For some of us we have migrated from different operating systems. For myself it was from windows to linux and now mac. When I was running linux I found many great apps that I would love to run in OSX. Well, since OSX is built on a unix environment, this can be done.
First step, you need to pop in your leopard dvd and hit the Optional Install folder. Now got into the xcode tools window,and then you will want to install the xcodetools.mpkg and the X11SDK.pkg which is in the Packages folder. Once you have installed those tools now you can get ready to install macports.
Open your favorite browser and visit MacPorts . This should open a directory containing the .dmg that we need to install. Click the MacPorts-1.5.0-10.5.dmg
Once downloaded just follow through the install window and let it do its thing. Once installed you will not notice anything different except for a macports directory in the applications folder. Now comes the fun part. Open the terminal and type “sudo port -v selfupdate” running this command will update the macports. Pretty much collecting all of the new packages out. This is a command you will need to run atleast once a week just to make sure you stay up to date on the new software versions. At this point all you will need to do is just install pretty much any app you want. Below is a few command syntax examples that will help you with the install/search process.
- sudo port -v selfupdate – update the current packages using the verbose method, allow you to see whats going on during the update.
- port search [app] – this will allow you to search for an app. example if I wanted to search for irssi I would do “port search irssi” without the quotes.
- port info [app] – this will give you info on the current package.
- sudo port install [app1] +[app2] – using the + sign will allow you to install multiple apps at once without typing each one out.
- port installed – check to see if the app you installed is verifyed. All apps installed should be listed.
- sudo port upgrade [app] – upgrade the app
- port outdated – list all outdated ports
- sudo port upgrade outdated – upgrade all outdated ports
Thats pretty much it. One great thing I love about this is that I can get terminal apps working. So when I’m out all and about, I can just ssh into my machine and start any application. Enjoy :)
