I am Sam Galope

As a software engineer, finding the IDE that “agrees” with you is a challenge especially if like me, you have just migrated from Microsoft Windows to Mac. Without a doubt, there are a lot of Open, Semi-open, and totally closed IDE applications for Mac floating in the net right now. But let me tell you how much of a drag it is to try each and every one of them especially if like me you have certain IDE preferences. Such as:

1. Preferably, it should have been released under the GNU/GPL license.
2. Multi-language support.
3. Project management support.
4. Foldable code blocks.
5. Search and Replace functionality.
6. Clean GUI design.

No wonder it’s that good, it was created by a person just like me.

Created by a closet UNIX geek who was lured to the Mac platform by its ease of use and elegance, TextMate has been referred to as the culmination of Emacs and OS X and has resulted in countless requests for both a Windows and Linux port, but TextMate remains exclusive for the Mac, and that is how we like it! http://macromates.com/

TextMate is perfect except for one tiny detail, IT IS NOT OPEN. IT IS NOT FREE! Although it comes with the customary 30 day demo option, it still comes with a $50.00(PhP2,2750.00) price tag for a single license. For a person who on a regular basis (24/7/365), this seems nothing compared to the other uber closed source softwares. But cost is cost.

Think like a UNIX freak!

Inference:

1. Mac like Linux is a UNIX derivative. Therefore:
2. There is no such thing as a registry,
3. Everything is a text file.
4. Usually applications are self-contained binary software.

Conclusion:

1. If the application is self-contained, then the demo flag may be derived from the system’s clock and may be stored in a temporary file somewhere to determine the current state of the demo.

Solution:

1. Delete or modify the generated demo time flag, extend the demo period.

Procedure:

1. Option 1: Locate the generated flag file and modify as needed.
2. Option 2: On the expiration of TextMate, completely wipe-out TextMate along with it’s generated files, then re-install.  I used a free utility, AppCleaner at FreeMacSoft.com. Basically, AppCleaner is just a dependency checker and deleter. So quite literally, it deletes everything that makes an application work. For our needs, we’ll be using it to remove the demo flag.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any use derived from this blog post.