I’ve been working with Windows for more than a decade, switching the operating system went much more smoothly than I expected though: nearly all Windows Programs were replaced by their Mac counterpart, a Mac alternative or simply became obsolete (especially countless little tools to improve XP’s behavior and look). So what is this OSX newbie using? Here’s the list of essential (to me) software I currently use:

• Adium (Freeware) – Multiprotocol messenger
• Adobe Lightroom – RAW processor, license is valid for both Mac and Windows versions.
• Burn (Freeware) – CD/DVD burning tool, didn’t test it yet
• Carbon Copy Cloner (Freeware) – Drive imaging tool, untested. So far I’ve been using Time Machine.
• ClamXav (Freeware) – Antivirus
• Firefox (Freeware) – There’s simply no alternative
• ForkLift – Finder replacement, FTP-client, Sync tool, uninstaller, batch renamer… much more powerful than the Finder.
• HandBrake (Freeware) – Video encoding
• I Love Stars (Freeware) – rating iTunes songs from the menu bar
• iPhoto – replaced ACDSee for me, it’s not as powerful but runs a lot smoother
• Keyword Manager – Keyword assigning and managing plug-in for iPhoto. It’s expensive, but totally worth it if you want to use iPhoto for cataloging large amounts of pictures.
• Papers – Scientific PDF organizing tool.
• Parallels Desktop – Running a virtual machine within OSX, need it for Live Writer, MS Office and Adobe CS2
• Postbox – Mail client, based on Thunderbird, but polished and mightier, but also not free. It’s worth it though. Mail.app felt too basic.
• TeamViewer (Freeware) – a must for everyone who might have to provide technical assistance for friends.
• TextMate – Advanced Text editor. I’ve set it up to do my LaTeX typesetting for now, but I don’t know yet if I’ll license it after the trial or just search for a free alternative, it’s not exactly cheap.
• TrailRunner (Freeware) – Haven’t tested it yet, but it looks like a nice tool to archive your running and cycling routes and training.
• VLC (Freeware) – universal video player
• Wallet – Password manager, syncs with the iPhone version. I’d rather have stayed with the free Keepass, but KeePassX isn’t nearly as smooth and iKeePass, the iPhone version, looks like it’s not going to be usable any time soon.

So, what’s left? Only three programs: Windows Live Writer, MS Office and Adobe CS2. The latter is simply a financial problem, it doesn’t make much sense to get a CS4 license if CS5 is somewhere on the horizon. Until then I can use my CS2 license via the fine Parallels Desktop. And Live Writer? There just doesn’t seem to be an alternative for OSX.

Any hints and advice for an OSX novice? I’d be happy to get some input!