Tools to Install at a New Client Site
Having recently started at a new client site I found myself sitting at a fresh PC. With an empty machine, I suddenly realized how many productivity tweaks I use. It was daunting trying to remember all of the tools that were seamlessly integrated into my workflow. By the end of the first day, I had most of the tools installed, but it was only when I realized I was missing them that I remembered what they were.
Here are the things I installed:
0. Dvorak keyboard. Four and a half years ago I learned how to type using the
Dvorak keyboard layout. It was nearly impossible to type at first - I forgot how slow it was to learn to touch type - but now I can type somewhere in the range of 80-85 wpm. The biggest benefit was physical: the new layout is less stressful and I no longer wake up in the middle of the night with tingling fingers. The Dvorak layout comes with Windows XP, and can be set up by going to Regional and Language Options in the control panel. Under the Languages tab, click the Details… button and add the installed service.
1. Mozilla Firefox. I’m not sure I can add any commentary about the Firefox browser which hasn’t already been said. So I won’t.
2. HotkeyControl XP. This utility allows you to set up keyboard shortcuts for just about anything. For me, I use it to map cut, copy and paste to CTRL+Q, CTRL+J and CTRL+K. In Dvorak, those are the X, C and V keys on the standard keyboard. One handed cut and paste beats fishing around the keyboard or having to use context menus any day. Hotkeycontrol 5 is made by Digital Miner and is currently $29.95. I’m using the freeware version 4.2.1, but I plan on purchasing the new full version eventually.
3. Notepad ++. This text editor has recently caught my attention and quickly replaced Metapad as my favorite. Notepad++ supports code coloring for supported file types, so it goes beyond the basic text editor. Its helpful when I need to look at a file but don’t need the whole IDE.
4. Custom VS Settings. In Visual Studio I have the ability to customize its interface to something less eye straining than the standard settings. I grabbed my basic settings from Jeff Atwood at Coding Horror and tweaked them from there. My Visual Studio settings file (in .zip) is available.
5. GDS. The ability to quickly and accurately search files is essential, so Google Desktop Search fits the bill. Best of all, it has a sidebar on which a multitude of add-ins can be included. The standard Scratch Pad, and the integrated Google calendar are the two I use most.
6. Firefox add ins. The strongest argument for Firefox, in my opinion, is its extensibility. There are a number of extensions I can’t live without as a web developer:
- Web Developer. With just about everything I can think of for use in web development, this add on is simply the most valuable extension in existence. Personally, I find the validator links the most handy.
- Auto Copy, when enabled, automatically copies selected text to the clipboard.
- Open Source in Tab opens a page’s source in new tab. duh.
- The Google Toolbar for Firefox adds the quickest way to start a Google search. I like the speel checker [sic ;-)], and the fact it shows the page rank of the current page I’m viewing.
7. SQL Prompt. Intellesense for SQL. This one I installed on a whim, but it has suddenly made my list. SQL Prompt 2 was bought by Red Gate to add to their suite of database tools. They found out, unfortunately, that the codebase they purchased wasn’t able to incorporate all of their ideas for the next version. So Red Gate decided to give away version 2 for free and write version 3 from the ground up.
Honorable mention
8. TimeSnapper. is, according to its website, is an automatic screenshot journal. I haven’t installed this one at my current client site, but I have used this when working from my home office. It grabs a screenshot at a predetermined interval and saves it for playback later. When working on multiple, random tasks, it is great for providing you a way to go back and figure out what you were working (or not working on).
9. Google Talk. Talk is Google’s instant messenger application. Its blocked at my client’s site, so I haven’t installed it. To be honest, I actually have preferred *not* having the interruptions during the day.
10. Simp. Encryption for Jabber clients like Google Talk are essential for the paranoid. Simp Lite is a free encryption tool for IM clients. Unfortunately, the log in Google is also encrypted unless you get a paid version.
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