Cool Tools

First off, my preference for Unix/Linux servers and affection for scripting in bash aside, my workstation of choice (much to the dismay of my *nix purist friends) is Windows. This has a lot to do with preferring to spend my time working from my workstation, rather than spending it getting my workstation to work. As far as I'm concerned, and with a nod to the fact that things are better than they used to be, the *nix workstation in your typical corporate environment is simply not as good of a solution as Windows.

Sorry, *nix-heads, but that's the way I see it. Most business IT is Windows-centric at the desktop level. I'd rather do my work, typically logged into a *nix server, and not have to find the "really cool, poorly documented, and usually reliable" way to get an *nix workstation to co-exist well in what was designed to be a Windows world.

By the way, I have the same "nice idea, but it's not worth the hassle" feeling toward browsers other than Internet Exploder and productivity tools other than Microsoft Office. The alternatives are ok, but so much of the world expects the Microsoft solution it is not worth my time to work-around the many things that just don't work if you use the "alternate" solutions.

Horrible, I know, to give in to the Microsoft behemoth. It's like I've given in to the Borg or something. However, there are many things I enjoy doing with a computer, and figuring out how to make *nix work like Windows is not one of them.

That said...

There are literally tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of programs out there for a Windows system. Some great, some not so, and most of them as yet undiscovered... by me, at least. However, I do have some favorites. (Note: The links here will open in a new window. That's the way I like it to happen. Sorry if it's not your preferred method!)

Evernote - When you absolutely need your brain online. Fantastic since Version 2 and getting better all the time. Since Version 3 some of the slick Windows features have been sacrificed (for the time being) in order to make Evernote fully web capable. Now, if you have Evernote at home and at work, you can access either database from either location. Very cool! Also included in the Windows client is both a web clipper (better than the now-defunct Google Notebook) as well as a screen capture tool. And for kicks, scan a few business cards into Evernote and watch it index them...

Creative Element Power Tools - One of the first additions I make to a new Windows system. Highly recommended.

Chrome - I have become a convert to Google's lightning fast browser, starting with version 4.0 or later. Earlier versions were ok, but 4.0 is the first viable version to serve as a primary browser. Once in a blue moon I still find a site that needs IE or FF, but that's becoming less frequent. After installation, edit the shortcut properties to include '--bookmarks-menu' on the command line, and be sure to enable bookmark sync in the Options menu. I also load the extensions Adblock, Button for Adblock, Evernote, Last Pass, Proxy Switchy and TabJump. Bookmark sync, Last Pass and Evernote will keep all your information available from any browser session, any location, and in the case of Last Pass and Evernote even in IE, FF, Opera and any other supported browser.

Take Command - Formerly 4DOS and then 4NT, this grandfather of the console replacements for Windows is another must have. If you live at the shell prompt in Unix/Linux, and can't stand the cygwin hack for Windows, this is the solution you're looking for.

Cascade Point - From the same authors as Take Command, this is the online backup tool I use. It just works. There is setup time involved, and sometimes when first learning how to use it you just want to slap it, but once you get the idea -- great product! This makes up 1/3 of my backup solution.

DriveImage XML - The second third of my backup solution. This tool gives me the recovery image I need, while Cascade Point tracks the changes to my data.

Oh, the final third? A Take Command script, launched by the Windows task scheduler, that periodically archives the Cascade Point and DriveImage XML data to my offsite FTP server. I've been toying with the idea of trying DeltaCopy to speed this up (by transferring via rsync vs ftp) but have yet to try it.

FileZilla - The best free FTP client I've found. Best all around, that is. Every piece of software has its pros and cons, and every person has their preferences, which is why most of these "Best of..." lists tend to be of questionable value.

Download Express - Or, how to download huge files, from the browser, as quickly and reliably as possible. Works for me. There are others, but I like this one. So long as you're an IE user.

VMware Server - Today's desktop systems are more powerful than large rooms full of mainframe equipment of just 30 years ago. So why buy more hardware to run "incompatible" software? Emulation has matured, and VMware is the cream of the crop for most purposes. If you're a serious, frequent user I would spring for the Desktop version. It is quite a bit easier to live with than the free Server version.

PuTTY - Reliable, does what I need in an ssh client, and the price is right.

WinSCP - What FileZilla does for FTP, this does for SCP transfers.

WinISO - One of the best CD creation and management tools.

IrfanView - One of several useful tools for dealing with media files, but usually the first one I load.

HotKeyz - The less I have to take my hands away from the keyboard and grab the mouse the better I like it. This is my current favorite for helping with that. I've used others, but I keep coming back to this one for it's simplicity and stability. I also use TaskPrompt from the same vendor, although not as much.

TrayIt! - When you just can't stand seeing it in the task bar.

Trillian - I need a half-dozen instant messaging services. I don't need a half-dozen IM clients. This is the solution. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the "real" clients, but it does what I need it to do. I am, since the arrival of the Astra upgrade, happier than ever with the Trillian solution.

Virtual CloneDrive - Hands down the best way to make an ISO image look like an actual disk drive. Imagine the possibilities.

Google Pack - Not exactly "a" package, but a good collection of good tools from the mega Swiss Army Knife that everyman's search tool has become. I don't personally use most of the tools, but I do recommend them to many others via the Pack since it includes the reliable and unobtrusive Google Updater.

Fling FTP - One of the better right-click FTP integrations I've seen (since the long defunct SendTo FTP, that is.) Plus you get some really cool automatic FTP capabilities in the deal. It can be a little confusing to setup and use, however, so...

Rightload - If you don't need the more advanced capabilities of Fling FTP, then I find this to be a better solution. It is especially a better solution if you are setting it up for less advanced users.

Open Office - Finally, IMHO, a mature enough product to be used in place of Microsoft Office in virtually any environment.