Of all the software you’ve ever used on any platform, which is your favorite?
I know that’s a hard question. I actually thought about this one a long time. I loved the basic interpreter on that original Tandy Color Computer 2. I even loved the talking moose. At the end of the day, however, my favorite app ever is OmniFocus. (Sorry. Predictable.) Looking over the last years of my life, I’ve turned a lot of things upside down for the better and OmniFocus has been an essential tool in this effort. I’m not sure how I’d handle my involvement in the Apple community, my law practice, and my dad responsibilities without it.
I am STILL attached to QuickSilver. Merlin Mann’s talk of it back in the day did a number on me, and I’ve never gotten over the switch away from it. Keyboard shortcuts are my lifeline. I’d be much less productive without them.
Off the top of my head, I Noteshelf 2 on the iPad: I suppose this is a spontaneous choice given the sheer amount of time I spend in the app - and the fact that I’m a sucker for stationery (pens, highlighters, mechanical pencils, battery-powered erasers, and so forth), and generally obsessed with doodling/lettering/sketchnoting.
Noteshelf gives me a chance to satisfy my addiction in virtual land - their Apple Pencil experience is super-close to pen and paper, especially when coupled with an appropriate screen protector (I use Paperlike) - and the fact that I have more colors to play with than I ever will IRL It’s just really satisfying!
If we’re allowed to name about more than one app, then my honorable mentions would include Things, Keyboard Maestro, Alfred and VS Code.
I’m not sure if it qualifies as an app, but the machine language monitor for the Apple II has a place in my heart (entered via CALL -151). It was like a window into the lowest levels of how a computer worked, and was invaluable at a young age.
I would have to say that Drafts 5 has been a game changer. A close second would be Things 3 for me. It helps keep me organized better than I have ever been. Drafts 5 and Things 3 together make me feel unstoppable.
That’s the sort of question where I’d probably come up with a different answer depending on what day it is, but currently I’d have to say Adobe Lightroom.
Some honourable mentions: WordStar, Deluxe Paint, Audible.
I don’t know if it’s my favorite, but MATLAB/Simulink is my most used and the most impactful to my work life. Been using it since college, over a decade now. It’s what introduced me to programming, and it’s what got me to where I am today.
One of the first to come to mind is 1Password for the Mac. On iOS side, I really like Downcast. Started using it initially when Apple Podcast app wasn’t that great.
Noteshelf 2 on the iPad: I suppose this is a spontaneous choice given the sheer amount of time I spend in the app - and the fact that I’m a sucker for stationery (pens, highlighters, mechanical pencils, battery-powered erasers, and so forth), and generally obsessed with doodling/lettering/sketchnoting.
It’s just really satisfying!
