James Fee has posted about software that changed his life, and it struck me as a very powerful idea. Can a bucket of bits and bytes really change anyone's life? The more I thought about it, the more I knew it was true. Software can change lives, it has certainly changed mine.

Back to James for a moment. He lists the following software as life changing (for him):

• Hypercard
• ArcInfo
• BBEdit
• Freehand
• ArcView

Not too shabby. This, of course, got me thinking about the software that has had an impact on my life. Mac OS 8.6 sprung immediately to mind. That's what my first Mac ran, and it was the first time that I felt like I was working with a computer instead of at a computer (a subtle, but telling difference). 8.6 was my entrance into the Cult of Mac and now look at me! I'm a titan of the Mac web and I have owned more Mac gear should be allowable by law.

So, dear readers, has any software changed your life?