2 quick & simple tips for evaluating OS X applications

I am constantly bombarded with OS X applications recommendations on a daily basis, via Facebook/Twitter/Blogs/Googling etc. which I find to be both a blessing and a curse;

A blessing because:

• there are always great apps being developed to improve workflow, whatever your ‘flow’ may be
• you have plenty of choice, so you can choose what best works for your style
• app developers cannot rest on their laurels, so the marketplace seems to always be striving to improve

…but a curse because:

• of the ‘Paradox of Choice‘, beautifully explained by Barry Schwartz over on TED.com (I heart TED)
• my poor brain gets overloaded and I lose track of which apps I’m ‘trying’ and which ones I’ve made a longer term commitment to
• your mac can get quite cluttered and full up with all these apps preening for your love and attention

So, to help, I suggest two quick tips:

1. Create a separate applications folder simply for ‘trialing’ apps – mine is on my desktop called ‘New Apps’. This is great because it acts as a constant reminder that I have apps that I am trying out (something which I may do over several days, weeks or even months to generate a proper opinion about) and prevents them getting lost and forgotten about amongst my main apps. Of course, if you like an app, move it on over to your main Applications folder and start a wonderful and loving digital relationship.
2. Use an uninstaller app to make sure that, once you’re done with an app, you can remove it properly. I use AppZapper but there are several other good ones too… And of course, you may find that the first apps in your new ‘trial’ folder are a selection of uninstaller apps!!

I’m not a mega-uber-mac-geek so I’m not aware of any issues with the above process and it works really well for me – if anyone knows of any technical drawbacks to the above, I’d be keen to know!

Anyhow, hope you can enjoy a slightly more manageable process of trying new OS X apps!