My treat this year is my new MacBook Pro that I got on Tuesday. it’s funny, it feels like I’ve had the computer longer while Christmas seems like it was weeks ago! Anyway, buying my MacBook has made me computer poor and while there is plenty of software I would like to buy and probably will in time, I needed to find some free software to replace the common software I have on my Windows machines like Microsoft Office, Dreamweaver and Photoshop.

In my quest for free software I came across some gems and also programs that I currently have on my Windows computers that I sync with my MacBook. So, this is what is installed on my MacBook.

Open Office – This is a great alternative to Microsoft Office and allows me to edit and create documents, spreadsheets, databases, graphics and presentations that are compatible with a variety of different programs including Microsoft Office.

Nvu – A web authoring alternative to Dreamweaver which is supposed to be easier to use. Truthfully, once I have the money I will be getting Dreamweaver but this is a great replacement for the time being if I need to do any quick website editing or creating.

Adium – This is a pretty full featured instant messaging application for the Mac. I use Trillian on Windows but really like Adium. It works with all the chat clients out there like AIM, Google, MSN, Yahoo, Facebook, MySpace and more.

Skitch – Nice screen capturing software with editing capabilities that also allows you to store and share images online.

Evernote – A cross-platform note taking, saving application. Capture webpages, images, videos, audio or create note from scratch and sync them online, to different computer platforms and smartphones. I’ve been using Evernote for over a year now on my Windows machines and the last few months on my iPhone. It’s nice that I am able to use it on my MacBook and everything syncs wonderfully between machines and I can go online anywhere and see my notes. Recently I won a content with GearDiary so I now have the premium version which means I can add even more notes each month since the free version is limited to 40mb bandwidth a month and only certain file types. I will say that the free version was just fine for me but am happy to have the premium version for a year.

VLC – A multimedia player that is lean and clean and plays most every type of file.

Firefox – An alternative to using Safari. I am used to Firefox since I use it on my Windows computers so it was only natural that I download it onto my MacBook and add in the plugins that are essential to my optimal browsing experience.

Skype – I use Skype as a video chat client to communicate with a few friends and family.

I hate having to play with different remotes to watch television or a dvd, it’s a pain in the butt! My solution has come in the form of Logitech Harmony Remotes. I love these remotes. My house has 4 televisions, 4 Comcast DVR boxes, 3 Sony Playstations, 3 Laserdisc players (yes we have a collection of laserdiscs), 2 audio receivers, 2 DVD players and 1 VCR. That’s a lot of equipment to control and would be a lot of remotes if not for the line of Logitech Harmony Remotes to chose from.

The reason I like the Logitech Harmony Remotes is that I can easily set them up by connecting them to my computer via a USB cable (you need to be running Windows or Mac Ox, sorry Linux users).  Logitech has a pretty comprehensive database of audio/visual components so that all I needed to do is enter the product number of my component and so far the device has been in the database, even the laserdisc players!  After entering the components the setup wizard walked me through setting up the activities such as “Watch TV, “Watch Movie” and “Listen to Music.”  I customized the buttons on the LCD screen for each activity and I was done.

The simplest setup was my living room with my Sony television, Comcast DVR box and a Sony DVD player. For this setup I have a Logitech Harmony 620 Advanced Remote (currently $100 on Amazon).  This is a basic remote that controls up to 15 audio/visual components and has a nice layout for controlling my DVR box and DVD player.  I did have to assign buttons for Pip Swap, Day Up and Day Down for my DVR box and the LCD screen buttons but that was it.  The commands were all in the database so I just had to assign the buttons, not program them.  The remote is also capable of learning commands if they are not in the data base or learning a new component.

I was up and running in less than 1/2 hour.  That’s pretty good for programming a Harmony remote for the first time.  The other remotes that I have set up, 2 Logitech Harmony 890 (currently $180 on Amazon), and 1 Logitech Harmony 880 (currently $125 on Amazon).  The difference between these two remotes is that the 890 has an IR extender for components that are outside the line of sight like in a cabinet or behind walls.  Both remotes have a rechargeable battery and charging station.

The 880 and 890 remote:

• Control your entire home entertainment system with just one button. Effortlessly switch between watching home theater and listening to music, by selecting a single activity button. Colorful icons accompany text on the LCD screen to allow for quick and easy command of home-entertainment equipment and household appliances that may be out of range for a traditional infrared remote (890 0nly).
• Integrate up to 15 devices—including lighting and household appliances.
• Save energy! Each time a new activity is selected, the remote establishes the proper state of all of the components needed for the current activity, and turns off the components that are not needed.
• Set it up in a snap with an advanced setup wizard. The online setup also makes it easy to update a remote when upgrading your home-entertainment system. The Harmony setup wizard does the programming, so you don’t have to. Just connect your remote to your computer and answer a few questions about how you currently use your home theater. Logitech’s patented Smart State Technology® does the rest.
• Don’t worry about using up batteries with the rechargeable lithium ion battery. Store the remote on the attractive charging station when not in use.
• Easily view and select. Color display icons and 8 on-screen activity buttons make it easy.
• Effortlessly switch between watching HDTV and listening to music, by selecting a single activity button.

One caveat for the remotes is that they don’t control the Sony Playstation because the remote needs to connect through bluetooth not IR.  Logitech has come out with  the Harmony Adapter for Playstation 3 for around $50 which uses the bluetooth link and connects with any of their Harmony remotes, even the older ones that they don’t make anymore.  For Christmas I got one for my Playstation and one for the Playstation in the great room.  We still need one more but for now we have 3 complete home theater setups using only one remote and without a lot of headaches.

The Logitech website has an assortment of other remotes and a good support section.  I would scope out on prices since they sell at retail.

What remote do you use for your home theater?  How was the setup?  Would you try a Harmony remote?

I love using JibJab for ecards so much that I have an account with them.  It’s great to be able to put myself once in a while in a card and here is my Christmas card for you, my readers.

Me oh my, I never thought I would be a person who added money to Steve Jobs pockets, I’ve already given enough to Bill Gates over the years, but here I am at the end of 2009 with an iPhone in my pocket and a MacBook Pro on its way for Christmas. Not that I needed these gadgets mind you but I was tired of trying to make my Samsung Omnia work like an iPhone and I wanted a smaller computer than my 15.4″ Dell XPS laptop to bring to the coffee shop.

So, in October I got an iPhone and since I am trying to be a blogger started a new blog called Simply iPhone Now (check it out if you have an iPhone and please leave comments to help me move it along).  I love my iPhone, it is like having a mini computer in my pocket.  Plus, all the applications…I have over 140 applications right now, some free, many paid.  Like others have referred to themselves as, I am an “appaholic!”  This means that I left my beloved Verizon Wireless for the dreaded AT&T though in the long run my wireless access is mostly 3G and the biggest thing I gave up was free calling to my Verizon friends.

Today I decided to give Apple even more of my money and invested in a 13″ MacBook Pro.  I was thinking of getting of getting a netbook but then saw that Apple had same as cash financing for a year and since I just finished paying off my Dell laptop (yes, I have given a lot of money to Michael Dell too), I thought it fitting to get a MacBook Pro to play around with and hopefully blog about, thus it will be a business expense. My biggest challenge will be finding cheap or free software for my new MacBook so that I don’t break the bank.

I still am a Windows user with my Dell desktop and laptop.  Actually, I am a Windows 7 user for the last couple of months and a happy one at that having upgraded from Windows Vista.

So, do you think I will use my Dell laptop or my Apple MacBook Pro more?  I think I know the answer to that question!  If you own a Mac please share with me the software you prefer, especially any that is free or cheaper than the industry standard.

As my readers know I have a Samsung Omnia which runs Windows Mobile so I can run applications just like on a computer.  I’ve been looking for a Twitter client (for my post about Twitter go here) and have tried quite a few like ceTwit, Twobile, Pocketwit and Tiny Twitter.  While I liked ceTwit the best I had problems with my virtual keyboard covering the input box at times and not be able to see my whole tweet.  This happened with various Twitter clients and became bothersome.

Then I came across a free trial of Twikini and fell in love with the application.  It’s fast, customizable with themes, integrates with Twitpic and Windows Media Player (you can post song you are listening to), url shortening services and best of all post tweets with a full screen editor — that’s what I wanted.  Twikini is compatible with Windows Mobile 5, 6, and 6.1

So, if you have Windows Mobile and use Twitter I suggest trying out Twikini for the 14 day trial.  If you like it buy it $4.95 or if you are a blogger like me write about it and get it for free.

Do you have a favorite Windows Mobile Twitter client?  Did you try out Twikini?  What do you think about it?