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Recommended Mac apps for new user (lemmy.world)
submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Hello all,

I've recently gotten a MacBook pro at work. In the past I've mainly used Linux, so the switch isn't super drastic. I'm mainly getting used to the shortcuts. My work mainly involves DevOps related work.

Things I've installed so far ( besides standard things like an IDE ):

  • neovim
  • brew
  • rectangle
  • jq / uw
  • docker desktop
  • iterm2

I have some coworkers excited about Alfred, which I have installed, but haven't really used yet. Looks like an enhanced spotlight?

Any apps/tools you can recommend which makes your life easier on Macs? Hidden productivity gems?

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[-] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago
  • AdGuard for Safari
  • Amphetamine (to keep the Mac from sleeping when you need it, also check out caffeinate which is a CLI tool that comes with the OS to do the same)
  • bsdtar from libarchive for a universal (un)archiver (Archive Utility doesn't unpack nearly enough common archive formats unfortunately and can create even fewer)
  • Mac Mouse Fix (if you want to use a button mouse with it)
  • Nix instead of docker, it actually bothers with native Mac packages instead of being a glorified VM
  • Raycast (this one is also enhanced spotlight)

Some UI settings I've changed (these are up to taste obviously but I like them more):

  • Mission Control -> Group spaces by application: ON
  • Dock -> Minimize windows into application icon: ON
  • Keyboard -> Press fn key to: Do Nothing (the default of I think Show Emoji & Symbols was driving me crazy because I kept hitting it by accident)
  • Control Center -> Automatically hide and show the menu bar: Never (works especially well with the camera because it leaves blank space otherwise)
  • Keyboard Shortcuts -> Function Keys -> Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys: ON
  • probably more that I forgot but these should be the major ones
[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I'm currently using docker desktop, but I'll have a look at nix.

A co-worker already pointed me towards the fn button to do nothing.

It's been a good experience so far, better than I had hoped. Slightly annoyed at the qwerty keyboard layout as it isn't exactly.the way I like it ( the enter key is quite small and I keep pressing \ occasionally, they also moved the ` key to the direct right of left shift rather than above tab ( where it is on a default qwerty ).

But these aren't dealbreakers. I'll get used to them.

I'll check out the rest of your suggestions. Thanks for the input!

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Hm, did you by chance get an ISO layout keyboard? Mine has an ANSI keyboard, and the \ key is directly above enter and ` is above tab. It's the same as you would expect on a US Windows keyboard except for the bottom row.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I asked for a US ANSI, but it was unfortunately not available when they wanted to order. I'm not sure what the reason is. Coworkers that had an old one said the keys were fine on their previous Mac.

But that is entirely possible. Not to go off on a rant but man do I hate keyboard layouts. And shops are rarely transparent on what kind of layout it is not to mention how confusing it is to have multiple types of QWERTY. I'll get used to it :D

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Yup. It's even worse in non-English countries since retailers will pretty much only sell the local layout. I ordered mine from Apple directly to get ANSI layout.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Yup. I live in a non English country as well. I know your pain!

this post was submitted on 04 Jan 2024
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