Pages Tagged “Tools”

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Reviews

BBEdit ★★★★★ Text editor for macOS that’s powerful enough to handle multi-megabyte files and still light enough to jot down notes.
Boxes (GNOME) ★★★½☆ A simple GUI wrapper around Linux’s built-in virtualization support. It makes simple things easy, but to adjust advanced settings you either need to edit config files manually or use another GUI.
ConnectBot ★★★★★ A no-nonsense SSH client for Android.
FeatherPad ★★★★☆ A lightweight, fast, stable, and capable text editor for Linux.
Git ★★★★☆ An extremely capable and flexible version control system, Git is also extremely cryptic, and you’ll want to keep the docs handy for commands you don’t use regularly.
Hex Fiend ★★★★★ Handled opening, searching, editing and saving an 8GB file without breaking a sweat.
Notepad++ ★★★★★ A perfect balance of powerful and lightweight, Notepad++ is far more capable than Notepad, but doesn’t complicate things like a full IDE.
Parallels ★★★★½ A virtual machine application for macOS that makes it easy to install a Windows, Linux or macOS guest. Downside: annual subscription.
QuickEdit ★★★★★ Full-featured text editor for Android. Good in a pinch on a phone, better on a tablet.
Sequel Ace ★★★★★ An unapologetically macOS application and a powerful database manager for MySQL/MariaDB. This and its predecessor Sequel Pro are the only database GUIs I’ve actually liked.
UTM ★★★½☆ A simple application wrapped around macOS’ built-in virtualization and emulation capabilities. Fewer bells and whistles than the commercial options, but works better for some purposes.
Virt-Manager ★★★½☆ A front-end manager for Linux’s built-in virtualization/emulation (QEMU and KVM, using libvirt). Much more customizable than Boxes, but missing a few convenience features.
VirtualBox ★★★★☆ Reliable virtualization that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, and can actually run a Windows 11 guest on my Linux host. The core app is Free, but Oracle charges for add-ons.
VMWare Fusion ★★☆☆☆ VMWare Fusion worked great on my Intel-based MacBook for work for years. But since Broadcom bought the company, I can’t even find it.
Wine and Crossover ★★★★☆ THE major compatibility tool for Windows apps on Linux or macOS, including SteamOS. And a commercial distribution with installers and support.

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Blog Posts

Hammers and Kneecaps
There’s a difference between making or selling a tool knowing some people will misuse it, and reaching out to those who will do so for endorsements or to encourage them to misuse *your* tool and not a competitor’s.
(Dec 2023)