Highly Recommended

Favorite Desktop Software

Everything can’t be done online, right? Like you, I use my desktop computer (or laptop) to get a lot of my work done. Here is a list of some of the software programs and tools I find indispensable.

• OpenOffice for WordProcessing the big stuff. Also includes presentations (like PowerPoint), and a good spreadsheet (like Excel or Lotus). Free for Windows and Linux platforms.
• The GIMP for graphics, including creating banners and working with PhotoShop’s PSD files.
• ViralPDF and InstantPDF Profits for creating rebrandablePDF files for distribution. OpenOffice and MSWord will also create PDF files, but you cannot rebrand files created with them without an additional program like ViralPDF or InstantPDF Profits.
• WinSCP and CuteFTP for FTPing. If you don’t know what they are, you will once you get your own website. Both WinSCP and CuteFTP work in Windows. I prefer WinSCP for secure connections. FileZilla is another choice, and it has a Linux version. When working under Linux, I’d rather use Gftp.
• Project Management? I use BaseCamp as noted above, but if you want a free desktop alternative, try OpenProject.
• Video and Audio Creation – for any desktop, web flash video, try VideoWebWizard or CamStudio, forever free. Actually, I switched over to CamStudioPro, which has a few more features, and although not free, is very inexpensive. For full-fledged, desktop studio video creation, I use Power Director. I also use Wink which does a good job. For Audio recording and editing, I use free, open source software — Audacity. It really works for the heavy lifting.
• Browsing the web and email – I use Mozilla’s Firefox and Thunderbird. Better than any flavor of IE and Outlook jr. When I’m working in Linux, I still use Firefox and Thunderbird because naturally sensible programs come in both flavors.
• Web Page Creation: I use a number of tools, probably depends as much on mood as what the mouse lands on first. Sometimes, I just use NotePad++ and code by hand. You might not want to try that so take a look at HTMLKit, which has both a free version and a PRO version. The free version works great, but if you decide to use HTMLkit as your primary webpage creation application, the Pro version is worth the price. If you own MS Office, you can always use FrontPage (but try not to, okay?). I’ll make a download link for it and post it back here for you.
• Screenshots (also called screen capture or image capture software) – GIMP includes a free one. For a while I used Turbo Capture which I think I got as part of a John Delavera package. Finally, I bought the excellent SnagIt program by the makers of Camtasia. Just works! Most of the images you see around here were captured with SnagIt. Worth the $40 bucks (but if you’re a student, as I was when I got it, they’ll give you a discount). Almost any screen capture utility will do an acceptable job.
• For tracking website statistics, like how many visitors, who’s coming from where, how long they stayed, etc., I use StatCounter.com. A lot of new website owners like to see how many “hits” they’re getting, and quickly install an ugly, spyware-infecting stats counter on their web pages. No, no, no …. don’t do it! Instead, use something like StatCounter.com, which is still free, but heads-and-shoulders above their paid competition.

  You can read their take on protecting your privacy (and your visitor’s) here. And if you have a cPanel ™ web hosting account, you already have a number of statistical programs included with your web hosting. Just check inside your control panel.

That’s about it. For a more comprehensive, exhaustive listing, you’ll soon be able to pick up a copy of The Alternatives CD, which will also include many of the programs mentioned here . . .

Get a copy of my Personal Swipe File. It has Resources for Local Business Owners who have a web presence, but even if you don’t have an online business, you’ll find some of the personal resources to be indispensable.

Available from Local Business Coach Online.

Questions? Comments?

Have you used any of the services talked about here? What about the desktop applications? Do you have your own website or planning to create one? Talk to me . . . Leave your comment below. (It’s alright to be the first one to comment. ) Thanks!