FileMaker Pro has been on the Mac political program practically as long as there ’s been a Mac platform . BBEdit is slightly untried — it ’s a mere 11 years older . But despite the dispute in eld , it ’s safe to say that both the database app from FileMaker and the text editor from Bare Bones Software have been part of Mac user ’ lives for a good , long while .
But all work and no playing period would make Mac user very dull people , indeed . So , in add-on to our choices for the best productivity applications of 2004 , we ’re also announcing our preferent game of the year — or , more accurately , games , since two as telling programs will be taking home Eddys .
Agree or disagree with our choices ? Let us know in our forums .
Most Improved Database
FileMaker Pro 7is no simple update to a venerable mathematical product . Instead , it ’s the most meaning renovation of the most wide used Mac database app since FileMaker become relational back in 1995 . This time around , FileMaker has ditched its limit of one file for each discrete course of data . With FileMaker Pro 7 , you could put everything into a unmarried single file , streamline data structures . The program even lets you open up multiple window within the same filing cabinet to show different sets of records . hurl in some changes design to attract to web administrator ( it ’s light than ever to configure access perquisite and make do with word ) , and you ’ve get an upgrade that ’s a must - have for almost any FileMaker utilisation — and that just might get ahead over a few unexampled converts.—PHILIP MICHAELS
FileMaker Pro 7 : ; October 2004 ; $ 299;FileMaker
Most Innovative Browser
Think a web internet browser ’s a internet browser ’s a web internet browser ? Do n’t tell The Omni Group . ItsOmniWeb 5.01reimagines the whole melodic theme of tabbed graze ( frame thumbnails of your tabs in a drawer on the window ’s side ) , gives you detailed control over your browsing experience ( let you redeem site - specific viewing druthers , for example ) , and has all sorts of clever bits that power surfboarder will bang . certainly , it actually costs something . But we think the cool features and awesome interface are worth the price.—DAN MILLER
OmniWeb 5.01 : ; December 2004 ; $ 30;The Omni Group
BBEdit is one of the most respected apps in the Mac food market , andBBEdit 8.0doesn’t disappoint . bleak Bones Software has added more than 100 features to the HTML and text editor in chief . One of our favorites is the Text Factories feature of speech , which lets you create a listing of individual text edition - treat surgical operation and utilise them , in guild and with corresponding pick , to a specify text file or set of documents and folders . More than ever , BBEdit is the Mac ’s good tool for both simple text redaction and in - depth HTML coding.—JIM DALRYMPLE
BBEdit 8.0 : $ 199;Bare Bones Software
Best Desktop Manager
You Control 1.2.5lets you create customized carte du jour just about anywhere you want . you may use these card to found apps and find files with a individual click - and - clutch . It has 15 different modules , including an enhanced iTunes controller , a Clipboard replacement , a news heart , and even an improved clock . If you need to make the OS X desktop your own , this is the peter you need.—JACKIE DOVE
You Control 1.2.5 : ; April 2004 ; $ 50;You computer software
Best Way to Transfer Really Big Files
Sure , you may useBitTorrent 3.4.2to sea robber software and motion-picture show . But that does n’t diminish the value of its innovative advance to legal file sharing . The software allow multiple users at the same time upload and download files , for highly efficient one - to - many distribution . The latest bone ecstasy variation is a complete rewrite that saves on bandwidth.—JONATHAN SEFF
BitTorrent 3.4.2 : free;Bram Cohen and Andrew Loewenstern
Best Way to Capture Your Screen
Ambrosia Software’sSnapz Pro X 2.0goes well beyond Apple ’s built - in screen - gaining control utilities . It ’ll snaffle whole screens or just specific windows and menus . Plus , it can record what ’s occur on your screen as a QuickTime flick , and it can record audio frequency , too . It ’s perfect for tutorials or archiving video.—PETER COHEN
Snapz Pro X 2.0 : ; May 2004 ; $ 29 ; with movie capture , $ 69;Ambrosia package
Best Way to Do Web Research
involve to save entropy you find online ? Softchaos’sWebstractor 1.0.1is a WWW researcher ’s dream . It lets you swiftly download entire World Wide Web pages from disparate server and then edit , annotate , and save just the information you need.—JACKIE DOVE
Webstractor 1.0.1 : ; November 2004 ; $ 89;Softchaos
Games of the Year
Unreal Tournament 2004is a huge improvement over 2003 ’s installment . The belated embodiment of the pop first - individual shooter contribute ground-effect machine and other nifty vehicles ; plenty of new weapon ; massive new sports stadium ; and the new Onslaught plot mode , which emphasise fomite combat and team scheme . ravishment mode is back , too ( it was missing from last year ’s installment ) , so you could fight down or onrush bases . And in case you wish to watch the pro , Unreal television lets hundreds of spectators see other players and clans go head to head.—PETER COHEN
artificial tourney 2004 : ; June 2004 ; $ 40;MacSoft
Four year after Mac gamers first capture a glance of it on the keynote level at Macworld Expo , Bungie ’s first - somebody shooterHalo : Combat Evolvedfinally came to the Mac . Was the secret plan deserving the wait ? dead . You square off against the Covenant , a sinister alien foe bent on the obliteration of the human race . The Mac translation gains myriad improvements over its Xbox predecessor , including a 16 - person multiplayer mode , novel weapons , new vehicles , new map , and higher - resolution graphics.—PETER COHEN
Halo : Combat germinate : ; February 2004 ; $ 50;MacSoft
