Free alternatives to the Macheist bundle + more
Many people love the Macheist bundles because of the software. Others like the price. However, we're betting everyone will like some free alternatives to their latest collection -- despite the low price, there's always another, cheaper way. In a list of freebies compiled by Lifehacker, matching the Macheist options, there are a few standouts: For money management online without the cash layout, try replacing Cha-Ching with the free Mint website. Getting your clipboard multiplier under control can be done at a cost by iClip or freely by Jumpcut. WriteRoom, the distraction-free word processor, is replaced by the web-based DarkCopy among several other options (including Freeverse's free attention-focus tool Think). See Adam Pash's excellent article for the full rundown.
Following the example of LH's list, here are a couple of alternative options for the current MacUpdate promo bundle:
- For SoundStudio, check out the free & open source Audacity (of course, GarageBand may already be on your Mac)
- DVDRemaster Pro's conversion and archiving chops can be met or matched by the lovely and talented (and free) HandBrake
- Leap is quite cool and somewhat hard to replicate, but SpotInside is a free Spotlight enhancer that does a nice job too
- For the Parallels headliner, you can find cheaper or free Windows emulation/virtualization tools at VirtualBox, iEmulator, and Q
Thanks Adam P.
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Many people love the Macheist bundles because of the software. Others like the price. However, we're betting everyone will like some free...
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iCompta is a good free alternative to Cha-Ching
http://angeman7.free.fr/iCompta/
I use StevePerfect for a long time. Nice package. StevePerfect "includes a word processor, picture viewer, e-mail client, dictionary client, quicktime viewer, mp3 player, streaming quicktime viewer, editpad, text-to-speech, speech recognition, online text downloader, and an integrated help system."
http://homepage.mac.com/stevenmassey/stevesoftware/
Hmmm, only $49 you say? I see $64.99US! Why are Canadians stiffed and extra $15.99US for this? Not that I'd buy it anyway...
April 19 2008 at 1:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyoops - MacHeist bundle, MacUpdate bundle. There are too many bundles!
It's not quite as elegant a solution over WriteRoom, but there is Freeverse's Think for a distraction-free environment in addition to the word processor of your choice (WR uses the TextEdit framework if I'm not mistaken). Or there is also Writer.app.
http://freeverse.com/apps/app/?id=7013
http://supertart.com/qisoftware/Writer.html
Write Room can be replaced by Writer.app(http://supertart.com/qisoftware/Writer.html) or JDarkRoom (www.codealchemists.com/jdarkroom/)
you don't replace a desktop app with a web app...if you are offering direct alternatives....that's my opinions
How can you replace a desktop app with a web app? I can't use DarkCopy if I'm offline.
I recommend Think:
http://freeverse.com/think
(Disclaimer: I work for Freeverse. ;)
One could just use WriteRoom 1.0 which he left for free, though
lacking support. I haven't figured out a reason to pay for the new
one, everything most could ever need is there. Works just fine under
Leopard.
http://hogbaysoftware.com/files/releases/0000/0008/WriteRoom.dmg
WriteRoom 1.0 is still available as freeware.
http://hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom/releases
(Disclaimer: I wrote WriteRoom)
DeskTunes instead of CoverSutra? I recommend GimmeSomeTune. downloads lyrics and coverartwork. gimmesometune.com
Hmm if you really want a good deal on bundle software I have to say that Mac Update promo bundle is far superior to the current MacHeist option.
April 18 2008 at 5:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAwaken is replaced by a rooster.
Cha-Ching is replaced by an accountant.
DevonThink Personal is replaced by Secretary.
CoverSutra is replaced by Kama Sutra
iClip is replaced by a perfect memory and infinite typing speed.
Overflow is replaced by Stacks.
Wallet is replaced by DevonThink Personal, which is replaced by Secretary.
WriteRoom is replaced by turning out the lights and turning wireless off.
Xslimmer is replaced by a bigger hard drive.
Forty nine bucks huh? Most people already have a rooster, accountant, secretary, and a big hard drive. Doesn't sound like such a great deal after all!
I seem to be running a bit short. Can I borrow your rooster and Hard Drive?
April 20 2008 at 12:08 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyInteresting to see someone copying the article of Adam Pash at the following link: http://lifehacker.com/380493/free-alternatives-to-the-macheist-bundle
At least give credit to the person who you stole all the information from instead of passing it off as your own.
Manny --
a) you may have missed the line "Here they are, as compiled by Lifehacker" -- no intent to confuse anyone about where the list came from
b) that said, Dave is editing the post to clarify that it's an LH original and redacting part of the list, so LH gets the readership they are rightfully due
thanks for the feedback.
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