Technology Tuesday: My main web apps
Technology Tuesday returns! Recently I decided to make a switch from using a desktop mail client like Outlook to only using GMAIL. After having made this switch I realized that most of the apps I use all of the time are on the web. This is great because it doesn’t matter what computer I am using, I always use the same applications with the same settings, with the same data. Whether I’m at work, on my mac, on my pc, on my roommates laptop, on a public computer or 1000 miles away at home, I can always use the same working enviroment for my main applications and I don’t have to have a laptop. I’ve found that this is a really a great thing. There is now a separation between the applications that I use and the machine I use to access them. Here are some of the web applications that I use most often which I highly recommend:
GMail
Gmail is by far the best webmail client out there. I love all of the fancy interface features that they have; especially labels, shortcut keystrokes and limited page reloads. Recently I also came across some great Greasemonkey scripts at userscripts.com They add even more functionality to make gmail my only mail client.
LINK: gmail.com
Basecamp
Basecamp is a great project management tool. It lets you collaborate with a bunch of poeple around a certain project using messages, to do lists and milestones. Currently I use it to manage a website that I created for StudentBody and the sunday school class that I teach.
LINK: basecamphq.com
Backpack
Backpack is similar to Basecamp but on a smaller scale. It is designed for making simple one page webpages. The pages can have notes, lists, images, etc. You can also set up reminders that will send you an email and a text message on certain dates when you are supposed to do things (like pay the bills).
The other great thing about both backpack and basecamp is another app that they both have called Writeboards. Writeboards are basically just simple text editors on the web that you can use to write, store and share text. Now that I have writeboard I don’t even remember the last time I used MS Word.
LINK: backpackit.com
del.icio.us
del.icio.us is my online bookmark management tool. I have all 700+ of my bookmarks online and with me whereever I go.
LINK: del.icio.us
FeedLounge
FeedLounge is an online RSS feed reader. I love its user interface and it is just as fast as a desktop client. But the best part is that if I check a feed during lunch at work, it will be marked as read when I look at later at night at my apartment. Before when I used a desktop application for reading feeds I would have to mark something as read twice; once when I read it at work and then again when I read it at my apartment. Having a great online application is much better.
LINK: feedlounge.com
All in all, I really like having all of my main applications online. I feel much more portable now and best of all, I don’t have to carry a laptop around with me.
Which web applications do you find most helpful?