Seeing that I am heavily involved in the computer world as of late..I've decided to post a short review of each of the apps I have been using recently. (all of which are free)
Teamviewer
This one has been awesome. Perfectly fulfilling the needs to access my computer remotely from home, or phone...for FREE. Very useful. Allows file transfer, multiple screen support, and a fairly simple interface.
Waterfox
Apparently, a 64-bit version of Firefox does not exist. This isn't a big deal, but once I read an internet article saying my browser isn't using my comps memory to its full potential, I'm a sucker to immediately fix it. Enter Waterfox, the 64-bit version of Firefox that claims to be slightly faster. An exact clone of Firefox that even ports settings/bookmarks over. (except for the odd fact that I had to reinstall all Adobe plugins) Have I noticed the massive speed increase? Nope. But still, my mind is at ease that it's ever so slightly faster then Firefox (no...I'm not switching to Chrome)
Lastpass
This is an interesting browser extension that I didn't trust upon first hearing about it. It stores all your passwords. Sketch right?! Their webpage (and outside praises) convinced me enough to give it a shot. The convenience factor is pretty awesome. Stores every password for any website you visit and syncs them across multiple comps.
You can go on their website and read their security claims. One of the things I really like is the extra authentication you can add to your account. For instance, You have a master password to access it, but, you can add a feature where if your account is accessed from an unauthorized computer (aka any computer that is not your own) the program then requires you to use a Google authenticator code (app on phone with a constantly changing numeric password) to access.
So far so good, I'll report if anything happens! Heh...
Xmarks
This one syncs all of your bookmarks, for all browsers, across multiple machines. I like having all of my bookmarks at hand, but dislike that it syncs the bookmarks toolbar near the top of the browser. I'm sure this is an easy fix though.
AutoHotkey
My work sometimes consists of doing the same computer tasks over and over again. I am currently working on automating a lot of it with this program. Hasn't been too successful but I'm not giving up! This program, with a little knowledge of script writing, can automate keyboard and mouse inputs. Sadly, this little knowledge is hard to come by for me.
7-Zip
This program can compress a file down to 73% of its original size! Awesome, but does so at the expense of speed (took me about an hour to compress a file of about 12 gig)
FastCopy
This program is especially useful for transferring large files on a windows XP machine to an external. Turns out that OS can't really copy large files (10+ gig) very fast. Took an hour long copy job down to about 20 minutes. I tested this program on windows 7 and Vista and it's not that much faster then when what those systems can do on their own.
John's Background Switcher
This program pulls images from Google, your computer, or various other sources and automatically makes them a wallpaper. I like coming into work everyday to a different Wallpaper....Combined with windows scheduler, adds some sweet variety.
Revo Uninstaller
Use this to not only run a programs uninstaller, but then goes and searches for leftover files/folders and registry entries left behind...Very thorough uninstaller.
Mozy
I use this to remotely back up my work comp every day. Yet to use for a restore, but it faithfully backs up what I set it to on a daily basis, and is very simple to use. Kind of wish you can tell it what files to back up specifically, but for now you can tell it what kind of file types, and folders.
Microsoft Security Essentials
A highly praised anti-virus software from what I have read...Surprising. (or at least I was) and the comp has been clean for the past 2 weeks. I switched out AVG for this bad boy and all is good thus far.
Spybot
An oldie but a goodie...Catching those tracking cookies in real-time.
CCleaner
I cleaned out like 20 gig of junk when I ran this the other day! A program specializing in getting rid of unused temp files, browser stuff, and general upkeep...pretty good I'd say.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Updates
WOW...SO- life has been interesting as of late. Let's see if I can start (and keep going) in a sequential order of updates.
Snowboarding
I have recently been snowboarding at Snowshoe resort in WV. This marks a couple of firsts. First time going to snowshoe, first time snowboarding with my dad (who opted to ski) and first time snowboarding to music. All of which made for a very, very exciting trip.
Relying on the shuffle option of my ipod for the day proved to be a mostly exciting experience. In fact, so amped by the music I was, I decided to roll up to the terrain park hoping my playlist would provide some ultimate motivation for the more dangerous of activities on the mountain. Turns out my ipod deemed Pink's "Just Like A Pill" (oh hey, how did that get on there??....) to be the most fitting to the moment. Needless to say, I rolled right through the terrain park...as fast as I could.
Marriage
Not exactly fitting in the order format, but I have been reflecting on our almost 1 year of marriage. Exciting, interesting, and over all a huge blessing/gift from God. I stick with my original assessment of marriage being the few things in life that actually meet and surpass the hype and build up to it. I'm a lucky man.
Reading
Gotten back into that. So far I finished The Case for Christ, and The Case for Faith (Lee Strobel) and am currently working on Quitter (Jon Acuff) Which does not directly apply to my job situation, but has awesome views and ideas I find interesting. How to not hate a job you don't feel called to, and how to practically pursue your dream job. Very good so far!
Worship
This past Sunday was my very first opportunity to play keyboard with Crossroads Church!! This has been my active pursuit for the past couple of months, and my secret passion for years. What's particularly interesting about this pursuit is the fact that fear wasn't enough to dissuade me from going for it, and there were many reasons to be afraid...
1. I've never played with a live band before
2. I've never had music lessons prior
3. The usual in my head excuse was that I wasn't good/experienced enough.
4. Public performing is terrifying...At first. (amplified that I am clearly the least experienced musician in the bunch)
But with the help/encouragement of some awesome friends, a sermon on fear and calling, and the incredible patience of our worship leader (heh..) God made it happen. He made it happen. I can't put into words how excited I am for this opportunity to worship God with the gifts He has placed in my life!
I mean its pretty ridiculous to come from a mindset of "I am nowhere near good enough, or confident enough to pull this off" to actually experience God fulfilling in His own words, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find."
While there is still MUCH work to be done- I am once again reminded of Him placing me exactly where I need to be in this life, while also providing the exact people that need to be there.
Snowboarding
I have recently been snowboarding at Snowshoe resort in WV. This marks a couple of firsts. First time going to snowshoe, first time snowboarding with my dad (who opted to ski) and first time snowboarding to music. All of which made for a very, very exciting trip.
Relying on the shuffle option of my ipod for the day proved to be a mostly exciting experience. In fact, so amped by the music I was, I decided to roll up to the terrain park hoping my playlist would provide some ultimate motivation for the more dangerous of activities on the mountain. Turns out my ipod deemed Pink's "Just Like A Pill" (oh hey, how did that get on there??....) to be the most fitting to the moment. Needless to say, I rolled right through the terrain park...as fast as I could.
Marriage
Not exactly fitting in the order format, but I have been reflecting on our almost 1 year of marriage. Exciting, interesting, and over all a huge blessing/gift from God. I stick with my original assessment of marriage being the few things in life that actually meet and surpass the hype and build up to it. I'm a lucky man.
Reading
Gotten back into that. So far I finished The Case for Christ, and The Case for Faith (Lee Strobel) and am currently working on Quitter (Jon Acuff) Which does not directly apply to my job situation, but has awesome views and ideas I find interesting. How to not hate a job you don't feel called to, and how to practically pursue your dream job. Very good so far!
Worship
This past Sunday was my very first opportunity to play keyboard with Crossroads Church!! This has been my active pursuit for the past couple of months, and my secret passion for years. What's particularly interesting about this pursuit is the fact that fear wasn't enough to dissuade me from going for it, and there were many reasons to be afraid...
1. I've never played with a live band before
2. I've never had music lessons prior
3. The usual in my head excuse was that I wasn't good/experienced enough.
4. Public performing is terrifying...At first. (amplified that I am clearly the least experienced musician in the bunch)
But with the help/encouragement of some awesome friends, a sermon on fear and calling, and the incredible patience of our worship leader (heh..) God made it happen. He made it happen. I can't put into words how excited I am for this opportunity to worship God with the gifts He has placed in my life!
I mean its pretty ridiculous to come from a mindset of "I am nowhere near good enough, or confident enough to pull this off" to actually experience God fulfilling in His own words, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find."
While there is still MUCH work to be done- I am once again reminded of Him placing me exactly where I need to be in this life, while also providing the exact people that need to be there.
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