Get your DVD's into digital file format

How do I get my DVD movies into my AppleTV, iPhone or iPod etc? This is a question I receive frequently. Altho there are many tools to accomplish this, I prefer using Handbrake. HandBrake is an open-source, GPL-licensed, multiplatform, multithreaded video transcoder that works in Windows, Mac, or Linux.

It converts your DVD's into iPod-friendly MPEG-4 or H.264 video files. The application includes presets for iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, PSP, PS3, and Xbox360. You can also choose various audio and video settings for a custom output.

If you want to convert other existing files such as AVI's, MKV or MPG's, Handbrake handles those as well now. However for straight file conversion between video formats, I use Video Monkey (Previously VisualHub). It's Mac only, but there's almost no format it can't handle.

Handbrake
Video Monkey

Espresso 1.0 for Web Development

There are many good tools in Mac OSX for web development. Some of the ones I use frequently are CSSEdit, Coda, and Firebug for firefox. Espresso now joins the ranks, being more of a competitor to Coda. Everything in Espresso happens in one unified window. It's divided into three sections: Workspace, Project and Publish.

Supports HTML, CSS, XML, JavaScript and PHP. Espresso also has built-in publishing with Subversion style commands & themes too. It provides a nice interface and clean environment for web development. Retails for around $80 at MacRabbit’s web site. Head on over to grab a trial from their site and read more about its other features.

MacRabbit

Backup your Mac or PC online with BackBlaze

If you don't have 2-3 copies of your data, your files are not safe. Backing up is a must with all our digital media and other files these days. Making a local copy to an external drive is a good first step. However getting another copy offsite gives you peace of mind.

Backblaze is a good online (cloud) solution for this. Works on both Macs & PCs. Encrypts and uploads all your files to secure datacenters. Restore from the web, get DVD(s) or USB drive sent via FedEx. Best of all, it's unlimited storage for per computer for $5 Per month.

BackBlaze.com