You only need ONE instant messenger
Written on 19 May 2007 by admin
Pidgin is a multi-protocol Instant Messaging client that allows you to use all of your IM accounts at once, in one place, with one logon, and one set of friends/buddies.
Pidgin works with:
- AOL’s AIM
- Yahoo! IM
- MSN
- Google Talk
- ICQ
- Bonjour
- Gadu-Gadu
- Groupwise
- IRC
- SILC
- SIMPLE
- Sametime
- XMPP
- Zephyr
Free Images
Written on 18 May 2007 by admin
Sometimes you just need a picture for your webpage, your advertisement, or your power point presentation. Be legal about it and use a site like stock.xchng.
This network of free photographers (which could be you!) uploades high high resolution photos to this site for anyone to download.
Need a wallpaper for your desktop?
Need a pic for your commercial website design?
Looking for inspiration?
Check them out.
Use Jott and record voice messages to yourself that are automatically translated into text email
Written on 17 May 2007 by admin
One of my favorite tools to use with my cell phone is jott. Jott is, currently, a free service that allows you to speak messages into your phone, and then have them come to you as an email to your inbox. - or to any number of other mail recipients that you setup in your free account.
Their website is great, very descriptive, and easy to use. THe best part is that the voice recognition software that the site uses seems to work pretty well- even when i mumble.
I use jott to send notes to myself after sales meetings, questions I have to ask people the next work day, and things I think about on the way to work.
Because I often use my inbox as a “TODO” list, its a great way to add to it when I don’t have the means or the desire to type.
My Maps at Google Maps
Written on 13 May 2007 by admin
Previously I wrote about Zeemaps, a mashup of Google Maps that allowed users to store all sorts of information on its site to map out many destinations. I still use it for bulk uploads.
However for a simple map, you can’t beat Google’s new feature, My Maps.
Check out my map there: Google Maps - MY MAPS
It allows you to create unique maps of different locations, and share them with your friends. I am currently (see link above) creating a map of my life- places I’ve been, visited, lived… Kind of like a geographical blog.
Joomla!
Written on 11 May 2007 by adminThis website uses WordPress - an open source engine for blogs. It works well for the types of timely content that I produce here.
Recently I came across Joomla! another open source initiative that is not just a blog holder, but more a content management system, or CMS. Allowing multiple users, this tool provides easy WYSIWYG interfaces, LOTS of extensions, themes, and cool interfaces to make you look like a master web builder, without hardly lifting a finger to type a drop of PHP or HTML.
I cranked out a couple Joomla sites within my first month of using the tool:
www.facts-inc.com (my employer)
www.howlincats.com (my Uncle’s Band)
The Encyclopedia of Life
Written on 10 May 2007 by admin
Not a great tool, but an interesting passtime…This ambitious project is looking to do for the Animal Kingdom what Wikipedia did for us. - A large format collaborative site specifically tailored to record all 1.8Million known species into one website. The Encyclopedia of Life looks like it can pull it off - at least, it looks like they have the right idea.
Splashblog for your mobile device
Written on 9 May 2007 by admin
SplashBlog is my favorite way to share instant images from my mobile phone camera to the world. With a free SplashBlog account, you can take photographs on your phone throught their small application, and instantly sync them with a photoblog on their website (mine happens to be : http://www.splashblog.com/mttorley )
This is an INSTANT way to share your photos with family during vacations, work mates while on job sites, and not having to worry about emails, or crazy web addresses.
Software Recommendations
Written on 9 May 2007 by adminEveryone has a right to share their favorites. I use a variety of software packages, both open source and freeware that allows me to do what I do - and have fun at it -All at zero cost.
Web
- Firefox Jump away from Internet Explorer all together with the alternative that millions upon millions of users are taking advanatage of.
- Pidgin Instant Messaging is great if you don’t have to have 20 ad-laden windows open. Switch to Pidginand get all of your Instant Message Accounts opened in one place - without the advertisements.
Web Development
- Nvu - Develop websites using this great WYSIWYG editor with integrated FTP ability.
- FileZilla - FTP your files with this fully functional application.
- WordPress - This website is running WordPress- use it for your own personal webpage- its really kind of easy.
- BlogDesk - Write and Configure blogs easily with this WYSIWYG editor that easily allows you to insert graphics and links just like a word processor.
Graphics and Design
- The Gimp - Sure, Photoshop is the king of image editing applications - but this application is getting closer with every release.
- Inkscape Corel Draw and Illustrator have an easy to use new cousin its called Inkscape - easy and fun to use.
- Scribus - Fully functional desktop page layout - similar to InDesign or Quark Xpress.
- CutePDF - Easily create PDFs from any file.
Organization
- wikidPad This is my favorite note collector. It acts like your own super personal web site- that you can create on the fly. I use it for everything from passwords, to addresses to recipes.
- FreeMind A fan of the creative process, I use FreeMind to clear my mind and draw out what I am thinking.
Alternative Computing
- Ubuntu Try running a Linux computer- i found it incredibly easy to do- and I am able to run most of the applications listed above.
- OpenOffice Jump away from Microsoft with this Office like application with bells and whistles galore.
Success
Written on 30 January 2007 by adminThis is the week that I leave one job and start another. It is scary, and exhilarating all at the same time. As you may know, i found great success at my previous employer, and helped start a small group and lead it from $40k in sales in ‘02 to almost $2M in ‘06. During my two weeks notice, I heard one brave individual state that I was crazy for leaving this great thing.
That disheartened me - was i making a mistake? Should I stay and keep it growing in greatness? But then I realized, that the success that I’ve had is success that I am taking with me. You make your own success, you don’t rely on the success of others.
So, I guess I am saying, in as unprofound way as possible- make your own success.
Free Directory Assistance on the road
Written on 18 January 2007 by admin
3 months ago I heard about 1-800-Free411. Its a free, voice activated phone service that provides directory assistance after a few short seconds of commercials. My wife and I use it all the time when we are out and about, and want to call ahead to a restaurant, check product availability at a brick and mortar store, or other information. 1-800-FREE411 web site. Its a very simple concept, that provides me a lot of extra free time, WITHOUT having to spend $1.50 to contact a phone company operator.
I’ve programmed the number into my phone as a voice dial number, so that once I pickup the phone, i need only touch one button to get the tel# I need.