New Microsoft Tools to help your developers

Tuesday, July 03, 2007 10:00 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Free tools from Microsoft. Get 'em while you can.

Microsoft released some tasty vittles for developers in the last couple of days that I seemed to have missed.

First up for you lan-ers is Microsoft's updated Network Monitor 3.1. This version includes:

Grade your Website: 31 free online tests

Tuesday, May 29, 2007 1:00 PM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Make sure your site is running at top performance by using these online tests to grade your web site

Directory Aviva posted a great article of 31 online free tests for keeping your web site in tip top shape.

Some of these tests include the W3C validators (HTML, CSS, Feeds, etc.), link analyzers, accessibility, how your site looks in various browsers, and many more.

Mind mapping software...online

Thursday, March 15, 2007 5:00 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Offline Mind mapping software is great, but online may be better

I know I've talked about mind mapping software in the past with various posts, but those were particularly offline applications.

MindMeister is one such online application where you can create online mind maps and share them with your friends.

Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar Beta 3 Released

Monday, January 15, 2007 8:00 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Need assistance with your web development? Microsoft just released Beta 3 of their toolbar.

For those who aren't using Firefox's Web Developer extension (version 1.1 is out now!), Microsoft has updated their Developer Toolbar to Beta 3.

They've added a couple new features such as a Style Tracer, View Source, and an Updated User Interface design.

CEO's To-Do List in PDF

Tuesday, January 09, 2007 6:00 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Executives should love this free PDF tool.

Busy executives are always forgetting something and with all of the newest to-do lists out there, aren't there any paper to-do lists? (Yes, we do need them).

Thanks to AdesBlog.com, Ades found a printable to-do list in PDF format, so you can get started immediately.

GooSync: Google Calendar Sync To Palm

Thursday, November 09, 2006 10:00 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 2

Awesome utility to synchronize your Google Calendar to Palm and vice-versa.

GooSync is an application that installs on your Palm and synchronizes your Google Calendar with your date and appointment information.

GooSync is currently in beta and offered for free.

Log4Ajax for debugging AJAX applications

Wednesday, November 08, 2006 6:35 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Nice JavaScript utility for debugging AJAX.

Recently, I got a phone call at home about a problem with an application that was using AJAX. Over the phone, there was really no way to determine the problem unless I was sitting there and running Firefox with FireBug.

Then, I remembered that I had seen a simple solution on Sun's web site: Log4Ajax.

Fontifier

Tuesday, October 17, 2006 8:00 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Have you ever wanted to create your handwriting as a font? Here's your chance!

The Fontifier is a 7-step program that takes your handwriting and makes a downloadable font for only $9 with credit card or PayPal.

This could definitely be a selling point to a client. Take their handwriting and provide them with their own custom font.

PDF Pad

Monday, October 16, 2006 4:32 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Need some graph paper? A calendar? Why not just print them?

This is similar to the first PDF site I found, but now, thanks to LifeHacker, there is another site that prints even more PDFs. Thanks LifeHacker!

PDFPad contains a list of dynamic PDF formats that you can printout immediately, right from your desktop.

FreeNAS: The Free NAS Server

Thursday, September 07, 2006 5:00 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

An even better option for setting up a NAS for your SOHO (Small Office/Home Office).

Last month, I was talking about setting up a NAS (Network Attached Storage) in the home with two posts: DIY NAS Smackdown and How to build a cheap and fast RAID 5 NAS. You can accumulate a lot of images from your photography, recorded programs with your DVR/Tivo, and device drivers and registered programs. It all adds up.

This post completes the circle.

3 ways to use Mind Mapping software in Selling

Monday, July 24, 2006 5:10 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Mind mapping software is now being used in more than just development.

After talking about mind mapping in a previous post, I've been noticing mind mapping is becoming more and more a part of peoples lives as well as in business. It just collects your ideas into a visual schema.

Lori Richardson, the Sales Coach on AllBusiness.com, posted an article about 3 ways to use mindmapping in selling.

Free Collaborative Online Whiteboard

Friday, July 07, 2006 5:07 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

You can invite two additional associates if you want.

Whiteboards have been around for a long time (ever since the first meeting, I think). If you have a virtual office, you may have problems trying to convey your message, let alone, draw and share a whiteboard that everyone can see.

Well, GE has come up with a slick (and might I add, FREE) online whiteboard. After going through the interface, I think the app has enough functionality to become a useful tool.

The Scrutinizer

Wednesday, June 28, 2006 10:30 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Run your web site through the tests and see how well you fare.

If you are looking to optimize your site, and I mean really optimize your site, visit the Scrutinizer.

The Scrutinizer can take your web site and run multiple tests in the following categories:

Tool: What Search Engine Spiders See

Monday, June 19, 2006 10:41 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Excellent tool if you want to make sure your site is spidered properly.

The dlperry.com spider tool shows you how search engines "see" your site when they visit and crawl through every web page.

The sections are split into the following categories:

How to use the Web instead of your laptop when on the road.

Monday, June 19, 2006 10:04 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Free online tools are becoming the better way to be productive while on the road and allowing individuals to see your work as well.

Sometimes users don't need fat clients for their applications. Take Palm and Windows Mobile. You can view Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, Powerpoint presentations, and your calendar from Outlook. However, you need your bulky applications installed on your machine to manage and maintain your data.

Nowadays, users are taking advantage of the free online tools that the Internet is offering. If you are one of these individuals, kudos. That's awesome! Your taking the first step in collaborative networking.

Rendr

Thursday, June 15, 2006 8:14 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

A live HTML and CSS renderer while you create your pages.

Rendr is on its second version and all I can say is WOW! Nice little tool for prototyping web sites real quick-like.

Just start typing in your HTML and your CSS and you start to see your page start to develop right before your eyes.

Why Mind mapping works

Monday, June 12, 2006 7:51 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Mind mapping is a diagram that represents thoughts, words, and ideas centered around a bigger idea or concept.

You have just been assigned a project and you need a way to organize your thoughts (napkin anyone?).

Before you start up Microsoft Word and move towards an outline mode, take this into consideration. Mind mapping takes your ideas, words, concepts, and thoughts and visually organizes everything into a main concept or idea. In my opinion, its a more flexible approach to how to tackle a project or accomplish something.

Phone Number Geolocator

Saturday, June 03, 2006 7:15 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Interesting tool that uses Google Maps

The Phone Number Geolocator takes the first six digits of your phone and plots the area of where the phone number exists.

I've always wanted to know where those marketing people are at so I can visit them. ;-)

Free SQL Server Tool: SQL Prompt

Saturday, June 03, 2006 5:32 AM

Posted by Jonathan Danylko | Tag: Tools | Comments: 0

Yes, I said Free. :-)

For those who use the Query Analyzer with Microsoft's SQL Server, I've run across a tool (through a blog) called SQL Prompt, which adds IntelliSense to the Query Analyzer.

When I first installed it, I had some issues with MDAC 2.8. I immediately went to their forums and found a posting from Neil Davidson describing how to the fix it to install it properly.