As I recently got a Macbook Air, I searched for good software to help me to write on the Mac OS. My aim was to get essential software that can be used to write articles and blog posts and to collect and search information as references and materials for writing.
Here is the five Mac software that I decided were good candidates.
1. Scrivener
For Mac users, Scrivener is well known as a powerful writing software that allows you to write documents, arrange the order of documents and compile the documents as a book and collect your research. If you cannot afford all the other software in this list, I think Scrivener should be the one you choose above others. It costs and you can download a trial version at the Scrivener website to see if the software is worth the price.
2. Writeroom
Distraction free writing software, though some people think otherwise, is more than a passing fad. We do need a writing software that blocks persistent temptation from web surfing and social networking like Twitter and Facebook.
Writeroom shows just full black screen and green texts as an editing area. If writing a text without distracted by other elements on the screen is your only concern, you should try Writeroom.
I do not think Writeroom will make you a better writer, but I am definitely sure that you will spend as less time as possible on writing but get more results by using it. Writeroom costs .99. If you buy Taskpaper, a great and highly recommendable todo list manager from the same developer, with Writeroom, you get 25% discount.
3. Quickcursor
Quickcursor is not a standalone software but rather a kind of plugin software that allows you to use Writeroom when you write text on other writing software on a Mac computer. This is from the same developer of Writeroom as can be expected. I use Quickcursor for writing an email on Gmail, editing blog posts on MarsEdit, a nice Mac blogging software, or working on a document in Scrivener.
QuickCursor is available in App Store for Mac at the price of .99. I cannot say that this is a must for writing on a Mac computer. But if you like distraction free writing with Writeroom and want to do it on other software, it is a good choice.
4. Evernote
Evernote is a universal clipping software that can save web pages, document files like PDF, word processor files, and everything that you see on your monitor. Good writing comes not only from inspiration but also a large quantity of information that is relevant and can be easily retrieved. Evernote is a great tool for gathering and finding such information.
It is free. Even if you don't write anything, just grab it.
5. Firefox
The Safari browser bundled in Mac OS looks nice but cannot beat Firefox in functionality. With tools like Google Toolbar that conveniently saves websites you visit often and hundreds of add-ons including my favorite Foxtab, Add block plus, and many others, Firefox is the browser to choose as your writing companion.
