About this site

This site is a little different from the big download portals. I don’t chase every new release. I note down what a piece of software actually does on a machine, whether the current version has dropped support for an older OS, and I keep the previous build available if it’s still useful. Every program page shows the version, file size, compatibility range and any odd install notes I’ve picked up. If a developer quietly retires something good, I try to leave the last working copy up so people aren’t left stranded. The whole point is keeping Macs useful, not just chasing the shiny new thing.

How pages stay current

I update catalogue entries when I spot a meaningful change. Often that’s a version bump with a better Apple Silicon build or a fix for a common crash. I also note when an update drops support for macOS Mojave, say, or cuts off 32-bit code. In those cases I keep the last good build for the older range listed underneath the current one. If you’re running High Sierra and a tool still works, you’ll see which version to grab and what to expect. I don’t auto-pull feeds from developers’ sites, so there’s always a lag while I test things myself. The site isn’t a news ticker, it’s a reference.

What you won’t find here

• Pirated software or serial numbers. I only link to freeware, open-source projects, legal free tiers and old shareware where the author has made it freely available. No cracks, no keygens, no warez.
• Adware bundles or “download manager” wrappers. I check the installer before linking. If a developer wraps a free tool in a sponsor offer, I note it on the page.
• Untested recommendations. If I haven’t loaded it onto a real Mac and poked at it for a bit, it doesn’t go in the catalogue.
• Guarantees. I’m one person in a workshop. I test carefully, but I can’t promise a program will suit your exact setup. Read the install notes and make a backup first.

Who runs the site and why it exists

My name is Sam Okafor. I help run a community bike library and repair café in Leeds. We show people how to fix their own things — bottom brackets, punctures, stuck seatposts — and we lend out tools and stands so nobody has to buy gear they’ll use once. That fix-it mindset shapes how I think about computers too. An old Mac isn’t “obsolete” if it still does the job someone needs it to do. The problem is usually that the factory software has stopped getting updates, or the App Store won’t serve a compatible version. That’s where a good third-party tool or an older build can keep the machine humming. I started this catalogue as a shared notepad for the café. When friends and regulars asked the same questions — “What’s a safe YouTube downloader these days?” or “Can I still open .dwg files on El Capitan?” — I put the answers in one place. The site grew from there.

The name and the tagline

The name FCBikeLibrary is a nod to where the idea was born. At the bike library we lend things out, we keep parts in circulation, and we don’t push people to buy new stuff when a repair will do. The software catalogue works the same way. The tagline “Keep your Mac useful” is the question I ask before adding anything. Does this program help someone finish a real task on an older machine? If yes, it belongs here. If it only runs on the latest OS and demands an annual subscription, it probably doesn’t.

Using the site

You can browse everything without an account. Sections are divided into Design, Games, Video Downloaders, Office, VST Plugins, Audio, Mac Apps, Video Converters, and CAD & 3D. Each program page gives you the facts: current version, older builds if they’re kept, file size, compatibility notes, and where to get it.

If you create a free account — no payment, no marketing emails — you get three small extras:

1. Favourites. Save programs to a list so you can find them again without digging through a section. Handy if you maintain a few machines and want a quick reference for your go-to tools.
2. Update notifications. When I update a page for a program you’ve saved, a notification appears on the site. I don’t send emails or push alerts off-site, so you need to be logged in to see it.
3. Comments. You can leave a note on any program page. Every comment is read by me before it appears publicly. While it’s waiting, you’ll see your own comment marked “awaiting moderation” so you know it landed. I don’t publish anything that’s spam, rude or misleading, but I welcome corrections, tips about compatibility quirks, and pointers to projects that have gone quiet.

If something’s broken, out of date or just plain confusing, I’d rather hear about it than not. You can reach me at [email protected]. I can’t promise instant replies — the café keeps me busy — but I read everything and fix things as quickly as I can.