I hate to say it but one of the biggest reasons for using a Mac is that they make you look good. With the Mac's iApps and discoverable interface, it often appears that you possess far greater computer skills than you actually do. Most of the time, it is as simple as click, drag, and bask in the admiration of your peers or bosses. And that's what life is all about - looking good. There are a couple of business applications that continually bring me loads of compliments. When people ask how I create such wonderful things using these applications, I usually allude to long years of experience and my natural talent. But my long years of experience have taught me to always buy easy-to-learn applications and for this I have a natural talent. Both of these impressing apps are business graphics applications. They illustrate the ideas and plans that organisations use to navigate toward success and steer clear of hazards. When the illustration is viewed, the idea is instantly clear to all. The originator of this type of application is ConceptDraw V Pro ( www.conceptdraw.com US$149-$349 for the pro/network version) and it distinguishes itself with more than 70 templates (and appropriate symbols) for common business illustrations in 20 different categories. As is typical of this type of application, you select the style of illustration you need and drag the appropriate symbols into your drawing. Then you drag the lines to link the symbols and illustrate the flows. For the techies, this includes different types of network comparison charts; electrical, logical and control systems diagrams; software dataflow and database design layouts; chemical design layouts; physics experiment diagrams; and light cad. For entrepreneurs and executives, these applications offer comparison charts, marketing charts, audit flow charts and opportunity flow charts. For managers, there are Gantt charts, calendars, organisation charts, and even forms for invoices and fax covers. Basically, if you want to explain something to someone, there is a graphic illustration template in this app to do it. The resulting illustrations will have all the impressive detail you could ever want, such as drop shadows and colourful backgrounds that fill in automatically. A little newer on the block is OmniGraffle ( http://www.omnigroup.com US$69-$119 for the pro version), which recently underwent an interface overhaul that simplified it even more. OmniGraffle stands out with its photorealistic symbols and unique presentation mode wherein you can link automatic actions to your illustration. Any object in your illustration, when assigned an action, becomes a clickable button that executes a task. Automatic actions work well for troubleshooting, tech support, installation instruction, or any directions that change with the situation. Since OmniGraffle's templates and icons are photorealistic, it offers pro colour management using Apple's ColorSync. This means that you won't lose anything when you print your creations. OmniGraffle imports photos and drawings easily as well. And speaking of import/export, it handles the PC's Visio XML files just like they were native to it, so you can share your illustrations with those who use the other OS. But OmniGraffle's forte is the beauty of its objects. They are anti-aliased (smoothened) with delicate transparency, realistic shadows and soft gradients. It has fewer templates than ConceptDraw, but more icons. However, the icons are all you need if you can visualise your project or most of it as you work. OmniGraffle is easier to use but neither is particularly complex, and OmniGraffle does have stickier connection lines. If you move the diagram bits around as your vision changes, the links remain connected. Two great programs, one robust and full-featured, the other young and pretty. Choose the one to which you are best suited. Their only purpose is to make you look good, effortlessly. Show off your experience and talent. It's as simple as click, drag, and bask in admiration. ? E-mail Dave Horrigan at horrigan@electriciti.com with your Mac queries.
