MindNode is a simple and free mind mapping tool, for people not looking for anything to elaborate yet wanting to get initiated to the graphical idea organizing tool. You can create large mind maps and use different colors for each different idea and connection and choose between different types of brush strokes with MindNode, a good way of differentiating the connection types in your graph. Although it will never feel as natural as actually drawing on board, it is easy enough that anyone can create advanced mind maps in seconds.

MindNode is not highly advanced though, so don't expect lots of shapes, tones or layer possibilities. On the other hand, MindNode does offer keyboard support, which, if you take the time to learn it, will allow you to sketch up your mind map even faster.

To share your brainstorm session, MindNode lets you print the document or export it in any way of a number of formats.

Although not highly advanced, MindNode is a good program to get to grips with mind mapping and connect your ideas easily.

Download MindNode 1.7.6 in Softonic

This includes everything from simple text, to photos taken on your iPhone. It's also a cross-platform app so great for those that work regularly between Windows and Macs. If you see something you'd like to keep or read later, simple select it and then go to the Evernote for Mac icon in your toolbar and select Paste to Evernote. You can also upload and attach web pages and other files to help jog your memory when your scanning through your notes. Most recently, this has been extended to allow you to attach text and even audio.

To use Evernote for Mac however, you do need to sign up for an account which is free, although the amount of storage space you get with it is limited until you upgrade. If you want to sync Evernote with your iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android or Blackberry, you can. Most recently, Evernote has been upgraded to include in-app notebook sharing i.e. share your notebooks and view notebooks that other have shared with you without ever leaving Evernote.

In addition, it features something called Notebook stacks which allows you to organize your notebooks by visually grouping them into Stacks.

The only thing that's missing is someway to export data. The other slightly worrying concern is that Evernote reserves the right to reproduce or use anything you upload to it and so if you're using it for secure information, you should be careful.

Evernote for Mac can do the hard work of memorizing your most important clippings and read later articles instead of relying on you to do so.

Download Evernote for Mac 3.1.0 in Softonic

Everything runs through the simple FileMaker Quick Start Screen which allows you to do everything from creating a new database, open an existing database or learn more about using FileMaker Pro 11. Click on "Send Link" and FileMaker Pro will create an email with a simple hyperlink that when clicked on, will open your database. You can edit the email in your email client to add any additional instructions or information about your database for your users.

For those terrified of MySQL, PHP or Oracle, FileMaker Pro 11 also takes the pain out by allowing you to administer both without any programming knowledge. For those already familiar with PHP+ and MySQL the only real advantage is here is a GUI and layout editor though.

FileMaker Pro 11 has introduced several new features such as Filemaker Charts which allow you to illustrate and represent data in easy to read bar charts, pie charts etc. You can also now create spreadsheet reports including a much enhanced layout and report assistant.

FileMaker Pro 11 is no substitute for solid PHP/MySQL knowledge and experience. However, it does bring an attractive GUI and more user friendly approach to database creation that novices will definitely appreciate.

Download FileMaker Pro 11.0.3 in Softonic

If this sounds a bit much to pull off well you'd be right. SeaMonkey is a bit of an outdated concept nowadays and it's no surprise that it carried on the work that Netscape started many years ago. It's a lot to get right in one go but this latest release sees SeaMonkey finally brought in line with the demands of Internet users today. And you know from the start it can't be that bad - under the hood, SeaMonkey is based on the same Mozilla source code which powers such things as Firefox, Thunderbird, Camino, Sunbird and Miro.

The similarities of SeaMonkey with Firefox are obvious from the start - and with good reason. SeaMonkey 2.0 has been refurbished with a modern version of Firefox based on Firefox 3.5.4 and is now much closer to Firefox as far as user profiles, add-ons, and functionality of user interface elements are concerned. Tabs in SeaMonkey can now be reopened after they have been closed and the way passwords and usernames are handled has been overhauled. To select another part of the suite you want to use, just go to the 'Window' option in the Menu Bar and select either Browser, Mail and Newsgroups, Address Book, IRC Chat and Composer.

There are several other major improvements related to the mail client. Setting up an account is easy and retrieving email using the IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) protocol is now faster and mail is synchronized by default by your Mac. And at long last, email accounts, folders, and messages can be viewed in tabs. In terms of looks, SeaMonkey has also been given a much better OS X theme which goes a long way to shaking off it's Windows heritage.

On the downside, some people feel that the new SeaMonkey has moved too far away from it's original Netscape origins in look, functionality and feel. The IRC chat client still looks very basic, techy and intimidating too. Also, it seems there is no basic import function to import passwords from earlier versions of SeaMonkey or even Firefox which is a bit annoying.

SeaMonkey will still probably only appeal to those who have used it from version 1.0, but there's no doubt that this latest release makes it a much more competitive and Mac friendly suite.

Download SeaMonkey 2.9.1 in Softonic

Freedom is a beautifully simple Mac application that's designed to save us from ourselves! All you do is open the app, tell it how long you need to be free, and form then on you won't have net access disturbing you!

The only get around to this is to reboot your Mac. Force-quitting, amazingly, doesn't work! It's a surprisingly good way to ration your online time, and it's also surprising how much concentration is improved without having the Web at your fingertips!

The obvious criticism of Freedom is that we shouldn't need it, as it's like a parent lock for grown-ups. On the other hand, if you don't have the discipline to stay focused and not sneak a peek at Facebook, Freedom is excellent.

Need to hit a deadline but can't focus? Force internet distractions to be quiet with Freedom!

Download Freedom 0.5.2 in Softonic

TotalFinder adds tabs to folders within Finder as well as allowing you to configure hotkeys and other customization options. The big advantage of TotalFinder are undoubtedly the tabs which cut down on the number of folders you need to have open dramatically. Suddenly, within one window, you have a clear overview of every folder you have open. You can also snap, move and even merge tabs into one.

Another useful feature is the ability to get rid of pesky DS_Store files that litter your system. TotalFinder cleverly instructs Finder to hide them meaning that although they are still created, they'll never bother you again. TotalFinder buries itself deep into your operating system in order to integrate with Finder so you can't remove it properly by simply dragging it to the Trash. However, it does come with an uninstaller to make sure everything is removed if you don't want to keep it.

TotalFinder is a remarkably useful Finder extension for managing your folders and files more effectively.

Download TotalFinder 1.3.2 in Softonic

Those of you with a digital pen and tablet can have the best of both worlds though, and inkBook is designed to help make your scrawl more legible later. inkBook is a handwriting recognition tool that allows you to write notes by hand and yet still remain searchable and indexable by Spotlight and other search tools. You can even export them as a text file.

What InkBook can be really useful though is jotting down phone numbers, addresses and appointments and then transferring them to applications such as iCal and Address Book. Similarly, it could be really useful for students who want to take notes in shorthand or by pen and then transfer them to their Mac later. InkBook features its own search tool, although anything you export as text can also be found using Spotlight.

The big advantage of this tool is that it allows you to take notes and write with a much more fluid flow than typing. It also prevents the need to have scraps of paper lying everywhere. However, it's obviously reliant on you making the necessary investment in a pen and tablet which, unless you are a designer, will probably not be worth the expense.

If you're a big fan of digital pen and tablet software, inkBook provides a fluid way of recording your notes and scrawls.

Download inkBook 2.0.3 in Softonic

The application lets you enter extensive details on every guest, like if they are related, and you can set proximity status, to make sure people who like each are nearby and guests who loathe each other are kept separated.

The magic hat button can automatically assign seats for every guest.

Although compatibility schemes can look a bit messy, PerfectTablePlan does a great job at mapping out your guest arrangements. You'll also be able to print out plans for the room and guest charts.

Download PerfectTablePlan 4.2.2 in Softonic

OmniOutliner allows you to create hierarchies of main headings and subpoints that can be expanded and collapsed. This makes it ideal for brainstorming tasks, drawing-up plan of actions and mapping out ideas. However, OmniOutliner isn't limited to hierarchies - it also supports multiple columns, smart checkboxes and customizable popup lists that make your notes and plans look really professional.

For students taking notes in lectures, OmniOutliner is particularly useful. Templates enable you to simply fill in the information and notes during lectures and link them easily. Linking is dynamic so that clicking one is similar to clicking a web hyperlink to an idea. You can also link directly to websites and online data if you have an internet connection. One minor drawback is that there is no PDF export support - only RTF export - but this can be easily solved by clicking Print to PDF from the Print Preferences instead.

OmniOutliner is an excellent note taking and organizational tool that will appeal to students and organizers at all levels.

Download OmniOutliner 3.10 in Softonic

You can use PersonalBrain to create diagrams, networks or simply sketch out your thoughts. You start out with a 'Brain' (i.e. a thought), and then build it up into something more concrete. What makes PersonalBrain a bit better than many other similar apps is that you can even drag and drop files and web pages into the mind map to make it more useful and richer.

The functionality can be poor at times however. Because its based on Java, it can take while to startup and responsiveness can occasionally be slow. Surprisingly as well, PersonalBrain will only let you export your mind maps in HTML format, and it would have been nice to have a choice of other formats such as OPML, Powerpoint and RTF formats for more flexibility, such as that offered by EDraw Mindmap.

On the whole though, PersonalBrain is a very flexible mind mapping program which lets you write down and connect your thoughts very easily.

Download PersonalBrain 6.0.7.0 in Softonic

Tinderbox stores your notes, ideas, and plans in a way that's supposed to help you get a better grip on everything running around in your head. You can even share ideas through Tinderbox via web journals and web logs. It does this by automatically scanning your notes, looking for patterns and building relationships between your notes.

You can modify and customize this process to better fit your needs or exclude certain information for example. It cleverly links some of this information with constantly updating news on the internet and then assembles everything on one place. You can of course add your own private notes and links manually apart from what Tinderbox retrieves automatically.

Essentially, Tinderbox is mind-mapping software although it doesn't feel like one. However, this leaves it in something of no man's land - it's an organizer on the one hand but a thought-linking tool on the other.

Tinderbox is an interesting application although overall, it's probably more useful as a mind mapping tool than an organizer in the traditional sense.

Download Tinderbox 5.10.0 in Softonic

If so, ShoveBox is your answer. ShoveBox allows you to store all those little scraps of information and little reminders that you need to do but don't have time for at the moment. ShoveBox sits at the top of your menu bar where you can drag in text, images, URLS, and more. You can then assign labels and flags to these tasks so that you can see at a glance what the most important ones are.

The problem is, if your menu is cluttered enough already then Shovebox is a bit of an unwelcome visitor. Then again, if it isn't, Shoevebox can prove an incredibly easy way of jotting down important things. There are other applications such as Yojimbo and EasyNote that perform similar tasks but Shovebox is probably the most flexible in terms of what it can handle and accept. However, since Google added a tasks menu to Gmail, I won't be using it myself.

ShoveBox is a handy tool for all those that are constantly forgetting things or need somewhere to store all those "must read later" notes.

Download ShoveBox 1.7.6 in Softonic

However, if you're not then you might find Subliminal Message Pro an interesting application. Subliminal Message Pro allows you to write and display messages to display at frequent intervals on your Mac. Messages can only be up to 80 characters in length and are displayed in the middle of your display. You have a bit of control over random horizontal and vertical offsets, random backwards display, the on-screen time, the period between flashes, the font size, font color, bold on/off, and font darkness etc.

You can make a list of messages and display them randomly according to which ones you've checked and you can write them in a variety of languages including Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Korean, Cirillic, Hebrew, Russian, Afrikaans and Polish, etc.

It's a bit annoying that messages are limited in size although the idea of subliminal messages is that they are short and snappy. The effectiveness of this program can only be proved or disproved over prolonged use though and it depends on your psyche.

Subliminal Message Pro is an interesting application and if it can help you think more positively or achieve a goal, then who am I to knock it. Otherwise, you'll just find the flashing messages annoying.

Download Subliminal Message Pro 1.5.0 in Softonic

StayFocusd allows you to set a limit on certain sites or sub-domains. Just click on the StayFocusd icon to add a site to your list. Access the StayFocusd Options if you want to be more specific about how you block sites. StayFocusd then sets a timer to let you know how long you have to surf a site before it will be blocked. This time limit is entirely up to you.

The extended options include a Nuclear Option to block every site apart from the ones on your allowed list. Alternatively, you can have a bit of fun and activate the Require Challenge button which requires you to carry out a mini challenge before allowing you to change the settings.

StayFocusd is a great way for Google Chrome users to get on with their work and block out annoying distractions but it's no replacement for self discipline!

Download StayFocusd 1.0.28 for Google Chrome in Softonic

Alfred can help you access applications, websites and other aspects of your Mac in the touch of a button. For instance, by configuring a few keyboard strokes, you can make Alfred provide instant access to web searches, bookmarks, your iTunes library and even the copying and pasting of files. You don't even have to configure keystrokes though - Alfred will learn which apps you use often and prioritise them when you search.

Alfred also comes with a high number of customisation options so you can control exactly how Alfred interacts with your Mac and how it looks. If you've ever used Quicksilver, you'll be impressed by both the customisation possible with Alfred and the incredible speed and effectiveness it makes to your working day. There's very little to fault.

Alfred is an excellent launch tool that is guaranteed to improve your productivity if used correctly.

Download Alfred 1.1 in Softonic

However on the whole we were a bit disappointed by MenuStrip. The latest version of the program says it is Tiger ready, when most of the Mac programs now are getting Leopard ready. Creating your own drop down menu is fun, but adding too many elements can definitely make it feel a bit cramped. We were also left unimpressed by the function to find applications by typing their name, something Spotlight already does.

MenuStrip is useful if you want to access your most commonly used items from your menu bar.

Download MenuStrip 3.0.5 in Softonic

With the help of productivity whiz Ethan Schoonover, aka Merlin Man, OmniFocus is an unassuming yet highly effective piece of software. It gives you limitless possibilities to organize and manage your notes. First plan your projects and actions, then set them in contexts, whether by date or by topic. Features can be added, removed and shifted around as you like. The Perspectives feature is great to save all your custom settings a click.

The folks at Omnigroup have really worked on interaction, and integrated OmniFocus to Mac apps like Mail, Spotlight and iCal. The program is also built so that notes taken anywhere, whether in an email, a document or another note taking app, can be effortlessly integrated in OmniFocus. Another handy little feature is SmartMatch. With this method you can quickly access or edit notes or parts of notes in a few keystrokes. Saves you a considerable amount of time.

While OmniFocus is a highly flexible application and even though you can use it whatever your style of project management, it still is very GTD centric. If you don't particularly like that method then you might not adjust to it. Another point: at $79.95 it's a pretty expensive piece of software, but considering the level of innovation put into it we think it's worth it.

OmniFocus is the perfect organizer for GTD afficionados.

Download OmniFocus 1.9 in Softonic