!!! Software and Mac Information (i.e., the GOOD stuff!) Locations to download software for the Mac - ranging from games and applications, to utilities and system updates - and some resources for information, like MacAddict magazine. Download.com - a searchable database for software and updaters. Download.Com has software directories for most areas of computing, often offers updaters for software you already have, and even offers IBM software (in a different directory so you don't have to wonder "is this for Mac or not?"). SHAREWARE.COM - software, Software, SOFTWARE. (and other stuff, too.) Very similar to DOWNLOAD.COM, you can download a *LOT* of software. This site offers access to news, help sections, and other useful stuff. Oh, yeah... it has a searchable database, also. Hyperarchives - If you want a Macintosh file, you would do well to look here. BEAUCOUP number of programs and updaters for Macs. stars: ***** Configuration holds hundreds of files for Macs. This is a VERY simple smorgasb..., smorgassbo..., smorgu..... *TRUCKLOAD* of files. It ain't wrapped very pretty, but the toys are neat! Shareware Shop - Thousands of Shareware, Games, Freeware, and much more! Version Tracker - Wonder if that piece of software your running is outta date? No prob. Come here! At http://www.versiontracker.com they keep track of all your favorite Macintosh software, and keep up to date records on which version is the latest and greatest. They can even tell you a little bit about each piece of software, just in case you don't have it, and want to get it. They even tell you what system requirements are needed to run it. Seriously, this is one of the best places to get Mac 'wares.... MacUpdate.com - Updates and software by the truckload. A great alternate for Version Tracker. Updates. (duh.) Seriously, though, this place really is a great alternative location to check for software updates and new releases. Between this site and VersionTracker (c.f.) you can find just about anything for the Mac. Pretty quick transfers, too. Well, usually, anyway. Shareware Shop - Thousands of Shareware, Games, Freeware, and much more. Lotsa files, and laid out in easily recognizable areas. And trust me, they have thousands of files like they claim. All in all, a pretty good file repository. ZDNet Mac A 'net magazine layout, with a software section as well. Nice place for Macintosh and Apple news, and if you are looking for a modest selection of 'wares.  Excite Shareware A combination of magazine and file transfer site for shareware and freeware, it is a lot like ZDNet Mac (above). In fact, it uses ZDNet as part of its layout. Basically, a variation on a theme, like most Mac-izines. Apple QuickTime VR Home QuickTime VR is Apple's award-winning photorealistic cross-platform virtual reality technology that makes it possible to explore places as if you were really there! All major applications that play QuickTime movies can also play QuickTime VR movies. This is really some awesome stuff, and if you don't already have QTVR, you need to get it NOW! EvangeList - Guy Kawasaki's great jump-off place for lots of Mac information, 'wares, etc. Run by Guy Kawasaki (no relationship to the motorcycle, I think...) this web site is absolutely fantastic as a resource place for just about anything having to do with the Mac. Guy is world-renowned for being "The" Mac Evangelist, and he has quite a few resources if you are looking to help convert some poor, misguided Wintel user, and thus help save their soul... not to mention their sanity! Also has web creation tools available. Apple: OS Discussion Forum - Info on Mac OS, AppleScript, and other 'techie stuff' This site contains quite a bit of information about how to use such things as Mac OS (both 8.x, and 7.6.x) and a whole lot of AppleScript answers. Not exactly a 'wares download site, but close enough that we thought we might include it. TOP !!! Apple If you need Apple Computer Company links, here they are. Apple Computer - Home Page Just that. The home page for the best computer company that has ever been. Apple Product Information - Looking for a new Mac or something to go with one? Look here. Apple now has on online store that allows you to purchase directly from them, and they can even build-to-order the platform as you wish. Be sure to check out the new PowerBook G3's and the awesome iMac; two products that are virtually guaranteed to take the industry by storm. Apple Customer Support - Need help with your Mac? Come here for the answers. This area is dedicated entirely to customer support. This is part of the jump-off point for the Technical Information Library (c.f.). Apple Technical Information Library - Over 16,000 articles about your Apple product. Welcome to Apple's Technical Information Library (TIL). This knowledge base contains product information, technical specifications, troubleshooting information, is updated daily with new and modified articles, and contains over 16,000 articles. This is the database that they use when you call them for technical support, and here it won't cost you $25 an hour! Apple Software Updates The Apple Software Library is a collection of updaters, utilities, and full software installs to help keep your Apple Products running smoothly. You can locate a particular software file by either searching our library, browsing our hierarchy, or viewing a list of the most recent postings. Contacting Apple - Need their phone number or their address? Look here. An information page containing their phone numbers, addresses, web sites. This page can tell you how to reach Apple in every country they do business. Great if you are not in the states and you need some assistance. TOP !!! Support and Information (Evangelist/MacCentral/etc...) Great places for information about How To and WHY Macintosh... EvangeList - Guy Kawasaki's great jump-off place for lots of Mac information, 'wares, etc. Run by Guy Kawasaki (no relationship to the motorcycle, I think...) this web site is absolutely fantastic as a resource place for just about anything having to do with the Mac. Guy is world-renowned for being "The" Mac Evangelist, and he has quite a few resources if you are looking to help convert some poor, misguided Wintel user, and thus help save their soul... not to mention their sanity! Also has web creating stuff available. MacCentral The Ultimate Macintosh - If I don't have the link on the STMUG webpages, then The Ultimate Macintosh does. The Ultimate Macintosh is a site that has * BUNCHES * of resource links; from software to magazines, to news groups, this site is a great suppliment to the STMUG links page. Check it out for yourself. MacCentral - An online Mac-azine with good articles and information. An online magazine with information about Apple and Macs and Mac OS, as well as other things that pertain to our wonderful computer company and its products. A very good place to catch up on things. The Motley Fool - What does Sleeping Beauty, Adam and Eve, and investors have in common? Come here and find out. This link accesses an article about Apple's turn-around since the magical intervention in its self-destruction by Steve Jobs. I'm not certain how long this link will remain good, so if it should become broken, please E-Mail me at the address located at the bottom of this page. MacInTouch - A Developers information site. This site is geared more for developers and compu-nerds, but can still be of interest to some of us dummies. It has a lot of information about newly developed softwares, and also is a good place for the "power-user," or somebody who may be in charge of a company's Mac systems and need some really "serious" 'wares. Appleaholics Anonymous (AA) - A Twelve-Step program for thetrue Mac-Addict. Do you Mac on a regular basis, and not just socially? Do you use the Mac as a pick-me-up, or to calm down with after a stressful day? Do you find your life becoming unmanageable? Can't seem to stop thinking about it? There's help. Just come to this website for help in overcoming your Mac addiction. Take heart! Appleaholics Anonymous is a non-profit organization that seek to help encourage you and support your desire to bring your life back under control. TOP !!! Macintosh Publications (MacAddict/MacWorld/etc...) If you're looking for online publications, here are a few good starters. MacAddict - You've read the magazine. You've cleaned out the disk. Now visit their website. MacAddict is the fastest growing new computer publication ever. And after reading it's whimsical, yet informative magazine, it's easy to understand why! Though tongue-in-cheek, this magazine manages to get across some pretty decent information in an enjoyable style that isn't too heavy in the "techno-jargon." But best of all, it comes with a disk each month that is absolutely packed with software - that alone is worth the cost of subscribing! Well, here is their website; enjoy! Good alternative if you don't like the MacWeek style. MacHome Journal - Yet another 'zine. Mac Home Journal is another variation on a theme of Mac-oriented online magazines. Somewhat drier than most, it seems aimed more at PC users in its layout and writing style (i.e., boring....). Well, that may be a little harsh, but still, it does seem to lack the pizazz of some of the other sites. MacTech - At their new site. MacTech's website has quite a few press releases about new software/hardware for the Mac. The also have a fairly extensive database of answers to Mac programming questions. MacWeek - After it's merger with MacUser magazine, it's site has incorporated aspects of both mags. MacUser and MacWeek have combined. While still called MacWeek, some definite changes have occurred. Good alternative if you don't care for the MacAddict style. Macworld - A more technical magazine. MacWorld is more of a techie's very of Mac stuff. Basically, another 'zine. TOP !!! Hardware and Software Resellers *** Note: these are locations to PURCHASE stuff, and very little - if anything - is free. Still, worth visiting... Where To Buy Apple Products The easiest way to locate sales, consulting, and service options for Apple products. BuyDirect.com - Buy software directly from the manufacturer. Okay, so you've gone ahead and downloaded all the freeware and shareware that's available, only thing is that the software you want isn't either of those... What do you do now? Why, you go here, of course! Cyberian Outpost - A great place to buy things off the internet. Not so much software, but they have quite a bit of hardware, and their memory prices are quite good. The only real drawback to them is that they also sell Wintel stuff.... <Yuck!> MacMall - Another online computer hardware retailer. They have lotsa stuff. They seem to cater more to the IBM world, rather than the real one (i.e., Mac!), and also seem a little pricey, but that's just my opinion. MacWarehouse - Another retailer, as indistinguishable as the rest. They sell all kinds of things, but have a better selection of software than MacMall or Cyberian Outpost. Average pricing. Mac Zone - Can it be? Yes! It's ANOTHER retailer... Oh, joy! Yadda, yadda, yadda. Another of the above. Go figure. Software.net - Specializing in (can you guess it?) SOFTWARE.... Average selection. Average prices. All in all, about... well, average. TOP !!! Software Developers If you are looking for one of the major developers of software for the Mac, this is a good place to begin. While not an extensive list by any means, it does have some of the basic ones. Mac OS Software Guide - Lots more than just OS, but plenty of software. "The Mac OS Software & Hardware Guide lists the hottest software and hardware products available for the Mac OS today. It includes products that are available in retail stores, product catalogs, online, and directly from the publisher. Shareware and freeware are also included. You can browse thousands of Macintosh products in the following categories, or do a keyword search. We can also help you locate Mac OS products." (Hey, it's a quote off their page. Their words, not mine...) Adobe Systems - Photoshop, Illustrator, Type Manager, and just about everything else. If it's made by Adobe, it's here. If it's not, then it isn't.... Aladdin Systems - Stuffit Expander, DropStuff with Expander Enhancer, InstallerMaker and more. When it comes to file compression utilities, these guys sure know their stuff.... (No pun intended.) Bryce and company - One of the best 3-D terrain generators I've ever seen. Bryce 3-D is one of the most incredible 3-D terrain generators I've ever seen. The ease of use and the sheer power of this program, combined with its rendering speed, make this program stand head and shoulders above the rest. It is one of those few 3-D programs that is actually worth the money. Claris - ClarisWorks, Homepage, FileMaker Pro This is the leader - and the originator of the multi-function business application, ClarisWorks (soon to be retitled to it's original name: AppleWorks. FileMaker Pro is the quintessencial application for record keeping. And, Claris HomePage (what this website is primarily generated on) is really outstanding. Check out their homepage (again, no pun intended...) and see what they have to offer. Macromedia - Dream Weaver, Shockwave, and Director, as well as others. This is Macromedia's new website, and is where you can download their latest and greatest software. Shockwave, for instance, is really at the forefront of its field. Pay them a visit and you'll be shocked. (Okay, okay... I meant for that one to be a pun. It was like the funny type.... only different.) Netscape - Navigator and Communicator. Web Browser (you know, the thing you utilized to get HERE?) Real Audio/Video - High quality video and audio streaming and playback. Come here and download a free copy of their RealAudio player and plug-in. TOP Broken Links? Do your civic duty and email AppleAngel, willya? Note: The opinions expressed in these link reviews were _strictly _ those of The Bard Erin MacDonald (thebardmacd), and therefore do not necessarily reflect those held by ST.MUG, nor it's members, nor Apple, nor anyone else for that matter....