Cool Tools: Launchy and ZapGrab

Get Launchy here



With a shortcut like Alt+F2, users can launch applications, open files, open websites, google for things and even do math. I love doing the simple math using the Launchy.

Thanks to Srushti aka superman for forcing me to use this tool. He is one of the firefox enforcers, these thoughtworkers go around our bangalore office, spying for anyone using Internet Explorer and then convince(read:threaten) people to convert to firefox! After joining ThoughtWorks, I've used IE only if an app does not support firefox and thats very rare.

For me it's the best cool tool. In fact, I like it so much that for the first time ever, I'm making a donation to a free tool (It's just $5). This was done while creating this post. Thats cool!

Check out Josh's website for Tips to use the launchy.


Get zapgrab here

Grab this tool ASAP! It's very handy and easy to use. A perfect tool for a tester to take screenshots of bugs. Especially if a part of the screen has to be captured.

From their ReadMe

How to capture the screen with ZapGrab

1- Press the button "Grab" (to capture)
2- Select the part of the screen you want to capture
3- Paste (ctrl+V) the screen captured in a presentation Powerpoint, a Word file,
or whatever document.

Some of the screens on this blog were captured with this.

Screensaver as a Reminder: Brilliant

My colleague Clair came up with this idea. Basically you setup your own reminder on the 3D screensaver of Windows XP and your screensaver is visible many times in a work day. This is even more useful if it's a laptop.

I think this is a great Idea, pity we can't enter more than 3-4 words as text.

Just edited screensaver note as " Leave Early TODAY!!" (Its 12 Midnight)

I've also just installed POstIt from 3M. It is supposed to be cool with even an option to setup an alarm for your notes on the desktop.

Problem> I keep getting ideas or TODOs while driving or in the shower and by the time I reach office, I forget!

Sol1> Hi Tech and very reliable solution. Using my Nokia 6233's Calendar feature

This takes all of 15-20 seconds to create a reminder with t9 dictionary enabled. Perfect thing to do at a red light or when the traffic halts.

Sol2> Rustic and simple. Using a card/paper and a pen to write the TODO, have these things around your seat when you are driving.

Spam on my Blog!

Looks like I'm becoming famous. I finally have my own spammers posting "useless" comment ads. Ah its nice to be viewed even if it's a program.

I need to figure how to stop these guys.

This is the one . Don't click it though ;-)