"alternative option:: mac" by ulysses cabayao loyola house of studies, ateneo de manila quezon city email: ulysses.cabayao@gmail.com

My fifth day with the new MacBook Pro centered around obtaining new software. In my migration to Mac, I need to purchase Mac versions of Windows software I used. I outlined my initial costs for purchasing a Mac, but with a limited budget (especially after purchasing a new MacBook Pro), I needed cheaper alternatives or replacements until I could purchase the real thing.

When I purchased the system, I was able to replace Microsoft Office with iWork ’09. As a web developer I need software that allows me to perform my craft, primarily image editing, web coding, and FTP file transferring.

Alternatives to Photoshop

Any attempts to replace Photoshop is hard and difficult, it’s hard to replace a $1000 piece of software with $100. The best I could do is find an alternative, software that allowed me to perform a majority of the tasks I used in Photoshop. GIMP, an open source image editor, was the first software package that came to mind. When I began to test it, I realize how different it was from what I’m used to. The learning curve for GIMP was a factor I am currently unwilling to handle.

In my continued search for an alternative, Pixelmator was highly regarded as an upcoming alternative to Photoshop. During my test-drive with the software, I was impressed by it’s ability to handle  handled .PSD’s seamlessly; brushes, were easy to import; and the feel along with many of Photoshop’s features were a part of the programs core. Migrating to Pixelmator would not be hard at all and acts as a true alternative to Photoshop alternative, but currently does not replace the program. While familiar, it lacks a lot of features, including extensive layering, CMYK support, and layer effects. It’s promised version 1.5 is going to be a huge update and may implement many missing Photoshop features.

Although limited, Pixelmator is currently my primarily image editor.

Replacing Dreamweaver

Dreamweaver is easy to replace, and can be done with a simple text editor. That’s not to say Dreamweaver is a bad program, but if you know HTML code or a programming language there’s not a complete need for it. Many of the features in Dreamweaver make it easier and faster to produce websites. Many HTML editors act as alternatives for Dreamweaver, but do not include its full breadth of features. Coda, is a different story.

It’s hard to classify Coda as a Dreamweaver replacement when outshines the program. Comparing it to Dreamweaver feels backwards, Dreamweaver should be comparing itself to Coda. Coda has many of the features I’ve come to love, plugin support, site management, collaboration and live previewing; all wrapped around Mac sensibilities. I don’t think I’ll be returning to Dreamweaver anytime soon.

Using FTP

On Windows, I used FileZilla religiously. I believe it’s the best Windows based FTP program. The FTP software available for Mac outshines FileZilla (also available for Mac). The top two recommended programs are Transmit (made by Panic, the makers of Coda) and Cyberduck. In addition to handling FTP protocols, they also manage other platforms such as Amazon S3 (a service I use often), integrate with external editors, and provide a breath of additional features lacking from many Windows FTP software. I haven’t had a moment to completely test either program, but Transmit is inexpensive and highly recommended as the open-source and free Cyberduck seems to be a very close 2nd place.

Finding Alternative Software

Finding alternative software required a lot of Google searches and friend asking. There have been several great websites that have helped this migration process. VersionTracker and MacUpdate are wonderful websites, that organize and list updated Mac software. AlternativeTo.net provides a huge list of software and their alternatives, Open Source Alternative provides the same function but targets open source alternatives to commercial software.