Mac Monday: Open source app browser and installer
This post was published 3 years 6 months 18 days ago which may make its actuality or expire date not be valid anymore. This site is not responsible for any misunderstanding.
Ubuntu users have enjoyed the recent convenience the Synaptic Package Manager for downloading hundreds of applications and utilities from a single source browseable catalog. Fortunately, OS X users can enjoy that same convenience thanks to a small utility known as MacLibre.
Similar to Synaptic, MacLibre allows users to browse a condensed list of open-source applications for OS X. No more scrounging the net for application titles or download pages. MacLibre takes the initial obstacle of locating the best open-source solution for your needs.
The Universal Binary was created during the “Google Summer of Code” program and features a collection of popular open source distributions for immediate installation. I loaded the application immediately due to the convenience that such an application would provide to the OS X community.
At this time, the offerings are limited to the most popular open source alternatives [to their paid counterparts]. Applications which make their way into the manager undergo a “rigorous selection” process ensuring the quality of the software. Applications are divided into categories: Create, Internet, Multimedia, Office, and Utilities. Do take note that simply highlighting the intended package will not automatically proceed to an installation. You must first ensure that ‘Install’ is displayed under the ‘Action’ column. Once you’ve selected your choice, continue to select ‘Next’ to proceed with the download and installation.
There are few apps that I would strongly encourage recent OS X adopters to experiment with, MacLibre is now one of them. If only Apple would harness such a utility for it’s own use, Windows users would be less hesitant to make the move to a completely different architecture.
“. If only Apple would harness such a utility for it’s own use, Windows users would be less hesitant to make the move to a completely different architecture.” This is extremly correct. As I was a Windows user myself, but finally got the balls to install MAC OS X and have now fallen in love with it, and may now be buying an actual Apple Mac Laptop.
New core 2 duo imacs at apple store now.
999 cheapest and 2K for the 24 inch…
I just tried MacLibre out today. After having to hand edit an XML file per a user post to get it to work at all, I’m now sitting here with it hung and spinning its wheels trying to mount an image during installation. This blows, have to say I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone unless it undergoes a lot more development and testing. Total junk.