Tag Archives: timesavers

Tiny Tools

Posted on by Judy Unrein
2

I’m getting a new computer soon, and as I look through my existing software, I’m wondering if anyone has any alternatives to the following:

Sizer – This tiny, free utility makes windows exactly the size I want them. It’s very useful for software simulations, especially when I’m taking screen shots individually rather than using Captivate or Camtasia.

Screen Calipers – This tool measure distances on the screen. For example, if I have to make an animation of a certain size in Captivate but it has a toolbar at the bottom, I can measure the toolbar to figure out how much it will add to the overall dimensions.

These are great utilities and they’ve saved me a lot of guesswork, but I’ve had them forever and change is good… Does anyone have alternatives to recommend? Or other timesaving utilities?

Drop.io

Posted on by Judy Unrein
4

I decided to recommend Drop.io to help you get files from here/you to there/them, but waited to try Dropbox first and compare for you.

The quick and dirty*: Dropbox has a larger free storage capacity (though Drop.io welcomes multiple accounts) and all around, Dropbox works extremely well; it’s iDisk-like but better. After testing though, I’ve decided to stick with Drop.io.

Drop.io works better for me at work than Dropbox (something to do with the firewall or proxy) and Drop.io doesn’t require any installs. (Neither does Dropbox technically, but Dropbox’s web interface is nowhere near as slick as Drop.io’s… see video.) So for those in a heavily regulated IT environment, Drop.io rocks. And bonus points for the name.

Drop.io also has approximately one bajillion ways to get files to your “drop”. My two favorites (neither of which Dropbox offers), in real time:

* 140 words is way too few for a thorough review, so I’m just explaining my own reasoning. Both sites have excellent overview/tutorial screencasts if you would like to learn more.

GenerateData.com

Posted on by Judy Unrein
2

For me, one of the most time-consuming parts of creating training courses — especially those involving screencasts and screenshots — is staging.

For example, if I’m creating a course on Filemaker or Access, it’s obviously better if I have lots of data to use in demonstrations and practice files. If I try to make it up myself, the names end up being either John Smith or Tahloolah Firecracker. And it takes all day to come up with those gems.

Thankfully, I found generatedata.com recently. It generates names, dates, all sorts of data… and it’s all instant, online, and free. (There’s also a paid version if you need additional functionality.)

data type options on generatedata.com

Data type options on generatedata.com

Enjoy!