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Top 10 Tools I Can’t Live Without
cogniview.com — We all have our own unique ways of working. A large part of any persons individual productivity is the tools they use. Here is my top 10 Must Have Tools (and why), please add yours in the comments!
houstong74- 828 diggs
- digg it
- SilentJay74, on 10/10/2007, -6/+14I use alot of the products mentioned but was sad to see that Irfanview was not listed. I have been using that for years.
- sacherjj, on 10/10/2007, -1/+44Actually when I read the headline, I was thinking:
1 - Hammer
2 - Table Saw
3 - Metal Lathe
4 - Milling Machine
5 - Router
6 - Jointer
7 - Planner
8 - Cordless Impact Driver
9 - 5-1/4" Circular Saw
10 - Cordless Drill- theblooms, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10First thing I thought of was my DeWALT 18V cordless drill and Sawzall!
- d3dm, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5No shiz - Sawzall FTW. It's one of the best tools invented in the last century.
- bradleyland, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3One can build anything with a Sawzall, a Rotozip, some Liquid Nails, and duct tape.
- zdiggler, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Especially the cordless ones.
I also love the cordless impact drivers.
- d3dm, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5No shiz - Sawzall FTW. It's one of the best tools invented in the last century.
- quomen, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6So what firmware do you have on that router?>
- sacherjj, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I guess a Carbide one? DD-WRT on my other router, though.
- theblooms, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10First thing I thought of was my DeWALT 18V cordless drill and Sawzall!
- ChronicColonic, on 10/10/2007, -2/+15It looks like this list is missing something...me. Everyone says I'm a complete tool.
- Tanath, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Yeah, but we can live without you. :P
- vypergts, on 10/10/2007, -0/+18Inaccurate title. Should be "I'm a Web 2.0 whore."
- Syntaxis, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Wordpress? Photoshop? Skype? SSH? You do know there's an entire article behind this Digg topic, right? I mean, it's not just the two lines below the title. Click the title, it'll open your eyes to a whole new world!
- TweekyD, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Yep .. when I use WIndose I think Irfanview is the slickest little pic viewer going ... v.good.
- OBKenobi, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1ACDSee pwns Irfanview. If you're going to say Irfanview is faster, then you obviously haven't tried ACDSee's Quick View mode, which starts up instantaneously when you click on an image. The only reason to use Irfanview is because it's free, other than that it has no advantages over ACDSee.
- sacherjj, on 10/10/2007, -1/+44Actually when I read the headline, I was thinking:
- tastypickles, on 10/10/2007, -0/+20Top tool: 2 little brothers. How else would I keep getting all these refreshing drinks?
- houstong74, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5lol, I wish I had those. What version of little brothers are you running?
- ChaosProfessor, on 10/10/2007, -0/+14mine hit version 18.6 and now he just punches me and tells me to get him a soda
- quomen, on 10/10/2007, -4/+2Don't upgrade it to the new firmware though. All hacks have been disabled and they'll only do their homework.
Basically, this comment is trying to take a jab at Apple. - objectcode, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0should pay attention to the amount of time it takes them to get back with your drink. who knows what goes in it. they may be peeing in it for all you know.
- jasonalba, on 10/10/2007, -14/+3I added this in the comments of the post, but here again, I recommend TechSmith's Snagit as well as JibberJobber.com (I'm the owner/founder, and use it all day long :)) for network relationship management.
- quomen, on 10/10/2007, -1/+10That's some shameless advertising you got there.
- picsectionpleez, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Now hundreds of people will never try it.
- ryansmith18, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1You see, you just ruined it. By putting a shameless plug right here where it isn't needed, I'm making a point to NOT visit the sites you mentioned.
- houstong74, on 10/10/2007, -2/+4I am a snag addict! I am not even sure why I snag so much!
- OBKenobi, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Is that anything like Imagefap?
- Widbee, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1These are great tools. I use some of them, but it's always nice to hear about a few more.
- gadgetguild, on 10/10/2007, -3/+3yes definately these are good tools...
- snurfle, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3"yes definately these are good tools..."
Just checking...
The most underrated and unused tool on the 'net is the "Check Spelling" button on Digg.
- snurfle, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3"yes definately these are good tools..."
- watsoninc, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3this was useful... I use a few of these but several were new to me. Thanks for sharing.
- jcarrion1976, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4I'd have to go with Flickr, Picasa and Gimp. Not perfect but real good considering all are free.
- MassMopar, on 10/10/2007, -2/+36Extremely disappointed to find out the author was referring to applications vs. real tools
- MrSketch, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11Exactly, I was expecting a list along the lines of Table Saw, Drill, Level, Square, etc. You know, _real_ tools, not just software applications.
- quomen, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Or just electronic hardware for that matter.
- haxrox, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1http://xbydx.net/node/6 has some interesting, real tools. Scroll down to the second image
- dark2025, on 10/10/2007, -0/+12 words: Duct tape.
- jay12645, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Sawzaw, Duct Tape, and WD-40.
- GoingPostal, on 10/10/2007, -2/+18I only have 1 tool I can't live without.
- heliox, on 10/10/2007, -0/+13Too bad women can...
- ChronicColonic, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Now if you only had someone to use it on...
- IntensePuppy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1You?
- sabach, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5I use ssh every day, it's indispensable to me.
- sexybobo, on 10/10/2007, -2/+4I use ssh every day. with out it i would have to stand up and walk to our server. it is handy to have but i could live with out it.
- sabach, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I use it to remote into servers in other buildings, without it I'd have to drive all over the city to manage my network. However I think my request for fiber is going to go through, that'll change everything.
- sexybobo, on 10/10/2007, -2/+4I use ssh every day. with out it i would have to stand up and walk to our server. it is handy to have but i could live with out it.
- redxninja, on 10/10/2007, -3/+4If i take away one of the tool, then you will die?
- daonlyfreez, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7The absolute Swiss Army knife for Windows computing is missing: AutoHotkey
http://www.autohotkey.com (Open Source) - zachshmack, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8Incoming Wordpress hate in 3...2...1...
- crazed792, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7Lol... "WordPress can be so much more than a blog! Use it for publishing your corporate website..." But your blog can't even stay up. What a great tool. ;) Couldn't resist.
- frazw, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I was all set to bash wordpress until you said that. Now I'll accept it as inferred.
- Matthew720, on 10/10/2007, -4/+5If those are the tools you can't live without, then you're really a TOOL.
- EserVerx, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1mirror please!
- zachninme, on 10/10/2007, -3/+5I know I can't live without http://www.duggmirror.com !
- LocDawg, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Pocket knife...
Zippo... - kweee, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Vibrator
- wired4u, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10I hate top ten lists, they always include such common things that everyone uses. Other things that should of been on the list, a car my car is much more important to me the ssh. Ohh and fire for eating and cooking and don't forget food food is a very important tool for survival.
- adrenaline33, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1And commas and periods.
- picsectionpleez, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1There is a Top Tools list on the home page of Digg every 5 minutes.
- MtheoryX, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1If it really is a "Top" list, and it includes items that everyone uses...doesn't that mean it's an accurate list?
- bwiney, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2paper clip, rubber band, and drinking straw
- funktimus, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1dear macgyve, please save my dog
- pandemonium, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5Fire. The wheel. Electricity.
I was expecting some less-common tools. - nusuni, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Someone needs to install WP-Cache.
- hello2usir, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12This guy is a tool
- colonelpanic, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4webdav is a horrible and very unreliable tool. My college uses it, and if transfer speeds aren't comparable to dial up, you're lucky. I work for the schools ITS dept, so I am quite sure it is not a network or hardware issue.
- rthall, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0I saw the title and my mind went in a completely different direction. I thought along the lines of a dremmel tool, the Stanley fatmax Fubar, the leatherman wave...
- AMCer, on 10/10/2007, -0/+11That's list didn't have one tool on it, just programs...
MY LIST:
1) Claw hammer
2) Channel lock pliers
3) Chisel
4) Flat blade screwdriver
5) Phillips head screwdriver
6) Crescent wrench
7) Open/box wrench set
8) Hack saw
9) Drill (w/ bits)
10) Needle nose pliers- dark2025, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Duct tape?
- TweekyD, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Errr ... most people here will say 'tch ... this guy cant even spell duck!' lol
- one111one1one11, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Gaffer, thankyouverymuch.
- mrurc, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Duck tape is not a tool.
- mrurc, on 10/10/2007, -0/+21) jeweler's screwdriver set
2) Phillips head screwdriver
3) flathead screwdriver
4) needle nose pliers
5) hammer
6) drill
7) mallet
8) hand-held jigsaw
9) Letherman micra
10) level
Yes, I do own all of these despite being a girl. - TheCasablancan, on 10/10/2007, -0/+11. Flat Blade Screw Driver
2. Phillips Screw Driver
3. Side Cutters
4. Channel Locks
5. Crescent wrench
6. Tape Measure
7. Wire strippers
8. Level
9. Flashlight
10. Pencil
I love being an electrician.
- dark2025, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Duct tape?
- dw2005, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7Great! I can add this to my Top Ten Blogs I can Live without list.
- ZenMasterJG, on 10/11/2007, -2/+6Emacs.
That and a kitchen sink, and you've got it all.- javaroast, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I'm pretty sure Emacs has a built-in kitchen sink
- jizzypop, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6who gives a ***** about what this guy's top #10 tools are? how the hell did this get popular? buried as laaaaaame.
- synstate, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Precisely.
- SomeoneGNU, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Forks? Nope. Chopsticks? Nope. Knives? Nope.
Maybe I'm a more of a realist but those seem like tools I can't live without. Wordpress and Flickr don't help me eat. - nkocic, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Spellify
http://www.spellify.com - Mortikhi, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1I can't live without the tool I was born with...and neither can the ladies.
- pfunked, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1SciTE for text editing. It buys me significant efficiency with RegEx find/replace and column mode select.
- nartvq, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2Some essentials I would recommend in an urban environment:
Smart Phone (unlocked with gps, camera, 8GB storage, HSDPA, WiFi and 3rd party apps)
Pocket Knife (CPM S30V)
Credit Card (with enough funds to buy plane tickets anywhere)
Clue Stick (to beat people with until they "get" it)
Chain of Command (to also beat people with until they know who's in charge)- klineda, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Bag of Douche (to remind yourself of what you are)
- nartvq, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Ad hominem attacks are irrelevant.
- frazw, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Judging by your list you are missing sedatives, to "even you out."
Oh and bluetooth headset, glued in your ear because you seem like the kind of guy who thinks he's that important.- nartvq, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Maybe you should take some time to think before you judge and talk smack about what people write. But I guess I can dumb it down for you and add a little explanation.
These days, a smart phone is the most important things you can have. It links you to the rest of the world, not just to talk, but to get help if you need it, find the location of things around you etc. The more functions it has the better equipped you are to handle all the surprises the world has in store for you. I only listed what extra features are important to me. It's OK if you only have a cell phone, but its riding a bicycle when you could drive instead.
A good pocket knife serves a wide variety of purposes if you do any sort of housework, outdoor activities etc. S30V is one of best grades of steel for a knife.
A credit card or debit card is just about the ultimate in utility. With it, you have the means to get whatever you need. The more funds you have, the better you can plan and act. The plane ticket comment was simply a case in point.
The last two comments were an attempt at humor, but obviously some people need harsher beatings with a Clue Stick.- frazw, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Maybe you should think about how you write your comments so you don't come off as a showoff smart ass.
None of the things you mention are necessary in an urban environment anyway, rural yes.
Oh and if you need to tell people you were making an attempt at humour, you failed.
- frazw, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Maybe you should think about how you write your comments so you don't come off as a showoff smart ass.
- nartvq, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Maybe you should take some time to think before you judge and talk smack about what people write. But I guess I can dumb it down for you and add a little explanation.
- 3Den, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Actually you get my dig. Good on you.
Especially the last 3.
- klineda, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Bag of Douche (to remind yourself of what you are)
- dwright99, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Some of you got it close but I don't see a cordless drill on the list.
- heliox, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3The proper title would be.."10 tools I can't live with being a blog whore"
- randomjoe1, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0good shoes
laptop
tera term
a rollover cable
let the good times roll - mikal, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Windows: Slysoft AnyDVD+Arc DVD Copy (DVDShrink-ish), Avast! Antivirus, CCCodec Pack, VLC, Qucktime Alternative and Realtime Alternative (so you don't have to install Quicktime and Realplayer), cDisplayEx (Comic book reader), Dizzy NFO Viewer (Damn! NFO viewer is also ok), Ext2IFS (Mount by ext2 drives in Windows, works great for both r/w), Putty (SSH client), FlashFXP (Great FTP client, Filezilla is also ok), Foxit Reader (Because Adobe Reader is a hog), Nero (See CDBurnerXP for free alternative, but not same league), Daemon Tools (Mount your ISO files), Total Commander (Because I miss Directory Opus from Amiga and Explorer sucks), TrueCrypt (Encrypt disks, make mountable container files), UltraEdit (Textpad might also be ok), uTorrent and... WinUAE. Oh, and ScummVM!
Linux: mplayer, DeVeDe (Convert any video to dvd/svcd/etc), AcetoneISO (Mount ISO files, etc), VMWare Server (Free! And has most of the features I use in Workstation), Amarok (The only music player), k3b (Best burning software available, but still not great), hellanzb (For my Usenet binary leeching sessions), ktorrent (Lightweight but good, never going back to Azureus), ScummVM (Again, for my LucasArts cravings), and, uhm, yeah, this could take all night.- TweekyD, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Absolutely!
especially the Quick and Real alternatives ....
mplayer ..life worth living along side VLC ... and must try to wean off Azureus
- TweekyD, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Absolutely!
- Jimgress, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3I know Wordpress must be really cool and have all these neat functions and other things that put it leagues ahead of the competition but what's the bloody use of all that innovation if I can't see ANYTHING but the error page.
- rubyeyes, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I feel like I've been sucker punched.
- Klink258, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0"Fastmail - While many people swear by the free Google GMail my web email service of choice is the paid service at Fastmail. The main advantage is as well as having a web client you can also access your email using imap, allowing me to sync my desktop client and see in a web browser exactly the same email store."
Is it so hard to use a web browser? Namely, his free one?- mrurc, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Or to use gmail's pop server?
- Klink258, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1But webmail is one of Gmail's main appeals. Also, that won't let you use labels, and other stuff.
Also, he could just use webrunner- it's still being worked on, but it's coming along. http://wiki.mozilla.org/WebRunner
- Klink258, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1But webmail is one of Gmail's main appeals. Also, that won't let you use labels, and other stuff.
- mrurc, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Or to use gmail's pop server?
- OBKenobi, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Joomla 1.5 > Wordpress.
Meanwhile, if you use Windows, you should be using Total Commander. - sporg, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4My Top ten Tools
1 Ratchet
2 spanner
3 screwdriver
4 soldering iron
5 wire crimps
6 vise grips
7 pliers
8 prybar
9 drill
10 propane torch
Oh wait you meant silly internet gimmmicks for pale office dwellers. - RobbieF, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Some additions, for the audio type people:
CoolEdit (Audition, now)
Audacity
Winamp
Renoise
GearBox (Guitarport software)
oh and MS Clippy. - testbenchdude, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Hmm... This is the first thing that came to mind as well. Good to know it wasn't just me.
10) Hammer
9) Flashlight
8) Adjustable wrench
7) Needle-nose pliers
6) Soldering iron
5) Multimeter
4) Security scredriver bits
3) Cordless circular saw
2) Cordless drill
1) Combination screwdriver
:) - EntropyGun, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2All I need is this ashtray, this lamp, my paddle game, my thermos, this chair, this magazine, my remote control, these matches, and I don't need one other thing, except my dog.
OK, I don't need my dog.- RobbieF, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I think the Steve Martain reference was missed by most diggers. I enjoyed it, though:)
- intense321, on 10/11/2007, -5/+2My top 10 tools:
10) Penis
9) Penis
8) Penis
7) Penis
6) Penis
5) *****
4) Penis
3) Penis
2) Penis
1) Penis - diggdowner, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3"Tool?"
Buried as inaccurate. - dupswapdrop, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Palm TX, Gerber Multi-Tool, Cell phone, Tekna dagger and S&W 59 9mm.
If I can't fix it with one of the above it's beyond fixing! -
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