Useful software for webmasters at work

[Artyom]

Well, for the last 5 years working at several jobs and facing different tasks, goals to achieve I've been collecting different software to work effective, spend less nervs on taking care of whole bunch of problems people have to deal with when there is a lack of information about good software.

So I have an idea - what if I open a new thread with posting links and descriptions to software I believe useful for work, getting rest - whatever:-)

I'm gonna keep posting tips from my own experience to help newbies or perhaps even not just newbies;-)

[Artyom]

1. Internet

1.1. Email client and tips at day by day work at email

1.2. Browser and tips at day by day work at email

2. Shell

3. Word processing

4. Media

5. Desktop enchancements

6. General common tips

PS. this is just a first draft I'll add more details tomorrow.

[Artyom]

Internet

Email client

Ok, I believe there is no doubts about most people use Outlook for sending and receiving email. But my 5 years experience of email communications proofed that there is only one good email client available on the market. It will save your time, nervs and ultimately money:-) (despite the fact that you get Outlook for free with Windows OS, BUT think about all viruses you've been faced recently because of Outlook auto-opening email attachments and the money you lost because of those viruses!)

So, take a look at The Bat http://www.ritlabs.com/en/products/thebat/ (commercial price - $45)

The main features are:

- Very easy to set up. You can download tryout version (30 days time limit) and see what I mean:-)

- Everything is under your control, VERY FLEXIBLE (but it does't mean you have to tune up everything, NO, what I'm saying IS you can automate your day by day tasks as you need and SAVE your time, it is not exaggeration, it's true.
[I'll post tips at next posts about program using]

- All your emails located at separate database. So if you move your emails to another PC - just make sure you have saved the folder 'Mail' and when you'll install the program on another PC you WON'T need to set up filters, letter templates....etc. once again, never!

- You can look through emails subjects before downloading actual emails to make sure you won't spend your traffic on spam, VERY NEAT feature! Just love it!

Browser

Here we go again, I don't have anything against of IE, if only there WERE NO viruses, exploits or trojans (if you don't know what is it - it's ok, you better don't know and ever face with it:-) )

I'm typing these words using Mozilla FireFox (v. 0.9.2)
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Excellent browser, despite several drawbacks (nothing is perfect in this world) but it's definitely the best choice on the market. Ok, let's count:

1. You won't see annoying pop-ups, even the ones Google tool bar can't handle with

2. You can work with several websites at single program window, you can use CTRL+Tab/scroll your mouse wheel/CTRL+1/2/3/...n, where n is the number of websites/web pages you want to browse)

3. Skins, you can change your browser look by choosing from several dozens different themes.

To be continue...

[Artyom]

Shell

Sometimes I think the world has devided on people who use Explorer for managing their files and notron commander programs like:-) No kidding, I'm serious:-) Anyway, I belong to the second ones and here is my choice of NC programs like

Total commander
http://www.ghisler.com/

I believe this guy used to use Norton commander and someday decided to give it nice graphic look and all imganeable functions you may need working with your files - batch renaming, spliting/joining, copying files from several dirs simultaneously, FTP upload/download..etc.

There is more, you can add plugins (the way Firefox may be customized) for graphic viewing, MS doc/xls files preview...etc.[/url]

[Artyom]

Notes

Notes, memos, slips....etc. There is day by day info you despetately need to have in front of your eyes, but do not disturb you at work:) So, do you think it's impossible? Using

Notesholder - http://notes.aklabs.com/index.php?from=com

I do not think so, it's possible and you will see what I mean when you try this program yourself.[/list][/list]

[Artyom]

Word processing

I know the whole planet use Microsoft Word:-), but if you can't or do not want to spend several hundreds here is the FREE alternative for you! No-no, it's not hype it's just I can't express my feelings differently:-) I LOVE this program suite

http://www.openoffice.org/

[Artyom]

ok, enough about work, let's talk a bit about entertainment...

Media

No, I'm not gonna tell you about Winamp, I'm sure most of you use it for music listening on your PC. I want to tell you a few words about video/dvd watching.

BSPLAYER
http://www.bsplayer.org/

Don't get me wrong, I love Windows media Player, but I can resist Bsplayer features:

- opening video without any frames at all
- stop/start by Space button
- it works better with multiple sounds tracks available
particular video
- bookmarks for video files
- Try it and find other advantages

[vfaulkner]

have you looked at the What's in your toolbox? sticky at http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=14950 ?
good stuff there too!

[Artyom]

Thanks for the link, I just wanted to put all things together and make this thread as usefull as I can make it.

[Artyom]

Desktop

Ok, I was just looking at wallpaper changer (for those like me who always want to change something to escape boring life) and you know what? I think the best thing you have for changing wallpapers (not automatically, as for me it's too much automation;-) ) - is the plugin for Total commander (the program I mentioned at my previous postings) you can grab it here

http://www.totalcmd.net/plugring/sgviewer.html
http://wincmd.ru/files/SGViewer.jpg
this tiny plugin will let you to rotate imagine before placing it on your desktop as a wallpaper (centre/scratched/whole desktop modes available)[/url]

PS. No, it's not me on this pic:-)))

[Artyom]

Instant messanger

Well, I was thinking about writing some complements about Miranda, but....I don't know....I think it's really about what do you want to do with your IM program.

If you are, let's say, sales represantative and need to keep up with your clients and be open for your prospects as much as you can - you need to keep open ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, AOL....so definitely YES - use Miranda, but if you don't need so many messengers being open daily just keep using your ICQ or MSN or even both at the same time. As my experience tells me it's a hassle at all:-)

[Artyom]

Desktop enchancement

I bet all people who have winXP play with different color themes/schemes it provides. As I know girls prefer a blue one, guys a grey one:-) For sometime I can live with a green one too:-) But as time goes by I'm gettting bored with these 3 themes and soul demands something more....Well, if you have some free money to spend buy Microsoft Plus!, but something tells me you don't really want to, huh?

Well, take a look at http://www.spuler.us/msstyle/clouds/index.html ;-)

I'm sure you'll stick with this guy grey theme as much as I do;-)

Have fun...

[Artyom]

This post for people who already love FF as much as I do and used to add several extensions to make it even more sweeter.

As you can see FireFox 1.0 still has much less extenstions as FF 1.0PR, it's a kind of regular situation when people who develop extentions for the browser not always have time to update their extenstions for a new FF version and you may guess either wait a little bit with installation the latest FF 1.0 or just give up the extenstions you love so much:-)

I'd suggest you the third way -

1. install FF 1.0 (make sure you do not delete a folger where you installed previous version while uninstalling FF 1.0PR or any version you have)

2. type about:config at location bar and hit Enter you'll see a new bar where you need to type app.extenstions (this is a filter) it'll gives you a single line with a current version setting (e.g. 0.10). Now you need to change it to 1.0 (click with the right mouse button on this parametr value and choose 'modify'

3. Now close and open your browser, you'll notice that all extensions which you installed for FF 1.0PR are unable and work.

4. Enjoy your extenstions and keep up with extenstions updates at update.mozilla.org so you can grab youe extenstions updates when all of them will be available and change browser version setting back:-)

[Artyom]

I've been using The Bat since 2k and before that I used Netscape Messanger. Well...it was really like a fresh air breath and I still believe that The Bat! is one of the best email clients have been written so far. A month ago I don't remember why exactly I decided to check out what is ThunderBird is about, the matter fact is I've been using FireFox since the version 0.8 and when I was checking for new extensions, themes for it I saw ThunderBird description and I was thinking like 'well, it sounds good, but...why do I have to switch my current The Bat! client to it? I do happy with all features it provides me. It works smooth. So why?'

Here is why - I prefer open source projects. That's why I use OpenOffice instead MS Office, FireFox instead IE, SunBird (Mozilla Calendar Project) and it's not because I don't like Microsoft products - no (except IE:-) ) It's because open source projects are MORE flexible, more open for many different people good fresh ideas to work with.

If you want to try ThunderBird, go ahead:-)
http://www.mozilla.org/support/thunderbird/faq

[Clicken]

Hi Artyom,

Thanks for the low down on this cool stuff. You have a great list going. I like checking in from time to time just to see what I don't know.

Does open source mean that you need to know programming more than say with MS stuff.

I have noticed that IE can take my code and make it look good but FF makes funny stuff happen. Then I think, well that is because I use MS to create the code, duh.

Microsoft is the 'How To For Dummies', like me, eh?: Well it couldn't be a spell,...?

[Artyom]

Thanks for your kind words Clicken!

Well...Open source doesn't mean you have to know more programming to use but in some cases it does a bit. In case with the software I've listed here we have the following:

Open Office - definitely the latest version 2.0 do not require knowing anything more you need to know to use MS office. It's even looks like pretty much the same as MS Office:)

FireFox - yes, it requires creating web site pages accoring to W3C standards otherwise FireFox will not show you your page the same as IE. This is like IE forgives mistakes at code, but FireFox is more cruel teacher:-) You can use HTML KIT software for web pages coding - it's free, easy to use and make clear code (if you need any help just ask)

The matter fact I love MS Office, but....it's not free;-) but Open Office is but offer the same comfort and features and even more (MS office can not convert your doc file to PDF but Open Office does - a single button click and that's it)

[Artyom]

Just a quick post:-)

Here is the XP themes gallery of a very talented guy from UK which you can use plus to the one which Adam Spuler has.

http://b0se.deviantart.com/gallery

PS. I would suggest Microsoft to think about hiring this guy;-)

[Artyom]

Hi,

sorry for not being more frequent:-) but as long as we have baby girl Lisa it's hardly possible to cut off some time for postings...

Well, I hope you'll like this post. Do you Love Macs? Or do you have one? For people who don't have one, but would like to pretend like they do have one here is the solution:-))) Honestly I'm one of those who wants to pretend:-))))

http://www.jonmega.com/iceman/vs/

This guy has created a theme for Win Xp. Don't worry if you'll see some php errors at the beginning of a page just scroll down and click on 'Download this file now' For guys and girls who use FireFox my strong suggestion - type 'downloar this file..' and your browser witll highlight you the right link

Enjoy Mac theme.

[mike]

Great thread. Lots of good stuff here.

[Artyom]

Thanks a lot Mike! I do try my best as I feel like I need to give something in return for what I've learned reading WPW, that's the reason for this thread creation.

And here is a little addition for my previous post. If you deciced to use Mac Theme here is a great theme for FireFox to complete a picture:-)

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/20457909/

check out how my desktop look like with Mac theme!
http://artofseo.com/pics/screen.png

[Artyom]

Well...there are two things which I'd like to share with you today.
1. Simplest way to watch movies (not WMP, not RealPlayer and not even BsPlayer) I'm talking about the plugin for Total Commander, if you've been using him and would like to view movies by simple F3 hit here is the way for you to go
Media Show - http://wincmd.ru/download.php?id=mediashow

It goes at RAR archive, but don't worry, Total Commander (TC) opens it just like a ZIP achive. As soon as you download this plugin, click on it to open and you'll see a prompt message about if you would like to use this plugin - hit OK and then restart TC and here we go....Couple things about this plugin so you know how to handle with it.

Start/stop playing - space button or mouse click

Sound volume up/down - scroll your mouse wheel

Click on menu bar with right mouse button to spot 'full screen view'

Click on movie with right button to get rid off menu

And last but not least - each time you open movie the plugin will ask you if you would like begin watching from the point you finished last time (autobookmart function)
---------------------------------------------------------

2. PSI client for Jabber IM protocol. If know this program there is need to me telling you anything;-) If not - download it, unzipped it and use it! There is no even need to install it.

http://psi.affinix.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=2984&s=74771b56d9f98af8d2b4bc2e4004be14

[Artyom]

Let's say you've just installed Total Commander and want to tweak your AutoPlay to let it handles with CDs you insert at your CD-ROM drive?
Here is the great stuff -
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/TweakUI.shtml

When you installed it go to My Computer -> AutoPlay -> Handlers and you'll figure out what to do.

[Artyom]

I guess you've already known of my infatuation for Mac visual style:-) If you share my phylosophy here is what will make you HAPPY:-))

http://www.osx-e.com/downloads/


I promise to give some helpful hints about working with Total Commander. After all I don't want to stick with visual appealing issues only:-)

[Artyom]

Ok, as I promised here are few tips for Total Commander (TC). Actually the reason by which I paid my attention to this file manager was - TO HANDLE WITH TONES FILES I have. I'm talking about work files which I've been collecting since 2k plus my gidital photos, videos....etc.

1. Filters and color marks

1.1. Today, this week and this month files filter. You can set a filter which will help you to focus on particular files. Here is the way to do so - click ALT+F7 and you'll see a search window then type *.* at 'Search for' and select all local drives by clicking on 'drives' button. Then celect time range at 'advanced' tab 'not older then 1 or 7 or 30 days'. This way you get filter which will show files you made today, during last 7 days or month. To use this filter click Ctrl+F12 and select one of the filters you set. Sure you can create filters for any time range you need.

Also you can use different colors for different files types or for filters I've just described. Click Configuration -> Colors -> Define colors by filetype then click 'add' and the rest part is pretty simple to figure out.

Hope this hint will be helpfull for you:-)

[Artyom]

This post will be quite short:-) As soon as you install this thing you'll understand what I mean;-)

http://www.palma.com.au/winroll/

No comments....

[Artyom]

I used to use CuteFTP, WS_FTP, even Explorer built-in ftp client. Right now I've stuck with Total Commander built-in FTP client.
1. It's esasy to use
2. No need to run additional program
3. All ftp functions you need are included (multiple connections, resume, passive/active mode,'keep connection live' functions)
4. It's free:-))

[sysop9999]

to FTP I use FileZilla (freeware) and for design and programming I use NotePad - the only good thing that came with windows :-)

[MuNKyonline]

I found this a great addition to my desktop - a mac-like menu for your desktop. It looks great! - objectdock (www.stardock.com).

[Artyom]

I found this a great addition to my desktop - a mac-like menu for your desktop. It looks great! - objectdock (www.stardock.com).

100% agree with you, but you have to pay for ObjectDock supporting Tray and multiple docks. I do love this software, but I don't have Region or G-Force video card at my home PC, noway I can use Objectdock with my onbourd video card:-))

[MuNKyonline]

It should work, I only have an ancient ATI 3D ragge 2x agp card in this machine and it works fine =)

[Artyom]

It should work, I only have an ancient ATI 3D ragge 2x agp card in this machine and it works fine =)

Of course it's not dying, BUT SLOW DOWN my PC (P-IV, 1.7GH, 512 RAM, 64 MB video on board)

[Artyom]

If you work on multiple tasks, has a whole bunch of things to remember, to do, to take care or...etc. GRAB IT.

http://www.ipi.fi/~rainy/

[MuNKyonline]

Weird! This is my work machine. It's a P3 450mhz with 192MB RAM running on windows 2k with a 8mb graphics card. I always have at least three programs running and it runs fine still! You must have a lot of things running on your machine!

[Artyom]

Perhaps you've already noticed my obsession with themes:-) Well..it's getting worse - now I've stuck with Mac look and feel themes only:-))) JUST LOVE THEM ALL (almost all;-)

I believe it's about a willness to change somethings - paiting walls or changing wallpapers at your house, moving forniture, changing clothing you wear..etc. It all requires $$$ an time but changing themes at your desktop is a matter of seconds:-))) So why not?

http://www.maxthemes.com/themes/

[MuNKyonline]

I'm probably being stupid here but are these themes for macs only or are there some for windows? If I could make my winxp look like a mac then that would be great!

[Artyom]

Well, not all of them but some has version for windows as well, otherwise I would't write this post:-) Well..you have to search for Visual Styles on the site pages. Here is what I mean, on the page:
http://www.maxthemes.com/themes/?theme=Milk

See these links:

Windows Ports:
Milk 2.0 Visual Style by Lennard
Milk 1.5 Visual Style by KoL and Lennard
Milk Reload WindowBlinds by Eric.T GP05
Silk (modified Milk) Visual Style by Josh Klina
Cream (modified Milk) Visual Style by yazoo

ps. To get complete Mac look here is the link
http://artofseo.com/soft/FlyakiteOSXv2.0.exe

(I had to upload it to my site as the original site is close temporary as they are develop next version of this package)

[MuNKyonline]

Cool, i'll try that out tonight =)

[Artyom]

OK, you won't regret:-) Anyway, the software creates backup of all DLL it replaces so you can back to standard XP look anytime safe.

[MuNKyonline]

It changes dlls?! Do all themes do that? I've got an Alienware theme on my xp pro atm. Will i be able to go back to that if I dont like the osx theme?

[Artyom]

It changes dlls?! Do all themes do that? I've got an Alienware theme on my xp pro atm. Will i be able to go back to that if I dont like the osx theme?

Sure you'll be able to use different themes. I use one of those listed at www.maxthemes.com plus to the one which goes at FlyakiteOSXv2.0.exe

[MuNKyonline]

I installed the OSX theme. Looks great! Especially with the objectdock! One thing I have noticed though is when trying to restore minimised windows. On some of them - pop-up windows in IE and with MSN messenger I can't just click on them in the taskbar, I have to right click on them and click maximise.

[Artyom]

I installed the OSX theme. Looks great! Especially with the objectdock! One thing I have noticed though is when trying to restore minimised windows. On some of them - pop-up windows in IE and with MSN messenger I can't just click on them in the taskbar, I have to right click on them and click maximise.

wierd...never saw such bug

[MuNKyonline]

Yeah it is strange. May have something to do with the theme that I had installed before. I'll see if the problem has gone when I next turn my machine on. If not then I may have a go at reinstalling it. It does look great though. I love how it even changes the boot up screen to the apple logo and not winxp. I've even hidded the xp start button and taskbar and am using the objectdock instead! Anyone at first glance would think it was a mac lol!

[Artyom]

Anyone at first glance would think it was a mac lol!

the same story over here...LOL

[Artyom]

Ok, if you agreed to use Total Commander as your file namager here is the tip for you.

If you are a project manager you can use the software tabbing function as a great advantage.
1. Open several tabs for different projects(folders)
2. Click with the right mouse button and choose 'Locked, but directory changes allowed'

This way you have all your projects folders on your finger tips and to matter how deep you go at their subfolders you can always press 'Ctrl+\' and back to your locked folder.
Perhaps you won't realize its advantage right away, but as time goes by...you definitely WILL.

[Artyom]

http://theme.sosumi.org/
just go there, download, install and enjoy.....

PS. Happy New Year to all people who check out my post!!!

[Artyom]

It's about the ultimate package to make your XP look exactly like Mac. This time developers did everything possible to make the system work as smooth as possible, perhaps even better then original XP:-)
http://osx.portraitofakite.com/

Sometimes I forget that I'm actually working at Win Xp, not Mac:-)) Enjoy it....

[MuNKyonline]

Cool! I'm going to upgrade that tonight, thanks for the update Artyom =)

[Artyom]

You are welcome Munky:-)

[Artyom]

It's true what they say 'it's better once to see then to hear a 1000 times'....and I'd say even more - it's even better once to show;-)
http://uvsoftium.com/index.php

[Artyom]

I'm sorry to tell but I wouldn't suggest you to use BSplayer latest release - BSplayer version 1.39.
It contains - Whenu Save (read more about it here - http://bsplayer.com/index.php?p=press&sp=press_ver138&PHPSESSID=ec8865948d1bd55f457daac1a0dffc55)

Of course you can buy Pro version if you are readyo spent some bucks, like 30 Euros and get rid off this annoying adware.

[Artyom]

Hi,

I've been away for a while - sorry:-) Well, recently I started to evaluate the great image viewer - FastStone. The reason why I'm not suggesting you to swap on this program from your favorite one as it doesn't have a search fuction for now. Imagine - an excellent, free image viewer without search function?;-)) Sad but true.
If you handle several hundreads images and know how to keep it all in order - it's not a problem, you don't need search function, but if you have digital cam and already have tons of photos you made last year, this year, on somebody's birthday, wedding...etc. You'll need some neat function like ACDSee provide - 'calendar search'

Perhaps when it'll reach 3.0 version we will see this function but not right now:-(

Anyway, here is the link
http://faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

[muzawal]

hullo man you have a cool wesite,but it cannot bit mine check it out,any way can we go a new topic please.

[muzawal]

hullo i really appreciate your work,and that cool wesite,check this out.
o

[Artyom]

Hi,
is it just Friday or I really can't see your point:-) Please explain it a bit more.
Thank you.

[A. Smith]

I'm looking for a way to take a bunch of online pages (PHP) and convert them to a PDF format. I know I can take each page, save it in Word or OpenOffice, and go to a pdf from there, but we are looking at about 400 pages!
Since this is a volunteer job, free or almost free would be best.