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New application equivalent site for Win to Mac switchers (BETA)

switchr.com — This is a pretty nifty site for people that have switched from Windows to Mac and are looking for software. It's in beta right now though.

Who dugg this? Made popular Apr 21, 2006

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  • dannywartnaby, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7I'm the chap working on Switchr (in my spare time, I might add :-)).

    I never expected a lot of people to see it and/or use it in this state. It's online because a few people have been trying ot out. There's obviously still alot of work to do. I'm the only developer, and i'd really like you're suggestions.

    This is crazy.

    Oh, and by the way - you don't have to drag, but you can if you want to. You can click on the applications name instead...
  • Angostura, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Is it just me or is this site a triumph of form over function? 'Drag and drop the application here to download it?' Give me a break.

    Screens that fill themselves showing me the gorgeously rendered icons of the applications, but gives no clue as to what the application does - without apparently dragging and dropping the icon somewhere.

    Appalling. www.versiontracker.com may have stone-age interface but at least the mindless bling doesn't get in your way.

    Can you tell that this site made me grumpy?
  • rowanjl, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7"Look mum! Its beta it must be good!"

    Get over this whole "beta" thing, beta means stage two development, not incomplete.
  • wastern, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5the 'drag to info' interface needs to go. its complicated and non-intuitive. plus a new mac user isn't going to know what an info button looks like. i found the site unusable and i've been using macs for 3 years now
  • fletchowns, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5yea. it's different and kinda cool, not very practical though.
  • psylence, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Agreed, that is __way__ too much web site for what that site is trying to accomplish. Web design gone wrong.
  • ToeCheese, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Aristotle1990:

    Install any of these apps below. This is stuff you definitely cannot find for the Mac. Oh and MS Access if you need it...

    Name: PurityScan
    Name: n-CASE
    Name: Gator
    Name: CoolWebSearch
    Name: Transponder
    Name: ISTbar/AUpdate
    Name: KeenValue
    Name: Internet Optimizer
    Name: Perfect Keylogger
    Name: TIBS Dialer
    Name: WildTangent

    BTW: Don't install any of these since they are all Spyware
  • wastern, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Desktop Manager is the best virtual desktop software out there for mac
  • Ludwig, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3"Lets start a new trend, remove all letters other than 's', 'h', 'i', 't'..."

    Yeah, sith.com would've been pretty cool. It probably would be a bit misleading in this particular case, though.
  • aristotle1990, on 10/12/2007, -10/+13Hey, is there a site for Mac to Win switchers? Boot Camp finally made me take the plunge...
  • vinny, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Just posted:

    "Sorry everyone.
    I've just recently noticed that this site has been posted to Digg.com.
    This site is not ready for people to use fully, and had been uploaded for initial testing by a few friends and contacts. This project is not being developed full-time by a team of developers, it's being developed solely by me, in my spare time (just trying to create something cool).

    As you could probably tell there is still a large amount of work to be done, which is why I didn't want an open BETA like this.

    Many thanks for all the comments (good/bad/rude :-)). For now i'm taking the app offline, so I can continue development on it.

    Many thanks, and again, my apologies for taking the site offline - I just want to focus on getting everything finished, and then I'll put it back online.
    Danny."

  • Darksev, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Sure it looks slick, but usability is compromised severely. Those of us "old hands" at navigating the web won't have an issue, but the whole dragging icons thing seems a bit excessive and confusing for your average joe.
  • Claymore, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I would agree with you on all your comments. However, I definitely give them "props" for making an attempt at something original and outside the box. The stone-age methods or the simplistic interfaces (google) may work well but they will never introduce an improved solution.

    You need someone to stick it out there once in awhile so we can move to that next level.
  • badwolfatl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It's a good concept - simplify the interface - A single click on an icon should pop up an info box with complete application description and which MS applications it best replaces. You also need to finish adding the categories - missing are things like Graphics, Desktop Productivity, Video Editing/Authoring.

    Also, use the real power of the internet - the community - get your site users to fill in the details of the applications for you - maintain editorial control for sure - but working with the community, you can get the site up and running in less than half the time.

    Keep working - can't wait to use the final site.
  • Mesach, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5they need to let you show all, 6 at a time spread over 22 pages is Aggravating
  • grahamcase, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3There's a distinct lack of Quicksilver...
    And CeltX...
    And probably some others...

    Maybe I'll email them.
  • rowanjl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Well, its good to hear it isn't ready for production... However clicking on the small title underneath is no solution.

    Read my comments here, and please try not to be offended: http://www.pixelcarnage.com/personal/switchr_com_ajax_the_rerrible
  • AdverseEntropy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2There's a little "reply" button, at the bottom right of comments, maybe you've seen it? That way you can bypass the "Aristotle1990:", Just a suggestion.
  • katar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I totally agree. It certainly doesn't following the "simple is better" philosophy of Apple.
  • rowanjl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Lets start a new trend, remove all letters other than 's', 'h', 'i', 't'...
  • collinong, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Besides the useless drag-to-info icon interface, the site doesn't do what it purports to do, or even what it should do. It says its for switchers to find equivalent apps, but it doesn't even do that. It needs to say: "If you like Microsoft Word for Windows, you should try: MS Word for Mac, Nisus, Mellel, etc."

    The site is like a Ajax paradise but has no useful content. Suggestion: start with useful content, jazz up with Ajax later.
  • KissTheRing, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2yeah, that's not right, Firefox works fine
  • Angostura, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1A quick search shows that you have a number of possibilities:

    http://www.versiontracker.com/php/search.php?mode=basic&action=search&str=virtual desktop&plt%5B%5D=macosx&x=0&y=0
  • HungryMedia, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2this website has a very cool UI :)
  • rowanjl, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Just like there was bad use of Flash, and tables, we're now beggining to see people who just don't get it abuse "AJAX".

    Sure the site looks OK, but why not make it functional and light weight too?

    When you hover over the icons on the front page it says "Drag this application to the Info icon in the top right corner for more details". There are several problems with this:

    1. It takes time to search the page for the icon, despite their instruction.
    2. The icon is much smaller than the application, so its hard to tell if you're 'over' it.
    3. Most people will try to click on the icon, and get annoyed when it doesn't work.
    4. The popup help would be a lot more useful if it was placed as text below the icons.

    To make matters even worse they not only use AJAX badly, but Tables for layout too! Next thing they'll be replacing all the images for Flash...
  • spc2226, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Haha,I love the title of the page. "Because bill doesn't care"
  • tricheco, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I agree, there were infinite possibilities to build the site, but they chose to go against users with that D&D crappy user interface.
  • rowanjl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1You have a point, but then, if these people are part of the target audience, then their complaints need to be heard, no matter how harsh they are.

    WTF - How did this get down here then?
  • unusualFall, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It's going to be a while before Desktop Manager is updated again (months? years? -- I was told the author is now working on earning his PhD and will not be focusing on much else). Tony Arnold has recently taken over Virtue (now called VirtueDesktops), and it is under active development. I expect VirtueDesktops to surpass Desktop Manager in features and stability shortly, if it hasn't already.

    http://virtuedesktops.info/
  • MoeB, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2jeez stop making me drag stuff.
  • AdverseEntropy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This trend of subtracting the "e" from names is getting one my nerves. Just because Flickr did it, doesn't mean everyone else has to.
  • miker71, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1IMO, better here:
    http://osx.hyperjeff.net/Apps/
  • drewjoh, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Since when does beta HAVE to mean something less than v1.0?
  • TheRealStyro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Too bad he had to take down the site, I was going to look up some more info on apps. In the little time I looked at the site I could tell the interface needs some help. The designer may want to consider the addition of a full list or an adjustable list amount. Also make sure that people can double-click on the application name and picture to bring up more information.

    Good work on a nice design. Just may need some tweaks.
  • dmoney06, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1virtue desktop is better. Ive used both and I'm sticking with Virtue.
  • rowanjl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It could be a great site. I just hope he puts in the work to make the UI simpler, and keep the code cleaner (because it is shocking)...
  • bf01, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1AdverseEntropy:

    There is only a reply button on the parent comment. If you want to branch the comment in a different direction, you have to start a new thread.
  • trotzke, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1switchr....a 'beta' content site... give me a break. This has gone too far.
    The user interface actually makes me laugh out loud.

    Wait...is this supposed to be this funny?
    Like a toung in cheek poke at Web 2.0 or something?
  • digitalsin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1poor guy got dugg out
  • trotzke, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0now I feel bad... still think it's a stretch to call what just happened an open beta
  • goodcompany, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Someone told me this site was Safari only...which makes no sense. Hope they are wrong.
  • pkghost, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0'beta' gets the point across with fewer letters than 'under construction'

    dont be so bitter
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0When the average Digg user can write it better themselves, then they have a right to compain about the UI. It's a start and it's early. But already I was able to find new apps within minutes. The CSS is fine, polish is needed and they will certainly come with time and constructive criticism. Not RSS junkies flying in off a feed and judging everything harshly in 12 seconds.
  • mssnare, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0badwolfatl, your comment is inspiring. Seriously. You do not bash the author of the site and you give good solid advice. It would be nice to see more comments like this instead of the normal non-productive comments like "this UI makes me laugh out loud".
  • orlyyarly, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4I've been using Macs for nearly a year now and I just found a sweet program! Virtue is a utility for virtual desktops! Finally!
  • spirituscanis, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Desktop Manager: http://desktopmanager.berlios.de/
  • patrickbarnes, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Dear digg,

    Is there a decent terminal emulator for OS X?
    Please discount 'Terminal', 'iTerm' and 'GLTerm' from your answers. :)

    Something as awesome as PuTTY (if stuck on Windows...)

    Thanks.
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Stop complaining, bloody RSS junkies. I got to log in and play around properly with the site and whilst it needs work (like the author says everywhere), it allows you to find new apps much faster than Version Tracker or MacUpdate - which is precisely what switchers need. Quick access to essential apps, without it being stupidly overwhelming. A thumbs up from me, this could become a top site on the web in time.
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3What buggy site. CSS for the sake of it.
  • spirituscanis, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Thanks, unusualFall. Good to know. I once tried Virtue and found it to be a nice app, but as I have a slightly older iBook with limitted RAM, I preferred the slightly thinner DesktopManager.
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