software for OS X

$ = requires key for unimpeded operation

repositories

reviews and links to popular OS X software updates

database of OS X software (comprehensive and unusual)

package management systems for open-source unix software ported to OS X; these may seem easier than compiling from source but one remains dependent upon the package maintainers, and I’ve come to generally use them as a last resort

For recommended command line programs, see Unix software…

utilities

LaunchBar: $ : very useful, quick, configurable keyboard access to find/open/manipulate files/programs; also has multiple clipboard/pasteboard support (free alternative: Quicksilver)
OnMyCommandCM: make your own system-wide contextual menu commands
TextExtras: installs a menu of useful commands for Cocoa applications
Butler: provides many useful features but I use it simply for it’s excellent multiple clipboard/pasteboard support
Pixture Studio: excellent contextual menu plugins (PhotoToolCM, QuickImageCM)
TextExpander: $ : use abbreviated triggers to insert predefined text snippets, and more (preferred over TypeIt4Me)
DEVON technologies: useful service modules (CalcService, WordService), and EasyFind
MenuMeters: CPU/memory/disk/network info in menubar
MagiCal: menubar clock with a drop-down tear off calendar
DiskWarrior: $ : repairs HFS+ volumes (where others fail or make matters worse)
ClamXav: virus scanner (GUI for the ClamAV open source antivirus engine)

if you use a portable

SideTrack: $ : configure trackpad for scrolling and button areas
DoubleCommand: remap keyboard (e.g. remap the “enter” key to “option”)
Screen Spanning Doctor: firmware patch allows many iBook/iMac/eMac models to drive external displays separately (i.e., without mirroring, like PowerBooks do)
Anacron: automatically runs regular maintenance procedures which are not run if the computer is turned off (or sleeping) at night; this is not needed for 10.5 (Leopard) or newer

network

Little Snitch: $ : internal firewall (for detection/prevention of network connections from the inside out)
VNC client & server: excellent protocol for remote GUI display/control (developed by AT&T); use TightVNC for MSWin and unix
CyberDuck: FTP and SFTP client
NetNewsWire: $ : RSS/RDF client (free “Lite” version also available)
browser plugins: fast and clean solution for PDF and MS Word files
Adium X: instant-messaging client supporting most protocols (AIM, ICQ, MSN, &c.)
Meteorologist: current weather information and forecasts in dock or menu bar (supports cities around the world)
RadioRecorder: saves network audio streams to MP3 files (similar unix tool: StreamRipper; also available from MacPorts)

programming

HexEdit: hexadecimal file editor
skEdit: $ : a promising text editor with (X)HTML & CSS tools, easy extensibility, and SFTP integration
TerminalColors: to adds a color picker to Apple’s Terminal.app allowing the user to edit the ANSI colors

media (audio/video/&c.)

VLC | MPlayer OS X: multimedia players for various audio and video formats including most Windows Media files
Flip4Mac WMV: QuickTime component to play Windows Media video and audio files
Perian: QuickTime component that adds native support for many popular video formats
Cog | Play: audio players that support many file formats (which iTunes & QuickTime neglect)
Max: for creating high-quality audio files in various formats (such as FLAC), from compact discs or files
expod: a small utility for extracting files from iPods
Floola & YamiPod: efficiently manage iPods, without iTunes; also runs under MS Windows and Linux

unfiled

UnicodeChecker: explore and convert Unicode
cocoAspell: augment Apple’s spelling service (use dictionaries for many unsupported languages, including improved English dictionaries)
MConvert: unit conversion utility (alternative: try the units command in the Terminal)
VoodooPad: $ : powerful personal notepad with wiki-like page creation/linking, object embedding, integrated sketch, and more