Overview
Here is a short list of useful and free programs that may increase your productivity on your development computer on our meetings:
- a light-weight text editor like notepad++ (windows) or notepadqq (linux)
- a clipboard manager with multiple memory slots like copyq
- a script-able file manager like Total commander (windows), double commander (lightweight and portable) or Krusader (Linux) with easy memorable keyboard shortcuts
- a way to store your passwords securely like keepass
- remote access software like anydesk
- a light-weight image editor like pinta.
Anydesk and Skype are always useful applications to have installed.
Note that installation instructions have been removed from this article, since the installation for all of those applications is pretty straightforward but exact steps change frequently.
Software table
Here is a table with the MVPs:
| Tool | Windows | Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Text editor | Notepad++ | Notepadqq |
| Clipboard manager | CopyQ | CopyQ |
| File manager | Total commander | Double commander |
| Password manager | Keepass | Keepass |
| Remote access | Anydesk | Anydesk |
| Image editor (lightweight) | Paint.NET | Pinta |
Setup
Install a lightweight text editor
A lightweight text editor is handy when you want to simply preview files and make small changes outside your main IDE. You should choose a lightweight text editor that supports at least color coding and zoom. Code formatting is also very useful.
For Windows notepad++ and pspad are the best choices.
For Linux notepadqq and geany are good choices.
brackets, geany are all good platform independent choices.
Choose a text editor that is frequently updated and is portable. In that way, if you have to switch between operating systems frequently, you will still be able to use the same editor and keep working fast and smooth without having to get used to a new environment and shortcuts.
Install a clipboard manager
By far, usage of a advanced clipboard manager will increase your productivity.
The recommended clipboard manager is copyq
Install an advanced file manager
A file manager can be used to perform almost any file operation you want. Additionally, you can organize tabs according to your workflow and navigate the file system instantly via keyboard shortcuts. Most file managers can be controlled completely without using the mouse. Learn to use a file manager and you will not regret it.
Double Commander is a good, free and lightweight file manager available both for Linux and Windows. So it is a good choice.
For Windows specifically, the king is, without question, Total Commander, a file manager that has been formed through many years of experience by Christian Ghistler, an excellent professional.
For Linux, Krusader is a powerful file manager but it installs quite a few libraries since it is based on KDE. So if you don’t want to install KDE dependencies you can just use Double Commander.
Install a password manager
Install a password manager to store your passwords securely.
The recommended one is Keepass.
Install a remote access software
If you have Windows you don’t have to install one. The default works pretty well.
If you have a Linux based distribution then Remmina is a remote desktop tool that you can use.
You can also use anydesk.
Install a simple drawing tool
It is handy if we can draw diagrams easily. We could use online tools but you can also install some apps locally:
For Windows the recommended is Paint.NET
For Linux the recommended is Pinta.
Next step?
Once you have installed the software and your computer is ready, you could read the following article about what to have with you