In fact, FrostWire has more than just a few similarities to Limewire although unlike the latter, it does not carry advertising and there are no annoying pop ups. Just as Limewire was, FrostWire is straightforward and easy to use. A simple search bar, divided by category, makes it a breeze to browse for a file, whether it is a video, image, audio, or program. FrostWire also has a What’s New button to check out what popular files users have recently exchanged.

One particularly handy feature of FrostWire is a special direct connect option. If you know the IP address of one of your friends, type it in the box and FrostWire will browse to that user’s files. This is a quick way of sharing files with someone you know although it would be even better if you could enter the username of a user rather than the IP address.

In terms of speed, much will depend on the speed of your own connection. It definitely helps though if you've correctly opened your router’s ports and whether you’re downloading a popular file or not. To avoid the risk of downloading copyrighted or adult material, FrostWire also allows you to apply content filters. Another handy feature of FrostWire is a built-in media player. Video and audio can be tested using Frostwire’s media player which gives you an immediate preview of your file.

However, one major annoyance with Frostwire is the number of fake files on it. Many songs and files look genuine but are in fact either completely fake or in the worst case scenarios, malicious. You should be very careful when opening files. It should also be noted that FrostWire is basically a stripped-down version of Limewire, but is a not-for-profit project. The developers claim it will never support Digital Rights Management (DRM) or any type of advertising. However, the demise of Limewire due to legal issues mean that FrostWire may well be targeted in the future for closure.

FrostWire for Mac is a hugely popular alternative for anyone who misses Limewire but there are a lot of fake files and it doesn't quite measure up to the latter in most areas.

Download FrostWire 5.3.2 in Softonic

If you've recently bought a new Mac laptop, the last thing you want is for it to get stolen. Apple doesn't really offer any monitoring program to protect your MacBook, so iAlertU comes as a blessing.

This open source program makes smart use of both motion sensor and iSight to protect your MacBook. Once activated, it will trigger an alarm as soon as your MacBook is moved or your keyboard/trackpad is touched.
It can also automatically take a snapshot of the robber with the iSight camera and send it automatically by email.
iAlertU is very easy to use and can be activated just by using the Apple Remote.
You can access all it's settings directly from the menu bar and choose what sort of alarm to trigger.
Obviously you'll have to choose well when to activate it, as you don't want the alarm to go off every time someone gets close to your Mac.

Download iAlertU 0.77 in Softonic

Opera 11.50 keeps the general design and functionality of the highly-praised Opera 11.10, but adds convenient improved features like an improved Speed Dial, Password Syncing across devices and a faster rendering engine. As regards the interface, Opera 11.50 features a slightly cleaner GUI with a focus on webpages instead of buttons and menus. Overall, Opera 11.50 isn't a huge change compared to the last version, but it has been improved with some nice new features.

The big innovation in the last version of Opera was extensions and while the choice of browser enhancements is still fairly limited, when you install or uninstall add-ons, you don't have to restart your browser like you do with Firefox. Opera 11.50 runs just as quickly as Google Chrome (the developer claims it's even faster) and the rendering engine has been tweaked slightly to offer an even faster browsing experience.

The forward-thinking Unite is still here, allowing you to share your stuff directly with friends and more. Visual Tabs and Tab Stacking is useful if you often have too many open, and there are now visual mouse gestures. These are well implemented, and accessed by holding the right mouse button which brings up a translucent guide to mouse gestures. This is a great introduction for people who've never used gestures, and hopefully allows for greater use in the future.

There's still an integrated mail client, which continues Opera 11's move towards doing everything you need in one application. The newest improvements and features of note in 11.50 are Speed Dial and Password Syncing. The most notable improvement has been to Speed Dial which instead of simply giving easy access to your favorite sites, now allows you to embed your Speed Dial with dynamic information - in other words, web apps within Opera. Meanwhile Password Syncing allows you to sync passwords across machines and devices - just sign-up for an account and Opera does the rest. There have also been some HTML5 improvements for developers such as Session History, Navigation and the W3C File API.

Opera 11.50 is a definite improvement on Opera 11.10 although the changes aren't revolutionary. However, if you're looking for a new browser, this is probably the most innovative currently on the market and is well worth installing.

Download Opera 11.61.1250 in Softonic

PDFs are the best way to distribute documents on the Net, particularly if you've scanned one. It's much better than sending a generic JPEG scan.

PDF Studio is easy to use, yet powerful enough to allow you a whole host of editing options that enable you to annotate and edit documents. You can use it with existing PDF documents or directly using the tailor made scan-to-PDF feature. Note that PDF Studio doesn't require Adobe Reader to work - it uses its own propriety reader, which isn't nearly as good but does the job.

Editing documents is done via the formatting toolbar across the top. From here you can add text, draw diagrams, add watermarks, stamps and generally deface documents to your heart's content. If you want to join or split some PDFs, you can do that too, and even add a password to open the PDFs you create. Probably the greatest little feature is the ability to add sound and interactive elements to PDF documents - perfect for creating questionnaires and quizzes.

PDF Studio is ideal for anyone who doesn't like working with Adobe Reader and needs to add different types of annotations to their PDFs

Download PDF Studio 7.02 in Softonic

If you like to watch YouTube and Google Video regularly but are worried about them being taken offline then Videobox can help.

Videobox allows you to quickly and easily download Flash video from most popular video sites on the internet. Videobox will convert the video into a native Quicktime format so it's ready to view on your Mac, iPod, iPhone or iTunes. Videobox is a simple widget that uses keywords to search for Google Video and YouTube videos from your desktop. The immediate problem with Videobox is that because both these services hare gradually being merged, you often get the same results for both but still, the search works pretty well.

Simply enter your search terms into the Videobox searchbox and hit the magnifying glass. The results in Videobox take a little longer than using the video sites directly but you'll soon be presented with a list of results from both YouTube and Google Video that match your criteria including title, description and in the case of YouTube, tags. The disadvantage is that you don't benefit from the comments.

Videobox is a useful alternative to searching for videos via YouTube and Google Video when you don't have the time or inclination to read the comments.

Download Videobox 3.8 in Softonic

If you haven't installed Flip4Mac WMV on your Mac yet then how on earth have you survived without it?

Flip4Mac WMV is an essential collection of QuickTime components that allow you to play, import, and export Windows Media video and audio files on your Mac using your favorite QuickTime-based applications. Yes, like it or not, there's no escaping Windows media content even if you have a Mac and Flip4Mac WMV is your best bet of viewing it.

Flip4Mac WMV plug-ins can be used with most QuickTime based applications, including QuickTime Player, iMovie, Final Cut Pro and more. For instance, this enables you to watch Windows Media using QuickTime player, play Windows Media using Safari Web Browser and import Windows Media for edit or conversion to other QuickTime formats. Unfortunately however, iMovie 08 and iMovie 09 are not currently supported.

Flip4Mac WMV is a virtually essential component for any Mac user who needs to watch Windows Media related content.

Download Flip4Mac WMV 2.4.1.4 in Softonic

With Skype you can call other Skype users absolutely free wherever they are in the world thanks to P2P technology. Skype 5 brings together the main functions of talk, chat, video and file sharing in one main window. By default, your contacts list is on the left, the other basic functions are in the main part of the program window making it more streamlined and slicker than previous releases.

New in Skype 5 is the ability to video conference with up to ten participants. Group conferencing has also been made easier thanks to the redesigned call window which means that all distractions (such as other conversations) are minimized and only the names of participants displayed. However, although you can video chat with one contact for free, group video conferencing is now a premium feature which you have to pay for which will disappoint many users.

Skype 5 features a new contacts list sorted by category and you can add favorites to the top of the list. Searching for them has also been made easier by integrating them with your Mac address book. You can also now rename contacts so that you're not stuck with their default username. Finally, accessing Skype is now easier thanks to a mini Skype control bar that sits on top of any web pages, documents or photos you've got open although some may find this a bit intrusive.

Although Skype 5 adds many improvements, some people may miss the smaller and more discreet interface of Skype 2.8.0.866. There is a feeling that the developers have gone a bit over the top in expanding Skype and "hiding" certain features and it will take users of the old version some getting used to. The fact that video conferencing is now a premium feature will also annoy many faithful users.

Skype 5 brings video conferencing and a more intelligent user interface that once you've adapted to, should make Skype an even better way to keep in touch while you're away.

Download Skype 5.5.0.2069 Beta in Softonic

It is multiplatform. It can be integrated into a web page to bring support to Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. There is no need to open ports on the client computer.

The main purpose is to support customers. It is well suited for system administrators and software developers.

Download BD4 Soporte 4.1 in Softonic

There's already a plethora of word processors on Mac, and most of them fit the job perfectly. Bean is an open source text editor with a very nice interface and its personal set of features. We liked the inspector tool, which gives you quick access to elements like alignment, spacing, or indenting. Bean also carries a dictionary and makes it really simple to check the spelling and definition of a word.

Bean's font manager, which lets you add new ones or arrange your favorite ones, is very well thought out. Bean also has a statistics window, which you call up directly from the menu bar, and that will give you word count, number of paragraphs and more. Bean is a very pleasant word processor to use and you always feel like tools are immediately accessible. It's a good free and simple alternative to Microsoft Word or Open Office.

Download Bean 3.0.3 in Softonic

1. More then 20 1D and 2D barcode symbologies, 2. Smart, intuitive mac barcode generating software that allows to create and export barcodes as either high-resolution raster, or vector image formats 3. Print barcodes directly to your printer using standard Avery label formats provided, ot create and save your own custom label formats, 4. Add text, borders, images, and more 5. Sequential barcodes for catalogs and retail operations

for small businesses, personal use, home users, shops and stores, identification and more.

Download iBarcoder - Mac Barcode Generator 3.3.14 in Softonic

Don't be fooled by the name - TrailRunner caters for more than those who just fancy a jog with a difference. TrailRunner is well thought-out and crafted application for anyone who's on the move whether hiking, running cycling or looking for directions.

The aim of TrailRunner is to be the exercise partner you've always dreamed of. TrailRunner can calculate a route for any specified distance in the world and export the directions onto your iPod. Maps can be exported to your mobile device as NanoMaps. TrailRunner integrates with Ascent and Garmin Training Center, although some users have reported that it slows down the latter considerably. Whichever device you use, the TrailRunner guide will give you detailed instructions along the way so that you can stick to your route and concentrate on your running or hiking.

TrailRunner uses Microsoft Virtual Earth to plot and find routes, which isn't quite as detailed as Google Earth but it should suffice for most major locations. After your trip is over, TrailRunner doesn't stop there. You can fill in a diary of your trip, create an exercise plan, and even share the ground you've covered on GPSies.com. There's also a calendar for you to schedule training, and walks to help you stick to your walking and running plans.

TrailRunner is an ideal application for anyone who has an iPod or Garmin device and wants to get more out of their jogs, hikes and walks.

Download TrailRunner 3.7.673 in Softonic

Similar to its Twitter counterpart, Echofon for Mac, FaceTab lets you view all the important information on your Facebook account from the comfort of your desktop. Different integrated links exist for your Newsfeed, Events, and Places, as well as main linked tabs for Home, Profile, Friends, and Messages. In addition, you can search via FaceTab just like you can on Facebook's regular site, and you can sort through your notifications and various requests too.

FaceTab also comes with a refresh button so you can see the latest news in your feed whenever you like. There are also convenient forward and back arrows and a settings menu that lets you determine how frequently you want to be notified of new information, if at all.

On top of the great options for getting content from Facebook, you can also interact quite easily through FaceTab. Comment on other peoples' statuses, share news stories, or even update your own status easily and quickly. You can also view peoples' photos directly through the app. In fact, the only thing that FaceTab doesn't do is actually upload pictures. For that, you'll have to log onto Facebook via the web. If this feature was added in future versions of the app, it would undoubtedly make this one of the best Facebook desktop apps on the market, if not the best.

FaceTab really makes it easy to keep up with all the things happening on Facebook, all from the comfort of your Mac's desktop.

Download FaceTab 3.6 in Softonic

Safeguard supplementary information within your project using Merlin 2’s Elements. Assign these Elements to your projects, phases, procedures and resources. Elements contain, for example, deadlines, risks, checklists, problems and documents for the project records.

Agile project management now has drag and drop functionality. Simply take new iterations and phases from the library and drop them into the project. With many documents included, the Merlin 2 library ultimately brings the search for the right presentation of your project documentation to an end. Merlin 2 also easily accepts your own design/presentation.

Gone are the days when your resources were nothing more than "attachments" in project management programs. In Merlin 2 you manage your team simply and completely. Take addresses from the Mac OS X Addressbook or MS Entourage in the Merlin program window or input new coworkers directly. If you do not yet know exactly who shall complete a task, that's no problem for Merlin 2.

Merlin integrates perfectly with other programs
No matter what the source of your data is - MS Project, Excel, OmniOutliner, NovaMind or others, Merlin imports them completely. However this is not just a one-way street. Merlin exports projects with equal ease. For a continuously updated calendar view of your project, you can use Apple's iCal.

Every view has its own search field. Enter a key word and instantly the views are reduced to the essentials. Recurring searches are also no problem with Merlin 2. Define a complex search with a few mouse clicks and use this search for all your projects. Furthermore, Merlin Projects can be found in the Finder with the help of Spotlight.

The graphic project plan is an important result - whether printed on paper or in a PDF. With Merlin's interactive print preview you can easily design the output. Convince and satisfy your project team using meaningful reports, developed and adjusted with only a few mouse clicks using the Merlin 2 Reports’ function.

Besides project planning no other topic is as all-encompassing as project documentation. For this task Merlin 2 ensures that you are perfectly equipped. Merlin knows when you edit a document in another application and gives you the option to create a new version. Thus you always retain an overview of all changes.

Download Merlin 2.8.1 in Softonic

How I wish I'd discovered DVDRemaster a few weeks ago when I was trying to burn a 7GB iDVD project onto a single layer DVD disk.

In the end, I had to buy a Double Layer DVD which is a) Expensive since they're often only sold in packs of 5 or 10 and b) Annoying because DL disks don't always play properly on all DVD players. It would have been far preferable to have shrunk the project into something that could fit on a single layer DVD and that's what DVDRemaster aims to do.

DVDRemaster comes in two versions - Standard and Pro. Pro gives you more control over how your DVD is compressed - for instance you can discard selected video and audio tracks - but most users needing a simple compression job will be fine with the standard version. DVDRemaster doesn't just compress for DVD playback however - it also re-compresses large DVDs so they can be watched on your video iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone, Apple TV and more. The interface is slick and throughout, DVDRemaster is a pleasure to use.

Unfortunately however, you can't compress iMovie or iDVD projects directly. You'll have to convert your creations to a Video_TS file and then shrink it from there. There are several easy to follow tutorials though that make this very simple to do. DVDReamaster also comes bundles with Fairmount which helps decrypt heavily encrypted DVDs.

DVDRemaster is a great solution for anyone that's ever needed to shrink a DVD for single layer burning or reproduction on their mobile device.

Download DVDRemaster 7.1.4 in Softonic

Ski Challenge is always popular as the winter sports season gets underway. However, don't be in a hurry to play this game as there's quite a lot of configuration and updating to do before you start. Ski Challenge will only work from the Applications folder for a start so you'll have to drag the 100MB+ file into your folder in order to play it. After that, there's an installer and a series of automatic updates that take place before you can actually access the game itself.

Ski Challenge automatically opens in full screen mode although you can switch it to windowed mode by clicking Manual in the main menu and turning-off full-screen mode. From the start, it's plain to see that Ski Challenge is a high quality skiing simulation with excellent graphics. To begin with you are offered the chance to practice or choose from pistes from around the world. However, you're only allowed to choose Val d'Isere to start with as the others are shaded out. You can also choose the weather conditions and various other configurations, which make it a little tedious and frustrating before you actually get to do any skiing.

The controls in Ski Challenge are very simple - use the arrow keys to direct your skier and the up arrow key to make him go faster. A ghost shadow figure shows you where you should be on the track and you should try and stick as closely to him as possible. Training in Ski Challenge is conducted in offline mode so you don't need an internet connection to do so but competitions are online as scores are uploaded to a central database. This means that in race mode, you can't just race when you want because the game follows a schedule of online races so you have to wait until a qualifying slot opens up for you.

This ability to race against other competitors and win real prizes is probably one of the most attractive elements for Ski Challenge devotees. It adds and added level of realism to the already excellent graphics and game play. Note that you have to sign-up for a Ski Challenge account to enjoy online challenges. Unfortunately, much of the information on the developer website regarding the game is in German although in-game, English is used throughout.

The controls are tricky to master at first and as in real life, you'll spend more time flying down the hill on your back than on your skis but if you persevere, Ski Challenge is an absorbing and addictive simulator, especially if you compete online.

Download Ski Challenge 2012 1.05 in Softonic

Kindle for Mac is a very simple e-book reader which allows you to read and sync your library with your Kindle. You can purchase books online and have them directly delivered to Kindle for Mac and then sync it with your device.

Kindle for Mac is extremely simple. When you first install it you're required to enter in your Amazon account details or sign-up for one. You can then either transfer books from your Kindle to Kindle for Mac by clicking the rather small synchronization symbol or go directly to the Amazon site by clicking Shop In Kindle Store. You can sort titles by name, author or most recently purchased but other than that there are absolutely no other preferences. It's a little annoying that long book names are truncated on your Kindle for Mac library page and there seems no way of changing this.

Reading with Kindle for Mac is a simple case of dragging pages up and down with your mouse or using your mouse wheel. Alternatively, you can use the white arrow on the right to skip pages. Strangely though, you can't seem to zoom in or out which you'd imagine as a basic feature in something like this. You can add bookmarks on any page by just clicking Bookmark and a small fold will appear in the top right corner of the page for when you return too the book later. There are extensive keyboard shortcuts also, details of which can be found on the Kindle for Mac help page.

Overall Kindle for Mac does an efficient but basic job of managing your Kindle books but considering how long its taken to arrive, its a little disappointing.

Download Kindle for Mac 2.8.5 in Softonic

It's not uncommon for people to search out how-to videos on the web when you want to learn how to make something. Maybe you want to learn how to knit. Maybe you're interested in trying your hand at your favorite restaurant dish. Whatever the case, YouTube's a great resource for finding video tutorials.

How do you know the tutorial's any good though? That's where FreeTwitTube comes in.

FreeTwitTube is a neat little program that will collect tweets from Twitter users referencing the video you're viewing. It works with Firefox, Internet Explorer and Google's Chrome and shows up directly on the program page of the video you're viewing on YouTube. You can even respond to the comments via the webpage if you're already signed into your own Twitter account.

Unfortunately, FreeTwitTube relies on people actually having commented on the video in question in order to be an effective service. If no one comments, there's nothing FreeTwitTube can provide by way of Twitter comments. FreeTwitTube's icon is also initially a little difficult to locate since it's very small on an already relatively busy-looking webpage.

FreeTwitTube is a great resource for people who want to know others' opinions on the YouTube videos they're watching.

Download FreeTwitTube in Softonic

Desktop sharing is not just the field of tech professionals anymore. Whether you want to show how an application works or simply be able to explain things on someone else's computer, you'll need to find a way to share desktops easily.

TeamViewer for Mac offers a simple way of creating desktop sharing sessions with other users whether on a distant computer, local connection or over the internet. Both users will each have an ID and password with which to connect to their session.

Taking control of another computer is a great way to solve issues from a distance and demonstrate things on a desktop without actually being there physically. TeamViewer also allows file transfer and includes a chat function to communicate with your contact. You can also record sessions and play them back afterward with TeamViewer. These can then be used as tutorials or to go back on what you've done in previous sessions. If you dig into the details you'll be able to choose not only whether to optimize quality or speed, but also configure the amount of access you want to give to your desktop with TeamViewer.

The free version of TeamViewer for Mac has a number of limitations, and lacks some modules like the TeamViewer manager or customer module. In addition, the program can be a little complicated to get the hang of at first.

TeamViewer for Mac is a solid program for quickly sharing desktops with another user.

Download TeamViewer for Mac 6.0.10548 in Softonic

If you ever work with single-crystal diffraction, you'll find SingleCrystal invaluable for data analysis - and especially for indexing diffraction spots. The ability to superimpose a simulated pattern directly above an image of a real diffraction pattern, makes indexing and analysis a breeze!

Features:

Analysing Experimental Data
High-Resolution Graphics & Printing
Custom Tools
Stereographic Projection
Export Data

Download SingleCrystal 2.2.2 in Softonic

You do not need to be an expert to use VidConvert. Simply add a file, select a format and a quality, and click convert. Optionally you can change your save folder from the main window. For advanced users you can select the Advanced quality if you choose to allow such options as custom Frame Rate, Bit Rate, etc. But for most users simply choosing Normal or High quality should be sufficient. After your conversion is finished simply add more files or quit VidConvert and the job is done.

Supported formats include iPhone, iPod, iPad, QuickTime, .mp4, MPEG-1 and 2, DivX, Xvid, and audio only formats such as .mp3 and .m4a. VidConvert can add iTunes compatible videos directly to your iTunes library for convenience and for syncing with your iPhone, iPod, or other iDevice. It's also possible to turn your favorite videos in audio only tracks for playback in your favorite audio device. And VidConvert is not limited to creating videos just for Apple devices, in fact any device that can play one of the supported formats can play a video converted by VidConvert. With VidConvert converting your videos couldn't be easier.

Feature Highlights:
* Supported input - Most any type of video or audio format
* Supported output - iPhone, iPad, iPod, Retina, Apple TV, QuickTime, .mp4, .avi, DivX, Xvid, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DVD (.vob), Windows Media, Flash, .m4a, .mp3, .aiff, .wav, .wma
* Full 64-bit support for the fastest possible conversion
* Expected features such as Preview, Joining or "stitching" files, ability to save settings, and more...
* Normal and High quality presets to make video conversion automatic for most users
* Info panel to obtain Container, Video, and Audio details for each video
* All Apple Devices format to play on all iDevices or Apple TV
* Crop and Trim and more in the Advanced panel to customize your conversion if needed
* Drag and Drop simplicity even with folders of videos and List reordering once videos have been added
* Easily change Save To folder for each batch
* Progress indicator with time remaining for each file
* Sparkle updater to always have the latest version

Download VidConvert 1.1.4 in Softonic