Every now and then an opportunity comes along that you just have to take advantage of. A number of months ago I decided to upgrade my laptop to Windows 7, and I while I was making my lists in preparation of the upgrade, I realized that I have never shared a comprehensive list of all the applications I use on a regular basis.
As a developer, I’m constantly discovering and trying out new applications to help improve any aspect of the development process, and to not share the apps I use would be a complete disservice to you. Especially since the majority of readers here want to learn more about web development.
Software I use for development, life, and everything else
- Windows 7 Ultimate
- Symantec Anti-Virus
- Microsoft Office Ultimate
- Access
- Word
- Excel
- Powerpoint
- Publisher
- Outlook
- Project
- Visio
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
- Microsoft Sql Server 2005 and Managment Studio
- Microsoft Visual SourceSafe
- Microsoft Streets and Trips
- Quicken Home & Business
- Quickbooks
- Windows Live Writer
- Windows Movie Maker
- Coral Paint Shop Pro (recently installed CS4 Premiere)
- Firefox (w/extensions)
- Firebug
- LivePR
- Delicious
- Internet Explorer
- Tweetdeck
- Notepad++
- Filezilla
- ColorPic
- WAMP (Windows Apache MySql and PHP)
- Skype
- Windows Media Player
- Last.FM plugin for Windows Media Player
- Family Tree Maker
- Inspyder Sitemap Creator
- CamStudio
I’m able to live my developer life quite happy with the above tools. I’m perhaps the least graphically inclined person you’ll ever meet that deals with websites and such, but the CS4 Premiere package has been a long time coming and is the one application suite that will push my last nerves perhaps…but I feel I have to do it. I have to be able to manipulate graphics and such.
Even though I really don’t want to.
So how does this compare to what you run? If you have any questions about any of the applications listed above, please feel free to ask.
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says:
Its awesome that you have a WAMP installed. I still use a seperate server for my testing. I have thought about a virtual machine if my “scratch” server ever dies. One question: How does Family Tree Maker help with your development projects?

donnie@web design chattanooga´s last blog ..SEO TIP: Goodbye PageRank, Hello Trust and Authority
says:
Heh, funny you called that one out. I did the tree for my family, got my John line back to the civil war where I’m stuck. I found that particular app nicely built and stuck with it. So in a sense, you could call that development. Tree development? I’m reaching aren’t I…
says:
Really? That’s awesome. I should really do the same. I think it would be a cool journey…but I’m afraid I’ll have an axe murderer somewhere down the line… I like the fantasy that I’m from American “royalty”.

donnie@web design chattanooga´s last blog ..SEO TIP: Goodbye PageRank, Hello Trust and Authority