You should be able to use whatever the Mac equivalent is of Windows Explorer and move the files without the Canon software. That software is rarely necessary to make the camera work, it's there for people who don't have other photo processing software, and most computers come with something. You could also use Picasa, a free Google program that will do what you tell it regarding any images it finds on your camera.

Don't fool with the cord if you can plug the stick or card into a cheap card reader. I bought one that works just fine for $7 at Fry's, it is an external card that plugs in by a USB cable.

SRS