Chapter 5. Applications That You've (Probably) Gotta Have
In This Chapter
Using Microsoft Office 2008
Using disk repair applications
Editing images
Editing digital video
Using Internet applications
Burning discs with Toast
Running Windows with Parallels Desktop
Adding third-party utilities
Playing games with Mac OS X
In Chapter 1 of this minibook, I present you with an overview of the most popular hardware that you can add to your MacBook — and where there's hardware, software can't be far behind. (Somebody famous said that — I think it was either Bill Gates or Dennis Miller. I consider both of them famous comedians.)
Anyway, Mac OS X comes with a full suite of software tools right out of the box. You get Internet connectivity, disk repair, a digital audio and video player, basic image editing and cataloging, digital video editing, and — depending on the price that you paid or the MacBook model that you bought — even games and a complete set of productivity applications. However, if you're willing to pay for additional features and a manual (at least what passes for a manual in the manufacturer's opinion), you can make all these tasks easier and accomplish them in even shorter time.
Read on for an overview of the most popular third-party software applications for Mac OS X: what everyone's using, how much they cost, and why they're (usually) better. Before you drop a wad of cash on a fancy new application, though, remember yet another of Mark's Maxims:
Note
If a program you already have does everything ...
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