Category Archives: Reviews/Recommendations
SSMS Tools Pack – Review
I downloaded the SSMS Tools Pack about 3 weeks ago at the urging of a co-worker. Boy I am glad I did. There are many useful tools in this collection from Mladen Prajdic.
Below are the tools that I have used the most (and LOVE)
- Text document Regions and Debug sections – This helps with very large Stored Procedures. I know this because for the passed month, I have had to wade through very large ones.
- Window Connection Coloring – This tool is awesome if you are having to constantly switch between Development, Staging and Production servers. It has already saved me several times.
- New Query Template – Nice tool to help speed up creating a new query by defaulting in items from a template.
Other useful tools included in the pack
- Query Execution History (Soft Source Control) and Current Window History.
- Search Table or Database Data.
- Uppercase/Lowercase keywords and proper case Database Object Names.
- Run one script on multiple databases.
- Copy execution plan bitmaps to clipboard.
- Search Results in Grid Mode and Execution Plans.
- Generate Insert statements for a single table, the whole database or current result sets in grids.
- Running custom scripts from Object explorer’s Context menu.
- CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) stored procedure generation.
So far, I find the SSMS Tools Pack extremely useful and am happy my co-worker recommended it.
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Until next time…
Review: GFI Backup Home Edition
I have recently come across a great and free backup solution. GFI Backup Home Edition is a full-featured backup application that is very intuitive and easy to use.
Some of the features include:
- Numerous backup storage options
- File/Folder synchronization
- Standard ZIP archives for backups
- Incremental and Differential backups
- Predefined searching filters
- Easy to use Task Scheduler
- Email Notifications
- Detailed backup logs
With all this at your fingertips what else is needed? The price is definitely right for these economic times.
Below, I will step through setting up a simple scheduled backup from one location to another on the same drive.
From the main menu, I select Backup.
Here is where you give the Backup Job a name, description, etc. You can also include your email address and GFI Backup will notify you upon the backup’s completion or if there are errors in the process.
Pick the files/folders you want to backup.
Pick the target location for the backed up files. Notice there are several options here. Very nice!
Here is where you decide if you want compression and/or encryption. Also, you can select whether you want Incremental or Differential backups.
This is where we set the schedule. Here I said Weekly on Sunday.
Set the username and password.
Several options are contained on this dialog…I just took the defaults.
At 9:45 AM, Sunday – the job runs and a Summary Notification dialog is displayed.
Below, you can see where my files were backed up.
- From –> C:\1Photowork\DisneyWorld
- To –> C:\Program Files\GFI\GFI Backup 2009 – Home Edition\Backup\Photo-Backup
In closing, GFI Backup Home Edition is a great alternative to the Windows Backup tool as well as some of the apps that you have to pay for. It is easy to install and easy to use. I suggest trying it out for yourself.
GFI Backup Home Edition – Download
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More Information
- GFI Backup is an Easy to Use, Free Backup Solution via Lifehacker
- GFI Backup Home Edition is a Free Data Backup Utility for Windows via The How-To Geek
- Back up conveniently with free GFI application via CNET News
- Free Backup Solution – Home use file backup alternative via SoftPedia
- GFI Backup 2009 Home Edition – a worthy alternative to the Backup and Restore Center via Vista4Beginners
Twitter Services That Are Useful To Me
Twitter is a social networking service that can be useful to just about anyone if it is used properly. Even if you don’t want to interact with anyone (which is a major aspect), you can utilize Twitter in other ways. There are several services or bots that you can follow that perform all kinds of functions. I have listed some of the services that I have used, currently use and would like to use.
News Services
BreakingNewsOn – Good breaking news service
breakingtweets – Good breaking news service
Twitter_Tips – Great tips and tricks for using Twitter
evernote – News, tips and tricks for my favorite note-taking software
googlemaps – News, tips and tricks for Google Maps
google – News, tips and tricks for Google
wordpressdotcom – News, tips and tricks for the WordPress blog platform
echoalert – News and podcast for fans of the series Dollhouse
heroespodcast – News and podcast for fans of the series Heroes
Bots and Tools
trackthis – Very cool service in which you can Direct Message a tracking number. It will DM you back each time the tracking timeline is updated. I tested this with a UPS package and it worked flawlessly
stackalert – Great service for developers. Interacts with Stackoverflow.com
myen – I like this service so much that I wrote a blog post on it recently. Interacts with Evernote.
timer – Reminder service. Direct message with “45 Call Bob” and in 45 min you will get a reminder to call Bob. (This service works ok, not quite as well as I had hoped)
Note: Have not tried the following as they have not followed me back, which is required to make the service work. They sound interesting.
gCal – Enables you to add events to your Google Calendar via Twitter
Tipr – Allows you to Direct Message an amount and the percentage you want to tip and it replies to you with the tip amount.
forecast – Allows you to Direct Message a zip code and it replies back with the forecast for that area.
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Related Posts
- 10 Most Useful Twitter Bots List
- Twitter Fan Wiki – Bots
- 10 Bots to Help You Get the Most From Twitter
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Until later….
Evernote’s New Twitter Functionality
Earlier this week Evernote announced new Twitter to Evernote functionality. The functionality allows you to direct a tweet straight into your Evernote account. I find this extremely useful since I use both Twitter and Evernote regularly. Below is an example of how this works.
The first thing that needs to be done is to follow @MyEN on Twitter and follow the directions on their Twitter page to link to your Evernote account. After that all you need to do is add @MyEN to any tweet and it will be directed to your Evernote account as well. You can also Direct Message MyEN (D MyEN).
A retweet that was routed to my Evernote account.
A direct message that was also routed to my Evernote account.
Here you can see where they show up in Evernote. Now I have access to the information just about anywhere I go. Very nice.
If you use both Evernote and Twitter, I recommend giving this functionality a try.
More Information
- Follow @Evernote on Twitter
- Tweet to self: Evernote gets Twitter integration – CNET News
- Archive Tweets or Pics with Evernote’s Twitter Integration – JKOnTheRun
- Send Evernote Memos from Twitter – Lifehacker
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Until later…
New ASP.NET Intro Videos Posted
The ASP.NET web site has added a new ASP.NET with Visual Web Developer video series to their video tutorials page. The presenter for each video is Joe Stagner. With the exception of the first one, the videos pretty much range from 8-23 minutes, which is great for a hurried schedule.
Building Web Applications with ASP.NET 3.5 and Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008
- Intro to Visual Web Developer
- Intellisense
- Intro to Web Forms
- Page Layout
- Page Lifecycle Events
- Intro to ASP.NET Controls
Looks like the start of a great series. I highly recommend checking it out.
Movies I’m Looking Forward To (March-May 2009)
I know this is a very non-technical post, but we gotta have fun sometime…right? There are several movies that I am looking forward to over the next 3 months.
Watchmen (3/6/09)
I have to say I never read the graphic novels for the Watchmen, but the awesome trailers and soundtrack have made this one really hard to pass up….I will definitely be sitting in an IMAX theater on opening weekend.
Race to Witch Mountain (3/13/09)
When I was a kid, there was nothing better in my book than Escape to Witch Mountain (and Return From WM was ok too). I’m not too sure how happy I am about this remake, but the trailers make me really want to see it.
Know1ng (3/20/09)
I’m not a huge Nicholas Cage fan, but the subject of this movie just fascinates me.
Fast and Furious (4/3/09)
I loved the first F & F, the rest of them…not so much. This one has the original cast members from the first movie, so I’m pretty psyched about it.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (5/1/09)
This movie looks action-packed and seeing as I like all the X-Men movies to date, can’t let this one get by.
StarTrek (5/8/09)
This is the one I am most looking forward to. StarTrek has been part of my life as long as I can remember.
Terminator Salvation (5/22/09)
Yes even with Christian Bale’s hissy fit….I still want to see Terminator. Being a fan of the previous movies and the series, I can’t pass it up.
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Happy movie-watching!!!
Using TripIt for Vacation Planning
About a month ago, a good friend of mine told me about a service named TripIt. This evening I was finally able to sit down and work with the service and I have to say I am quite impressed. I pretty much had all my flight, hotel and car rental information for my trip to Sedona populated in a matter of a few minutes.
I am planning two vacations this year which is a change for me as I usually only allow myself one big vacation and a couple of small “getaways” per year. This service has made it easier for an organization freak like me to keep my information together in one spot.
With TripIt, you have the ability to add several types of Plan Items and detailed information about them.
Now the part that I found most impressive. I went to start entering my flight information and noticed the below message.
I thought hmm, I might as well try it – at least I won’t have to enter as much as inputting everything by hand. The result was accurate to the point that I have found no discrepancies as of yet. This feature also worked for my hotel and car rental information as well. A very slick and time-saving feature indeed.
You can also share your vacation plans with other users of TripIt. This comes in handy if you have a friend who is planning a vacation at the same time and you want to share or compare information.
In closing, if you are doing any kind of vacation planning, I highly recommend giving TripIt a try.
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Happy & Safe Travels!!!
Tools That I Use Daily
There have been quite a few posts lately where people list the tools that make them productive throughout a given day, so I thought I would share some of the tools that I use on a daily basis.
Rockscroll – Extends the scrollbar in Visual Studio to show a syntax highlighted thumbnail view of your source.
Search .NET – Great .NET search engine
C# Search .NET – Great search engine for all things C#.
Console – A Windows console window enhancement. Features include: multiple tabs, text editor-like text selection, etc.
SlickRun – A free floating command line utility for Windows. Once you create your shortcuts, it is a big time saver.
SyncBack – Great automated backup application. Hear about this on the Mike Tech Show podcast.
UltraVNC – a powerful, easy to use and free software that allows you to remote control another system
LogMeIn – allows you to access your pc from anywhere (like GoToMyPC). They have pay versions as well as a free version. This is great for logging into the office from home. Saves gas 
.
FileZilla – Good FTP client from Mozilla. Works well for Secure FTP sites.
NotePad++ – A free source code editor (and Notepad replacement)
Foxit Reader 2.0 for Windows – Light-weight PDF viewer
TaskArrange – A simple utility that lets you rearrange the buttons of the Windows taskbar. This is helpful if you are like me and like to have certain applications show up first on your task bar. I like to have my email app and my work log app open first then everything else.
FastStone Capture – A powerful, flexible and intuitive screen-capture utility
UltraMon – Utility for dual monitors (30 day trial, then $39 – well worth it)
PingMe – A free, web-based reminder tool. It is easy to set up one time or recurring reminders to be sent to email or texted to your phone. I use this religiously.
Jott – A tool that allows you to capture thoughts, create to-dos and set reminders with a simple phone call. Since I drive 80 miles a day, this is very helpful. You’d be surprised at how many things come to mind while driving. There are pay versions, but I still use the free plan.
Evernote – Awesome note-taking software that allows you to sync notes from any pc/laptop/mobile device to the web. That way my notes are with me anywhere I go.
Windows Live Writer – Desktop application that makes it easier to compose compelling blog posts
Twhirl – A great desktop client for social networks such as Twitter, FriendFeed and Seesmic.
Texter – Text substitution application.
Stickies – Computerized version of post-it notes.
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The above are the tools that I use on a daily basis. See my Tool List for a full list of tools I like.
Review: Samsung Propel (A767)
I purchased the Samsung Propel (A767) this weekend and I have to say I am quite happy with it. I previously owned a regular flip-top phone with no web access and limited texting capabilities, so I guess you could say I am in heaven at the moment.
Once I learned my way around the menus, navigation is pretty easy. The querty keyboard works well for me; however, I believe someone with bigger finger tips may run into issues as the buttons are pretty flush with the surface and the top keys do come close to the edge. The battery life is great as long as you are not on the web too much. Seems to go down pretty quick when you are listening to music or watching video – which is logical to me.
Here are the best video reviews that I found for the Propel.
I have to say that Ozzy had nothing to do with my purchase . I just did not want to put out the bucks for an iPhone and could not jump the ATT ship to go to TMobile to get the G1. I am looking heavily at the G1 for the distant future.
Book Review: Microsoft Visual Studio Tips (Awesome Book)
Microsoft Visual Studio Tips: 251 Ways to Improve Your Productivity
Author: Sara Ford
Publisher: Microsoft Press
No. Pages: 229
I pre-ordered the this book back in August and I have to say this is the best book on the Visual Studio IDE that I have ever run across. It is a great collection of tips taken from Sara Ford’s ever-popular Visual Studio Tip of the Day. I really like the “Sara Aside” sections where extra insight is given about the tip.
There are tips for (but not limited to) the following -
- Dealing with the editor
- Searching files
- Development environment
- Debugging
- Design time tools
If you have to spend any amount of time in Visual Studio then this book is definitely worth the money as I will be referring back to it time and time again. I am also recommending it at my office. Especially for beginners to .NET.
Happy Reading.
