A few months ago, while stuck on a Windoze machine, I posted an article on the apps I used. Keeping up the idea of a list of essential applications (similar to Mark Pilgrim), now that I am using Mac OS X here is my new digital life colophon:
OS
Mac OS X ($129, cheaper on eBay). Hey, it just works. I have, of course, improved it with TinkerTool (free) to update options Apple hid for some reason, and Quicksilver (free), because it keeps everything at my fingertips. I can’t picture life without QuickSilver.
Editor
MacVim (free, open source) because I am quite used to Vim and it runs everywhere. I like having a GUI but don’t want to be forced to use it. Honestly, I actually use this in a Terminal window more than the actual application.
Browser
Camino is now my browser of choice, after installing CamiTools.
Mail reader
GMail with the GMail Notifier. It may not be quite as fast as an actual application, but this is made up for in power.
Feed reader
Google Reader has a great interface and keyboard shortcuts to make things quick. Using a web-based reader seems to make more sense, as you are reading parts of web pages anyway, and by having a central server do all the downloading you save time, bandwidth, and processer cycles.
IM client
Adium can handle just about any protocol out there, but does such a good job integrating all your accounts that you forget you have more than one.
Media player
iTunes (free until you start shopping in the music store) just because it is free and pretty.
Image Editor
Gimp.app (free, open source) is a Mac port of the classic image editor The GIMP and has most of Photoshop’s power, yet is free (as in speech and free as in beer).
FTP
CyberDuck (free, open source) does everything I need, and has the cutest icon in my dock.
Note that all prices are in US dollars. Of course you should always register shareware. Not that I do, but I am a bad person. Better: use open source.