Computer tools I can’t live without
#1) Linux live distro (usb/cd): I don’t know how a windows installation can take up 5gb and still not have some of the most basic tools out there. Being able to boot a proper operating system on any machine is such a boon. One of my goals in the near future is to get a sizable usb key that I can boot vmware esxi on and just keep some OS images in it.
#2) Dropbox: Revisioned backups. None finer. Access to you documents wherever you have internet. Sync documents to as many systems as you want. Make very large files accessable to people you want. Continued development promises exciting new benefits and uses.
#3) SSH: Pretty much the most important program I use. It allows secure remote access to a computer including file transfer, connection tunneling, and shell access. Combined with VNC it makes for a nearly unstoppable remote access package.
#4) Portable Apps: If you must use a windows machine, and you’re not the administrator then portable apps are pratically required. A full suite of applications that are a standard part of my computing diet. You can put them on a usb key or just unzip them to a local folder for use on an unfamiliar system.
#5) VMware: More and more I’m finding reasons to virtualize my operating systems. The tools and abilities that VMware products provide make all aspects of multiple OS needs become almost non-existant. Combine with dropbox and/or a usb key for a killer go anywhere OS.
#6) Google Apps: I don’t think most people appreciate just how powerful the google app suite is. Email, documents, feed readers, storage space (if you know how), photos, wikisites, the list goes on. At some point soon I anticipate Google Voice will be released and become another one of those things I can’t live without.
#7) Firefox: I thought I’d go ahead and mention it. It’s a pretty damn important piece of software. It’s addon system makes it the most useful browser out there.