Tools and Utilities

Tools and utilities-

Here is a list of tools and utilities that can be used to enhance productivity.

I have classified them into Developer Tools and Common Tools. And what’s more – They are free to use without any license tags attached.

Developer Tools –

1. SQLDBx – One of the most useful utilities from a database perspective. Can support both SQL 2000 and 2005 versions from Microsoft. Has an option to connect to Oracle and Sybase servers as well. Also, have options like intellisense and maintaining SQL History. Has various context menu options for exporting results to Excel, generating scripts for insert, update and delete for a particular row or set of rows affected. The free, personal edition can be downloaded form the below link:-

http://www.sqldbx.com/personal_edition.htm

2. FireBug – Nice add-on for Firefox which can be used for debugging, editing monitoring HTML rendering, JavaScript and CSS of any site. Also, has support for DOM as well. The alternative to this in IE is the Internet Developer tools (available with only IE 8). Can be downloaded from the following link.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1843/

3. XML Notepad 2007- A free utility to create XML files through easy user inputs. No need to manually create XML tags. Link : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=72D6AA49-787D-4118-BA5F-4F30FE913628&displaylang=en

4. Notepad++ - A free utility or editor which has support for multi languages in notepad version itself. Allows multiple tabs as well. Other alternative most popularly used is EditPlus.

http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/download.php

5. 7 -zip - A installable for all your zipping needs !
No need for Winzip, Winrar and compatibility issues.
http://www.7-zip.org/

Common Tools –

1. Free Commander – A tool which is useful for tabbed navigation in Windows Explorer. Can be downloaded from the below link. You could also navigate easily by clicking on the root link or on the address menu after customizing your settings.

2. Screen Toaster - Screen Toaster is a free web-based screen recorder designed to capture screen activity in real-time to rapidly create and share tutorials, demos, training, lectures and more.

1. To watch videos : Just click on a video to launch the player.
2. To record videos : Click on "Start recording" or "Record", start recording using the shortcuts or via the recorder.

You can add audio and an embed webcam while you are recording.
When finished, add subtitles, choose your thumbnail, describe and tag your video so other users can easily find your screencasts.

Microsoft VDM -- virtual desktop manger

Microsoft process explorer -- enhanced process explorer

widom-soft screen hunter -- screen grabber

stickies -- digital post-it

Microsoft time zone -- multiple timezone