OSX is a capable operating system out of the box, but there are a few tools that I like to add to every new system I get. I’ve been asked for the list a few times, so in no particular order, here goes:
Keka
Keka is a free file archiver for Mac OS X. The main compression core is p7zip (7-zip port). Compression formats supported: 7z, Zip, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2, DMG, ISO. Extraction formats supported: RAR, 7z, Lzma, Zip, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2, ISO, EXE, CAB, PAX, ACE (PPC).
Chicken of the VNC
Chicken is a VNC client for Mac OS X. A VNC client allows remote access to another computer over the network. Chicken is based on Chicken of the VNC.
CoRD
Remote Desktop (RDP) software that saves sessions and preferences. A must have if you’re using Terminal Services/RDP.
Airconsole Driver
The Airconsole is device that provides bluetooth & wifi access to serial devices (no more serial to USB). This driver maps the wireless port to a local serial port that your terminal programs can reference.
Evernote
A fine note taking program with cloud sync, ability to import for physical notes and a nice web-clipping tool to import sections of content.
DupeGuru
Scans target folders/drives for duplicate files and folders.
Limechat
LimeChat is an IRC client for Mac OS X
iStumbler
Wireless discovery tool that will show networks & devices discovered (and signal strength) on Wifi and Bluetooth.
Text Wrangler
TextWrangler is a very capable text editor.
VMWare Fusion
Virtualize all the things. Virtualbox and Parellels also work well here, but VMWare remains my preference for compatibility and functionality.
SecureCRT
A damn fine console program, albeit a little pricey at around $100 per user.
Zterm
Console into things for free if SecureCRT isn’t in the budget.
Zenmap
Zenmap is the official Nmap Security Scanner GUI. It is a multi-platform (Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, BSD, etc.)
LastPass
Password Management.
Vienna
Vienna is an RSS/ATOM reader for OSX.
Handbrake
HandBrake is a tool for converting video from nearly any format to a selection of modern, widely supported codecs.
Wireshark
The gold standard for packet analysis. Don’t forget to update X11 as well.
Watch
A Linux command to continuously execute a program and monitor output.
Did I miss anything? Let me know!