Today, almost, we no longer speak of computer programs but of applications or apps, which are the same thing. The distinctive factor of these applications is that they can be purchased from a Store, a virtual showcase of programs and games that can be purchased and withdrawn with a click at prices almost never exceeding 10 Euros and often also for free .
Given the economic success of the iTunes Store, where to download and install music and applications for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, other stores have been released and are now being brought online where you can download free applications and buy programs .
The applications were created to control the use of a smartphone (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Nokia) or a tablet such as the iPad so that only approved and free or paid applications are downloaded.
The applications are also those of the online programs accessible from the web browser, without downloading anything (see then the Google Chrome App Store).
This year other types of online stores or App Stores have been released to download applications and games for the computer, both for Mac and for Windows .
Owners of a Mac computer can therefore find programs in the new and official Mac App Store, where it is possible to download famous programs for the Mac and desktop versions of the applications born for iPhone and iPad .
To use the Mac App Store you must launch the software update of your Mac and install OS X 10.6.6 (make a backup first).
When the Mac restarts, you will notice an App Store icon on the right at the top of the Dock.
The store is integrated into the operating system and cannot be downloaded alone as any program (whoever has a previous Leopard version will not be able to use it).
The Mac App Store is very similar to the iTunes Store, with the division of the Apps into categories and information sheets on what the program does or on the game.
Applications can be downloaded, installed and purchased only with the iTunes ID.
When you want to buy an app, just press the price button and log in with your iTunes account.
The newly downloaded applications are added to the Applications folder on the hard disk and will also be automatically added to the Dock.
I don't think you can disable this also because the Mac App Store, for now, does not have any type of Preferences menu or settings or options.
Looking at the list of the best and most purchased applications, you can see the Mac version of the Angry Birds game (see Angry Birds free for pc)
Obviously, each application is protected, it cannot be copied or transferred to another Mac and Apple can freely decide which programs to include in the Store and which ones to censor instead.
I believe that an App Store for the computer is completely useless for expert users who can find many free programs to download for Mac but, probably, those who are less experienced and not informed, will fall into the trap of the online store.
I suggest, in this regard, to look at the list of sites where to download free applications for Mac .
With the release of Windows 8 and then with Windows 10, the new official Microsoft Windows App Store has also been made public.
Better then connect to the best sites to download free programs for PC, Windows, Linux or Mac that always remain the best place to look for free and free software.
Different approach is that of Ninite> which describes itself as a Windows Application Store but where you can find all the best programs to download for free (Firefox, Chrome, Skype, Dropbox, 7-zip, and Microsoft Security Essentials etc.).
Ninite is one of those sites where you choose the programs and then you can start downloading and installing all the applications, in one go.
These sites where you can download programs to be installed all together are very useful for creating customized packages to be kept on a CD or a USB stick and usable on any computer.
Finally, I remember my list of the best free Windows programs to download for free
