Its been a year with this Mac Book Pro that I am using so I thought that I would round up with my top ten Mac software – the software that I would install first of all after a crash.

1. Quicksilver. This is a must have on the Mac. I find out something new about it every week if not everyday and it makes using OS X even easier and more streamlined. For instance, finding a contact and then sending an SMS through skype can be achieved in a few keystrokes, far faster than clicking around in the GUI.

2. NetNewsWire Pro. Now free to download, I had a paid version of this and its the best way to read newsfeeds that I have come across. It syncs with a web version so I can still access the my newsfeeds when I am away, and there are clients for other platforms including Windows Mobile.

3. Knox. I use this to keep all my important documents and things that I don’t want to go missing. It backups to my USB thumbdrive everyday, and its easy to backup online.

4. SSHFS and MacFuse. Easy easy way to mount external SSH shares onto the desktop.

5. Address book, Apple Mail and iPhoto. At first I stayed away from the integrated applications, but they are REALLY integrated, and work so well together the extra functionality that you get from using them together is well worth the switch.

6. Adium. The best chat client that I have found for instant messaging on OS X. It doesn’t have all the features that individual applications might have (voice and webcam for one). But sometimes you just don’t need that, and really skype running along side is better for this. If it had all the features of skype it would be really the true all rounder.

7. Unison. I use Usenet alot. Its a great news client. Perhaps the best on any platform at the moment.

8. Textmate. Perhaps the best editor on OS X – I tried many until I paid up and bought Textmate. Its strong bundles and integration with svn plus the nice support for Django wins for me.

9. MarsEdit. Great blog posting tool.

10. Versions. This is quite new but it makes working with SVN just a little easier.

Last weekend we arrived back from a all-too-short week away in England.

Its the first time that I have been back in quite a while and one of the ones that I have most enjoyed. Firstly we flew in to London City Airport dodging the bad luggage of Heathrow, the bad connections of Stanstead and the general grottyness of Gatwick.

It only took about 30 minutes to get to our hotel, the Hoxton situated nicely on Great Eastern Street. Upon arrival the hotel lived up to our expectations, and generally exceeded those of you would expect of a cheaper hotel in London. Clean silky beds, nice big shower and bathroom and all quite modern and well looked after.

On the first night we met up with some old work colleagues of mine at Liverpool street, a short walk from the Hoxton and had a good time.

Saturday was introduced with brunch at Smiths on Smithfields – a great English breakfast, though I think K was rather surprised with people already having Pints and champagne so early but I rather enjoyed the Bloody Mary that they served up! Then we went on to the V&A museum – perhaps my favourite because of the sheer variety of exhibits on offer, and after a short train ride some shopping and coffee and other things. We met up with Eric and Ellie at this point, and after a brief visit to some more shops, we all went back to have a drink at the Hoxton.

Jem, Katherine and Matt soon joined us for more drinks and then we went to a Vietnamese where I tried the frogs legs. Surprisingly good.

Sunday was spent at Spitalfields market – much better than the tourist trap of Camden, then Bricklane for a breather before going to Neals Yard and Covent Garden to be socked in the July rain.

Next update will be soon, when I have time to write basically!