How I get things done
I decided to introduce myself by talking about something we can all relate to. Below, I’ll list some of my favorite everyday tools, how I use them, why I use them, and where to get them.
Adium
Adium is the ultimate multi-service instant messaging application. On top of AIM, MSN, ICQ, Yahoo, & Google Talk, it also supports Facebook Chat, MySpace IM and more. Its highly customizable interface is a huge bonus. The community is great, too. They provide tons of downloadable themes, plugins, icons, etc.
Adium is only available for Mac, unfortunately for you Windows users. A comparable alternative for Windows is Pidgin, but it’s lacking quite a few of Adium’s best features.
Doomi
Doomi is a super-simple desktop to-do list. It doesn’t get in the way, it’s easy to use, and it looks nice. It offers optional reminders for to-dos that you don’t want to miss. Plus, it’s an Adobe AIR app, so even you PCs can use it.
Of course, iCal will always be my go-to for long term scheduling, but Doomi is a great day-to-day alternative to the many web-based options.
EventBox
EventBox is an all-in-one social network aggregator. It already packs tons of features, and currently supports 6 services: Twitter, Facebook, Google Reader, Flickr, RSS, and Reddit (with plans for many more).
EventBox is still in beta (so get it while it’s cheap!), but has already planned out their next big release. It’ll be loaded with a bunch of powerful new features, and will support many more of your favorite networks. I highly recommend this one. (Mac-only. Sorry.)
Firebug
Firebug is a Firefox add-on with a wealth of web development tools, and is one of the single most useful tools at my disposal. In fact, I can hardly even imagine front-end development without it anymore.
Firebug allows you to inspect and edit HTML & CSS live on any web page you visit, while updating your changes on the fly. You can also debug, profile, and even execute JavaScript with Firebug. With other cool features like box model shading, rulers & guides, and network activity monitor, you’ll be wondering how you ever lived without it.
TextMate
I really can’t say enough about TextMate. So, in an effort to keep this short, I’m going to let the app speak for itself for the most part. It’s absolutely the best text editor ever created by man.
TextMate is loaded with powerful snippets, macros and bundles, providing features that even language specific editors lack. Even though it is not an IDE, TextMate supports dozens of programming and scripting languages.
It’s Mac-only, but there is a really good PC port of this app called E Text Editor.
Trust me on this one. You need this.
Transmit
Transmit is the greatest FTP client available for Mac OS X. Period. I could go on and on about its features, but my favorite has got to be the ability to edit remote files seamlessly. Double-click on a CSS file, it opens for me in TextMate. Double-click a graphic, it opens in Photoshop. Make my edits, save, and Transmit automatically uploads my changes back to the server. It’s that easy.
It includes a ton more features that you can check out for yourself. But if you’re looking for that perfect FTP client, your search ends with Transmit.
If you'd like to see the rest of the apps I like to use, check out my profile on iusethis.
Chase Swindler | March 1st, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Great stuff you listed there. I tend to use many of the same simply because you taught me most of the stuff I know. Looking forward to more stuff on this blog!
Matt Richardson | March 1st, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Hey! Cool list of tools. I already use a couple of these listed but I might have to look into the list.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Aaron Irizarry | March 2nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
Great List David!
Glad to see your site up!
~ Aaron I
Jenny Green | March 2nd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Great post…I’m going to try out Doomi.
Tim | March 2nd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I think I might also give Doomi a shot. Nice list man! \m/
Buzzlair Voufincci | March 2nd, 2009 at 5:48 pm
great stuff up there. i never try most of the stuff. im a pc man at the moment
will try most of them by tomorrow. thanks man!
Logan Leger | March 2nd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Really, one of the best ways to get to know someone is by understanding how they work. Great post, and I look forward to more great content from the almighty David Link!
Not A Niche | March 22nd, 2009 at 9:30 am
Nice list, but instead of Doomi, I would recommend MiniTask, also based on Adobe AIR but it has more features. Check it out, it’s worth it http://www.minitask.org/