Max Toolbox
This is an incredibly useful utility for Max:
1. First watch this video to see what you can do with it.
2.Download Max Toolbox.
3. Put the 'ToolBox' folder in MaxMSP/patches/.
4. Put the 'ToolBox.pat' file in MaxMSP/Patches/extras.
5. Restart Max.
6. In the Extras menu, select 'Toolbox'.
7. Check 'Load Max ToolBox on startup'.
8. Click on the ? to open the Help file.
9. Make a new patch, put some objects in it, and try out the various functions.
10. Learn all the shortcuts and Max will suddenly seem much more friendly.
PS: Don't forget CMD-y (built into Max) which aligns objects vertically or horizontally (depending on their relative placement).