As a software company, we use a whole suite of software and Web-based tools to get our work done. Join us as we showcase some of our favorites – including Chrome plugins, websites, Mac- and PC-based software, and even some phone apps. We hope you'll get so excited about some of these tools that you’ll integrate them into your daily workflow.
Webinar Contents:
Note: The following catalog of content covered in this webinar is time stamped to allow you to follow along or skip to sections of the video that are relevant to your questions. You can also search for content on this page using the FIND command in your browser (CTRL + F in Windows, Command + F in Mac OS.)
- Intro/TOC
- PDF Tools
- Productivity
- Graphics and Design
- Video
- Travel
- Miscellaneous
0:00 – 4:25: Intro/TOC
When we say “software,” we’re talking about:
- PC software
- Mac software
- Web-based software (runs in a browser)
- Chrome plugins
- Phone apps
4:26 – 9:44: PDF tools
- Adobe Acrobat (great program but slightly bloated and subscription based)
- PDFelement
- Foxit
Adding a signature:
- Mac: Use Mac Preview to add a signature and fill out forms.
- Windows:
Printing Web pages:
We recommend using a Chrome plugin to make a PDF of the page. Examples include:
9:45 – 25:14: Productivity
Project management:
We’ve tried Asana and Wrike, but we’ve settled on Freedcamp.
- Easy to use
- Simple interface, not too cluttered or confusing
- Runs in browser
- Email notifications
- Multiple views
Password manager
We’ve tried 1Password and Keepass, and we settled on LastPass.
- Available for Mac, PC, iOS, and Android
- Easy to use
- Cloud sync
- Autofill
- Multiple folders and access levels
Writing assistance: Grammarly
- Available for Mac, PC, iOS, and Android
Communications and IM: Slack
- PC/Mac/Phone/Web
- Built-in VoIP calls
- Quick screen-sharing options
- Multiple channels
- Programmable “Slackbot”
Slack plugins: Google Docs, Giphy
Workflow chart generator: LucidChart.com (Web tool)
- Simple to use
- Intuitive interface
- Editing and moving arrows and boxes around is really easy
Scanner apps:
- CamScanner (iOS/Android)
- Genius Scan
Moving windows around automatically on your monitor:
- Windows:
- Mac:
- Shiftit
- Divvy
- Moom
- File.pizza – large file sharing
- whatfontis.com – figures out font based on image
- fast.com – quick Internet speed check
- bugmenot.com – use disposable emails for those pesky trial forms
- deadsimplescreensharing.com – free and quick screen sharing through a Chrome plugin
- Aspect Ration Calculator – figuring out image or video sizes
- Google Arts and Culture – Chrome plugin that displays a piece of art in new tabs, and changes daily
- Easy
- Free
- Simple
- Web tools:
- Mac:
- paint.net (Note: Download this tool from the Windows App Store only.)
- Gimp (PC/Mac)
- Pixlr (Web)
- Easy to use
- Simple interface
- Flexible enough for our needs
- Mac/PC: Camtasia
- Easier to use than professional video editors
- Built-in tools for annotations
- Mac/PC: HandBrake
- Excellent presets
- Standard video formats (mp4, etc.)
- Game Bar (built in)
- Snagit
- QuickTime: Built in
- Enter flight numbers for automatically generated schedules, arrival times, terminal numbers, and more flight info.
- Hotel info and transportation easily accessible.
- Excels at multi-leg trip itineraries
- Polytopia: Great strategy game
- Chips of Fury: Virtual poker chips for live poker
- Mario Kart: This classic has been updated for phones.
- Covet: Fashion game
More extremely helpful tools:
25:15 – 34:44: Graphics and Design
Graphics (25:30)
Skitch (Mac) is used heavily in our office for quick screenshots and markup.
Best alternative for Windows: Snagit
We encourage you to use Skitch or Snagit to mark up screenshots when submitting a support ticket.
Decreasing image size for email attachments:
Free stock images:
Free fonts:
Free icons and graphics:
Free templates:
Promotional graphics tool:
Simple graphics program for easy and quick image editing on Windows:
Honorable mentions:
Robust, professional-grade Photoshop alternative:
34:45 –39:47: Video
Webinar video:
We’ve used everything from Adobe Connect to Citrix, GoToWebinar/GoToMeeting, Teamviewer, and more. We’ve settled on Zoom – far superior to the alternatives.
Video tools:
Simple and professional video editing:
Decrease video size or convert format:
Record a video of your screen (really convenient for showing an issue to tech support):
Don’t forget to make your video smaller using HandBrake before sending it with a ticket.
Windows:
Mac:
39:48 – 43:03: Travel
Travefy: A fantastic Web tool for planning your business trips:
Avenza Maps: Download maps for offline use when traveling.
FlightStats: Check your flight status on the fly.
43:04 – end: Miscellaneous
Phone games:
Saving money:
These tools search the Web for automatic coupons, allowing you to save money when shopping online:
Links referenced in Webinar:
- PDF tools
- Productivity
- Graphics & Design
- Travel
