Following the lead of [Scott], here is my list of tools that I use, as well as tools that I have come across, but have not used (but that sound really cool). Tools may be listed twice if they fall into multiple categories.
Legend
- $ – Costs Money
- $$ – Costs Money and I have actually purchased (vs. using a free version)
- % – Have not actually tried yet
- Free – This product is free.
- * – Indicates a note about one or more of the above descriptions
- Internet
- ie7Pro (Free) – Pluging for IE7 that adds things like spell check, ad block, download flash content, etc.
- Simp Lite (Free) – Seamlessly encrypt your IM conversations using this program. The free version only lets you encrypt one type of IM (i.e, MSN, but not AOL, AOL, but not MSN).
- Team Viewer (Free *) – Free for non commercial use. This is a remote desktop sharing program. Useful for those times when you play the role of tech support for family and friends.
- WinSCP (Free) – Free secure FTP program. I use this for connecting to and transferring files to VMWare ESX Server.
- YouSendIt ($ Free) – Free and Pay versions. I’ve used the free version to initiate, and receive large file transfers.
- Pocket PC / Smart Phone
- PdaNet ($) - Install on your computer and smart phone to enable your computer to user your smart phone as a modem.
- PHM Regedit (Free %) – Registry editor for your pocket pc.
- Programming
- Xsd.exe (Free) – Just because I have no other place to write this down, included with VS, and probably the .Net SDK, is the XSD.exe command line tool. It generates a class (partial class option) from xml or schema file for use with the xml serializer.
- Sql
- SQL Internals Viewer (Free %) – Looks like a great tool for the serious DBA.
- Utilities
- ISO Recorder (Free) – Shell integrated utility for making ISO images. You can make ISO’s from existing CD/DVD’s, or from a folder on your computer. It also support burning CD’s and DVD’s (Vista). The latest version supports Vista, and there are 64bit versions available.
- SyncBackSE ($$) – Sync, backup, restore files between a source and destination. I use this for keeping files in sync between by laptop and desktop, laptop and external HD, external HD and home computer. I’ve been using the free version for over a year and love it. I have finally decided to spend the $30 and purchase this product. $30 gives you a license to install on up to 5 computers, now that is a great deal. One of the licensed features I am taking advantage of is the FTP sync option to back up this blog to my local PC.
- Virtual Clone Drive (Free) – Mount .ISO images (and .img images from MSDN). Works on Vista, and under Win XP as a limited user.
- WinMerge (Free) – File and Folder diff tool. You can launch this directly from SyncBackSE
- Expression Media Encoder (Free %) – Encode rich media for Silverlight.