Update April 13, 2008: I finally managed to get this review back up on the web after thinkmac.net's sudden crash. The original date of publication was October 19, 2007.

Sure, people think the Mac is better than Windows. Are they right? Are they wrong? I don't know. But what I do know is this: Adobe has Mac users under their grasp. Adobe Systems, developer of the popular Photoshop image editing program, has Mac users under their control. Why, and how? I mean, really, don't you think US$999 for the standard version of Photoshop is expensive? The problem is, there aren't too many image editors for Mac OS X out there, meaning you're stuck with Photoshop, right?

Wrong.

Two companies recently released two separate image editors. Pixelmator, made by the founders of Jumsoft and is priced at US$59, is more of a Photoshop clone with a nicer interface attached. The latter, Acorn, by Flying Meat Software, the maker of VoodooPad, is more of a casual user's image editor: only the features necessary for a good image editor, and costs only US$39. READ MORE »

New Year's Resolutions

I'm back! And I'm here on a mission: I'm going to review 12 freeware and possibly open-source software products for Mac OS X to replace that overly expensive set of tools you got last year. Isn't that your resolution this year — to actually save money this time?

Every month, I'll have a new product reviewed. There will be a download link, screenshots, and an in-depth look at the features. As for February, I'll have a free product on the 29th. I was busy getting some stuff ready for this review last month that I ran out of time for January. So this is for January, not February. Understand? Good. Then let's go. READ MORE »

In the world of blogging on the Mac there are only a few choices for a desktop client that interfaces with your CMS. Probably the most acclaimed is Mars Edit 2 by Daniel Jalkut at Red Sweater Software. While not the original author of Mars Edit, he has brought it to it's best version ever, offering several enhancements over the previous version. READ MORE »

Update February 17, 2008: I finally managed to get this review back up on the web after thinkmac.net's sudden crash. The original date of publication was September 2, 2007. READ MORE »

Since I have experience and training with real world design and computer design I was looking forward to trying this program out. I really wanted to love this program, but when I have to walk away from the screen in frustration, it’s not a good sign. This is a 1.something version of this program, so it's easy to be a little lenient. Live Interior 3D is already very powerful and well endowed with features, options and resources. My frustration comes mainly from the fact that upon opening the program, it seems intuitive and easy to use; but I found I had to scan all the help files to really make any use of it. READ MORE »

One of the current trends in software development seems to be making universal desktop applications. What I mean is this- small applications that will handle a few particular functions that work with all the programs on your desktop (or around all your programs). These programs are designed to do their tasks very well, efficiently and with much detail. Mac OS users are accustomed to this kind of program, since Mac OS is designed this way. READ MORE »

I think I’m beginning to see all my life in web 2.0. I feel like everything should be shining, glowing, reflecting and interactive. There’s all sorts of little programs that can help make life more 2.0; Picturesque is one of them.

The concept is pretty simple. Open Acqualia’s Picturesque. Drag and drop a graphic file (JPG, GIF, PNG) onto the main screen. Wait. Adjust the results to your liking. It’s all live and pretty immediate. It will change your background color, add a reflection, add shadow and glow, add curves and edges and resize your image. READ MORE »