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After many years using linux, I decided to buy a mac. Now my main problem is: how do I synchronize pictures within my linux machines and the mac?

I have been using digikam in linux, and I like it because I can just browse the pictures directly from my directories (and it is easy for me to keep directories synchronized within mac and linux).

I have been testing iphoto and aperture, which are quite nice but if use them, my understanding is that I have to import all the pictures into these softwares, and this doesn't seem to be the ideal solution for me.
I tried picasa, but I don't find it as good as iphoto and aperture. On the other hand it allows me to browse directories, without having two copies of the same pictures.

I didn't try lightroom yet, would that be a good solution?

I would appreciate any suggestion on this.

Thanks!

mrw
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3 Answers3

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Aperture can leave your files where they were. HOWEVER If you rename a file outside of aperture, aperture can't find it, and you lose your changes.

sehrwood
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Maybe this related thread is an answer to your question.

Community
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Daniel Beck
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There is no one true answer here that will work with everyone. It demands on whether you want a DAM+Editing software or a split between the two or just the latter.

I used Bibble back in the day (which is now named Corel AfterShot Pro) for Mac-Linux-Windows editing, with Picasa for DAM/overview, and then switched to Lightroom when Bibble 5 came out due to the confusing new DAM. Lightroom worked OK when sharing the same catalogue between Mac and Windows, but then I upgraded Lightroom 6 to Lightroom CC and suddenly I was forced into paying a monthly sum to access my old edits.

Corel AfterShot Pro still works cross-platform, so someone interested in cross-platform products could still use that (its 5x faster than Lightroom), but I haven't used it in many years. But I see you were using digiKam. That actually works on Mac, Windows and Linux, doesn't cost a dime and is still updated 18 years on. If you like(d) this, I'd just install it on your Mac as well. Super-simple syncing.

I am actually pondering whether to start using that instead of my slow old Lightroom install. If you see my experiences above, the one general thread is that vendor lock-in for DAM has been hurtful. Software dies, gets slow or not updated or turns into something else. Open Source software can still die (see F-Spot), but at least it's usually available for most platforms and it's possible to fix it.

oligofren
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