I’ve been in the business of developing Web sites for quite some time now and this usually allows me to regularly explore, on my own time, quite a few freely available software programs. Some of the software I test are used for Web programs and Web site design while others I test while the said program is in its Beta stage.
Sometimes, I test specific programs for specific purposes and I often end up using the said programs in my work. Among the programs that I currently use are Beyond Compare, eFax, no-IP DUC and Intelligent Shutdown. Let me elaborate a little on the uses of these programs.
Beyond Compare is a program that allows you to compare two files, or even a group of files, inside a folder string by string, line by line, and at the same time copy a high-lighted line or multiple lines to the other file. This software is useful if you are not developing an exclusive Web program and are not using a CVS. I am still waiting for Macromedia’s Dreamweaver to add a program similar to Beyond Compare so that I do not have to install separate software for doing specific tasks. Beyond Compare was developed by Scooter Software
(http://www.scootersoftware.com) and the current version is designated 2.3.1. The software is no longer free but the Scooter Software company allows you to use it without paying anything for thirty days. The days when you do not use the software are not counted or otherwise considered in computing the thirty day free use period.
Efax on the other hand gives you the ability to send and receive fax messages via your computer. I used this software when I developed a program that automatically sends a generated PDF file containing purchase orders to different distributors. In fact, my former client was the one that found this software so that I could test it for them. You can get the software at http://www.efax.com.
NO-IP DUC is not your typical development software but this software can be
useful for a privately-owned Web server. It can also be used if your client will give you access to a secure server but access is restricted to a specific, dynamic IP address which you use. The software can be easily set-up but it
requires you to register an account at NO-IP and at the same time register
your existing domain, or sign-up for a sub-domain.
Intelligent Shutdown lets you shutdown, hibernate, stand-by, or restart your PC in a hassle-free way. I initially downloaded and installed this software to
automatically shutdown my PC after a given time. I confess that I am a little frustrated that I cannot find a program that allows me to send e-mail before automatically shutting down my PC. You can get a copy of this software at
http://www.downloads.com
There is a ton of software that you can find on the World Wide Web but you
may not find a lot of them useful at all as they duplicate some features that are probably present in your other software. Packaged software is better than software that has the features you want on separate programs. Most software can be downloaded at http://www.downloads.com but if you can't find the software you are looking for then search for it via Google.
