One is kdiff3 (and I typically use it for two-way diffing although it can do 3-way diffs).

The other xxdiff, (which I started using under Linux about 4 years ago) is harder to launch than kdiff3 since directory comparison must be set up from the command line. But while it runs, I find the UI better than kdiff3 in some ways (such as keyboard shortcuts). Both xxdiff and kdiff3 can launch a file comparison from folder view by double-clicking a filename. xxdiff uses a separate window so file comparisons launched in sequence don’t require closing any other comparisons that are already open. It is nice that in 2006 somebody finally put an xxdiff universal binary on the web.

Most of the tools out there are pretty good for file diffing and as long as the comparison is side by side that’s a good start. But many of the tools leave a lot to be desired in folder view. When files don’t match, I don’t want to just see two colored file names next to each other where the colors only tell me the files differ (but nothing deeper). I want to see the BC-like where red=newer on one side vs. grey=older on the other side. I also find it very useful to see the timestamps on the files (which kdiff3 shows).

Changes could become my preferred app on Mac if it could overcome one thing. I saw the folder diff screeenshot and hated the black background with grey arrows in the middle for differing files. Give me the color coding similar to BC please, on a white background. Neither kdiff3 nor xxdiff provide a context clue about which file is newer (but kdiff3 does show the timestamps if the differing files are selected). So Changes has a distinct advantage since it provides a context clue about which is newer and it also shows timestamps for each filename. However, the feature request list for Changes shows that it is nowhere near the tool that BC is (and being relatively new, I hope that will change with time). All told, I am just not going to pay more than the cost of BC for a tool that attempts to emulate BC but still has such a long way to go to catch up.

PS - I only looked at the website for Changes, so if I made any error in my statements about the app then I am happy to receive corrections.

–Bigby

Changes works only with Leopard yet I do not plan on moving to Leopard any time soon. There are things I have that will not run under 10.5 and would prefer a solution not tied so closely to a single version of the OS.

Thanks,

Tony

In the past week I’ve covered most of the ground the other people here have. I maintain our iTunes folders between my computer and her computer. Unfortunately iTunes for Windows altered the filenames so most comparison tools fall short. BC2 lets me keep the systems in sync and to backup to an external drive.

Thank you to all who have published pointers to files and insights. I ‘ll review each one and hopefully can limp along until Scooter Software comes out with a Mac version. And I too have sent Scooter Software a friendly e-mail asking about their plans to support the Mac.

Take care,

Tony

Check it out at http://changesapp.com. As a former BC2 user on windows, I want to provide the replacement for that fine application on OS X. If you’ll head to my site and download the beta, you’ll be able to help me fill this need on a platform we all love! The beta is free and I’m taking feature requests still for version 1.0.