What I Use

I work in multiple formats (Windows, Mac, iPhone) on a daily basis.  Here is what I use.

Hardware:

Mac OS XMacBook with 2.0 GHz Core2Duo, 4GB RAM, OS X Leopard, Windows 7

I have been a Mac user since the early days of OS X.  I took a three year hiatus from Mac systems (due to many issues on G4 systems) and recently started using them once again.  I am very impressed with OS X Leopard and am excited to see where Apple grows on with their Intel machines.

iPhone 3GSiPhone 3G (S)

I recently made the switch to the iPhone from BlackBerry.  I’m still an avid fan of BlackBerry but have found iPhone works better with Mac and has some distinct app advantages.  The Mac+iPhone experience is seamless and beautiful.

Nikon D90 DSLR

I combine a lot of my design services with photography.  I often have need for a custom, clean shot of a location or subject for use in designs.  I’ve been a Nikon user for quite a while now and find the ease of use and advanced controls make it the perfect combo for a semi-pro and advanced amateur.  I use the following accessories as well: 18-105mm DX VR AF-S Lens, 70-300mm G Lens, Hoya UV Haze Filters, Nikon SB-400 AF Speedlight Flash, Bower SFD14N Macro Ring Light Flash, Tamrac Aero Speed Pack 85 Bag, 57″ Tripod

Software:

PhotoshopWindows compatibleappiconblankicon Adobe CS4 (and CS3) (graphics and publishing)

I couldn’t live without Adobe software.  Photoshop and Illustrator are my heaviest used apps on both my machines.

Firefoxwiniconappiconblankicon Firefox (web browsing)

Firefox is my powerhouse on the web.  Everything I want to view looks right and my add-ons make my life easier on a daily basis.

Windows Live Writerwiniconblankiconblankicon Windows Live Writer (blogging)

Hands down the best blogging tool around.  I use this for most articles on this site.

Blogoappiconblankiconblankicon Blogo (blogging)

Sadly, Windows Live Writer is not available on the Mac.  Blogo is an incredible alternative though and is quickly becoming my number #2 app for this blog and others.

WordPresswiniconappiconblankicon WordPress (blog platform)

All of my blogs are built on WordPress.  There is no other system that is as easy, compatible, and flexible as WordPress.

Pandorawiniconappiconblankicon Pandora (streaming radio, music)

Hands down the best streaming radio on the net.  With the introduction of their premium service, PandoraOne, they have quickly become the best option for discovering new music, jamming out at home, or listening on your phone.  The iPhone client is a great app as well.

Tweetieappiconblankiconblankicon Tweetie for Mac (Twitter client)

Tweetie is hands down the best Twitter client for Mac.  It’s beautiful, full featured, native, and powerful.  I highly recommend giving it a try on your Mac.

iphoneiconblankiconblankiconTweetie 2Tweetie 2 (Twitter client)

Tweetie is a masterpiece of a Twitter client.  When I’m asked what the iPhone is like by friends I always show this app first as it encompasses the iPhone design perfectly.  It’s loaded with power features and a wonderful UI.

Pidginwiniconblankiconblankicon Pidgin (instant messaging)

I still love using IM to connect with people and Pidgin offers a multi-client experience with quite a few plugin options.

Adiumappiconblankiconblankicon Adium (instant messaging)

Adium in the Pidgin for Mac with many more options and appearance plugins.

iphoneiconblankiconBeeJiveIMblankicon BeeJiveIM (instant messaging)

I like to stay connected to my IM clients at all times.  BeeJiveIM makes this easy and elegant on my iPhone (also supports BlackBerry and WinMobile).  This multi-IM client supports all the majors (AIM, GTalk, Facebook, Yahoo, etc…) and does it with style.  With the new push notification support you can stay connected for days without checking in as well.

feeddemonwiniconblankiconblankicon FeedDemon (RSS)

I subscribe to quite a few RSS feeds and FeedDemon has been the best reader I have used.  With online syncing it helps keep my feeds current between my machines as well.

NetNewsWireappiconiphoneiconblankicon NetNewsWire (RSS)

The Mac version of FeedDemon has been an incredible resource as it syncs just as well as the PC version. They have also just teamed up with Google to provide seamless syncing with Google Reader.  There is an iPhone app that I use daily as well.

Viigowiniconappiconblankicon iTunes (media player)

While iTunes has become quite the bloated hog of an app, I still love the library.

Outlookwiniconblankiconblankicon Steam (gaming)

Half Life 2 is still my favorite game series.  Valve’s Steam app lets me have my games on any machine ready to go when I am.

iphoneiconblankiconblankicon FacebookFaceBook (social interaction/media)

By now just about everyone is familiar with Facebook.  The iPhone app is the best I’ve seen.  It has just about every feature from the website and flows perfectly on my 3GS.

iphoneiconblankiconblankicon Google MapsGoogle Maps (GPS, mapping)

Google does maps right.  This app comes with the iPhone by default but the use of the 3GS compass is pretty awesome.  It’s incredibly accurate and is often my go to app for directions.

winicon= Windows compatible blankicon appicon= Mac compatible blankicon iphoneicon= iPhone compatible