Free/open-source software for Mac OS X

• Back to my page: http://psych.colorado.edu/~mollison/

• Bold titles denote good stuff!
• NB for installing applications: After you mount a disk image, be sure to copy the application from the disk image to your Applications folder before running it. It is a good idea to eject the disk image and delete the .dmg file once you have done this.
• Another good list: http://www.opensourcemac.org

Applications/Utilities

• Quicksilver - application/file launcher, etc. (many plugins for other actions; check the plugins page) http://qsapp.com
  • User manual: http://mysite.verizon.net/hmelman/Quicksilver.pdf
  • Cheat sheet: http://mysite.verizon.net/hmelman/QSRef.pdf
• Google Quick Search Box - application/file launcher, etc. Similar to Quicksilver http://code.google.com/p/qsb-mac/
  • NB: I like Quicksilver more than QSB. QSB crashes a lot more, and development seems to have stopped.
• Notational Velocity - simple note taking software http://notational.net/
  • Syncs wirelessly with SimpleNote on the iPhone http://simplenoteapp.com/
• Wunderlist - to-do list that synchronizes across computers and iOS/Android devices http://www.6wunderkinder.com/wunderlist/
• Evernote - keep track of notes, syncs across computers and iOS devices http://www.evernote.com
• SelfControl - stop procrastinating by preventing access to particular websites/domains for a set period of time http://dev.eyebeam.org/projects/selfcontrol-app/
• Day-O - simple menu bar clock replacement http://shauninman.com/archive/2011/10/20/day_o_mac_menu_bar_clock
• Pester - simple alarm clock and timer http://sabi.net/nriley/software/
• Alarm Clock - menu bar alarm clock http://www.robbiehanson.com/alarmclock/index.html
• Stash - personal finance manager https://github.com/ppearson/Stash/wiki/
• MassReplaceIt - replace a string in multiple files/filenames http://www.hexmonkeysoftware.com
• MacPorts - Unix package manager http://www.macports.org
• Fink - Unix package manager http://www.finkproject.org
• Tofu - display text in an easier-to-read format http://amarsagoo.info/tofu/index.shtml
• VirtualBox - x86 virtualization http://www.virtualbox.org

Science

• R - statistical analysis software http://www.r-project.org
  • Emacs Speaks Statistics - Code and run R in Emacs http://ess.r-project.org
• Octave - For doing numerical computations, like Matlab http://www.gnu.org/software/octave/
• Python - simple and powerful programming language - http://wiki.python.org/moin/MacPython
• PyEPL - library for coding psychology experiments in Python http://pyepl.sourceforge.net
• PsychoPy - good experiment complement to PyEPL (e.g., plays video) http://www.psychopy.org/
• PyLab/Scipy Superpack - combination of many Python tools (Numpy, Scipy, Matplotlib, ipython, and PyMC) resulting in a Matlab alternative http://stronginference.com/scipy-superpack/
  • You may need to use a different backend to render figures. If plot([1,2,4,8]) doesn't plot a figure:
    • $ mkdir ~/.matplotlib
    • $ cd ~/.matplotlib
    • $ curl -O http://matplotlib.sourceforge.net/matplotlibrc
    • Edit ~/.matplotlibrc/matplotlibrc and change GTKAgg to TkAgg

System enhancement/utilities

• Dropbox - online file synchronization that looks and acts like a folder in the Finder http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTM2MDU0MTk (yes, that is my referral URL :)
• Menu Meters - system stats in menubar http://www.ragingmenace.com/software/menumeters/index.html
• Growl - system notifications (not all versions are free, but supposedly all source code is downloadable) http://growl.info
• OnyX - system maintenance, turn on hidden features http://www.titanium.free.fr/pgs/english/apps.html
• AppleJack - troubleshooting, system repair/maintenance http://sourceforge.net/projects/applejack
• The Unarchiver - decompress a variety of formats http://wakaba.c3.cx/s/apps/unarchiver.html
• ClamXav - antivirus software http://www.clamxav.com
• Omni DiskSweeper - show size of all directories and files in a browseable hierarchy (like a GUI for 'du -ah' at the command line) http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnidisksweeper/
• Fruux - Keep Address Book contacts, iCal, and Safari Bookmarks synced across multiple computers http://www.fruux.com/
• iAlertU - alarm/notification security for Mac laptops http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/21282/ialertu
• AirPort Location - automatically configure many system settings based on your network location http://airportlocationformac.com/
• MarcoPolo - automatically configure settings based on your location/context http://www.symonds.id.au/marcopolo/
• WordService - powerful text manipulation via the services menu http://www.devon-technologies.com/download/index.html
• Monolingual - remove extra language localization files to free up hard disk space http://monolingual.sourceforge.net
• Dock Dodger - prevent a running application from appearing in the Dock http://foggynoggin.com/dockdodger
• QuickSynergy - share mouse and keyboard between multiple computers http://code.google.com/p/quicksynergy/
• Mouse Locator - easily find cursor on the screen (good for large screens) http://www.2point5fish.com
• BetterTouchTool - add more gestures to the Apple Magic Mouse http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/32953/bettertouchtool
• fseventer - graphically observe filesystem changes http://www.fernlightning.com/doku.php?id=software:fseventer:start
• GeekTool - show system logs, command-line output on desktop http://projects.tynsoe.org/en/geektool
• GutenPrint - High quality printer drivers for Canon, Epson, Lexmark, and PCL printers http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php

Data backup

• Time Machine - Apple's built-in backup system
• Unison - backup files and/or keep files on multiple computers in sync http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~bcpierce/unison/
• SuperDuper - hard drive backup/cloner http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper
• Carbon Copy Cloner - hard drive backup/cloner http://www.bombich.com/
• LBackup - CLI Backup System based on rsync http://www.lbackup.org/
• LSync - CLI Server Synchronization System http://www.oriontransfer.co.nz/software/lsync/index

Chat/Social

• Adium - IM client for many services http://www.adiumx.com
• Coccinella - Chat and whiteboard client http://thecoccinella.org/
• Chax - add features to iChat http://www.ksuther.com/chax
• Skype - Text/voice/video chat and VoIP (cheap local/national/international calling) http://www.skype.com
• Colloquy - IRC client http://colloquy.info
• iScrobbler - share your recently-played iTunes music with your http://last.fm account http://www.last.fm/group/iScrobbler/forum/35555/_/134630

File sharing/transfer

• Transmission - BitTorrent client http://www.transmissionbt.com

Internet/Network

• Google Notifier - menu bar notifier for Gmail/Google Calendar http://mail.google.com/mail/help/notifier
• Two-way sync between Google Calendar and iCal: http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?answer=99358
  • Add Google-based push calendars to an iPhone for a good syncing setup http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=138740
  • But be sure to check out Apple's iCloud.
• Safari Extensions https://extensions.apple.com/
• Glimmer Blocker - no-setup advertisement blocking for Safari http://glimmerblocker.org/
• Cyberduck - FTP client http://cyberduck.ch
• JollysFastVNC - VNC client http://www.jinx.de/JollysFastVNC.html (free trial)
  • Use VNC access in the Screen Sharing Preference Pane to turn on the built-in server
• ScreenSharingMenulet - Access local VNC servers from the menubar http://www.klieme.com/ScreenSharingMenulet.html
• KisMAC - find/analyze wireless networks http://kismac-ng.org
• iStumbler - find/analyze wireless networks http://www.istumbler.net/
• Tor - anonymous Internet communication system http://www.torproject.org

Media: receive

• Google Reader - Google's web-based RSS feed reader https://www.google.com/reader
  • Removed wonderful social features near the end of 2011. Looking for a good alternative.
• NetNewsWire - Desktop RSS feed reader http://www.newsgator.com/individuals/netnewswire
• VLC - plays almost any video or audio format http://www.videolan.org
• HandBrake - Video converter and DVD ripper that exports to either MPEG-4 or h.264 video; useful for making iOS-device compatible video http://handbrake.fr
• Max - rip CDs and convert sound files to and from a variety of formats (musicbrainz integration) http://sbooth.org/Max
• Miro - Internet TV/video player. Plays any video file type. http://www.getmiro.com
• Boxee - media center solution and content streamer http://www.boxee.tv
• Plex - media center solution and content streamer http://www.plexapp.com
• Perian - plugin to allow QuickTime-enabled applications to play almost any video format http://www.perian.org
• iTunesFS - take music off an iPod/iPhone http://www.mulle-kybernetik.com/znek/public/en/default/software/iTunesFS/index.html
• Songbird - media player (similar to Apple's iTunes) http://getsongbird.com

Media: create - text/word processing

• Google Docs - Google's web-based word processor, spreadsheets, and presentation manager (similar to Microsoft Office) http://docs.google.com (requires a free Google account)
• LibreOffice - word processor, spreadsheet, presentations (similar to Microsoft Office) http://www.libreoffice.org/
• Smultron - text editor with syntax highlighting for numerous computer languages http://smultron.sourceforge.net
• Nvu - WYSIWYG/HTML webpage-authoring (similar to Adobe Front Page or Dreamweaver) http://www.nvu.com
• Skim - PDF reader and note-taker (with excellent TeX document preview) http://skim-app.sourceforge.net
• Aquamacs - Emacs for OS X http://aquamacs.org
• Carbon Emacs - another Emacs app http://homepage.mac.com/zenitani/emacs-e.html
• Muse Mode for Emacs - Emacs-based personal wiki http://www.mwolson.org/projects/MuseMode.html
• VoodooPad Lite - personal wiki http://flyingmeat.com/voodoopad/voodoopadlite.html
• MacTeX - LaTeX typesetting tools (installs TeX Live and several GUI utilities) http://www.tug.org/mactex
• TeXShop - LaTeX GUI, TeX document preview http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop
• BibDesk - BibTeX management, PDF organizer, integrates well with Skim http://bibdesk.sourceforge.net
  • BetterHTML preview
• cocoAspell - use aspell throughout the system http://people.ict.usc.edu/~leuski/cocoaspell
  • See http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/AquamacsFAQ for help on installing
• Celtx - comprehensive screenplay writing package http://www.celtx.com

Media: create - graphics, photos

• GIMP - raster-based graphics editing (similar to Adobe Photoshop) (requires X11), 10.5.x requires GIMP 2.4.x: http://sourceforge.net/projects/gimponosx (or install via MacPorts)
• Seashore - Simple raster-based graphic drwaing/editing http://seashore.sourceforge.net
• Inkscape - vector-based graphics editing (similar to Adobe Illustrator) (requires X11) http://www.inkscape.org
• Blender - 3D modeling/animation/rendering http://www.blender.org
• FlickrUploadr - upload photos to Flickr http://www.flickr.com/tools

Media: create - sound, video

• Audacity - audio recording/playback http://audacity.sourceforge.net
• Gawker - make time-lapse movies with an iSight, etc. http://gawker.sourceforge.net/Gawker.html
• Levelator - auto-adjust levels within an uncompressed sound file http://www.conversationsnetwork.org/levelator
  • GarageBand file: Share menu -> "Send Song to iTunes" sends an AIFF file
• Final Vinyl - audio recording with equalizer for converting vinyl/tapes to digital http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/9439/final-vinyl
• GarageRemote - control GarageBand's transport functions from any MIDI controller that has programmable buttons http://www.muratnkonar.com/otherstuff/garageremote
• midiO - Audio Unit plugin to add Midi-out support to Garage Band (i.e., drive a Midi-based synth with a GB track) http://mysite.verizon.net/retroware/
• SoYuZ - VJ software http://vjsputnik.com/pages/soyuz.html (Max/MSP)
• AVplayer HD - audio/video mixer http://www.neuromixer.com (Max/MSP)
• AVdrum - audio-visual step sequencer and drum machine http://www.neuromixer.com (Max/MSP)

Media: management

• iPhoto - Photo management and editing; part of iLife, free with new Macs
• Picasa - Photo management and editing http://picasa.google.com/mac/
• iPhoto Diet - remove duplicate photos/unneeded files from iPhoto http://www.rhythmiccanvas.com/software/iphotodiet/index.html
• iPhoto Library Manager - use multiple libraries, split/merge libraries (not all features are free) http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/
• Books - virtual card catalog for your personal book library http://legacy.audacious-software.com/products/books/ (no longer being developed)

CD/DVD burning

• Burn - burn data, audio, video, and disk images http://burn-osx.sourceforge.net
• SmallDVD - simple DVD authoring utility http://www.smallsoftware.co.uk/smalldvd/
• Make DVDs at the command line: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20061015103300777

Screensavers

• Electric sheep - abstract, dynamic screen saver http://www.electricsheep.org
• Polar Clock - a colorful, circular clock http://blog.pixelbreaker.com/polarclock
• DashSaver - bring up the Dashboard as a screensaver http://highearthorbit.com/software/dashsaver

Widgets

• All Recipes - recipe search http://widget.mattvestal.com
• AppUpdate - software update for your non-Apple applications http://www.dashboardwidgets.com/showcase/details.php?wid=1510
• Delivery Status - Track Apple, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, USPS, TNT, and DHL packages http://mikepiontek.com/extras/mac
• DoBeDo - display iCal To Dos http://www.bluehenley.com/products/dobedo
• Easy Envelopes - print envelopes for Address Book entries http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/easyenvelopes
• Epicurious - recipe search http://www.epicurious.com/services/tools
• Guitar Chords - displays and plays notes in a chord on a guitar neck http://osx.iusethis.com/app/guitarchords
• Harmonic - find lyrics for current iTunes song https://github.com/supapuerco/harmonic
• Hidden files - quickly toggle hidden files (e.g., for viewing in Time Machine) http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/developer/hiddenfiles.html
• iStat nano - mini system monitor http://www.islayer.net/index.php?op=item&id=21
• iStat Pro - full-featured system monitor http://www.islayer.net/index.php?op=item&id=7
• iTunes Connection Monitor - see who's connected to and what's playing from your shared iTunes library http://argon18.com/widgets
• NoteIt - send a note to a Bluetooth phone http://liferack.free.fr/noteit
• Piano Chords - display tri-tone keys in a chord http://www.mekentosj.com/widgets
• Skid Patch Calculator - calculate how many skid patches you have on a fixed gear bike http://home.arcor.de/skidpatches/index.html
• SlothCam - watch any jpeg-based webcam http://www.jackson-myers.com/Software/SlothCamWidget/
• SMS - send SMS messages http://www.callwave.com/landing/widgets_Gadgets_L1.aspx
• Sol - display sunrise/sunset times http://code.google.com/p/solwidget/
• Symphonic - play a song in iTunes with Quicksilver-like ease https://github.com/supapuerco/symphonic
• This Day in History - Shows significant historical events that took place on the current day or any selected day http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/reference/thisdayinhistory.html
• Web Translator - Google and BabelFish translation http://www.tacowidgets.com/widgets/
• Widget Update - keep widgets up to date http://www.dashboardwidgets.com/showcase/details.php?wid=940
• Wikipedia - search Wikipedia http://www.whatsinthehouse.com/widgets
• Word of the Day Calendar - view dictionary.com WOTD for today and past dates http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/reference/wordofthedaycalendar.html