Absolute Manage for Cross Platform Management at Macworld

In the Apple world, a lot of IT folks are familiar with using Apple Remote Desktop for software deployment in addition to its remote viewing capability. However things get a little more complicated when you need to manage software update deployments to both Macs and PCs. Absolute Manage from Absolute Software can handle both platforms, even Adobe updates, along with a slew of powersaving, and task automation options.

Here's a look:

"Freedom" For Your Mac

I'll admit it. Doing so much work on the Mac inevitably leads me off course onto some, um, non-essential web sites. If you just don't have the willpower to stay focused on work when you're working, Freedom disables your internet connection.

You can choose to continue having access to other Macs on your local network, if necessary, and the app is priced right (free to try donation suggested.)

While the Freedom website says the app is only tested up to 10.5.6, we've had no issues with it under Snow Leopard.

Snow Leopard Takes Two Spots in Amazon Top Ten

Taking a quick look at Amazon's Top Ten selling software titles reveals Snow Leopard at #2, just behind Microsoft Office Home and Student for Windows.

Snow Leopard also registers at #4 with the Family Pack upgrade, which I find to be an interesting anecdote on how honest Apple owner can be, (or a cynic would say gullible. Be gone, cynics!) Between the two versions of Snow Leopard is Big Kahuna Reef, a free XP download. So technically, two of the top three paid software spots are occupied by Snow Leopard.

Apparently a lot of XP users are headed back to school and saying, "you mean it doesn't come with Office!?" which has pushed it to #1. The Mac version of Office Home & Student is #6 on the list.

Is that where you expected Snow Leopard to be? We sort of assumed it would be #1 during the launch.

Send Faxes For FREE!

Head on over to myfax.com/free and you can send up to two faxes a day (up to 10 pages per fax) - no credit card required!  The service supports many file formats including Word, PDF and 175 other file formats.  Try it out and let us know what you think.  This is a great solution for the occasional need to send a fax.

Poladroid for Mac Review

Not every product review we do has to be for a stellar piece of productivity software, or the latest must-have hardware. No, sometimes the software is just plain fun. That's the case with Poladroid. In a nutshell, Poladroid allows you to Polaroid-ize your digital photos. Yes, from the tinting, to the wait time, to the look of the texture of the white photo border, Poladroid has it all. Now if only it had a few extra settings, like the ability to choose the amount of aging, and some cropping options. Still it's definitely worth a try: