Back to School Software

ByMike Moffit

Even though your new Mac comes with a wealth of exceptional software bundled in, there are still a few important add-ons to consider. Here is a list of a few titles to help get prepared for the first day of classes.

Apple iWork:

Though TextEdit (Snow Leopard’s included word processor) can be sufficient for jotting a few quick notes or drafting a letter, it lacks the power and features to handle more advanced word processing tasks such as research papers. iWork is Apple’s productivity suite, and includes three robust and powerful apps: Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Pages is a fully featured word processor which also doubles as a page layout tool. Numbers is a deep spread sheet oriented application, and Keynote is a presentation tool that makes creating elegant presentations a breeze. At $79.99, iWork is much more affordably priced than Microsoft Office. It integrates many of the key features of Office in a more accessible and appealing package. All three of the applications are cross-compatible with Office file extensions, so you’ll be able to share and collaborate with PC users without issue.

Feel free to evaluate iWork here and be sure to check out our $30 rebate when you purchase it with a new Mac.

Circus Ponies NoteBook:

In lieu of hauling a backpack full of books, many students opt to save paper and their backs by typing class notes. Taking notes on the computer can have drawbacks, however. If you leave your notes unorganized it can be a pain to find the information you need when an exam rolls around. Thankfully Circus Ponies’ NoteBook software enables even the messiest of us to de-clutter our digital lives. The software mimics an actual notebook, letting you organize by category and sub category, tabs, and so on. You can also implement virtual sticky notes or flags to leave yourself reminders. The software is compatible with many other types of media beyond text too. You can easily keep track of outlines, images, sketches, and web clippings in addition to notes.

You can download the trial version of NoteBook here.

FileMaker Bento 3:

Bento is a great piece of personal database software from FileMaker. While its uses are varied and potentially unlimited, it has a few key features that tend to make it a favorite of students. With contact and calendar syncing from Address Book and iCal, Bento can easily import your existing information. By means of its sophisticated database features, this software enables you to organize and visualize your information like never before. Bento also features a project tracking component which allows you to keep track of approaching deadlines and manage your tasks efficiently. While database software and “easy” typically do not walk hand in hand, Bento borrows heavily from the Mac’s overall UI making the learning curve virtually non-existent.

Try Bento 3 for yourself here.

Adobe Photoshop Elements:

Photoshop Elements translates many of the most popular tools, filters, and effects from its older and more expensive sibling into an easy to use and affordable consumer package. Elements allows users to enhance digital photos far beyond the options offered in iPhoto. With a number of filters and tools to aid in the creating the perfect image, Photoshop elements is a gem. While not quite as intuitive as iPhoto, new users need not be scared off by the typically steep Adobe learning curve. If you’re new to digital imaging and ready to take your snapshots to the next level, Elements is a great and relatively inexpensive way to do so.

A free trial of Elements can be downloaded here.

MobileMe:

Taking a number of iDevices to school with you, but worried about keeping all of your information in sync? MobileMe is here to help. Utilizing “cloud” based technology, Apple’s subscription service stores your email, contacts, calendars and photos on a centralized server that can be accessed from any computer with a modern browser. Perhaps my favorite feature of MobileMe is that it keeps your info in sync between multiple devices. For instance, if you change the date of an appointment from your iPhone, it will also change on your iPad and computer. This annual service also includes an iDisk with 20GB of online storage. I personally used this a ton at school. Unable to justify the continued purchase of ink cartridges, I eventually abandoned my printer in favor of public ones available in the library. Using the iDisk, I was able to easily transfer papers I needed to print from my MacBook Pro to the library computers. The range of free iOS apps available for MobileMe in the App Store make the $100 price tag even more worth it.

The 60-day demo available here is definitely worth checking out.

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    It’s no surprise that the past four years have put a smartphone into the pockets of most Vermonters, but as we drift through these gruesome winter months, a mystery still remains: What are we mountain folk actually subjecting these devices to?

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    If this does happen, DO NOT TURN IT ON.

    Wait until you get inside and your phone warms up to room temp. Although the effect of cold weather draining your battery is temporary (phew!), you can permanently shorten your battery’s lifespan by trying to power it on immediately after it shuts down. Grandma’s Facebook comments on your pics aren’t going anywhere, so just wait until your phone warms up to check out what she said!

    The next thing the cold will try to kill is your screen! Cold temperatures tend to make your LCD screen way more sensitive then it usually is. Watch how you are applying pressure to your screen, especially if you have any pre-existing cracks and knicks! I had a customer come into the store last week and tell me about how she was talking on her iPhone outside and all of a sudden, heard this pop in her ear. When she looked, the pressure from her fingers mixed with the cold had cracked her screen in half! Definitely keep chats on your phone outside to a minimum!

    One final thing to look out for is condensation. Liquid is the number one enemy to your electronics. Much like your windows, condensation will form underneath your display as your phone travels from the cold to your warm houses. This will cause liquid to damage and corrode your internal parts! This will literally break your phone beyond repair, causing you to have to purchase a new one!

    There are some simple ways to avoid these catastrophes:

    # Keep your phone in a pocket close to your body — DO NOT leave your phone in a bag or in the car
    # Turn it off — your phone can endure a wider temperature range from -4 to 113 degrees (F) if it’s off
    # Purchase a case — not only do these guys provide physical protection, in some cases they provide insulation
    # Charge your iPhone before bringing it outside — this will give your battery the strength it needs to survive
    # Finally, do not get it wet in the snow — perhaps the most obvious one, but please watch where you are busting that phone out!

    So, as a reminder, keep it safe everyone — and be mindful about when you answer that text. Is it really worth replacing your iPhone because you had to check on that smiley emoticon text from mom?