Frequently when talking to them about how to get started I begin talking about some other great tools that I use to organize your thoughts and create your posts and pages for your website. Most of these tools are free, or free with premium versions as well. All of them have been incredibly useful to me over the years (or months and days that I’ve been using them).

I’ve written about my use of programs like Evernote, Picasa, IrfanView, Windows Live Writer, Firefox and others on this site at some point or another.

I’m curious though, what other tools do you use regularly that you don’t think you could live without these days. If you’re not a blogger, don’t worry about it. Just let me know what programs you have installed on your machine that you use on a daily basis. Daily would be a good cut-off, perhaps at least every other day at the most.

Looking forward to hearing what you share and giving a few a try if I’m not already using them on my machine.

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: EveryJoe

The Tools of Blogging

My Top Graphic Program Icons

• Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004:
  Granted Macromedia was purchased by Adobe at the end of 2005, this was the last version of the software I purchased before Macromedia and Adobe joined forces. I use it for any major graphic design work that requires some special effects, or layering of images. I’m not the highly skilled professional, but this program does more than I’m even coming close to maximizing what can be done.
• Snagit from Techsmith:
  Snagit has become a core application in my toolbox of development work. It’s so much more than just a screen capture utility. It helps me grab images for mock-up work, practicing with edits as well as documenting the work and efforts I’m taking for my clients.
• Irfanview:
  This is a free tool that has also become a worthy addition to the list of applications that have been added to the short list of must-install software on a new computer or a rebuild.
• Paint.NET:
  Another free tool that I think starts to really expand the features and functionality of what can be expected to be found in a free application.
• Picasa3:
  Although I wouldn’t really classify it as an image editing program, it does have some features that a beginner user would find helpful. However, I include it in my list because of it’s image management and library functionality.

I haven’t gone into detail about the features and functionality of each program, I’ve just listed them here as a heads-up for some applications you may want to read more about yourself if you’re not familiar with them already.

If you already use these programs or are just starting, let me know what you think about each of them in the comments.

Post from: EveryJoe

My Favorite Graphics Programs

Image: sxc.hu

And one group is even suggesting that Gmail be shut down. You heard me right…shut down. Now before you start panicking and wondering were this is going…this was only one extreme suggestion if the FTC determined that Google was only “protecting” your data with one flimsy password like “search engine”. We’re not quite at that point yet.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has petitioned the FTC to investigate privacy concerns over the piles of online services Google offers. Recently Google Docs came under fire when a security blip made previously private documents visible to the public. While I wouldn’t use Google Docs for information that I see as sensitive and confidential, the point remains the same – if you want it to be private…it should stay private.

So what’s next? The FTC is aware (and has been aware) of this issue and will surely keep an eye on things – if another Google Docs incident comes up, then it’s likely the issue of privacy in cloud computing will need to be addressed more directly. In the meantime, Google’s main issue is to manage the public perception of their products properly…and try to reduce any fears or reservations about privacy that might get blown out of proportion (rightly or not) as a result of this issue.

Post from: EveryJoe

Privacy Groups Lobby Against Gmail, Picasa