A Look At Free Software To Use On Your Mac.

If you’re like me, there’s no month left at the end of your money. Of course, if you’re like me then you’re also nine and a half months pregnant.

Since all I can do is sit around and wait (and do a cute waddle towards the bathroom), I decided to see what’s new and what’s free in Mac software.

Guess what? I see a problem on the horizon. It’s not that there are no free applications and utilities for the Mac. There’s plenty. But relative to the number of software titles that we have to pay for, it seems that some free software is going commercial.

That makes it a bit more difficult to find the Mac gems, those tasty treats that are both good quality and easy on your credit card balance. As in free.

Even better is when an application, a good utility for Mac users that once cost plenty of money, is now free. Such is the case with NetNewsWire 3.1, the Mac’s premier RSS reader. Why is it free? I don’t know (yet) and I’m not asking.

NetNewsWire has a number of new features you’ll like, especially if you’re a web page saving RSS news junkie like me. There’s integration with AddressBook, iCal, iPhoto, and other applications. Sometimes I think Mac software developers integrate with AddressBook and iCal and iPhoto and iWhatever simply because they iCan, not because there’s a compelling reason.

There’s also a new HTML Archive feature which saves pages as HTML so you can read them in any browser. Podcasts can be downloaded automatically and dumped right into iTunes.

Of course, the RSS reader Vienna is also free, and a worthy competitor. The icons just aren’t as cool.

In the Frivolous Department, I found a cool little floating clock from Greg Weston. It’s free. It floats. It tells time. Now, at nine and a half months pregnant I want a clock that really tells me something valuable besides the time. For example, like when will I lose 20 pounds?

It’s a new year and that means new personal resolutions and that means out with the old To-Do list and in with the new To-Do list. Try Julius Eckert’s popular SimpleToDo. I already know what I want to do. I just can’t get baby-to-be Kayhill to get with the program.

Sony BMG has announced that they’re dropping DRM (digital rights management crap) from some of their music. Of course, you have to leave home, go to a store to find out what music, buy some kind of stupid scratch and sniff card, take it home, scratch, sniff, hold back tears, and buy from the 37 music titles you can get without DRM.

Or, pick up the latest version of LimeWire and get the same music online for free. Without DRM. And without having to leave your house to buy a stupid card and come back to choose from only 37 music titles. Of course, using LimeWire could be considered illegal in some courts of law. See? Free has drawbacks. Sony BMG makes you pay for drawbacks.

At least you won’t go to jail. Of course, you might go to jail once you carry out your road rage against Sony BMG executives for instituting such an idiotic way to get to non-DRM music.

Free is still a good thing, but we have to put out some effort to find the applications and utilities that work best. What’s your favorite free Mac software? Share your experience with Mac360 readers in the Comments section below. But hurry. My floating clocking is ticking and so is my biological clock.

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