Recommended Web Sites and Software

These are applications or web sites I use often and recommend.

Organizers

  • Evernote

    • Allows you to store, categorize and synchronize notes.

    Yes, this has been done countless times before, but these guys got it right.

    Price: Free for basic version. Premium version is $5/month or $45/year.

  • MindManager

    • Mindmapping software.

    I use MindManager almost every day.

    Exports to Flash files, which you can upload to a web site.

    Check this one out: http://mindmodelweb.com

    There are free mindmapping applications out there, but I haven’t found any of them very useful.

    Price: $350

Communications

  • Google Voice

    • Voice mail, voice mail delivered to your email in-box as .MP3 files, call forwarding, text messages alerts, etc.

    Price: FREE

  • eFax

    • Receive faxes in your email in-box.

    NOTE: There are two tricks to using the free version of eFax.

    1) When you open the email containing your fax, it contains an attached document. Opening that document opens the eFax reader. Every time you open the eFax reader, it displays a nag dialog which makes it look like you have to buy the software to open the fax. You don’t. Just click Cancel in this dialog.

    2) If you just want to read the fax, you’re all set. If you want to save the fax image, export it as TIF from the eFax reader and convert it to a GIF file using Gimp or any image editing software, to reduce the size of the file.

    Price: FREE

Utilities

  • 7-Zip

    • WinZip replacement. Handles large archives better than the built-in Windows “Send to compressed folder” command. Splits archives.

    Price: FREE

  • DiffMerge

    • Compares two text files and shows you the differences between them. Sounds simple, but super-useful in the right situations.

    Price: FREE

  • MagicISO

    • Allows you to mount .ISO files (CD and DVD images). Similar to other free programs that do this, but this one actually works.

    Price: FREE

  • SlickRun

    • Allows you to launch any PC program with a few keystrokes. Addictive.

    Price: FREE

  • WinDirStat

    • Helps you free up space on your hard drive by showing you a graphic of which files are taking up the most space.

    The only thing wrong with this program is that its name is almost impossible to remember.

    Price: FREE

Document Editing

  • GIMP

    • Powerful image-editing software.

    NOTE: The software and the help files are two separate downloads. Make sure you download and install both.

    Price: FREE

  • Notepad++

    • Text editor for nerds. You know who you are.

    Price: FREE

Backup and File Sync Software

  • Carbonite

    • Works in the background to keep a backup copy of your documents. Backups are kept on the company’s server.

    Price: $55/year

  • DropBox

    • Allows you to keep a set of folders synchronized between computers.

    Price: FREE

Networking and Connectivity

  • GoToMyPC

    • Allows you to connect to and operate your home or office PC from a Web browser.

    Price: $20/month. Discounts for multiple PC’s and longer time periods.

  • WinSCP

    • FTP file transfer utility.

    Price: FREE