| Software |
Thoughts |
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
The best Microsoft OS I’ve ever used. Enable the following features
- Internet Information Services (IIS)
- Microsoft Message Queue (MSMQ)
|
| Windows Sync |
I used to be running Mesh, but it was too I/O heavy and I really don’t need anything more than synching – so I moved to Windows Sync. |
| Password Agent |
It’s my long-time favorite password manager and I couldn’t live without it. I use Windows Sync to keep my .pwa file synched to all my machines. Works like a charm. |
| Virtual Clone Drive |
I’m finally leaving Daemon Tools – it said it supports Windows 7, but it didn’t for me. This package as steadily gotten shadier and shadier (constantly trying to install crap-ware, etc.). I’m happily using the free version of Virtual Clone Drive. |
| TextPad 5 |
I’ve been using this as my primary text editor for over 10 years. I’ve tried to use Notepad++, Notepad2, SciTE, UltraEdit, etc. but I like this one the best
TextPad Tweaks:
- Change the global font to Consolas 13 pt.
- Change the “Selected” color to lime green
|
| Launchy |
I used SlickRun for years, but I moved this years ago for my quick launch needs. It’s great |
| Chrome |
I love Chrome, but until they have an extensibility model and catalog like Firefox, Firefox will remain my primary browser. Regardless, I like having it around |
| Firefox |
My primary browser for all the obvious reasons
Mandatory Extensions:
|
| Media Players and Plugins |
|
| Core Development Tools |
|
| Misc Development Tools |
|
| Paint.NET |
I don’t use this much these days with Windows 7 because of it’s nifty new Paint program that handles PNG’s and does precise cropping. I like to have this installed regardless. |
| WordWeb Pro |
I love having this handy at all times on all my machines. I can lookup any word while using any program with a quick key combo |
| Windows Live Writer |
The best blogging client there is on Windows
Install this plugin as well: Insert Code for Windows Live Writer
|
| Office Ultimate 2007 |
|
| Virtual Box |
This is the best VM software I’ve found for personal use. It’s free… it’s fast… and it’s stable. |
| iTunes |
I wish I didn’t have to, but it’s kind of a must with my iPhone, peer pressure, etc. |
| Windows Home Server Console |
I run a Windows Home Server at home (life saver) and this is the client software that goes with it. |
| Trillian Pro |
I finally gave this a try and I dig it. It vastly simplify my IM life.
|
| Skype |
Stellar VoIP client |
| Evernote |
I never thought I would ever abandon my paper notebook, but I did. This isn’t the best note taking app out there (that would be OneNote), but they have a great web app version of this, an iPhone app, and a Windows client… and they’re all linked together and synch automatically. That’s hard to beat. The iPhone app is what killed the paper notebook. I just don’t need it anymore |
| 7zip |
Fastest zip app there is out there |
| VirtualBox |
This kicks the crap out of Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 SP1. You can run VirtualBox on Windows 7 flawlessly, and you cannot with VPC! It’s just as good as VMWare Workstation, but free. |