Ethercodes is a real time, collaborative programming tool. Think of it like a community notepad that compiles. SWEET!.
Tools
Programs I Typically Run While Working
Throughout a normal workday, I have tons of different programs running at any given time. Here is a snapshot of the programs I typically run, and why:
- Dev
- Visual Studio 2005/2008
My primary development environment. I’m normally working in Asp.net 2.0+ w/C#. Of all the different development platforms I have worked in, this is by far my favorite.
- SQL Server Management Studio 2005/2008
C# wouldn’t be much fun without a back-end, now would it?
- Notepad++
Windows Notepad is great. Notepad++ is greater. There are several other Notepad replacements developers use, but I find this one does everything I need. It comes with tons of preinstalled macros that allow you to check differences between two files, insert rulers, auto-format html, highlight syntax, convert between character formats, and on and on. You can even quickly and easily record a macro of your own. Macros in Notepad++ are crazy easy….new post?
- Excel
When I have a ton of SQL queries to write that require some sort of auto-numbering, I find it can be easiest to use a spreadsheet to generate the scripts.
- TortoiseSVN and AnkSVN
If you aren’t using version control, you’re doing it wrong. If you’re using Visual Source Safe, you’re better off than using nothing. I have been using Subversion for a bit now, and it has proven to be exactly what I need. Throw in the fact that Dreamhost offers Subversion hosting, and I’m SOLD!
- Visual Studio 2005/2008
Testing Windows Live Writer
I just watched a great talk by Scott Hanselman about Social Media for Developers. Among other things, he recommended using Windows Live Writer as a notebook to gather your thoughts throughout the day.
So far, I like it. This is much easier than managing drafts with WordPress. WordPress does have a great admin system, but you just can’t beat a desktop client.
Remove Follower Count?
Should Twitter remove it’s follower counts?
Clearly, this is a game — and really, gaining followers on Twitter, for most people, is a game. Which raises the question: Should Twitter just remove the follower counts?
I think the question is a bit silly. Some people think that is important. Should you hide that information from anyone that wants to see it?
Couldn’t you just decide to not view it? If it concerns you that much, you could just use a single line of JS via Greasemonkey to remove it from Twitter pages entirely. If you already have Greasemonkey installed, I have already written the script for you.
Facebook Connect
I am testing out a plugin to allow commenting using your Facebook sign in.
UPDATE: It works. You may now comment on posts using your Facebook Login. No need to create an account here any more!
UPDATE II: Some tweaking will be necessary. Working on it…
UPDATE III: Something is definitely wrong. I’ve disabled the plugin for now.
Launchy
Launchy : The Open Source keystroke Launcher
I have found Launchy to be rather useful. You tap alt+space, type in what you are looking for (“youtube SomeStupidCatVideo”, “google Douglas Bubbletrousers”, “vlc /home/me/videos/AnotherStupidCatVideo.avi”, etc) and hit enter. Boom. No clicking, no looking for crap in menus. It is as simple as:
1. alt + space
2. “action” + space + “parameter”
3. enter
They explain it a lot better than I do, but I definitely have launchy on my “must install” list.
sharptube
For the past week, I have been working on creating a content management system, using a template I found on oswd.org. As I was writing the boring stuff, I thought about several more interesting components I could create. The first thing that came to mind was an easy way to display a video from any of the more popular video sharing sites.
So I started this.. a YouTube player wrapper written in ASP.Net (C#). Yeah, I know… there is nothing earth-shattering about sticking some javascript in a usercontrol, but there is a lot more to come. I plan to add support for other popular video sites (hulu, vimeo, etc), as well as rendering options.
All currently available Youtube video parameters have been exposed as properties of the usercontrol. Once properties have been set, call initializeEmbeddedYoutubePlayer(). Grab the code folder for an example.
Whenever I get Amazon’s EC2 figured out, I’ll have it up for demo. Until then, I promise it works! You can download it and run the code yourself.
UPDATE: Link to Sharptube Example