Workflow - How Do You Get Work Done On Your Mac?

So one of the biggest challenges in owning a Mac is getting over the beautiful graphics, the sleek lines of the hardware, and simply getting to work and getting something done. I am mostly joking, of course. While it is a beautiful tool, my Mac is still just a tool. A tool to get things done.

So the question is, how do you get things done on your Mac? What applications, specifically, do you use.

The first question is what are you trying to get done. These days, I use my Mac for a few specific tasks. Design, Internet, Organization, Writing, and Entertainment. Some of these overlap, but this is how I generally organize my workflow.

So what’s in my dock, I guess, is the question? And more importantly, what should be in my dock? I have used the same programs for so long that I fear I am missing out on something better simply out of habit.

So here is a list of programs I am using to get my stuff done:

Internet

• Firefox - When I first switched to Mac, I used Safari a lot. I love the clean Mac look/feel of safari. But the plugin/extensions available for Firefox kept pulling me back.
• Mail.app - The simplicity of the Apple Mail app is one of the things that drew me to the Mac platform. I wish it had more features, sometimes, but it simply works.
• NetNewsWire - I have been using NewsFire for the last year or so and just recently tried NetNewsWire. I have to say, I am hooked. So many things to love about this program it deserves a post of its own. Next to Firefox and Mail, this is probably the most important daily use software I have installed.
• Twhirl - Twhirl is a cross-platform desktop application that keeps you connected with your twitter account. If you have not discovered the complete waste of time that is twitter, you should. You can follow me at twitter.com/cruciformity.
• Other - I am not much for IM type applications, but when I use them I tend to use Adiumx over iChat. I also use Skype, occasionally. I am not sure why I like twitter so much and yet shy away from IM, but there it is.

Organization

• iCal - This program is another one of the reasons I switched to Mac in the first place. I love the multiple calendars. I love the simplicity. And honestly, I love the pretty colors.
• Addressbook - In highschool I had every phone number of every friend memorized. Who needs an addressbook, I thought. Well today is different. The speed dial on my cell phone has crippled me and Addressbook is my savior.
• OmniFocus - If you have projects and to do lists to organize, OmniFocus is THE application to organize them. iCal is the organizational reason I switched to Mac. This program is one of the reasons I convince others to switch. If only it were free (but worth every penny). Expect to see lots of OmniFocus tutorials in the future.
• Other - I am playing with DevonThink and have used browseback, Google Browser Sync, gbrain, and a few other things to help me organize my thoughts. This is, honestly, the area I need the most help. How do you take a constant stream of information and organize it in a meaningful way so you can use it again in the future?

Writing

• Qumana - A decent, free blogging tool (I am writing this post in Qumana right now). This is probably highest on my list of things I want to replace.
• Textmate - One of the best text editors out there. I use this for writing when I want to write. No need to worry about formatting. Just simple text.
• MS Word - This is one of those concessions to the whole "living in a PC world" reality.
• Other - I have textwrangler installed (a free alternative to Textmate). I also use WriteRoom occasionally and use Think to simulate WriteRoom in other apps.

Entertainment

• iTunes - Music is my life. iTunes or my iPod is usually playing if my house/workspace is quiet enough to actually enjoy it.
• Other - About the only other thing I do for entertainment on my Mac is surf the web. I am not much of a gamer and I generally watch movies on my TV. Of course, just using a Mac is a relaxing form of entertainment. Oh yeah… and watching Vista users suffer. That’s always fun.

Design

• Photoshop - Photoshop is, of course, the photo editing app you should be using. I’ve been using it since college, but there has to be an alternative that is as good (only cheaper).
• Illustrator - read above, only apply to Vector graphics.
• Textmate - So I’ve listed textmate again. In college we learned to do websites using DreamWeaver. I still have DreamWeaver. I have just learned to love editing my css and php files directly. Yes, I know you can edit that way in DreamWeaver. But with Textmate, I can edit the file that is running live on my test server (via ftp) and view it in multiple browsers.
• Other - I go through phases in how much I do video editing. When I do, I equally use iMovie and FinalCut Express. They both have advantages and disadvatages depending on what you are trying to accomplish. I also use fotomagico for making slide shows. Much easier and more powerful than either iMovie or iPhoto.

Now it’s your turn. What are using? What am I missing out on that would either be a great replacement to something I am currently using or is just a missing category that would change my life? What is the one app that got you to switch or got you to get someone else to switch? Feel free to cover categories I left out. I would love to stack your program head to head with the ones I am currently using.