5 apps I couldn’t function without
I just came across this story on digg and it got me thinking about all the services that I use daily, and that I probably couldn’t do what I do without them. I thought since I have a blog, and therefore blog readers, I’d post some of them here for all you guys to read.
1. Gmail
I use Gmail exclusively now, ditched all my “other” email addresses, and only use my work email if I have to. Gmail is not only the best email app I’ve ever used, but it beats even the best desktop apps. Yep, I’m talking about Thunderbird and Outlook. I’m sorry, I just don’t want to be tied to 1 computer. With Gmail, I get awesome functionality and interface, and I can get it on any computer with a net connection.
2. Google Reader
Although there are a couple of quarks that I’ve personally experienced with GR, the interface reminds me of Gmail. Can’t beat that. It’s growing in popularity, is better than any other feed reader I’ve ever tried to use, and it’s just plain cool.
3. Firefox
I’m continually amazed to look at my stats and see how many of you are still using Internet Explorer. At any given time, I have about 10-20 tabs open in my Firefox. I absolutely love this browser, and even though I could possibly function without it, I really wouldn’t want to.
4. Wordpress
Yeah, you saw that one coming, didn’t you? I really like Wordpress more and more every day. It’s so easy to use/install/upgrade/etc. I’m pretty sure I’d never switch.
5. Digg
Not really an “app” but I definitely couldn’t function without it. News made popular by geeks like me…who wouldn’t like that? If you don’t know what digg is, I’ve explained it before.
Bonus: PHP
Although I’m sure I’d be fine without it, since Wordpress is built on PHP, it would be hard for me not to mention it. PHP is a great web language! It’s so easy to learn, it’s scary! Plus, it’s scalable (digg is built on PHP!).
There you go! What apps would you HATE to live without? What could you NOT live without? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to my feed!
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I couldn’t live without Firefox either. Also Adobe Audition, which I use for all my recording and mixing, Filezilla, for FTP access to my server, Microsoft Reader, for eBooks, and of course Photoshop.
I’ve had to function without photoshop for a while too. I’m definitely hurting, but surviving. I don’t like to pirate stuff, so I can’t afford it.
Some runner ups would be WinSCP (the way I transfer files to my webserver), gmail notifier, scite, and iTunes. I could live without them, but it would be hard.
WinSCP, yep! Though, I use Putty for SSH access when I need shell support. I honestly never liked iTunes much though. I prefer to organize my music my own way, and use Winamp for playing it, and VLC for playing videos.
If you need Photoshop but can’t afford it, try The GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program). It’s similarly powerful, but free and open-source. The only problem is the GIMP is just as hard to learn as Photoshop, but completely different, so if you’re used to Photoshop learning GIMP can be a pain. That’s why I plunked down the cash for Photoshop instead of using the free alternative
That’s the great thing about WinSCP, built in putty ssh access
only 1 click away!
I’ve used gimp, and gimpshop. I’m with you, I’m just too used to using photoshop that it takes way more time than it’s worth. even the simplest of things like layer styles, image dimensions, and even the cursor tools are placed in the most illogical places. And we haven’t even begun to discuss the menu system!!! I hear ya on putting down the money for it, it’s definitely worth it. But right now, my pursuit of a new laptop trumps my desire for an overpriced image manipulation application
Hence the addition of ads on this site.
He he… Someday Photoshop should yank customer support and just watch the western world collapse.
I love it to. Although I think I would recommend Photoshop Elements for the low budget consumer rather than the GIMP, as you’ll be staying under $100 bucks, same software outlay as the full version, and you can do a great deal the same work anyway. You still have access to layers, gradients, etc, etc (and you can get curves & channel mixer for it).
I like it anyway:
http://flickr.com/photos/exno/400281311/
(part of this image was done in other software for processing from RAW original).
-Matthew