Y.A.S.P
Yet Another Switch Page
Since everyone seems to be writing and giving advice to switchers, and would be switchers. Here is my advice.
This page is more for myself, in that, in case I go to another Mac, or if I need to re-install things I have one page to go to for my own stuff. I have used many pages like this on the net, but they’re getting just too cluttered with stuff the authors have tried, or do actually use. I’m somewhat of a minimalist, so this is a “Switch” guide for the minimalist.
Background
I used to use Linux as my desktop/laptop long before it was cool. Ubuntu wasn’t even a thought in the mind of Mr. Shuttleworth. Then, one day I saw another younger friend of mine using a mac effortlessly, going to sleep and waking up. Changing wireless networks with the click of a mouse, mounting hard drives by just plugging them in. Not once did he open an xterm. I was amazed, I was so used to running modprobe/dmesg and typing out mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/fwdrive etc.
I realized then, that I was wasting a lot of time doing things the computer/OS should just do for me. It was 2004 after all. So, I decided to switch. I got a 12 inch powerbook, which was then upgraded to a 15 inch powerbook.
The List
Here is the software I use, in order of importance to myself.
- QuickSilver : If you hate moving your hands off the keyboard just to start an app, or look up something small. This is your saviour.
- Terminal.App: This comes with OS X, and is still my prefered method of navigating around the system. Vim is part of the install as well, so 90% of the times, it’s all you need. Terminal, Vim, and ssh … you’re in heaven.
- Camino : Better and faster than the default Safari browser. Handy companion website is Pimp My Camino . Awesome extensions and plugins.
- Yojimbo: This little docklet/app/program whatever you want to call it, helps me put sticky notes in an organized manner. Things don’t look like sticky notes (ala “Stickies”), but things work better. It has built in data types and has the intelligence to know when you’re writing down a password or serial # to an app, and will automatically encrypt such things.
- Mail.App Letterbox plugin: Get the 3 pane view for mail.app
- Mailtags: The best way to organize your mail, tag messages your way, create todos and reminders and set alarms. All of these tasks and todos get synced to your phone/pda as well, things just end up working better. The latest version lets you create tags without leaving the keyboard, so yay again.
- AdiumX : Best multi protocol chat client for the Mac. (GAIM for Mac basically).
- Missing Sync : If you own a Treo , or a Windows Smartphone/Pocket PC, you need this. It’s better than the rudimentary phone support provided by iSync. Generic phones will work fine with BT and iSync usually, smartphones do not yet.
- Colloquy: Best IRC client for Mac OS X evar. Unless of course you have shell access somewhere, then stick to screen + irssi.
- Growl: Awesome notification system for internal system events
- Synergy Classic: Change iTunes songs without leaving the keyboard, and without opening the iTunes window.