My favourite software at the moment

Posted on 06 October 2009 by Clive Walker in Web Development Personal

I wrote this post a while back. The content can still be relevant but the information I've linked to may not be available.

Most software works great and does the job it was intended for. However, every once in a while I come across a programme that just seems to be perfectly thought out and that is a joy to use. Invariable the programme or software make me more efficient but, most of the time, it’s the way the programme works that elevates it above its rivals. Anyway, here’s a few programmes that I am liking a lot at the moment.

1. Microsoft Security Essentials

Yes, a new product from Microsoft in my list. Whatever next!? However, Microsoft Security Essentials seems to be a neat anti-virus programme that has a simple interface, is not bloated with countless features that I never use, does not hog lots of resource, but is more configurable than some other AV programmes that shall remain nameless. I have used a few AV programmes and this seems to be much better than many others in my experience because it is very unobtrusive and easy to use. And it’s free as well.

2. Notepad++

I mostly use Dreamweaver for web page and style sheet editing but sometimes I just want to do a quick code edit. In these cases, I have recently started using Notepad++. I have really only scratched the surface of what it can do but I particularly like the brace and indent highlighting. This really helps my PHP coding I find!

Reviews: Notepad++ gets a good review on CNET. Smashing Magazine reviews 35 Source Code Editors.

3. TweetDeck

Yes, anyone with a Twitter account will have probably used several Twitter clients. Me too. I really like DestroyTwitter and I reviewed it briefly. However, it does not support multiple accounts or real-time monitoring of keyword searches and that’s the main reason I have moved to TweetDeck. When I first used TweetDeck several months ago I found it too much for my requirements at that time and I did not like some aspects of the interface. I tried it again recently and it’s much more to my liking. I am not sure if that’s because the programme has been improved or if my usage has changed. Probably both. In any case, I really like using it and the multi-column views have definitely made my Twitter usage more efficient.

I am sure that you have your own favorite software but these three have really won me over at the moment.