Having recently converted to Mac as you may have read in a previous blog “Moving from PC to Mac” we decided that it was also time to look for a new Text Editor to use for programming.

The first code I ever wrote I used a basic Text Editor which has no tools to assist you, a great way to learn how to code if your a beginner, since then I used Macromedia Dreamweaver but have never been fully satisfied with the way it works. Macromedia, being such a big company, can often mean less effort is added to the product to make them as good as they can be.

So in search for a new Text Editor which can be used on Mac’s I came across Coda, made by Panic. I have been using the software for a week now and I am impressed.

Features:

- Excellent layout with side menu to show list of files
- Ability to manage sites – including screenshot of the homepage of each site
- Built in terminal so you can use SSH instantly
- Supports subversion so you can update easily
- Allows split screen so you can view more than one file at a time – horizontal or vertical

The software is $99 but you do have a trial period to test it out and see if you like it. The staff at Panic appear to be interested in ideas to improve the software further so if you have any suggestions its worth dropping them an email.

Screen shot of Coda Text editor by panic.com

Ever wondered how daunting it is to move from a PC to a Mac?

Well try putting yourselves in my shoes! Having been a PC user all my life and having never used a Mac at all I was faced with getting to grips with a Mac to use for programming etc.

The Mac I got was a 24″ iMac 3.06 GHz, pretty impressive piece of kit when you look at it but would it live up to the hype I have read since I faced the prospect of using one?

Having used the Mac for a couple of days now the short answer is Yes it does. Its impressive to use as well as look at. Yes there are differences between a Mac and a PC I wont deny that but having used the mac for a few days they are changes I am willing to make.

Having set the mac up I was faced with the problem of how to navigate through programs and how to install new programs. This is a small learning curve and I got to grips pretty quickly. Anything you can do on a PC you can do on a Mac its just a case of knowing how to do it.

Thinking about moving from a PC to a Mac? Dont hesitate, jump in, its worth it. The speed of the Mac alone is enough to convince you, thats without the added bonus of the array of features it bolsters.

My only bad experience with the Mac so far is the mouse, hardly a problem here as I simply plugged in my old mouse and problem solved.

Mac all the way!