New to Apple: Need Ipod/Macbook Pro app and flash assistance

[ScottyB]

I am new(ish) to Apple (having used Power Mac G4s for video production in the past, but not as a PC). I received an Ipod Touch yesterday and will be getting my new Macbook Pro i7 today.

I know that Apple is anti-flash, and I am trying to get watch flash vids on my Ipod Touch with little success. I found a bookmark workaround, but it doesn't seem to work well. Is there a mini-browser or some other workaround that I can use to watch flash videos on my Ipod?

Additionally, I would like to download a free app for my new Macbook Pro to convert flv video to mp4. Does anyone have a preferred app?

Lastly, is there any recommended software that I must have for my Macbook Pro? I have already downloaded:

* aLaunch
* Audacity
* Bean
* Blender
* Caffeine
* Celtx
* Coconut Battery
* Cyberduck
* Deeper
* Dock Spaces
* Fair Game
* ffmpegX
* Firefox
* GIMP
* Google Chrome
* Hand Brake
* iDMG
* iPod Disk
* KisMAC
* Name Changer
* NVU
* Perian
* Quicksilver
* Text Wrangler
* The Unarchiver
* Thunderbird
* VLC
* WM Components
* Xtorrent

Cliffs:
Need Ipod Touch flash video workaround.
Need free flv to mp4 converter.
Would like Macbook Pro software recommendations.

[bassplayinMacFiend]

You could check out Frash, but IIRC you'll need to jailbreak your iPhone to run this.

[kieran]

Flash is a no go in iOS and I fully support that. Flash sucks anyways.

On your second questions, this thread is where to go to get all of the essential Mac apps (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=34584&highlight=essential+software+2010)

[Dorian Gray]

Cliffs? I Googled this term but couldn't figure it out.

Too late now, but I wouldn't install 29 applications on a new Mac unless I immediately needed them all. However at least one of them—HandBrake—can convert FLVs to MP4. Check if that works for you before installing a 30th app. :p

[torifile]

"Cliffs" means a cliff notes version. Cliff notes are short synopses of books used for study aids (or, more commonly used in place of reading the actual work of literature). So, "cliffs" in this context means the short and sweet version of the post. :)

And, yes, I agree with Dorian that you don't need all those apps. I've been a Mac user for years and haven't even heard of many of them.

[Kraetos]

Evom (http://thelittleappfactory.com/evom/) is a free video converter. It'll convert anything your install of QuickTime supports (I see you have Perian so you're good to go) into iPod/iPhone/tv friendly formats.

I wouldn't go out of your way to get Flash working on your iPod touch unless killing batteries is a hobby of yours ;)

Cliffs? I Googled this term but couldn't figure it out.

Normally I use "tl;dr" for summaries like that but cliffs works well enough, I guess.

Too late now, but I wouldn't install 29 applications on a new Mac unless I immediately needed them all. However at least one of them—HandBrake—can convert FLVs to MP4. Check if that works for you before installing a 30th app. :p

It actually seems like a pretty solid list, I have most of them or an equivalent app. Although some apps on that list seem redundant. Why do you need aLaunch if you have Quicksilver?

[Robo]

Welcome ScottyB :)

To be honest one of my favorite things about my iPhone and iPad is no Flash. Flash was a PITA on my old MacBook and netbooks; I have no idea why anyone would want it on a phone (or would assume it could be pleasantly supported on a $199 media player). That said I do think it's unfortunate/interesting that the first thing ScottyB knows about Apple is that they're "anti" Flash. But I suppose that is the media narrative these days. :\