Several people have requested that I maintain a list of the tools I use and places I visit. Appropriate notes will be added for things like platform specificity and other caveats. If there is any credit I get through a “sign-up your friends” link I'll probably use it here, so don't click if that sort of thing bothers you. Then again, if my suggestion is the motivator then it's a nice thank you, so thank you!
While going through the setup following an Android phone replacement recently it occured to me that another specific list was in order; I have added on “The Mobile Me” to call out those ‘must have’ apps that I install on every new device (and highly recommend to you, too!)
Software I Use
- Microsoft Security Essentials: The anti-annoying, anti-expensive, anti-virus program
- MightyText: SMS from your computer or tablet. Synced with your Android phone & number.
- Eraser: Completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive
- CCleaner: The number-one tool for cleaning your Windows PC.
- Defraggler: Use Defraggler to defrag your entire hard drive, or individual files - unique in the industry.
- ShowMyPC: Remote Support and Meeting services, include free and premium Remote PC access, Desktop Sharing, Screen Sharing, and Help Desk.
- TreeLine PIM: Stores almost any kind of information.
- Dual Monitor Tools: A software package for Windows users with dual or multiple monitor setups.
- WinDirStat: Disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for various versions of Microsoft Windows.
- Partition Resizer: The popular freeware partitioning program & first free program to resize and move partitions without data loss. Support for disks up to 2TB of size.
- Gmail Backup: Safer is better.
- Notepad++: Notepad++ is a free (as in "free speech" and also as in "free beer") source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages.
- SublimeText: Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, markup and prose.
- Windows Grep: Windows Grep is a tool for searching files for text strings that you specify.
- FileZilla: FileZilla Client is a free, open source FTP client. It supports FTP, SFTP, and FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS). The client is available under many platforms, binaries for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X are provided.
FileZilla Server is an FTP server supported by the same project. It supports FTP and FTP over SSL/TLS.
- GoodSync: GoodSync is a backup and file synchronization program. It is used for synchronizing files between two directories, either on one computer, or between a computer and another storage device or between a computer and a remote computer or server.
- ToDo: Wunderlist has long been on my goto list (#9 in The Mobile Me below…) but since they were acquired by Microsoft the app and service was fully upgraded and enhanced, renamed simply to ToDo. It remains the very best list manager and really helps Linda and me to keep our worlds and their slew of projects well organized!
Services I Recommend
- Gillware Online Backup: Protect your digital life with automatic online backup!
- LastPass: The Last Password You'll Have To Remember!
- A Small Orange: Experience Homegrown Hosting (and get a 15% discount!).
- OpenDNS: The Largest Internet-Wide Security Network.
- NIST Internet Time Service (ITS): Set your computer clock via the Internet using tools built into the operating system.
- Carbonite: The better backup plan.
- Dropbox: Your stuff, anywhere.
- Evernote: Remember Everything.
- Mobypicture: The best Twitter picture host for maintaining your rights!
- DollarShaveClub.com: Shave Time. Shave Money.
- Massdrop: Online community for enthusiasts to buy products together.
- Rapportive: Get rich contact details right inside Gmail.
- doNOTlink: Link to dubious sites without increasing their rank in search engines.
Sites I Visit
- OpenSourceList.org: Support the FOSS that supports you!
- mySpoonful: A taste of new music. Note: Sign up for the newsletter to get your regular taste delivered!
- RCRD·LBL: What to listen to. Wherever.
- xkcd: A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
- Felonious Munk: Stop It B!: Comedian Felonious Munk's YouTube listing of video rants.
The Mobile Me
- It´s an Android, so I'm not going to list Gmail, Drive and the other core apps…
- AirDroid: AirDroid is a free and fast app that helps you manage your Android from a desk web browser, all over the air.
- Google Authenticator: Google Authenticator generates 2-step verification codes on your phone.
- OneID Remote: Your single, secure online identity.
- LastPass Password Mgr Premium: Mobile version of the award-winning LastPass password manager. Fast, easy and simple; securely syncs your passwords across all your browsers and devices.
- MightyText: Text Messaging from your Computer or Tablet, using your CURRENT Android phone number.
- Dropbox: Your stuff, anywhere.
- Evernote: Remember Everything.
- Wunderlist: To-do & Task List
- ZXing Barcode Scanner: Scan barcodes on products then look up prices and reviews. You can also scan Data Matrix and QR Codes containing URLs, contact info, etc. Also share your contacts, apps, and bookmarks via QR Code.
- HootSuite: HootSuite is a social media management tool that helps you manage multiple Social Media accounts on the go. HootSuite supports Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Foursquare plus many other social networks.
- Google Keep: Quickly capture what´s on your mind and be reminded at the right place or time. Create a checklist, enter a voice note or snap a photo and annotate it. Everything you add is instantly available on all your devices – desktop and mobile.
- GasBuddy: Find Cheap Gas Prices
- Foursquare: Keep up and meet up with friends on-the-go.
- Raindar: Rain coming? Check Raindar! Animated Doppler radar on Google Maps for the US.
Feeds I Read
Design
Entertainment
News
Science
Technology
Footnotes:
- Yes, these lists are ranked. I think about who actually gets placed here rather than whoring up anybody who will throw me some bones. My expectation is that you think also.
- The use of the word thinks instead of things in the title was originally a Freudian slip. Then I realized that thinking was the common element between the items posted. I decided the slip was appropriate and so it's staying, just like the title for the <small>thoughts</small> quote section…