Good Stuff

This is a very erratic list of things that I consider to be "high value" such as really good software, useful reference sites, and other odds and ends. It's basically a collection of things that I tell my friends about: "You've gotta try this!" In the case of software, I made a note of what program (generally a much more expensive one) the featured program replaced, if any.

software   |   websites   |   games

Software

  • EditPlus - A smart, configurable, just plain useful text editor. EditPlus edits everything from Web pages to C++ source code, with code completion and syntax highlighting options available for everything. All user-editable, of course. I can't imagine getting along without it anymore. (this page is being edited in EditPlus right now) It's shareware, $30 to register, and more than worth the price. Program it replaced: HomeSite
     
  • OpenOffice - Tired of paying hundreds of dollars for Microsoft Office? Tired of Microsoft's persistant efforts to get you to pay it again next year, and again the year after that? OpenOffice is a free (as in beer) alternative. It has its quirks, but it does the job very well. It did what MS Office couldn't do: pried me away from my ancient copy of AmiPro. Program it replaced: AmiPro
     
  • Firefox - A free Web browser that is more secure than Internet Explorer, faster than Netscape, and more configurable and more user-friendly than either. You owe it to yourself to try Firefox. Programs it replaced: Netscape 6, 7, IE5
     
  • Dimension 4 - A perfect example of a program that does one thing very well. It syncs your system clock to the time server of your choice. It's free, too.
     
  • Motherboard Monitor - This was recommended to me after I cooked a previous computer. Most of the time it hangs out in your system tray and displays your CPU temperature. If your CPU gets to hot, MBM kicks up a fuss. It can read CPU temps, fan speeds ... basically anything your motherboard has a sensor for. Also free.
     
  • Graphics Workshop - An image organizer, graphics file format converter, and half a dozen other useful things, all wrapped into one. This is another of my must-have utilities -- I've been using it since somewhere back in the Windows 3.1 days. I try other image catalog programs, etc., but I always come back to GWS. Shareware, $44.95 to register.
     
  • Zone Alarm - Since CheckPoint Software bought out ZoneLab, they've been far less cool and far more restrictive. But they still have a free version of ZoneAlarm, their consistantly top-rated firewall. I use ZoneAlarm Pro myself, for some of the extra features, but the free version is superb. This is a MUST HAVE.
     

Websites

  • How Stuff Works - A layperson's guide to how just about anything and everything works. From atomic bombs to zebra stripes, it's all in there. Warning: you can spend hours on this site, finding out the answers to "I wonder how..."
     
  • Urban Legends - You think something might be an urban legend? You're not sure? Or you just want to read some entertaining weird (and sometimes true) stories? Snopes.com is the place to go. Plus it's an authoritative way to debunk people who insist something really happened to a cousin of their best friend's sister's husband.
     
  • Computer Stupidities - Good for a lift any time you feel like you just did the most incredibly, awfully, horribly stupid thing in the entire history of computer use. Trust me, you didn't. Some of those people sure did, though.
     
  • Project Gutenberg - Never again be at a loss for something to read. Project Gutenberg has thousands of public-domain texts, everything from classic novels to the great documents of civilization, with a few modern works donated by their authors, such as Bruce Sterling. Lots of great stuff to read here.
     
  • Baen Free Library - Baen Books has made the remarkable discovery that if people like your books, they'll go to bookstores and buy them. So they've put some of their titles online. 67 of them, at last count! And not obscure stuff, either, but the best books by their best authors.
     
  • HeroMachine - They have a free online version of their character sketching program. It's all Flash-based (so is the version you can buy) and that thing is amazing. Need a quick sketch of your game character, or your idea for a great superhero, or whatever? HeroMachine can draw it for you, for free. The paid version is worth the price, too.
     

Online Games

  • Conqueror! - A free browser-based wargame that reminds me of a cross between Risk and my old favorite Lords of Conquest. It's a great game, well worth the time to learn to play.