Not very long ago i wrote a post called The Perfect Windows Development Setup where i outlined my specific setup and workflow, used to develop websites and web applications. Well, shortly after that, a few things in my life steered me towards switching to OSX. I had been contemplating this action for a long time, but i finally sucked it up and made the transition.
It has only been a few short weeks since i purchased my MacBook Pro, and while my Windows setup was the grand sum of collaboration and experimentation from years of development, i truly believe that what i have here on my MacBook Pro, has increased my workflow speed dramatically.
In all honesty, switching to Mac is not hard at all.
Here is the short list of Apps that i am using to develop on my MacBook Pro… seriously, it’s a simple but powerful setup!
This is the number one App that was a massive point in me switching to OSX. Coda has a “Sites” feature that has given me a massive speed boost. Being able to double click a Site from the dashboard and then watch as it brings up all of the last files you touched on that site, connect to the server, and automatically update live files when they are changed on the local server. I know this is possible in Windows, but i didn’t even have to think about it with Coda. And i have never seen it done so simply.
XAMPP is insanely simple to install. I had a few hiccups changing the root directory, and with file permissions. I wrote an apple script to start Apache and MYSQL when the computer starts up, and now i just forget all about it.
Well, of course OSX has access to all of the same browsers as Windows, except for internet explorer. I use my old laptop to test the rendering on the other browsers as well, and once i upgrade to Lion, i will install Windows side by side with OSX!
Wouldn’t choose anything other than Photoshop!
I settled with using Screenflow for recording my screen, and i use Adobe Premiere Pro to edit footage. Adobe really do make some great products.
I have clearly only been using OSX for a very very short amount of time. Even though i feel my workflow speed has increased with these apps, i guarantee there are many other things i am still yet to discover. If you have any suggestions for me, leave a comment below. I would love to try out some new apps!
I write clean and simple code using the latest techniques and technologies to bring your site or web application to life! For a project proposal or a friendly chat about your upcoming project, please send me a message.
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Comments
Post a commentTony(Jul 5th, 2011)
Great setup, Ash! Here’s mine:
Programming: Textmate
Local server: MAMP
Design: Adobe CS5
Screencasts: Screeny; I usually prefer using Screenr, which is a web app, and is free.
Others: Dropbox, Cyberduck, Alfred(Spotlight alternative)
Daquan Wright(Aug 26th, 2011)
What do you like better on the Mac than a good ol’ PC? They sure look snazzy.
Derrick Lamers(Nov 23rd, 2011)
Programming: CODA
Local Server XAMPP
Design: CS5
Screencasts: Camtasia
Others: Time Machine, Dropbox, Office for Mac, Billings, Skype