Show Me Your Dock! Series – Part 1
My blog header says ‘Apple fangirl’ for good reason, since switching from PC to Mac over two years ago I haven’t looked back. I adore my iMac and Macbook, they make my working life more productive and pleasurable. The dock is (for me) one of best features of using a Mac, quick access to the applications you need on a daily basis.
However choosing what gets in your dock is a decision your constantly faced with as you try to decide which applications you use often enough to give them pride of place.
And so it begins…
From today I’m starting a new series dedicated to gaining an insight into what’s in the docks of some of my favourite designers, developers and writers. I’m currently lining up some pretty awesome people to take part. I also want to ask you to participate, just write a post on the applications in your dock (with a screenshot) and drop a comment on this post with the link for everyone to check out.
I will kick the series off with an insight into my dock apps.
Here goes:
- Finder – Well it’s Finder, its compulsory
- Address Book – Even though i use BatchBook i like to keep my contacts up to date in Address Book as this syncs with my iPod Touch, Macbook and online with MobileMe.
- iCal – My main Calender app which is used to keep my schedule up to date and plan project timeframes.
- Mail App – While i have tried and tested a lot of email apps (most recently Postbox), I still find Mail app most intuitive to use. I also use MailTags which adds greater searching and tagging functionality.
- Firefox – While i do like the latest Safari update, i won’t be switching back anytime soon. I have a range of plugins which really help to extend it’s functionality and usefulness.
- Photoshop – Where nearly every design I work on is created and polished.
- XScope – One of the most useful apps i own and use daily. It’s ideal for measuring, aligning and inspecting on-screen graphics.
- Coda – My code editor of choice as it integrates everything that I need; namely a code editor, css editor, preview pane, SSH Terminal, website management and an FTP client.
- Transmit – I had been using Transmit for some time before getting into Coda. I still love it’s simplicity and functionality, a great standalone FTP app.
- TaskPaper - After longing for a super simple, ‘get your stuff done’ to-do list app, i knew my search was over once i found TaskPaper. No bloated complex software, just a fast, simple app that makes sure i keep up to date with my tasks.
- Basecamp – An SSB to my Basecamp Login site. Using the wonder of Fluid which i also used to create apps for Batchbook and Freshbooks below.
- BatchBook – Is a very useful CRM which also allows social network tracking, and integration with Mail app for tracking client communication and projects.
- Freshbooks – Covers most of my invoicing needs, I love that it integrates with Basecamp, Batchbook and Paypal.
- Skype – Working with mostly overseas clients means Skype is one of my most utilised apps.
- Adium – I used iChat for a long time before switching to Adium because it allows me to integrate all of my accounts in a more useful way. I also like its general interface and options.
- xPad – I adore xPad because it really is the ultimate notepad. Automatic save, drawer list of all documents created and categories among other neat functions means no more textpad for me!
- Littlesnapper – I have talked about my love of Littlesnapper on both twitter and this blog. It is by far the best inspiration capture and organisation tool for the Mac in my opinion.
- Evernote – I use Evernote as a way to capture and organise notes and article snippets i find interesting and informative.
- Quicksilver – Perhaps the best app on my Mac, so much more than an application launcher!
- NewsFire – My RSS Reader of choice, although i’m always tempted to go with Google Reader, i love the UI of NewsFire.
- iTunes – Gotta have tunes when i work! Team this with CoverSutra and you have a great Jukebox.
- TweetDeck – Still the Twitter app that i find most intuitive to use.
- RescueTime - Shows me exactly what software and sites i am actively using and how much time is spent on those. I can also set goals and track my efficiency.
- System Preferences- As I tend to tweak my preferences on a regular basis.
- Folders – Desktop, Downloads and Current Projects.
I’ve planned this post for a few weeks now and as a result of this i have slightly changed my dock since this screenshot. With the new TweetDeck update (new icon) as well as the addition of Mamp (previously a Quicksilver shortcut).
My dock also tends to change slightly every few months as i discover new apps or tweak my workflow and process.
If you would like to be featured in this Dock Series then leave a comment stating you would like to be involved and i will pick some of my cool creative reader’s to be featured in a future Series post.
Photo by Paul Davidson
Related posts:
- Show Me Your Dock Series! Part 8
- Show Me Your Dock Series! Part 19
- Show Me Your Dock Series! Part 11
Grace Smith is owner of the small but perfectly formed web design studio Postscript5, in Northern Ireland. To keep up to date with the latest designalicious content, then please consider subscribing.
. I’m too OCD to keep too much in mine, otherwise i’ll freak out or something lol.
Am tempted, quite proud of my stable of mac apps – and I always have folks asking me what I use.