved to be viewable in native Windows applications.
Examples of this include .wmv files, which are meant to be opened with
Windows Media Player. Unfortunately, while it was previously available
for the Mac, no supported versions of this player are currently in
development for computers running Mac OS.
VLC can be used to read both digital files and those on external media. CDs, DVDs, and video files are
all easily rendered through the software. Blu-Ray disks can also be read, assuming the computer is
equipped with the hardware necessary to read such media.
Support for subtitles is another great feature available in VLC. Many players have difficulty decoding
subtitles, as they can be compressed in a variety of different ways. VLC can easily decode subtitles
saved in a wide assortment of different formats, including Vobsub and Closed Captions. This makes it
ideal for individuals who may rely on such subtitles, such as the deaf and those watching foreign films.
Further adding to the appeal of the VLC media player is the reality that files opened with this
application often load much more quickly than those rendered using the traditional software
applications available for the Mac. In some instances, this means reduced loading times and the ability
to watch a film more quickly. Many users experiment with VLC to see whether they can improve
loading times often observed in other players.
Corrupted files are also occasionally able to be opened by VLC. This powerful player is also capabel of
opening files that have not yet completed downloading. This is of particular use to those who may be
attempting to view a video file online, but do not want to wait until the entire download has completed
before launching the file. As VLC has relatively no loading times associated with it, it is able to quickly
read files as they are written.
For further information about the VLC media player, visit the official site of the development team
behind the software. Donations are accepted for ongoing development efforts, but the software is free
of charge to download. Support documentation included on the website could also be of use to users
who are having difficulty utilizing the software on their machine.
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14. Conclusions
Finding the perfect application for your computer is no easy task. There are plenty of different options
to consider, and many of these software solutions have similar features. This can lead to frustration and
confusion when attempting to sort through the many different options available.
Fortunately, many times some of the most popular applications are in fact those that are best geared for
a user's machine. This is because generally the population prefers applications that are easy to use and
understand over those that offer more functionality but are cumbersome to navigate. When selecting a
potential software package for your computer, referring to the general public's perception of a particular
program can prove immensely useful.
In addition to using this information to make an informed decision, reviews from independent parties
are a valuable tool that can help customers get a better idea of what a product has to offer. These
reviews may include specifics about both the good and the bad of a particular product. By reviewing
information that isn't biased, but instead fairly assesses what a particular product has to offer, customers
can make a more informed decision on the product they ultimately choose.
Further complicating the purchasing process is the reality that buying a software package doesn't come
cheap in some instances. If you are considering a paid application, it is even more essential that you
refer to available resources to help narrow down the different options available to you. This is a good
way to make certain that you don't end up wasting money on expensive applications that are not well-
suited to your computer or your specific needs. This is particularly relevant for customers who turn to
the Internet to buy their products, because unlike a physical store, it is almost always impossible to
receive a refund for software downloaded online.
If you ultimately feel that a paid application is likely the best solution for your needs, it often pays to
visit the official website of the software's development team. Here, you can find information about the
specifics of the product, and you may be able to demo the product for free. Other developers often
allow the product to be used on a trial basis, meaning you will be able to get a feel for the software,
without having to splurge on the purchase price. This is a great way to conduct a “test drive” of the
software package and determine whether or not it might be the right fit for your machine.
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15. About Mac-Reviews.net
Customers who are tired of sorting through the applications available for their machine often need
information regarding professional opinions about Mac software. While there are plenty of reviews
online from unbiased third-party sources, Mac-Reviews.net takes the entire process of reviewing
applications a step further. Our entire team spends time looking at the different options available,
pouring over each application's specific features and capabilities.
This intense review process works to the advantage of those who consult our website for advanced
information regarding the specifics of particular products. Regardless of what the software may be
intended to accomplish on the machine, there is rarely anything more useful that reviewing professional
opinions on the specifics of a product. This helps customers to make better informed decisions that will
not only help them to more effectively meet their needs, but also avoid spending money on applications
that will not work effectively for them.
If you need further information about the many different applications available for Mac, along with
professional advice and in-depth reviews of how well such applications function, look no further than
Mac-Reviews.net. You will be certain to find the information you are looking for, helping you to make
wiser purchasing decisions. In the event that you are searching for a particular product and can't find a
review from our team, simply use the form on the website to request a review of the software in
question. We will do our best to respond to your request in due time.
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