Object Bar: My Current Favorite Programs
We all have our favorite programs, the ones we use constantly and have arranged precisely in order on our desktop. Well, I’m no exception. I have thirteen programs that I use non-stop. I use them so much, I’ve recruited a program just to give me easier access to them: RocketDock object bar. We all use our computers for different things at different times. Here’s the contents of my object bar: my favorite, non-stop use programs.
1.
Program: RocketDock
Function: Application launcher
In order to make the use of my favorite programs easier, I’ve installed a fisheye-esqe dock on my computer. RocketDock is one of the best application launchers I’ve found. It’s easy to use and functions similar to its MAC OS counterpart. Adding programs to the dock is a simple drag-and-drop. It’s made my life much, much easier.
2.
Program: Opera
Function: Internet browser
Opera is my browser of choice. It’s lightning fast and has excellent mouse gesture support. I use it 99% of the time. Why not 100%? Although it has great compatibility, you occasionally find a website that just doesn’t work in Opera. In these situations, I break out my back up:
3.
Program: Firefox
Function: Internet browser (my backup)
Yup, I bust out Firefox. It is a great browser, and (obviously) much better than IE. But, after using Opera for years now, Firefox seems a little bloated. It does have great add-on support and has better compatibility then Opera. That’s why it’s my backup. For everyday browsing, it’s Opera all the way.
4.
Program: Microsoft Outlook
Function: Email & calendar client
I’m sure I’ll get some crap for this one. That’s right, I use a Microsoft Product. I used to use Mozilla’s Thunderbird, which worked great. But I recently bought a phone running Windows Mobile 6, and it syncs my appointments, tasks, emails, and contacts seamlessly with Outlook. So sue me. If you can point me in the direction of a free program that can do all that, I’d switch in a heartbeat.
5.
Program: FeedDemon
Function: RSS Reader
I love reading (and writing!) blogs. I can’t get enough. And every so often you come across a blog that you actually wouldn’t mind reading again. When that happens (as is happening to you right now, wink wink) it’s time to subscribe to that blog’s RSS feed. FeedDemon is, in my opinion, the best RSS reader out there. Even better, it just became free in the past few months. This is a time saver that I use multiple times a day.
6.
Program: SmartFTP
Function: FTP client
Having a website means I’m constantly uploading images and other files to my web server. The quickest way to do this, of course, is using an FTP client. I’ve used Filezilla and a few others in the past, but my current favorite is SmartFTP. SmartFTP is fast and robust. Filezilla used to give me transfer errors quite frequently, but with SmartFTP I haven’t had even one. I like it so much, I’ll probably right up a review about it in the future. It’s free for personal use.
7.
Program: PSPad
Function: Multipurpose code editor
PSPad is one of my favorite programs. It is a great code editor and syntax highlighter. It works for a diverse range of languages, including HTML, PHP, C, ASP, CSS, Perl, and many others. One of my favorite features is the ability to edit files directly on your web server via the built in FTP capabilities. I use it frequently for quick theme fixes, edits, and inserts. Anytime I edit code, it’s in PSPad. You can read a mini-review I wrote about PSPad here.
8.
Program: Notepad++
Function: Multipurpose text editor
Sometimes you just need a good, simple text editor. Notepad++ does all that and more. It works great for simple text files or the quick code writing. I use it mainly for viewing simple text files and keep the code editing to PSPad, but this is a great tool to have around.
9.
Program: KeePass Password Safe
Function: Secure password management
I recently found KeePass, a great password manager. With every website and it’s mother requiring login credentials, I got tired of remembering which email I used for which service and which password it needed. KeePass lets you keep all your info in one place. It is secured with a master password, and can also be secured with a security file. If you choose to use the security file, you’ll have to choose it’s location (which you’ve predetermined) from a list of pre-generated possibilities when you login. Chose wrong, and no access. Likewise, lose the file, lose your passwords forever. But, it makes for some great security and some easy management.
10.
Program: FastStone Screen Capture
Function: Screen capture utility
FastStone Screen Capture is one of the easiest screen capture programs I’ve used. It’s very simple, yet comes with enough options to keep you satisfied. I use it for every screenshot I’ve taken for Simply-Basic.com. Unfortunately, it’s shareware. $19.99 will get you a full copy, though they offer a 30-day trial.
11.
Program: SyncBack
Function: Folder backup and synchronization
SyncBack is a program I’ve recently discovered. I was looking for a way to easily backup my photos (read: family photos not porn) onto my external hard drive. I didn’t want to always copy them from my digital camera into both locations. SyncBack does just that. It is offerers a plethora (yes, plethora) of options that allows you to backup or synchronize your files with total control. After you set up your criteria, you can backup your directories with a single click. They have a paid version with I assume more options, but the free one does everything and more that I need. If you visit the above link, scroll down the page to see the free version download link.
12.
Program: Skype
Function: VoIP/online chatting
This one is really on my object bar for my wife. My wife uses Skype regularly to talk to her family over the computer. It actually works great. Webcam auto-detect worked like a charm, and setup was a breeze. I don’t mind, it saves me some cell phone minutes once in a while.
13.
Program: Microsoft Word
Function: Text editing
I know, I know, Microsoft sucks, Linux rulz. Why not OpenOffice? Well, I get office free because I’m still going to school. I’ve used OpenOffice in the past and didn’t like it near as much as Word. Since I’m still going to school, I think I’m justified in using it. It’s not a favorite program, but it’s used frequently. That’s why it made the object bar.
So What?
So there you have it. The contents of my object bar. These are the programs I use the most. They aren’t the best or the cheapest always, but I sure use them a lot. What do you think about the list? Got any alternatives for what I use? So, how about it? What’s in your object bar?
John, you rock. You’re full of useful info.
Alas, don’t visit my site if you use Opera. Apparently you don’t get scroll bars. I need to look into it when I get the time and figure out what’s up with it.
Also, screw Apple hippies. I think Word is a pretty good program. It’s easy to use. Sure it costs money, but everywhere I go, from uni to work, it’s provided to me for free. So why not use it?
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RocketDock looks great, but I started using Launchy recently to help me quickly launch programs without searching. Both apps seem to have similar results, which is making stuff on your computer easily accessible through an pretty interface :)
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This is a nice list; I will definitely give a few of these a try. Here’s a couple of my recommendations:
For a plain text editor, I recently started using EmEditor. (It’s no longer free, but it used to be; you can still get the older free version at download.com.)
For editing web files, I recently started using Aptana Studio. (I used PSPad for awhile, but I found having an IDE like Aptana Studio improved my productivity; editing files on a remote server works much more smoothly.)
Randy’s last blog post..Pathways to Bliss
@Randy Both of those look like nice applications! I’ve never done much programming with AJAX, so I’ve not used Aptana (though it looks like they do more then that), but I may give the trial period a go. Thanks for the info!
I haven’t done much AJAX either, and you are right that Aptana does more than that. It comes with an HTML, CSS, and JavaScript editor, and the PHP editor is a simple plugin to add.
Aptana is actually a free open-source application. (They have a “Pro” version that adds some additional functionality through a plugin and support.) It took me a little bit of research to figure out how to set up the FTP to allow for remote editing, but it was really easy to do once I knew what I was doing: feel free to send me an email if you have any questions!
Randy’s last blog post..Pathways to Bliss
@Randy Ahh, I should have read their website closer. I just saw the “Free Trial” words and figured the whole product was for-purchase.
PSPad actually does have a built-in FTP program. That’s why I settled on it as my everyday workhorse Web editor.
I agree completely with Randy[3], I can’t imagine working on anything but the simplest Web sites without being able to work directly on the server.
You can set the program up to preview Web pages or ‘make’ projects in compiled languages.
I’m not related to the PSPad folks, I’m just a fan.
-CN