Migrating from Windows on the Mac. What I Learned (Part 2)

Migrating from Windows on the Mac. What I Learned (Part 1)

If you are reading this article right now, you probably stage of transition from Windows to Mac for you have passed (and if not, then sooner or later it will happen). Platform change, especially if it is your working OS, which you need for serious problems - it is always a major change. But fortunately, in the case of OS X, these changes are generally positive. Our colleague Owen Williams, with thenextweb.com portal just decided to replace the platform, with the MacBook Pro Retina purchase and shared his impressions of what is called, in hot pursuit. I offer you a translation of his article. It will be useful for beginners description of possible difficulties and overcoming them. And advanced users can remember their history and to share in the comments tips and advice to newcomers.

apps

I had time to get used to the strong applications Windows, so getting used to the applications for the Mac was probably the most difficult part of the transition to the new platform. I did not know the best applications for this platform, and I did not have something similar to the Ninite, to install everything you need. Now that I have settled down and found a couple facing applications, I came to the conclusion that the quality of applications for Mac is significantly higher, particularly in terms of UI / UX.

It seems that developers spend more time to the way people use their applications, creating a community that is willing to pay for high-quality applications. While I use a little bit applications, but those in which I fell in love.

Airmail

I searched in vain for a good e-mail client on Windows, for many years, but never found it. Outlook - just awful, and the alternatives, such as Thunderbird, not so good.

Airmail - this is the first e-mail client that I use with great pleasure. The more so that it has full support for Exchange ActiveSync, and integration with Gmail. The application works perfectly and ruin you just $ 1.99. And if you do not mind using a beta version, it can be completely is free.

Airmail

Twitter for Mac

After using MetroTwit on Windows for years, it is the time to find something new. I was pleasantly surprised by the official Twitter client for Mac, he's really good. In addition, it is also free!

Twitter for Mac

Bartender

A bit strange that Apple can not hide application icons from the menu bar, the system means. I quickly scored menubar different icons that do not want to see it constantly. Fortunately, there Bartender app that allows you to hide unwanted icons from the submenu, or remove it permanently. Bartender is free trial 1 month, then ask you to pay $ 15.00.

Bartender

Anvil

Anvil have no pile functions, but it is extremely useful for local web development. It will help with local development of several sites on your Mac, through the creation of local .dev-sites to which you have access. Instead of messing around with config files, Anvil will do all the work for you. In addition, the app is completely free.

Anvil

Sublime Text 3

When it comes to writing code or just edit text, Sublime Text will be the best tool for this. It's simple, but very powerful. The app has an unlimited trial period, but sometimes there will be grumbling, until you buy a license for $ 70.

Sublime Text 3

Brackets

I use the Brackets on Windows, with the first public build. As it is written in CSS + HTML, it is of the cross-platform application. Brackets best code editor to create any web applications. It has full support for Adobe, and I can not recommend it, especially since it's free.

Brackets

Transmit

On the page of the application, the developer calls Panic Transmit best FTP-client and I can not disagree with him. This is a very powerful application that can do much more than simply connect to an ftp server. Transmit has the support of Amazon S3 and other cloud storage, making it the best app of its kind that I have ever used. And I did not even hesitate to buy it.

Transmit costs $ 34, but is free trial version.

Transmit

Cloudup

I think file sharing with other complicated but Cloudup is the ideal solution for this. If you want to quickly share photos, videos, apps, or anything else, Cloudup is the best option. Since it is based on NodeJS, everything happens instantly, and you can send a link to the file, before the end of its loading. Cloudup works great with the built-in utility for taking screenshots (⇧⌘4), it automatically loads of screenshots as you make them, and copies the URL to the clipboard.

After a recent purchase Cloudup'a company Automattic, registration has been available by invitation only. If you do not get up, do not worry, there is a similar solution - Cloudapp and it is also free.

Cloudup

Parallels 9

If you're a switcher with Windows, like me, you may want to buy Parallels 9, which allows you to run any applications and games that are not available on the Mac. Parallels runs in its own workspace in full-screen mode, but you can also run Windows applications right on the Mac desktop using Coherence mode (which I very I love). I opted for Parallels, rather than VMWare FusionDue to more frequent updates and better graphics performance.

Parallels 9 The cost is $ 79 and it fully justifies them.

Parallels 9

Only forward

In OS X, and many other nuances I deal with them as we go. Now that I've moved on a Mac, I think back, I will never come back.

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Here is a "cry from the heart" turned Owen. I know that many reading this article, received her with irony. Granted, there are many emotions that convey the mood of a person, faced with difficulties and overcame them. As the author said, trying one Mac, you nikogoda not want to go back on Windows. With the transition to OS X, you completely change your habits, methods and techniques in their work. Without exaggeration, we can say that this is how to re-learn to walk or read. Emotions that overwhelm the child took his first step or read the first book, can not be compared with anything. After that, life becomes different. The same happens after switching to MAK.

From my own experience I can say that I have it passed with a minimum of inconvenience. I have absolutely no difficulties, but perhaps in this role played using iPhone, iPad, and prior familiarity with the ecosystem Apple.

The difficulties that many frightened, not so terrible indeed. Button on the windows, on the other hand, the "wrong" key on the keyboard? Yes, you will not notice how to get used to it and you will soon wonder how you ever lived without it.

Incompatibility of applications? I do not think the situation is so critical. Almost all serious software has support for both platforms. Even if some of your favorite programs is not the Mac-version, most likely, there is a replacement, and certainly it will be functional or at least more pleasant to use for it. quality software, developed on the Mac, a head taller than Windows applications. The reason for this - the return on developer productivity, users are willing to pay for a quality product. A striking example, the situation with applications for iOS and Android - here come the same things.

Games? I agree, Windows is better suited for gaming delights than OS X. But some progress in this direction is still there. Get at least the appearance of Steam to Macs, this is something. And all the big games often have a Mac-version. For myself shared the concept of the game and work. And although I am not an avid gamer, I believe that the need for games console and to work naturally Mac. I believe this approach, more than reasonable.

The high cost of equipment? Of course, we do not live in the States, and so the price of Apple equipment, as well as the earnings of the population is poor. But! A compromise solution can always be found. I do not see nothing wrong in buying Mac'a on the secondary market. It is expensive, reliable equipment, which includes properly. 99% of users are blown away from their Macs motes, some even completely packed in cases. Purchase a one-year or two-year the Mac allows great savings and almost nothing to lose in performance (if you do not go to extremes). And last but not least, all the invested funds will work themselves up to a penny, and then if you want to upgrade, your old Mac, you can easily sell - the demand for them is always there.

If you do not exaggerate, switching on a Mac, it's completely painless procedure, the benefits of which, is incomparably greater than the harm. If you still have doubts, I hope this article will be helpful in your choice and you will tip the scales in the right direction. As usual, we welcome your comments and thoughts. Very interested in your thoughts on this topic.