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Useful Shareware for Technical Communicators - STC New England Interchange conference presentation

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Ed Marshall
Ed Marshall

Ed Marshall presents useful shareware tools for technical communicators, including file comparison tools like Beyond Compare, search and replace tools like Funduc, advanced text editors like NoteTab Pro and EditPad Pro, and the file transfer program Filezilla. He also discusses tools for keeping computers safe from malware, such as Trend Micro Internet Security, Secunia Personal Security Inspector, and Copernic Desktop Search. Backup utilities like Acronis True Image and CD burning software like Nero 9 Ultra Edition round out the presentation.

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Useful Shareware for Technical Communicators 2015 STC New England Interchange Ed Marshall Copyright 2015 Marshall Documentation Consulting
Agenda ? Tools to ¡°Let the computer do the working¡± ? Advanced utilities ? Keeping your computer safe with shareware tools ? Other useful tools ? Sources of information about shareware ? Q & A 2
Tools to ¡°Let the Computer Do the Working¡± ? Comparing sets of files, versions of files to see what files changed and what the differences are ? Searching and replacing text ? Using advanced text editors to edit content outside of a mainstream authoring tool for a variety of reasons ? Copying large or many files from your location to another location 3
File / Folder Level Comparison (Differencing Tools) ? Beyond Compare¡ªDoes folder and file-level comparison for both ASCII and binary files. Can detect that ASCII or binary files are different but can only show the differences in ASCII files, not binary files. Highlights the specific characters different between two ASCII files. Has a 30-day free fully functional trial. Retail price = $30 www.scootersoftware.com/ ? Araxis Merge¡ªDoes folder and file level comparisons for both ASCII and binary files. Retail price = $129 www.araxis.com/merge/index.html 4
Search and Replace Tools ? Funduc¡ªSearches and replaces both folders and zip files. Will search and replace ASCII files. Will search binary files but cannot replace by itself. Has plug-ins for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. http://www.funduc.com Cost = $25 Many other tools here also. ? FAR (Find and Replace)¡ªProvides a search and replace tool and help decompiler/comparison tool. Has a two-month free trial. http://www.helpwaregroup.com/products/FAR Cost = buyer¡¯s choice 5
Advanced Text Editors NoteTab Pro and EditPad Pro: ? Both tools have spell checking. A big plus if you work in a mixed OS environment is that neither tool inserts Windows-style line feed characters in Unix files. They provide auto-save capabilities. You can use them to strip leading/trailing white space and search and replace for information such as pathnames for image files in HTML files. ? NoteTab Pro has a wizard for inserting html tags. $30, Light ($5) and Standard ($20) versions available. Many other tools here. www.notetab.com ? EditPad Pro has color-coding for custom html tags $50. 30-day free trial, free Lite version available. JG Soft has other tools such as a PowerGrep tool, Registry editor, and others. www.jgsoft.com 6
Uses for EditPad Pro ? Auto indent / tab ? Spell-checking ? Color-coding for custom html tags ? Auto-sorting¡ªAllows you to spot and remove duplicates ? Specifying line length per file type ? Statistics ? Very good for adding / revising text in source code files (C, Java, and C#) 7
Uses for NoteTab Pro ? Very good for adding HTML / XML tags to text copied to source code files from other file formats ? Powerful HTML wizard¡ªAuto-creates tags for you ? Apply HTML / XML coding to text using the built- in easy to use HTML wizard ? Spell-checking ? Statistics 8
Transferring Files Via ftp Filezilla¡ªOpen source software to transfer files from one computer to another ? Easy to use¡ªintuitive GUI ? Powerful Site Manager and transfer queue ? Cross-platform ? Available in many languages ? Can specify bookmarks ? Supports transfer of large files >4GB ? Supports drag and drop ? Supports FTP, FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS) and SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) Free from http://filezilla-project.org/ 9
Tools of the Evil-doers ? Spyware¡ªUses your computer for another¡¯s benefit. ? Spam¡ª¡°junk e-mail¡±, Bigger problem: Infecting your computer to use it as a proxy computer to send out spam messages. ? Key loggers¡ªCaptures your keystrokes (passwords or account numbers). ? Ad-ware¡ªDisplays advertisements, usually without your consent. ? Phishing¡ªAttempts to acquire your sensitive information. ? Extortionware¡ªRuns a free test to detect infections. Then, it either infects your computer or falsely reports problems and offers to remove them if you buy their product. But, they often only remove the ¡°false positives¡± after you ¡°pay the ransom¡±. ? Root kits¡ªControls the operating system at a low level. Can install key loggers and backdoor programs silently to allow spying on your computer activities and take remote control of your computer (also known as ¡°zombie computers¡±). 10
Best Practices for Keeping Your Computer Safe ? Firewalls: Use only one as they can clash. ? Anti-virus: Use only one as they can clash. Need to keep whatever anti-virus software you use updated. ? Spyware tools: Most experts running several tools as not all tools will catch everything. 11
Recommended Tool Suite ? Windows Update = $0 ? Trend Micro Internet Security (www.trendmicro.com) is an excellent set of tools that provides a firewall, anti- virus, and spyware protection. You can buy a single-user license for $29 or a 3-user license for $40. ? F-Secure Blacklight = $0 Combines thorough system scanning with the familiar interface reminiscent of a standard antivirus program. www.f-secure.com Total Cost = $29! 12
Keeping Your Software Updated Secunia Personal Security Inspector: ? Monitors the software installed on your computer and alerts you when patches/updates are available. Helps secure your computer from software vulnerabilities. Detects all programs on your system that are not updated / patched. ? Highly regarded by experts. ? Easy to use. Free from https://psi.secunia.com/ 13
Securing Wireless Networks 1. Log into your router. 2. Use encryption: WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is best. (Usually, seen as WPA- PSK (pre-shared key). 3. Change your computer¡¯s settings to use the encryption set in step 2. 14
Desktop Indexing / Search Utility Copernic Desktop Search: ? Searches files, e-mails, videos, pictures, etc. ? Works in background to index continuously Free from www.copernic.com 15
Backup Utilities ? Acronis True Image = $50 www.acronis.com ? Backup4All = $20¡ª$45 (3 editions: Lite $20, Standard $30, or Pro $45) Easy to use. www.backup4all.com 16
Improving System Performance / Reliability ? Backup regularly to multiple copies ? Backup data, browser favorites, and e-mail files ? Automated backup utilities ? Use daily backup directories ? Reduce the number of shortcuts on your desktop to those you frequently use 17
CD Burning Utilities ? Roxio Creator 2009 = $80 www.roxio.com ? Nero 9 Ultra Edition = $80 www.nero.com ? Ashampoo Burning Studio = $40 www.ashampoo.com 18
Advanced Maintenance Utilities ? CrapCleaner = $20 (Everyone who donates $20 / ?15 / €20 or more will be emailed all new releases before they're available to download on the site) www.piriform.com/ccleaner ? Disk defragmenter: Defraggler = $0 www.piriform.com/defraggler 19
Web Site Tool Yahoo Site Builder¡ª ? Easy to use ? Free ? Easy to update ? Not restricted to Yahoo for hosting ? My start to finish time¡ª3 hours! ? http://webhosting.yahoo.com/ps/sb/index.p hp 20
Recommended Listservers / Newsletters ? Kim Komando¡ªwww.Komando.com ? Brian Livingston¡ª www.WindowsSecrets.com ? Tourbus¡ªwww.InternetTourbus.com ? Infopackets¡ªwww.infopackets.com 21
Other Sources of Information ? Professional Magazines: PC World, Consumer Reports, SC Magazine ? Spyware Guide¡ª www.spywareguide.com/index.php ? CNet¡ª reviews.cnet.com/software/?tag=ont.sw 22
Q & A ed.marshall@verizon.net www.MarshallDocumentationServices.com Twitter: EdMarshall LinkedIn: Ed Marshall +1 978-339-3095 23

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Useful Shareware for Technical Communicators - STC New England Interchange conference presentation

  • 1. Useful Shareware for Technical Communicators 2015 STC New England Interchange Ed Marshall Copyright 2015 Marshall Documentation Consulting
  • 2. Agenda ? Tools to ¡°Let the computer do the working¡± ? Advanced utilities ? Keeping your computer safe with shareware tools ? Other useful tools ? Sources of information about shareware ? Q & A 2
  • 3. Tools to ¡°Let the Computer Do the Working¡± ? Comparing sets of files, versions of files to see what files changed and what the differences are ? Searching and replacing text ? Using advanced text editors to edit content outside of a mainstream authoring tool for a variety of reasons ? Copying large or many files from your location to another location 3
  • 4. File / Folder Level Comparison (Differencing Tools) ? Beyond Compare¡ªDoes folder and file-level comparison for both ASCII and binary files. Can detect that ASCII or binary files are different but can only show the differences in ASCII files, not binary files. Highlights the specific characters different between two ASCII files. Has a 30-day free fully functional trial. Retail price = $30 www.scootersoftware.com/ ? Araxis Merge¡ªDoes folder and file level comparisons for both ASCII and binary files. Retail price = $129 www.araxis.com/merge/index.html 4
  • 5. Search and Replace Tools ? Funduc¡ªSearches and replaces both folders and zip files. Will search and replace ASCII files. Will search binary files but cannot replace by itself. Has plug-ins for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. http://www.funduc.com Cost = $25 Many other tools here also. ? FAR (Find and Replace)¡ªProvides a search and replace tool and help decompiler/comparison tool. Has a two-month free trial. http://www.helpwaregroup.com/products/FAR Cost = buyer¡¯s choice 5
  • 6. Advanced Text Editors NoteTab Pro and EditPad Pro: ? Both tools have spell checking. A big plus if you work in a mixed OS environment is that neither tool inserts Windows-style line feed characters in Unix files. They provide auto-save capabilities. You can use them to strip leading/trailing white space and search and replace for information such as pathnames for image files in HTML files. ? NoteTab Pro has a wizard for inserting html tags. $30, Light ($5) and Standard ($20) versions available. Many other tools here. www.notetab.com ? EditPad Pro has color-coding for custom html tags $50. 30-day free trial, free Lite version available. JG Soft has other tools such as a PowerGrep tool, Registry editor, and others. www.jgsoft.com 6
  • 7. Uses for EditPad Pro ? Auto indent / tab ? Spell-checking ? Color-coding for custom html tags ? Auto-sorting¡ªAllows you to spot and remove duplicates ? Specifying line length per file type ? Statistics ? Very good for adding / revising text in source code files (C, Java, and C#) 7
  • 8. Uses for NoteTab Pro ? Very good for adding HTML / XML tags to text copied to source code files from other file formats ? Powerful HTML wizard¡ªAuto-creates tags for you ? Apply HTML / XML coding to text using the built- in easy to use HTML wizard ? Spell-checking ? Statistics 8
  • 9. Transferring Files Via ftp Filezilla¡ªOpen source software to transfer files from one computer to another ? Easy to use¡ªintuitive GUI ? Powerful Site Manager and transfer queue ? Cross-platform ? Available in many languages ? Can specify bookmarks ? Supports transfer of large files >4GB ? Supports drag and drop ? Supports FTP, FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS) and SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) Free from http://filezilla-project.org/ 9
  • 10. Tools of the Evil-doers ? Spyware¡ªUses your computer for another¡¯s benefit. ? Spam¡ª¡°junk e-mail¡±, Bigger problem: Infecting your computer to use it as a proxy computer to send out spam messages. ? Key loggers¡ªCaptures your keystrokes (passwords or account numbers). ? Ad-ware¡ªDisplays advertisements, usually without your consent. ? Phishing¡ªAttempts to acquire your sensitive information. ? Extortionware¡ªRuns a free test to detect infections. Then, it either infects your computer or falsely reports problems and offers to remove them if you buy their product. But, they often only remove the ¡°false positives¡± after you ¡°pay the ransom¡±. ? Root kits¡ªControls the operating system at a low level. Can install key loggers and backdoor programs silently to allow spying on your computer activities and take remote control of your computer (also known as ¡°zombie computers¡±). 10
  • 11. Best Practices for Keeping Your Computer Safe ? Firewalls: Use only one as they can clash. ? Anti-virus: Use only one as they can clash. Need to keep whatever anti-virus software you use updated. ? Spyware tools: Most experts running several tools as not all tools will catch everything. 11
  • 12. Recommended Tool Suite ? Windows Update = $0 ? Trend Micro Internet Security (www.trendmicro.com) is an excellent set of tools that provides a firewall, anti- virus, and spyware protection. You can buy a single-user license for $29 or a 3-user license for $40. ? F-Secure Blacklight = $0 Combines thorough system scanning with the familiar interface reminiscent of a standard antivirus program. www.f-secure.com Total Cost = $29! 12
  • 13. Keeping Your Software Updated Secunia Personal Security Inspector: ? Monitors the software installed on your computer and alerts you when patches/updates are available. Helps secure your computer from software vulnerabilities. Detects all programs on your system that are not updated / patched. ? Highly regarded by experts. ? Easy to use. Free from https://psi.secunia.com/ 13
  • 14. Securing Wireless Networks 1. Log into your router. 2. Use encryption: WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is best. (Usually, seen as WPA- PSK (pre-shared key). 3. Change your computer¡¯s settings to use the encryption set in step 2. 14
  • 15. Desktop Indexing / Search Utility Copernic Desktop Search: ? Searches files, e-mails, videos, pictures, etc. ? Works in background to index continuously Free from www.copernic.com 15
  • 16. Backup Utilities ? Acronis True Image = $50 www.acronis.com ? Backup4All = $20¡ª$45 (3 editions: Lite $20, Standard $30, or Pro $45) Easy to use. www.backup4all.com 16
  • 17. Improving System Performance / Reliability ? Backup regularly to multiple copies ? Backup data, browser favorites, and e-mail files ? Automated backup utilities ? Use daily backup directories ? Reduce the number of shortcuts on your desktop to those you frequently use 17
  • 18. CD Burning Utilities ? Roxio Creator 2009 = $80 www.roxio.com ? Nero 9 Ultra Edition = $80 www.nero.com ? Ashampoo Burning Studio = $40 www.ashampoo.com 18
  • 19. Advanced Maintenance Utilities ? CrapCleaner = $20 (Everyone who donates $20 / ?15 / €20 or more will be emailed all new releases before they're available to download on the site) www.piriform.com/ccleaner ? Disk defragmenter: Defraggler = $0 www.piriform.com/defraggler 19
  • 20. Web Site Tool Yahoo Site Builder¡ª ? Easy to use ? Free ? Easy to update ? Not restricted to Yahoo for hosting ? My start to finish time¡ª3 hours! ? http://webhosting.yahoo.com/ps/sb/index.p hp 20
  • 21. Recommended Listservers / Newsletters ? Kim Komando¡ªwww.Komando.com ? Brian Livingston¡ª www.WindowsSecrets.com ? Tourbus¡ªwww.InternetTourbus.com ? Infopackets¡ªwww.infopackets.com 21
  • 22. Other Sources of Information ? Professional Magazines: PC World, Consumer Reports, SC Magazine ? Spyware Guide¡ª www.spywareguide.com/index.php ? CNet¡ª reviews.cnet.com/software/?tag=ont.sw 22
  • 23. Q & A ed.marshall@verizon.net www.MarshallDocumentationServices.com Twitter: EdMarshall LinkedIn: Ed Marshall +1 978-339-3095 23