Great Software?

fredtgreco · #1 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 02:09 PM

Just because I am curious, I would like to start a thread where we can post software that has been very helpful to us. Now I don't mean for this to be for the very obvious. Don't say "Firefox is great" or "Microsoft Word is awesome!" I mean something that is at least somewhat non-standard. If you aren't sure, post it anyway, but I may clean the thread up to avoid having to scroll through 10 posts that say how useful Acrobat is.

For example, I use a screen capture program called SnagIt. I have never seen anything as flexible or useful in its field.

Hippo · #2 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 02:12 PM

Whne I was messing around with adverts for my short lived County Music internet radio station I loved Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder, for fine control over audio it was superb, powerful and free.

gene_mingo · #3 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 02:17 PM

OpenOffice. Its a free alternative to MSoffice. It has a similar layout to the MS version so the learning curve is not bad if you have used MSoffice in the past and for those of us on limited budgets, the price is great.

blhowes · #4 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 02:28 PM

Like Fred, I like Snagit for its flexibility. You can easily capture screens, windows, drop-down menus, etc.

One thing that's real handy is its ability to do bulk image conversions. You can easily take a folder full of images, change them from color to black-and-white, modify their brightness, change their format, etc., then output them in bulk to a specified folder. What a time saver!

danmpem · #5 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 04:14 PM

WinPatrol is thing to have! It manages your startup programs, delayed startup programs, IE "helpers", ActiveX, running services, and actively running programs. Most use it just for the startup program management, but it's nothing that you can't do by just clicking Start-->Run-->Type in "msconfig"-->Disable all startup programs. And disabling startup programs is a GOOD thing - frees up RAM and all sorts of good stuff!

Also, Spybot Search & Destroy and Windows Defender for Spyware Protection.

Angry IP Scanner (For multiple OS') It finds other computers on your local network in a jiffy.

Scanner (Yeah, simple name) It scans your computer and gives you a graphic as to where the different quantities of files are located. If you know your computer should have more free space, use Scanner to find where all those extra files are and get rid of them.

Foxit Reader (For Windows) It's a GREAT .pdf reader. A wonderful alternative to Adobe Reader. Faster, not as bulky, and no annoying Adobe Download Manager.

Also, Ad-Aware 2008 was just released. I am very interested to see if it's even worth keeping in the computer.
Ad-Aware 6 --> Good
Ad-Aware SE --> Awesome!
Ad-Aware 2007 --> What happened???

Spyware Doctor is simply the best. It's a $30 subscription, but it's worth it. While no one program can catch every piece of spyware, Spyware Doctor is as close as it gets.

BitDefender. Like Spyware Doctor, this is as good as it's going to get for a home computer for just $30.

CamStudio is a great, free screen recorder for Windows.

Here are some sites for Windows freeware: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

And some freeware for the Mac: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Knoppix Linux Live CD will help you save your files in case of a massive hard drive crash. Since it's a Linux live CD, you get all the features of Linux, but with programs that come with it especially for hard drive management. It has NTFS support and a very short learning curve.

Also check out DistroWatch for more info on other releases of Linux.

Other recommended Linux distros for beginners: Fedora Core, Ubuntu, and Debian.

jwithnell · #6 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 05:01 PM

I've been impressed with two OpenSource programs, Gimp (a professional photo editing program) and Inkscape (a professional vector graphics program). I just haven't had the time to really explore all their capabilities.

sastark · #7 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 09:10 PM

I've only recently become aware of the OpenSource text editor Notepad++. If you do any programming/HTML/text editing, it is wonderful. And free!

CaseyBessette · #8 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 09:46 PM

I also use OpenOffice, the Gimp, and Inkscape. Another open source program I've used is GnuCash. jEdit for programming. I also have paid for Visual Thesaurus.

CovenantalBaptist · #9 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 10:08 PM

This is a great thread idea. I used to teach a class on software that makes the seminary student/professor/pastor's life easier. Some day (in my non-existent spare time) I wanted to turn this into a blog.

When I evaluate all the software that I use for preparation and devotion two ones come up time and again for me - one free and one very expensive:

Instaverse - is perhaps the most useful thing for online Biblical research and for lovers of 2 Tim 3:14-17. It "instantly" pops up when you mouse over any biblical reference John 3:16, Jn. 3:16, etc. It is great. You get the KJV for free with the download but if you invest in any Doxa (reformed software) package (like the Reformed Baptist Theological Collection, or the Kuyper or Berkhof collections) you get the ESV version free.

Logos - I have spent more time and more effort setting this up and as a former software applications instructor I have been both frustrated and awed at this product's overall capabilities. It does not compare in terms of speed to something like Bibleworks but its customization and extensibility far exceed any of its competitors. Half of my theological library is electronic and 80% of that is in Logos Libronix. These days if it is an ST or a commentary, I prefer to buy it digitally. It helps that I was given a free copy of the Scholars' Library edition at a Logos tech seminar I attended.

fredtgreco · #10 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sastark

I've only recently become aware of the OpenSource text editor Notepad++. If you do any programming/HTML/text editing, it is wonderful. And free!

This is a very nice program. I use it as well.

fredtgreco · #11 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CovenantalBaptist

This is a great thread idea. I used to teach a class on software that makes the seminary student/professor/pastor's life easier. Some day (in my non-existent spare time) I wanted to turn this into a blog.

When I evaluate all the software that I use for preparation and devotion two ones come up time and again for me - one free and one very expensive:

Instaverse - is perhaps the most useful thing for online Biblical research and for lovers of 2 Tim 3:14-17. It "instantly" pops up when you mouse over any biblical reference John 3:16, Jn. 3:16, etc. It is great. You get the KJV for free with the download but if you invest in any Doxa (reformed software) package (like the Reformed Baptist Theological Collection, or the Kuyper or Berkhof collections) you get the ESV version free.

Logos - I have spent more time and more effort setting this up and as a former software applications instructor I have been both frustrated and awed at this product's overall capabilities. It does not compare in terms of speed to something like Bibleworks but its customization and extensibility far exceed any of its competitors. Half of my theological library is electronic and 80% of that is in Logos Libronix. These days if it is an ST or a commentary, I prefer to buy it digitally. It helps that I was given a free copy of the Scholars' Library edition at a Logos tech seminar I attended.

I love Logos as well. I use it every week as a pastor.

There is a nice Bible reference tool for use with Firefox. If you use Firefox, you really should check out the Greasemonkey extension. There are many good scripts (including a good many for Gmail) but there is one called ESV Bible Refalizer. It basically recognizes Bible references in any web page and turns it into a link to the ESV Bible. Bible Tooltips is similar and nice also.

Semper Fidelis · #12 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 01:13 AM

RoboForm: Password Manager, Form Filler, Password Management - I have this both on my desktop and on a U3 Smart drive. With all the passwords and forms out there this is probably the most important utility I have.

GoodSync : File Synchronization, File Backup Software, File Sync Software - Sync my files between computers because I work among several

WinSCP :: Free SFTP and FTP client for Windows - Great utility for managing my server online. Supports SFTP and SCP and allows other custom commands.

FTP GlobalSCAPE - Secure FTP Server and FTP Client Software - My preferred FTP client.

Adobe - Photoshop Lightroom - the best program to ever come out for managing your photos as well as an intuitive and quick workflow for "developing" digital prints

Southern Presbyterian · #13 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 03:36 AM

I use this on almost daily: pdf995 it's a utility that will convert any text or picture file (any thing you would normally print via your printer) to a pdf document. The free version is ad supported, but you can purchase their entire suite of programs for under $20. You can also combine existing pdf files into a single document, you can remove selected pages from a larger pdf document. It also lets you add "stamps" to pdf files like, "Copyright Protected", "Property of...", etc. All in all, a very useful program. I can't remember when I've gotten a better deal for $20.

Semper Fidelis · #14 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southern Presbyterian

I use this on almost daily: pdf995 it's a utility that will convert any text or picture file (any thing you would normally print via your printer) to a pdf document. The free version is ad supported, but you can purchase their entire suite of programs for under $20. You can also combine existing pdf files into a single document, you can remove selected pages from a larger pdf document. It also lets you add "stamps" to pdf files like, "Copyright Protected", "Property of...", etc. All in all, a very useful program. I can't remember when I've gotten a better deal for $20.

Great program.

Jeff_Bartel · #15 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 08:21 AM

[quote=Semper Fidelis;429846]RoboForm: Password Manager, Form Filler, Password Management - I have this both on my desktop and on a U3 Smart drive. With all the passwords and forms out there this is probably the most important utility I have.

Rich, you turned me on to this program over a year ago, and it has been AMAZING software. I don't think I go a day without using it. Besides your passwords, it is also a form filler, so you can enter in all of your bank/credit card info, and then anytime you purchase something, a click of the mouse is all you need to do to fill in all of those repetative forms. I also have it on a U3 and my pocket pc. It didn't take long to upgrade from the free version to unlimited accounts either!

fredtgreco · #16 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff_Bartel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis

RoboForm: Password Manager, Form Filler, Password Management - I have this both on my desktop and on a U3 Smart drive. With all the passwords and forms out there this is probably the most important utility I have.

Rich, you turned me on to this program over a year ago, and it has been AMAZING software. I don't think I go a day without using it. Besides your passwords, it is also a form filler, so you can enter in all of your bank/credit card info, and then anytime you purchase something, a click of the mouse is all you need to do to fill in all of those repetative forms. I also have it on a U3 and my pocket pc. It didn't take long to upgrade from the free version to unlimited accounts either!

I was just remarking yesterday to my wife that I would be lost without it.

Semper Fidelis · #17 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredtgreco

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff_Bartel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis

RoboForm: Password Manager, Form Filler, Password Management - I have this both on my desktop and on a U3 Smart drive. With all the passwords and forms out there this is probably the most important utility I have.

Rich, you turned me on to this program over a year ago, and it has been AMAZING software. I don't think I go a day without using it. Besides your passwords, it is also a form filler, so you can enter in all of your bank/credit card info, and then anytime you purchase something, a click of the mouse is all you need to do to fill in all of those repetative forms. I also have it on a U3 and my pocket pc. It didn't take long to upgrade from the free version to unlimited accounts either!

I was just remarking yesterday to my wife that I would be lost without it.

I just "discovered" a feature I hadn't really used in that program as well with Safe Notes. Customer number, activation codes, etc can be saved. I really like the way the Roboform adds a new entry for each item and makes it really easy to sync password entries between computers.

True confessions: I was actually thinking of getting a Mac at one point. There are a number of reasons I'm glad I didn't but one of the things that kept me from doing so is that I wouldn't have Roboform.

fredtgreco · #18 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredtgreco

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff_Bartel

Rich, you turned me on to this program over a year ago, and it has been AMAZING software. I don't think I go a day without using it. Besides your passwords, it is also a form filler, so you can enter in all of your bank/credit card info, and then anytime you purchase something, a click of the mouse is all you need to do to fill in all of those repetative forms. I also have it on a U3 and my pocket pc. It didn't take long to upgrade from the free version to unlimited accounts either!

I was just remarking yesterday to my wife that I would be lost without it.

I just "discovered" a feature I hadn't really used in that program as well with Safe Notes. Customer number, activation codes, etc can be saved. I really like the way the Roboform adds a new entry for each item and makes it really easy to sync password entries between computers.

True confessions: I was actually thinking of getting a Mac at one point. There are a number of reasons I'm glad I didn't but one of the things that kept me from doing so is that I wouldn't have Roboform.

That is really funny. I have been using Safenotes for a while now. I had to hold off on Firefox 3 Betas because they would not work with Roboform!

And no, I never thought of getting a Mac - although I'll probably get an iPhone.