Design, Print and New Media

I mainly use Photoshop for web design, mokups, widgets, prototypes, quick fixes and most other UI related work.

In order to create sophisticated wireframes and layouts, I use Illustrator with my own UI library. Illustrator is also used in pre-press related work.

Where there is a need to incorporate XHTML, JS or CSS in to my work, there will be Dreamweaver in use.

Internet, Email and IM

The Internet won’t be the same without Google; the web won’t be the same without Firefox.

There is no better productivity tool out there better than Thunderbird.

Why install Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, and ICQ when you can install this one great instant messenger that can connect to all the aforementioned systems. Use this and you will never go back installing propriety messengers again.

Productivity and Enhancement

The greatest key stroke launcher for the command-line hungry soul. Just type in the first few letter of the program you want to launch and that’s it! However, launching programs is not the only thing it can do. Use it as your mini-calculator; initiate Google searches; open directories; etc. You’d never want to use your mouse to launch a program again.

Tired of waiting for the browser to complete a file download? With this tool you can download multiple files and multiple parts of the same simultaneously. Greatest companion for the file junkie.

Ever wanted to resize a window to a specific size? Have you been trying hard to test your website on different window sizes, resolutions, etc? Then this is the tool for you. Recommended for designers and developers.

This is the Interface Designer’s and Technical Writer’s life saver. Allows you to take screenshots in various forms and context and modify them as you please. Applying borders, drop-shadows, and callouts are a few notable features mostly used by the people I know. Highly recommended for Technical Writers.

CD/DVD Tools

The best software virtual CD/DVD emulator out there. If you are a user of the Virtual CD software, now is the time to switch. Daemon tools are free, easy to use and less CPU cycle consuming. Recommended for the tech savvy.

The single most important tool to copy a DVD (encrypted or otherwise) to your hard disk. The developer has discontinued development of this great tool. However a Google search reveals many mirrors if you still want to download this goodie.

Media Players

Want to find out what’s filling up your hard disk space? Use this tool to visualize hard disk usage in the simplest form; it’s Windows Explorer with progress bars indicating capacity.

Misc

This is a great tool to keep your machine safe and clean. Use it on a regular basis for a cleaner registry and temporary file cache. Recommended for all users.

Want to find out what’s filling up your hard disk space? Use this tool to visualize hard disk usage in the simplest form; it’s Windows Explorer with progress bars indicating capacity.