4 Freeware Application Alternatives

Did you know that Mac software does not have to be pricey? After spending a good amount of money on a shiny new Mac, the last thing you’d want to do is shell out even more for Mac apps.

Like a lot of switchers, the first thing I did after purchasing my Mac was look around for good software. Here’s a list of my freeware picks that could save you from having to purchase expensive apps like DreamWeaver, Word and Final Cut Express.

KompoZer
KompoZer is an open source, cross platform WYSIWYG HTML and CSS editor built on NVU’s architecture. The developers call it NVU’s unofficial bug fix release, but it also has some added features. Worth noting is the site manager that syncs your offline files with the server’s copy, the included tools to clean up your source code and a syntax validator.

If you don’t want to pay for something like Dreamweaver, but would still like to code a site without HTML knowledge, KompoZer is a free option that’ll do the job. You can download it here.

Bean
Bean is a new word processor for the Mac that is still in beta. It joins the ranks of several other apps trying to steal the crown from Apple Pages or Microsoft Word. Bean’s power lies in that it’s a simple word processor that’s not overcomplicated, but is a tad more useful than TextEdit. It uses the same text engine as TextEdit, but has more features like word count, page breaks, autosaving, a mode for page layout, etc.

Bean’s developers say they don’t compare themselves to full-featured word processors like Microsoft Word, NeoOffice or AbiWord; instead, they aim to be the right tool for the job. I’ve downloaded just about every word processor for the Mac, and in my opinion, they were simply too clunky, too bloated, or had more features than I needed.

In my search for something lite that didn’t eat up precious resources, I ended up finding Bean, the word processor that has served me well. To read more about Bean or download it, visit the Bean website.

HyperEngine AV
Perhaps you’ve got a PowerPC Mac without sufficient horsepower to run Final Cut Pro or Express. Or the price tag could be miles away from your reach. You can of course use iMovie, but if you want another option to edit your video, try the free HyperEngine AV. It’s a non-linear video editor, and while the UI may not drop any jaws like a Dave Watanabe app, usability is HyperEngine’s strong point.

It has a simple drag and drop timeline interface with layers to add multiple videos, photos and audio. You can also import within the app or capture from a firewire camera. So you like that fancy crossfade effect, huh? Well, just overlap two videos on the timeline and they crossfade automatically. You can choose from over a dozen other transitions.

In addition to video, HyperEngine can also be used to create presentations and slideshows. Download HyperEngine AV at sourceforge.net.

TV Shows
Perhaps you’re not part of the Tivo generation yet, or you just don’t own a DVR. If you’ve got a Mac, a decent internet connection and don’t want to miss out on your favorite TV episodes, I’ve got your solution. TV Shows works with your torrent client to let you subscribe to various programs. When you launch TV Shows for the first time, you set which programs you want to subscribe to and select the video quality you desire.

The app runs a background process that checks for the latest shows, so there’s no need to launch it. When new episodes are available, TV Shows communicates with your torrent client and lets you automatically download and start watching Hasslehoff and Regis on America’s Got Talent in the comfort of your office chair.

We won’t discuss the legalities of “TiVo”-ing or bittorrent here. MacApper does not encourage copyright infringement; you do so at your own risk. Download it here.

Those are my picks. What are yours?