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Ask Download Squad: Which apps do you wish were cross-platform?
Last week's question, on dealing with spyware and malware, drew a great response, with many of you saying Firefox was your main bulwark against such risks. Fortunately, most of you don't put all of your eggs in Mozilla's basket, and also use anti-spyware programs, with free software such as MS Anti-Spyware, Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy proving to be popular choices. And, as always, a fair share of Mac users chimed in to say they don't need no stinkin' anti-spyware tools. For the sake of their data, I hope their confidence isn't misplaced.Earlier this week, I commented on the fact that O'Reilly's Matthew Russell was frustrated that he couldn't use the "File, Print FedEx Kinko's" utility on his Mac. And that got me thinking: what apps do you really wish were cross-platform? If you're a Mac user, are there any Windows apps you really wish you could use? And, Windows users, are there any Mac programs that make you aqua with envy? I'll start with two of my favorites that have yet to bridge the gap: On the Mac side, there are any number of "command-space" launchers, which let you launch apps by hitting those keys and then typing an abbreviation. The best-known is Quicksilver, but the category includes Butler and LaunchBar as well. On Windows, the closest thing is AppRocket, which I've found doesn't come close to approaching the sophistication, speed and flexibility of the Mac programs, especially Quicksilver, which happens to be free. Going in the other direction, one Windows app I've become dependent on is EverNote, a free notepad utility. Yes, there are programs on the Mac, such DevonThink that do many of the same things it does, such as make web page clippings, copy text and allow you to add tags to your notes. But EverNote has a simple, straightforward UI, and it's free as well.
Those are my choices. Now, what are yours? Post your answer in the Comments section below. And, if you'd like to have your question included here, send it to us using this form. We'll post one question each week.
Comments
31
Subscribe to commentsAlishNov 3rd 2005 2:27AM
From Mac: iLife '05, iWork, Aperture
From Windows: The list is too long!!!!
manieNov 21st 2005 3:02AM
I much prefer it to iPhoto - it leaves your photos where you want them.
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manieNov 21st 2005 2:59AM
They need Yahoo Music Engine on Mac. It has been one of the things holding me back from making the switch. The service is amazing, but there are no "On Demand" music services to speak of on the mac.
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Chris MellerSep 23rd 2005 10:36PM
Hey, what about us Linux users? Why's it always gotta be Mac vs. Windows? We have needs too!
Number one on my list would be Photoshop... Both Mac and Windows have versions, but the closest thing us Linux users have is Gimp, which, while impressive, doesn't even come close.
Number two would be some sort of note-taking application. If you think your Mac can't compare with Evernote, you'd never survive on Linux... I may as well write a C++ version of a stone tablet to chisel my notes on. Come to think of it, that would be kinda cool...
AFDSep 23rd 2005 11:03PM
Apple's iLife Suite (GarageBand, iDVD, etc.) would be fun to have on Windows and is reasonably priced. Although I actually have no need for those particular programs, since I already have comparible windows apps that perform quite nicely.
HiteshSep 24th 2005 12:15AM
Used to be iPhoto, but with Picasa im sorted
iCal is needed though, closest thing is Mozilla Sunbird which has yet a long way to go
BouncinDaveSep 24th 2005 7:17AM
I think amarok should be cross platform
Windows and Mac really need this great media player!
JeffSep 24th 2005 10:15AM
Microsoft Access so I wouldn't have to switch between Macs and PCs at work.
ChrisSep 24th 2005 10:50AM
Novell Evolution, though from what I hear they are working on it.
SebastianSep 24th 2005 11:18AM
I hope adium goes across the border so that I can use it on windows.
-ICQ is good but looks bad
-Miranda could look good if you have enough time to set it up, but it is far away from beeing stable.
Ergo: adium for Windows (please)!
Marc OrchantSep 24th 2005 11:18AM
Short list:
Windows (from Mac): Quicksilver, OmniGraffle
Mac (from Windows): MindManager, Visio
David ChartierNov 2nd 2005 3:15PM
Quicksilver for Windows, hands down. It's even far more than just an application and file launcher, it's a manipulator. You can find a contact and then have a choice to open it in Address Book, send an email or send a file directly to their email address - without ever even touching a mail message window. There's a plethora of Quicksilver plugins too, for everything from Backpack integration, iPhoto manipulation and search engines straight from Quicksilver.
It's almost like Quicksilver is the best of both the command line and GUI worlds. It's become one of those tools that makes me feel naked using a Mac without it.
anthony rudgickSep 24th 2005 3:21PM
i agree, quicksilver would be excellent in windows. it the quintessential "life hack"
twolocustsSep 24th 2005 4:47PM
microsoft money ported to mac!
Scott McDonaldSep 24th 2005 4:53PM
Picasa - I much prefer it to iPhoto - it leaves your photos where you want them, can span multiple hard drives and networked drives, and is just more flexible than iPhoto.
Also, iPhoto runs like a dog on my 2ghz iMac.
Colin HillSep 24th 2005 6:39PM
Net News Wire lite for Windows as well as Mac, and the ability to sync between os's.
anthnoySep 24th 2005 9:57PM
For Windows: iCal, Finder, Address Book, Transmit, iChat, iSync, Keynote, Pages, Command Option 3, SubEthaEdit, Sticky Brain, Network Utility, OmniGraffle.
For Macintosh: All the professional apps that I need for work in the home theater indusry.
Brad MurphySep 25th 2005 1:56PM
As an engineer I have to run a PC so i can run various Autodesk programs including Autocad. I would like SolidWorks to be on the Mac, and Visio is a must. Its very hard to be a mac user in an Engineering program in College. I could use some other software, but we are required to use the software.
seabasstinSep 25th 2005 3:44PM
MS Visio
MS Access (only so that office types stop using it as excuse for not moving over)
Side Effects HOUDINI
Avid Softimage
Discreet Flame/Flint (from IRIX)
Autodesk Autocad
Discreet 3D studio
Pro engineer
ATI FireGL professional OpenGL cards
Nvidious QuadroFX series professional OpenGL cards
Elsa Gloria professional OpenGL cards
3D Labs Wlidcat professional OpenGL cards
The last ones are not Applications I know but I need to air this out somewhere. (you can get these for esoteric platforms such as Solaris on sparc and Irix on mips so what is the problem with making Mac drivers? )
NapoSep 25th 2005 7:19PM
From Win to Mac: Meedio, DVDShrink (mac needs home theatre software)
From Mac to Win: iChat, iDVD, iMovie