After four years of using Xubuntu, I've decided to move to Mac OS. One reason is it is a work requirement, another reason is I have many pheripherals of which the features are not fully supported by Linux.
I like Linux because it is open-source, highly-configurable. I feel I am the sole owner of my computer, even if it means I need to spend lots of time doing the configuration work.
I use my computer for light data scientist work and daily web browsing. I am a python user. I also like Shell and Vim, things that allow me to not use the mouse.
When I switch to macOS, I was impressed by the audio system, the camera video quality, the seamless transfer from Linux terminal to and Mac terminal, and the convenient commercial backup solutions. Also, it shows better phone-to-computer support (for iPhones). But I miss my highly personalised and mouse-free Linux setup.
After one month into MacOS, here are things that make my life much easier.
The Mac keyboard is very different from Windows keyboard. Also, a lot of tasks, such as copy/paste are done with very different keyboard shortcuts. In Mac Command is the main key for most operations. It's equivalent to the Control key in Windows/Linux.
I first remapped my mac keyboard to a new layout.
Mac original
Remapped
Fn
Command
Command
Fn
2. Keyboard shortcuts reconfigure.
I customized lots of shortcuts to open software, close windows, or trigger special pipelines. Although, the Mac OS provides an official way to customize the shortcuts ("System" --> "Keyboard" --> "Shortcuts" --> "App shortcuts"). This mechanism relies on mapping keys to specific commands. The commands are case-sensitive, inconsistent among different versions, and sometimes ineffective.
Therefore, I decided to use third-party software for customization.
For launching different software from keyboard shortcuts, I use Apptivate to define my own keyboard app launcher.
For window alignment (such as "Tile to the Right of window", or rearrange different windows, I use Amethyst.
There are also some default keyboard shortcuts, such as (Hold)Command + Q to close the software, Command +w to close windows, Command + H to minimize windows. I was surprised when I found holding the command key triggers different operations.
3. Window management
It took me some time to get used to the Mission control feature. But now I like it a lot. The mission control shortcuts can be easily found and learned in the "System--> keyboard" section.
4. Terminal
Being a Ubuntu user, things I like most are writing my own .bashrc file, opening the terminal using Control + Alt + T, and opening the terminal from the current folder.
I tried to configure the default terminal app, but it wasn't very successful. Therefore I decided to go to third party apps. I use iTerm2 as my terminal emulator.
With the keyboard shortcuts configuration, I can now open my terminal using Command+Shift+T.
To terminate a program, in Linux, I used Control+C/D. Its Mac equivalent is also Control+C/D (Instead of Command+C/D)
The .bashrc equivalent is .zshrc.
5. File manager
I am unhappy with the apple Finder, because it is hard to configure, hard to navigate through the file hierarchy, and doesn't support copying file paths. I can't even create a new file with the file manager. Therefore, I went to a third-party software Command One It removed many fancy graphic features, but very practical. Also, now I can configure my own keyboard shortcut to open the file manager from the keyboard.
Another option is using ranger, a command line file management tool. So far, it is the most powerful one. Once you configure the .zshrc and made a shortcut to open ranger, it makes things much easier.
6. Text editing
With Linux, I use both Mousepad and vim. (I am not a fluent vim user). With Mac, I was unhappy about "TextEdit" because it saves files in rtf format, doesn't show hidden special characters, can't color HTML/JSON files, and can't display line numbers.
My alternative solution is using Vim for command editing, and Sublime text for UI-based text editing.
7. Read PDF documents
With Linux, I use Okular to read PDF files, which allows me to make annotations with keyboard shortcuts. Currently, I am using the default Preview software, I haven't found an ideal alternative.
Disclaimer: The comments above are based on my own learning experience. It's possible that I didn't find the right way to use the Mac default software.
After four years of using Xubuntu, I've decided to move to Mac OS. One reason is it is a work requirement, another reason is I have many pheripherals of which the features are not fully supported by Linux.
I like Linux because it is open-source, highly-configurable. I feel I am the sole owner of my computer, even if it means I need to spend lots of time doing the configuration work.
I use my computer for light data scientist work and daily web browsing. I am a python user. I also like Shell and Vim, things that allow me to not use the mouse.
When I switch to macOS, I was impressed by the audio system, the camera video quality, the seamless transfer from Linux terminal to and Mac terminal, and the convenient commercial backup solutions. Also, it shows better phone-to-computer support (for iPhones). But I miss my highly personalised and mouse-free Linux setup.
After one month into MacOS, here are things that make my life much easier.
1. Keyboard mapping
Commandis the main key for most operations. It's equivalent to theControlkey in Windows/Linux. I first remapped my mac keyboard to a new layout.2. Keyboard shortcuts reconfigure.
I customized lots of shortcuts to open software, close windows, or trigger special pipelines. Although, the Mac OS provides an official way to customize the shortcuts ("System" --> "Keyboard" --> "Shortcuts" --> "App shortcuts"). This mechanism relies on mapping keys to specific commands. The commands are case-sensitive, inconsistent among different versions, and sometimes ineffective.
Therefore, I decided to use third-party software for customization.
There are also some default keyboard shortcuts, such as
(Hold)Command + Qto close the software,Command +wto close windows,Command + Hto minimize windows. I was surprised when I found holding the command key triggers different operations.3. Window management
It took me some time to get used to the Mission control feature. But now I like it a lot. The mission control shortcuts can be easily found and learned in the "System--> keyboard" section.
4. Terminal
Being a Ubuntu user, things I like most are writing my own
.bashrcfile, opening the terminal usingControl + Alt + T, and opening the terminal from the current folder.I tried to configure the default terminal app, but it wasn't very successful. Therefore I decided to go to third party apps. I use iTerm2 as my terminal emulator.
Command+Shift+T.Control+C/D. Its Mac equivalent is alsoControl+C/D(Instead ofCommand+C/D).bashrcequivalent is.zshrc.5. File manager
I am unhappy with the apple Finder, because it is hard to configure, hard to navigate through the file hierarchy, and doesn't support copying file paths. I can't even create a new file with the file manager. Therefore, I went to a third-party software Command One It removed many fancy graphic features, but very practical. Also, now I can configure my own keyboard shortcut to open the file manager from the keyboard.
Another option is using ranger, a command line file management tool. So far, it is the most powerful one. Once you configure the
.zshrcand made a shortcut to open ranger, it makes things much easier.6. Text editing
With Linux, I use both Mousepad and vim. (I am not a fluent vim user). With Mac, I was unhappy about "TextEdit" because it saves files in rtf format, doesn't show hidden special characters, can't color HTML/JSON files, and can't display line numbers.
My alternative solution is using
Vimfor command editing, and Sublime text for UI-based text editing.7. Read PDF documents
With Linux, I use Okular to read PDF files, which allows me to make annotations with keyboard shortcuts. Currently, I am using the default Preview software, I haven't found an ideal alternative.