Fred Trotter

At work, I often have to use a Windows machine. Despite my opinions regarding FOSS software, Windows is a fact of corporate life. Often, I cannot even dual boot. *sigh*

However, when I do have to use Windows, I do not like to go far without my *nix power tools. Here is a list of tools and tweaks that I use to make my Windows experience tolerable.

FOSS tools

gvim - the windows install lets you “edit with vim” from the right click, perfection.

winscp - because ftp uses plaintext

putty - does everything with terminals, telnet, ssh, everything…

emacs - is a little harder to install than vim, but if you use it, you use it.

wireshark - why even bother debugging a network without it?

proprietary tools

Google Toolbar - indispensable if you use gmail

Google Desktop - save time searching your own computer

Adobe Flash Player - because Youtube is just not the same without it

Adobe Reader - because you need to use pdf’s

lifehacker apps

I will update this post as I find things that are totally irreplaceable. However, there alot of ways to improve the Windows user experience, besides making it more like *nix. The best place that I have found for new and different ideas for Windows productivity tools is the LifeHacker: Featured Windows Download category.

Enjoy,

-FT