If you have some non DRM books hanging around, old or new, BookReader is an appealing way to read and organize your books. Simply drop the file onto BookReader, and it will automatically ready it so you can read it on the reader application. It's ideally suited for a MBP, and doubly so if you read on wide-screen mode. I've only used it with ePub files, though there are other options.

You won't find any online help or FAQ, and you will have to use an application like Calibre to convert Mobi files to ePub. Given the relative paucity of similar applications, $9.99 is an agreeable price.

You can download a prior version of this software on the developer's website; chances are, you'll buy it.

I installled Lion on an iMac and MBP, without incident. In fact, there are several improvements that have improved my computing. But first, the bad news:

1. I've noticed that my MBP battery will empty after only five hours (or less) - a considerable reduction of capacity. I tend to rely on my MagSafe adapter, but that doesn't negate the battery issue.
2. There's an increased amount of hangs with Lion. And the more you switch between applications, the more chance this will happen.
3. Lion's Launch Pad is, for me, an unnecessary feature, whose only purpose seems to be to incorporate iOS into the upgrade. I've not used it, even once.
4. Lion has forced me to give up beloved applications like MS Works '03, Appleworks, and move from other programs dependent on Rosetta.
5. Lion doesn't offer any support comprehensive support via PDF (or even on Apple website). It's up to the user to scrounge for information, glean through blogs, or purchase some kind of guide book. I'm willing to learn features, but at least you need to know Lion's commands and how they work.

And there's good news, too:

1. The increased use of gestures significantly improves the use of Safari. The three finger swipe opens the entire desktop, and the two finger sideways swipe immediately brings the previous screen. A single swipe brings a full palate of widgets. I use this nearly every session.
2. Mail is now a full screen application, which allows you to view emails and attached text in one window.
3. Reading List doesn't have all the features it should, but it's a potentially huge application, allowing you to keep track of websites quickly and intuitively.
4. Occasionally, portable drives and USB devices aren't compatible - and that's when Air Drop is such a surprise. I've used Air Drop to send small files to DVD-sized documents, without a hitch. Of course, larger documents take longer to process, but Air Drop works when nothing else will.

I've not had any kernel panics, loss of internet, or system problems.

You can that find free typing tutors, but Mavis Beacon has pushed to the front position with notable improvements. You can begin typing either as a neophyte or someone who just wants to brush up on basic skills. But Ultimate Edition contains several features that will surprise users.

Earlier versions (like v. 18) were silent tutors; recently, instructions and encouragements are provided verbally - giving the feeling you're interacting with a real person. Learning typing isn't fun, but this software at least gives variety to a thankless task.

You'll achieve improvement with any decent typing tutor, but it's easier to stick with learning with MB. I was surprised that there's an option for learning the Dvorak keyboard, and even tuneage to add variety. I can't think of any real competition to this software.

I've used the free MagiCal for years - a menu bar calendar that displays the current month, or brings up whatever date you want. However, a MacUpdate package promo put this into my pre-Xmas stocking, and it's like a MagiCal on steroids.

The calendar is not only larger, but works with iCal to bring scheduling to a new level. The easy integration with iCal encourages you to use it even more, until it becomes a part of your work flow.

iStat Menus shows your vital statistics on the menu bar as you compute, so you can monitor your activity and temperatures without leaving your keyboard. While you can probably view most of the same information using a free application like iStat, the range of data from iStat Menus is ideal for those who like their data available at all times. I love the concept, and it's rendered well.

"No iPods Found" message on desktop. Apparently, expod was unable to locate the files on my Touch - though the app is pleasingly simple and easy to use. The expod blurb suggests that it will work with all ipods, even Touches.