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What Mac-only apps that you use do you consider high quality? I’m asking because outside of some big ones that I don’t use, like Final Cut Pro or Pro Tools - m

What Mac-only apps that you use do you consider high quality? I’m asking because outside of some big ones that I don’t use, like Final Cut Pro or Pro Tools - most of the Mac apps I’ve found are very low on features or “options” (flexibility). They all seem to try and follow Apple’s model of only serving the happy path and completely ignoring anyone who needs more than that - e.g. power users. Even normal users get annoyed by this tendency, like recently when Apple removed the “mark all as read” option from Mail in iOS.

bocklund 7y ago
Here are some that I would say cater to power users and are flexible and high quality * OmniFocus and anything from Omni Group * Alfred * Keyboard Maestro * Drafts * iStat Menus * Soulver * BBEdit * Hazel * Marked * MindNode and tons more that I have not personally used or found useful.
- hoistbypetard 7y ago
  It's probably also worth noting that BBEdit has been around since the early 1990s and has weathered several transitions.
Smaug123 7y ago
Scrivener used to be Mac-only, until demand was such that they made a Windows version. It's the Mac app for novel-writers.
- fitzroy 7y ago
  I've bought Scrivener twice now and have never actually used it — but it's so beautifully made. I just want it to still be here when I finally get around to it.
p0nce 7y ago
* Screenflow
reaperducer 7y ago
Coda, though that's being replaced by something new any minute now. Apple News, though it's still moist behind the ears and needs more features. Sequel Pro, though if there's a Windows equivalent my IT department hasn't found it yet. There are a bunch of tiny workhorse utilities like FileChute, EasyBatchPhoto, and Subler. Though there's probably a Windows version of Subler. There are a number of Mac-only apps that attract people, but it's not the 1990's anymore. People don't use a platform for a "killer app." Most people choose a computer because they like the way it works. macOS works better for a lot of people than Windows or Linux. They may also be partial to the hardware for various reasons. They all seem to try and follow Apple’s model of only serving the happy path Apple, and its users focus on getting things done. Productivity is highly valued. completely ignoring anyone who needs more than that - e.g. power users. "Power users" is just Nerd for "tweakers and hobbyists." Apple hasn't been interested in that demographic since 1984. If you're a later-day "power user," good for you. Linux awaits. The only reason I keep a Windows box around is for IE11 compatibility testing. And Linux I only use on servers. That's because the way macOS works makes sense to me. It didn't at first, coming from Windows. But now that I understand the workflow conventions, it makes sense, and I prefer it.
- wayneftw 7y ago
  Well, I wouldn’t actually call something like having competent window management, something that macOS is sorely lacking, a “hobbyist” feature. I don’t buy the argument that Apple wants to let you get things done when their stuff lacks things like that. How is removing a feature like “mark all as read” helping me do that? And if you think Finder works better than Windows Explorer or other products that emulate Windows Explorer, you’re certainly in the minority.
  - sbuk 7y ago
    Can you elaborate on your comment "competent window management"?
    - wayneftw 7y ago
      Being able to maximize a window without having to use 2 hands (to hold down the option key). Snapping. Switching directly back to another apps window. Being able to see a separate icon in my dock for every open window. If I have to install third-party app to do this stuff, it doesn’t really help me when I go over to some junior developers machine to help them. The problem is that macOS is what they call “app-centric” and they’re the only ones who do it. It’s not better, but Apple will try to convince everyone that it is, just like when they stuck with the single mouse button for a decade, when clearly multiple button mice were considered the standard.
coldtea 7y ago
Some I personally use and would miss: Things 3, Scrivener (Mac only for 5-6 years, later had a Windows port), Acorn, Pixelmator Pro, Transmit, Capo, Omni-Graffle, Omni-Project, BBEdit, Dash, Ulysses, Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X, Numbers, Keynote, Soulver, Quiver, Viscocity, NVAlt, Even others that are ported, like MS Word, I prefer the look and operation of the Mac version... >most of the Mac apps I’ve found are very low on features or “options” (flexibility). They all seem to try and follow Apple’s model of only serving the happy path and completely ignoring anyone who needs more than that - e.g. power users. Or you know, "do a thing and do it well", the UNIX philosophy... Not sure what power user needs aren't met though (especially with the full unix userland available as well)

bocklund 7y ago

Here are some that I would say cater to power users and are flexible and high quality * OmniFocus and anything from Omni Group * Alfred * Keyboard Maestro * Drafts * iStat Menus * Soulver * BBEdit * Hazel * Marked * MindNode and tons more that I have not personally used or found useful.

hoistbypetard 7y ago
It's probably also worth noting that BBEdit has been around since the early 1990s and has weathered several transitions.

Smaug123 7y ago

Scrivener used to be Mac-only, until demand was such that they made a Windows version. It's the Mac app for novel-writers.

fitzroy 7y ago
I've bought Scrivener twice now and have never actually used it — but it's so beautifully made. I just want it to still be here when I finally get around to it.

p0nce 7y ago

* Screenflow

reaperducer 7y ago

Coda, though that's being replaced by something new any minute now. Apple News, though it's still moist behind the ears and needs more features. Sequel Pro, though if there's a Windows equivalent my IT department hasn't found it yet. There are a bunch of tiny workhorse utilities like FileChute, EasyBatchPhoto, and Subler. Though there's probably a Windows version of Subler. There are a number of Mac-only apps that attract people, but it's not the 1990's anymore. People don't use a platform for a "killer app." Most people choose a computer because they like the way it works. macOS works better for a lot of people than Windows or Linux. They may also be partial to the hardware for various reasons. They all seem to try and follow Apple’s model of only serving the happy path Apple, and its users focus on getting things done. Productivity is highly valued. completely ignoring anyone who needs more than that - e.g. power users. "Power users" is just Nerd for "tweakers and hobbyists." Apple hasn't been interested in that demographic since 1984. If you're a later-day "power user," good for you. Linux awaits. The only reason I keep a Windows box around is for IE11 compatibility testing. And Linux I only use on servers. That's because the way macOS works makes sense to me. It didn't at first, coming from Windows. But now that I understand the workflow conventions, it makes sense, and I prefer it.

wayneftw 7y ago
Well, I wouldn’t actually call something like having competent window management, something that macOS is sorely lacking, a “hobbyist” feature. I don’t buy the argument that Apple wants to let you get things done when their stuff lacks things like that. How is removing a feature like “mark all as read” helping me do that? And if you think Finder works better than Windows Explorer or other products that emulate Windows Explorer, you’re certainly in the minority.
- sbuk 7y ago
  Can you elaborate on your comment "competent window management"?
  - wayneftw 7y ago
    Being able to maximize a window without having to use 2 hands (to hold down the option key). Snapping. Switching directly back to another apps window. Being able to see a separate icon in my dock for every open window. If I have to install third-party app to do this stuff, it doesn’t really help me when I go over to some junior developers machine to help them. The problem is that macOS is what they call “app-centric” and they’re the only ones who do it. It’s not better, but Apple will try to convince everyone that it is, just like when they stuck with the single mouse button for a decade, when clearly multiple button mice were considered the standard.

coldtea 7y ago

Some I personally use and would miss: Things 3, Scrivener (Mac only for 5-6 years, later had a Windows port), Acorn, Pixelmator Pro, Transmit, Capo, Omni-Graffle, Omni-Project, BBEdit, Dash, Ulysses, Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X, Numbers, Keynote, Soulver, Quiver, Viscocity, NVAlt, Even others that are ported, like MS Word, I prefer the look and operation of the Mac version... >most of the Mac apps I’ve found are very low on features or “options” (flexibility). They all seem to try and follow Apple’s model of only serving the happy path and completely ignoring anyone who needs more than that - e.g. power users. Or you know, "do a thing and do it well", the UNIX philosophy... Not sure what power user needs aren't met though (especially with the full unix userland available as well)