Best of Mac — January 2025

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   Community Picks·1y

   Docker on MacOS is still slow?

   Two years after analyzing Docker performance on MacOS, significant improvements have been noted. VirtIOFS now provides better speed, with new solutions like open-source Lima and Docker's file synchronization feature offering enhanced performance. The most stable setup remains a hybrid approach combining bind mounts with volumes. Users should choose between solutions like Lima for a fast, open-source option, Docker Desktop with file synchronization for maximum speed, or any solution with the hybrid approach for stable performance.

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   Article

   The Register·1y

   Ghostty 1: A better terminal emulator

   Ghostty, a terminal emulator developed by HashiCorp co-founder Mitchell Hashimoto, has reached version 1.0.1. It is cross-platform, available for macOS and Linux, and is implemented in the Zig programming language. Ghostty offers several notable improvements, including GPU acceleration, efficient processor usage, and support for multiple writing systems and font rendering. Despite its new features, Ghostty has some compatibility issues with traditional desktop environments.

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   Video

   Theo - t3․gg·1y

   I can't use a Mac without this app.

   Raycast is highlighted as a powerful app for Mac users, capable of significantly enhancing productivity through its features such as an advanced calculator, quick window management, and customizable hot keys. The post elaborates on various useful extensions and functionalities of Raycast, emphasizing its ability to streamline workflows and reduce context-switching. It suggests Raycast as an essential tool for anyone looking to optimize their Mac usage.

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   Hacker News·1y

   synth-inc/onit: Onit MacOS client

   Onit is an open-source AI chat assistant designed for macOS, offering local mode operation, multi-provider support, and extensive customizability. Users can choose from various AI models, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, with all data processed locally unless explicitly shared. The tool supports local context from files, customizable shortcuts, and aims to be extensible through community-built extensions. Version 1 is free under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial license, with the source code open for customization.

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   Core Dumped·1y

   Why Applications Are Operating-System Specific

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   Article

   InfoWorld·1y

   4 keys for writing cross-platform apps

   Developing cross-platform applications involves various challenges such as handling path separators, line breaks, and case sensitivity in file systems, particularly with Windows. Using web technologies like Electron can solve front-end consistency issues, but alternatives like Tauri are gaining popularity for smaller deliverables. Cross-compiling on the target platform directly, or using services like GitHub Actions, can simplify the development process. Emerging technologies like WebAssembly offer new possibilities for cross-platform runtime environments.

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   Hacker News·1y

   srcl

   Learn how to use specific keyboard shortcuts ⌘+1, ⌘+2, and ⌘+3 to enhance your productivity on macOS. Each shortcut performs a different function to streamline your workflow.

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