# software I use - new list for mac _I switched to a Macbook laptop instead of a Windows machine. This is new list reflects my search for new Mac software. For Windows software, check out [[software i use - old|the old list]]_ This is a collection of the software I use on a regular basis. I've been wanting to compile a list so I can easily remember what I have installed. There are links to the respective websites so I can easily look up extra information. ### notes organization - [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md) for organizing thoughts, saving clipped content from the web, building notes for the classes that I teach, building my website. Everything is saved in open [markdown](https://www.markdownguide.org/) format so my notes are not locked into a particular system. I have made a couple of custom themes for it. This has become the default program to do most of my work (including building this website). - [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) is a good backup for writing in markdown, especially since I have some great extensions to make the workflow similar to Obsidian. The interface just isn't as clean or efficient. I do use it to convert my markdown to html when building websites. ### schedule and tasks - [TickTick](http://www.ticktick.com/) is still my current favorite because it integrates both calendar and to-do list in one app. It is amazing how few tools there are that actually integrate tasks with the calendar. I've looked, believe me. I now have it installed as a panel directly within my Obsidian workspace so it is only a keystroke away. ### visual design programs - [Affinity Designer](https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/designer/) and [Affinity Photo](https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/photo/) are amazing affordable alternatives to the Adobe suite. I absolutely love Designer for integrating both vector drawing and pixel painting in the same interface. The iPad version of Designer is pretty solid too. - [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html) and [Adobe Illustrator](https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html) because they are the classics and because I teach with them. I've been using both programs since the mid-90s so they are good in a pinch when I need to make something quickly. - [AfterEffects](https://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects.html) because I'm teaching it for both 2D animation and motion graphics and now for 3D animation since it now integrates well with Substance 3D. - Last school year, I explored the [Adobe Substance 3D Suite](https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/3d-ar.html) with my students. It has been a lot of fun to play with. Definitely much easier to use than Maya. Now that the 3D program is shifting at school, though, I'm thinking of picking up [Blender](https://www.blender.org) again for my personal use. ### web design programs - [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) is my default coding app. I prefer the non-telemetry open-source version called [VSCodium](https://vscodium.com/), but there are several extensions that cause issues. - Experimenting with [Adobe XD](https://www.adobe.com/products/xd.html) for front-end design and prototyping. I've also fiddled with [Figma](https://www.figma.com/). There are others that I want to try out too. - [Publii](https://getpublii.com/) (like local WordPress) and [Mobirise](https://mobirise.com/) (like local Weebly) to build quick websites with no code. - [GitHub Desktop](https://desktop.github.com/) for syncing everything to the web and for easy free website publishing. - My cascade of browsers are [Orion](https://kagi.com/orion/), [Safari](https://www.apple.com/safari/), [Vivaldi](https://vivaldi.com), [Firefox Developer Edition](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/developer/), [DuckDuckGo](https://duckduckgo.com). Orion is default only because it has a cool feature where links open in a floating pop-up that can be easily closed when finished. Good for quick hops into a web service without opening a full browser window. ### media tools - [myNoise](https://mynoise.net) for streaming ambient audio in the background while I work. Here's a [[ambient sounds|list of other places]] I also like using. - [Iina](https://iina.io) seems to be a great video player so far. ### random utilities - [AltTab](https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app) for better window switching. Shows thumbnail content instead of Mac default of just showing app icons. - [AppCleaner]([https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/]()) for cleanly removing software installations. - [Bitwarden](https://bitwarden.com) for password management on all my devices. - [CleanShot](https://cleanshot.com) for capturing screenshots. - [FreeFileSync](https://freefilesync.org) for syncing files and easy backup. - [Homebrew](https://brew.sh) for terminal-based software installs and updates. - [ImageOptim](https://imageoptim.com/mac) for reducing image file sizes. - [Latest](https://max.codes/latest/) for easily updating apps that aren't installed through the Mac app store. - [LinearMouse](https://linearmouse.app) for programming non-Mac mouse buttons. - [Mos](https://mos.caldis.me) for smooth scrolling. - [NordVPN](https://nordvpn.com) for keeping safe on public wifi. - [OnlySwitch](https://github.com/jacklandrin/OnlySwitch) for handling menu bar and quickly toggling settings. - [Onyx](https://titanium-software.fr/en/onyx.html) for quick Mac maintenance routines. - [Raycast](https://www.raycast.com) for so many things that I think of as standard behavior now. It has replaced a number of other apps for me. - [Rectangle](https://rectangleapp.com) for window snapping and organization because Mac doesn't do this automatically. - [The Unarchiver](https://apps.apple.com/in/app/the-unarchiver/id425424353) for dealing with zip files and other archive formats.