Incredible software that needs more exposure

[Will@Drop]

Every once in a while I find a new piece of software that makes me wonder how I ever got along without it.

For example, I use pandora for allot of my music (since I don't have a proper head-fi setup at my new place yet) and up until recently I was using the web client. I googled "pandora native app" and my life got sooooooo much better.

Use Debian or a *nix os? Pithos.

Use windows? Elpis.

Use mac and insist on buying from the app store? pandabar.

There's one other application that's improved my life intensely as of late. Ever have your laptop on the same desk with your desktop and wish you could just slide your mouse between the two comps? Synergy is software that lets you share peripherals across multiple computers via network connection.

No more reaching over to laptop touch pads or dealing with rubber domes when you're at home. It works across all major platforms and it also copies your clipboard between the two computers so if you need to copy pasta some really good ****, your life got better as well.

So what incredible pieces of software have you found lately? Phone apps, OSs, Desktop apps, anything goes.

[neeb]

Wow, Elpis rocks man thanks for sharing this! I've heard amazing things about Synergy but I've never had a reason to use it.

One I would like to share is Dropbox. I know a lot of people already know of it and/or use it but for those that don't, it seriously makes my life easier.

https://www.dropbox.com/

"Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere. This means that any file you save to your Dropbox will automatically save to all your computers, phones and even the Dropbox website. "


TLDR: Dropbox is awesome. You can share files with all of your computers and simultaneously upload them to a web server just by "dropping" then into a folder.

[hashbaz]

Fun fact: I work with the guy that wrote Synergy.  I love it too.  Great for controlling Mac + PC with one keyboard/mouse.

[neeb]

Fun fact: I work with the guy that wrote Synergy.  I love it too.  Great for controlling Mac + PC with one keyboard/mouse.

Are you a programmer too or is it just coincidence that you work with him?

[sirtetris]

for linux users: I found at to be really useful in some situations

from time to time it has to serve as my alarm clock; you can stop the network daemon of a remote machine your working on without worries when you previously scheduled to start it again; ... such things

also, if you don't already know about them: screen, irssi, awesome (a window manager), arch linux (a linux distro), ...

[hashbaz]

Fun fact: I work with the guy that wrote Synergy.  I love it too.  Great for controlling Mac + PC with one keyboard/mouse.

Are you a programmer too or is it just coincidence that you work with him?

Yep, programmer here.

@sirtetris +1 for screen and awesome.

[neeb]

Fun fact: I work with the guy that wrote Synergy.  I love it too.  Great for controlling Mac + PC with one keyboard/mouse.

Are you a programmer too or is it just coincidence that you work with him?

Yep, programmer here.

@sirtetris +1 for screen and awesome.

That's awesome man. I've dabbled with a little programming for fun but never taken it beyond that

[Djuzuh]

tmux  > screen.

[neeb]

Pidgin is also really useful for anyone that uses IM programs like msn or skype etc

[funkymeeba]

tmux  > screen.

Amen, brother.

[Will@Drop]

Fun fact: I work with the guy that wrote Synergy.  I love it too.  Great for controlling Mac + PC with one keyboard/mouse.

Not bad at all. Is he still involved in the development?

Also, Sublime Text 2. Best text editor I've used. Its features are incredible and it works on a winrar style license so you dont have to pay if you dont want to.

[hashbaz]

I don't think so.  I've heard good things about Sublime Text, but I'm a vim man.

[metalliqaz]

I <3 Vim

But *nix is well known.  My must-have list for Windows

Notepad++ (#1)
PuTTY (#2)
WinMerge
...among other programming tools, and this gem that most people probably have never heard of...
Agent Ransack (basically grep for windows)

Firefox
Thunderbird
VLC Media Player
7zip

[FoxWolf1]

SeaMonkey didn't get nearly enough love on the Internet Browsers thread. In my experience, it runs faster and more reliably than Firefox, while being a full-featured suite with integrated email, composer, etc.

Also, Just Gestures. As you might guess from the name, it's a mouse gesture program.

[metalliqaz]

I never understood why email would be integrated into a web browser.  Other than being Internet applications, they don't have anything to do with eachother.  I like 'em separate.

[CKTofu]

VLC Media Player

http://cccp-project.net/, the Combined Community Codec Pack, tends to beat VLC, but is far less well known.

[metalliqaz]

I used to use the CCCP.  Used to.

[TheProfosist]

Ditch cccp and go with mpc-hc and lav filter and if u have a decent gpu madvr.

O and ditch vlc as well....

[metalliqaz]

I used to use MPC-HC too, but it doesn't seem to get any real development.

[TheProfosist]

I used to use MPC-HC too, but it doesn't seem to get any real development.

lol the your not looking in the right places i run the dev build whaich is at the least updated monthly latlely sorta goes in sputs. I can give you the whole package of decoders that was updated fairly recently if you want.

[Will@Drop]

How about IRC/Chat clients? Right now I really want something that I can use for all my chat related needs.

Looking for OSX software but its always cool to learn about new stuff regardless of platform.

[TheProfosist]

I use KVIrc i like it because its a lot like chatzilla but much more fleshed out.

[neeb]

How about IRC/Chat clients? Right now I really want something that I can use for all my chat related needs.

Looking for OSX software but its always cool to learn about new stuff regardless of platform.

I standby pidgin, it's always been my go-to program for my IM software

[Will@Drop]

I use KVIrc i like it because its a lot like chatzilla but much more fleshed out.

Does KVIrc have integration for other chat services? Also, is it friendly for low resolution? I'm working on a 2880x1800 but i've only got a little space left on-screen before I've gotta start using more than one space actively.

[sth]

How about IRC/Chat clients? Right now I really want something that I can use for all my chat related needs.

Looking for OSX software but its always cool to learn about new stuff regardless of platform.

adium if you don't need a/v, it's a highly customizable text-only chat program with tons of skins and interface mods available. irc + most IM protocols supported

[Will@Drop]

How about IRC/Chat clients? Right now I really want something that I can use for all my chat related needs.

Looking for OSX software but its always cool to learn about new stuff regardless of platform.

adium if you don't need a/v, it's a highly customizable text-only chat program with tons of skins and interface mods available. irc + most IM protocols supported

Thanks sth! I saw that but I'm a bit of a sucker for eyecandy xD. Know anything that looks good and does something similar?

How about IRC/Chat clients? Right now I really want something that I can use for all my chat related needs.

Looking for OSX software but its always cool to learn about new stuff regardless of platform.

I standby pidgin, it's always been my go-to program for my IM software

Pidgin doesnt have any default packages for OSX on their site : (

[neeb]

How about IRC/Chat clients? Right now I really want something that I can use for all my chat related needs.

Looking for OSX software but its always cool to learn about new stuff regardless of platform.

adium if you don't need a/v, it's a highly customizable text-only chat program with tons of skins and interface mods available. irc + most IM protocols supported

Thanks sth! I saw that but I'm a bit of a sucker for eyecandy xD. Know anything that looks good and does something similar?

How about IRC/Chat clients? Right now I really want something that I can use for all my chat related needs.

Looking for OSX software but its always cool to learn about new stuff regardless of platform.

I standby pidgin, it's always been my go-to program for my IM software

Pidgin doesnt have any default packages for OSX on their site : (

Eek! My bad man, I guess I tunnel visioned through the "mac" part of your post lol

Edit: Looks like Adium is what pidgin recommends if you go to mac link on their site, "For a native Mac OS X experience we recommend Adium, which uses libpurple (the core of Pidgin) for much of its protocol support."

[strafe]

I use a program called everything, it's a search engine for Windows, very quick.  Written by a friend of a friend  .

http://www.voidtools.com/

[silat]

There are so many but I will pick just one if I have 2.

Files 2 Folder
Description: A right-click shell extension that will automatically create a folder based on the selected filename and move that file into that folder. If you select multiple files, a box will pop up asking for a folder name. That folder name will be created and all selected files will then be moved into the new folder.

[Will@Drop]

There are so many but I will pick just one if I have 2.

Files 2 Folder
Description: A right-click shell extension that will automatically create a folder based on the selected filename and move that file into that folder. If you select multiple files, a box will pop up asking for a folder name. That folder name will be created and all selected files will then be moved into the new folder.

You... You sir, have won the thread. Don't limit your suggestions if they are all that good.

[silat]

Wow. That is some praise indeed.
Ok how about some software in the same vein as the last. Freeware of course. If you want my fave awesome non freeware programs we can go there too:)

Text 2 Folders
Description: Text 2 Folders is a small utility designed to quickly create (sub)folders.

Pysort
Description: PySort is an application for people that helps people who do not have the time, nor patience, to sort through a messy folder. It will scan through the selected folder and place all known files in appropriate folders and those that are unknown to the program will simply be placed in an "Unknown" folder.

At one time or another I use or have used all the programs I recommend.

Truly there are so many fantastic programs out there it could take weeks to list them.

[SmallFry]

I tend to praise Chrome, couldn't do without it. I love the syncing features of it. I also +1 for Dropbox.

[TheProfosist]

I use KVIrc i like it because its a lot like chatzilla but much more fleshed out.

Does KVIrc have integration for other chat services? Also, is it friendly for low resolution? I'm working on a 2880x1800 but i've only got a little space left on-screen before I've gotta start using more than one space actively.

na its just an irc client most of the good ones are just that.


I recommend MediaInfo right click most media files and itll tell you just about everything about them.

[nullstring]

windirstat

[FoxWolf1]

I never understood why email would be integrated into a web browser.  Other than being Internet applications, they don't have anything to do with eachother.  I like 'em separate.

Given that you can open the program directly into either one, you lose nothing by having them combined, and gain efficiency, interface consistency, convenience (just press a hotkey and there's the email), easier interconnection with other features, etc.

How about IRC/Chat clients? Right now I really want something that I can use for all my chat related needs.

Looking for OSX software but its always cool to learn about new stuff regardless of platform.

SeaMonkey has IRC functionality as part of its suite, and is available for Mac. Back when I had a Mac, I liked the SeaMonkey browser better than Safari, too.

[TheProfosist]

windirstat

great program especially when you dont know whats hogging up all your storage.

[Will@Drop]

Alfred+powerpack in OSX is also amazing. Productivity apps are my fav.

[SmallFry]

I use Alfred all the time. So useful!

[davkol]

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[godly_music]

'Miranda IM' (prefer not to run GTK on Windows, otherwise Pidgin would be fine)
'FreeFileSync' is very cool if you want to strictly do manual backup and folder sync.
'HexChat', formerly XChat-WDK, is the freeware Windows variant of the popular IRC client, if you need a dedicated one.
'Everything' is a superior Windows Search tool that utilizes the MFT to build its database.
'NTREGOPT' defragments registry files like lots of other programs do, but this one has no baggage. Works with vintage Windows too.
'SumatraPDF' is the leanest, fastest PDF reader IMO.

[hoggy]

I'm a big fan of ditto. It's a clipboard manager that keeps your last 500 (or more) clips.   You can use it to copy and few times and then paste a few times - Saves a ton of clicking around.

Another favourite is launchy.   Alt-space to bring up a dialog, type in a few letters that are in the name of a program you want to run and away you go.  No need to reach for the mouse.

I wrote a little program a while back, a simple context menu thingy, that copies the full path of a file to the clipboard.

Tempted to recreate the context menu idea of select a file and it will create a folder and move the file into it...

[Warduke]

Sandboxie

[Amarok]

VIM-style keyboard shortcuts in Chrome/Chromium
http://vimium.github.com/

[Will@Drop]

VIM-style keyboard shortcuts in Chrome/Chromium
http://vimium.github.com/

Honestly im surprised you didnt suggest amarok xD

[davkol]

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[Will@Drop]

How about terminal emulators? I'm a big fan of iTerm and terminator but I wish there was a way to integrate them with my sublime text.

[NKRO]

Just had a look through some of the key apps I set up on a fresh install:

1Password. Secure password vault/generator. It's cross-platform, and has the best browser integration I have seen. You can also access your keychain via any regular browser if you quickly need to get a password out of it on a system 1Password is not installed/set up on.

ResophNotes (Win) nvALT (Mac) Great apps based on Notational Velocity for taking quick notes and searching through them. Notes are saved as plaintext, which I sync via Dropbox to access them in text editors on mobile devices.

For gamers with an SSD, SteamTool is great for moving games to/from a larger storage drive (automatically creates/manages NTFS Junctions) and SteamCleaner clears out all the unnecessary DirectX installers and other packages that are only run when you first install a game, to save a few hundred MB per game. (it adds up when you have tens or hundreds of games and a small SSD)

Similarly, Link Shell Extension is useful with an SSD.

WizMouse. Lets you scroll any window under the mouse cursor even if it's not the active window. This is standard behaviour on OS X, and something I really miss when I use Windows. I've tried a few of these utilities, and while I don't like the UI (looks like a shady app, but it's fine) it's the one that worked best in my experience.

dBpoweramp is great if you still have a CD collection to rip. (or still buy CDs) EAC works, but the interface isn't great, it requires a bit of manual setup, and metadata isn't all that good. dBpoweramp combines a bit-perfect CD-ripper, automatically searches and compares multiple databases for metadata, makes it easy to find good quality cover art, supports just about any format you could think of, has good file renaming/conversion options. Worth spending the money if you have a lot to get through.


I think most of the other apps I run are either going to be very common (things like 7-Zip) or too obscure/specific/complex to set up to be worth mentioning. (e.g. MPC-HC+madVR+LAV Filters+ReClock combination for media playback)

[SmallFry]

WizMouse. Lets you scroll any window under the mouse cursor even if it's not the active window. This is standard behaviour on OS X, and something I really miss when I use Windows. I've tried a few of these utilities, and while I don't like the UI (looks like a shady app, but it's fine) it's the one that worked best in my experience.

What a nice application! I just installed that since I miss that when switching from my Mac to my PC.

[Viz]

TMUX(Beats screen), awesome, weechat(beats IRSSI), rtorrent(hands down, best torrent client ever.)
Vimperator(for firefox), MUTT + hushmail/lavabit(best mail client ever!)

OT: OpenBSD is awesome.

[mmmty]

WizMouse. Lets you scroll any window under the mouse cursor even if it's not the active window. This is standard behaviour on OS X, and something I really miss when I use Windows. I've tried a few of these utilities, and while I don't like the UI (looks like a shady app, but it's fine) it's the one that worked best in my experience.

What a nice application! I just installed that since I miss that when switching from my Mac to my PC.

Arrhh... too late for my WizMouse suggestion. Should be a standard feature on every OS.

What about Launchy??