My use of Applications, in Property Management

A question was posed in the comments section of my post “How I use Basecamp: Property Management” the question was how I use all the other 37 signal products. I thought that this would be a good time for both you the readers, but for self-reflection on how I use my computer in dealing with work.

So here goes:

I am going to move about randomly through some apps, I am going to go over both Web based and Computer based apps.

Parallels Desktop:

This is obviously to run Windows (XP), and the reason that I need this is to run the property management software which handles the accounting. Other than that I also use Windows to get to Internet Explorer for some county and city websites.

Mail, Addressbook, iCal & Safari:

Pretty obvious what I use these for, Addressbook is just used for synchronization to my phone and other computers.

Multisite for iWeb

I have two Macs, on my Mac Pro at home I maintain my personal website. On my Macbook Pro I maintain my companies website (it was the most cost effective solution. But then when someone contacted me about building them a website in iWeb, I wasn’t sure how to manage that.

That is where Multisite for iWeb enters. It allows you maintain more than one website in iWeb, much like you would be able to do if you held the opt key while opening iPhoto. There is a free 30-day demo, so give it a try. I really like it.

Jonathan Ive as next Apple CEO?

Interesting blurb over at C|Net worth a read.

Personally I don’t think it is a good idea to have a designer as a CEO. Kind of how it was a bad idea to have CFOs as CEOs. CEOs should be CEOs, you know what I mean (maybe).

Dock Icons: My Mac’s

I have always been a fan of changing around icons for various programs. I have found a lot of great Mac icons over at Interfacelift.com and other places, and have used Candybar to replace them, as well as the copy and paste method. The problem was that I picked a chose icons from different themes, until last friday, I chose one them and applied them all and even made some more of my own.

Now my dock looks like this:

I chose all Adobe CS3 looking icons, and while it is not as fast to find the programs (they dont “pop” as much I know where they are and can find them) I really like the way that this turned out.

I got the icons from this download link.
The download includes a file to allow you to create your own, I used that for some of the icons that you see in my dock. So what does everbody elses dock look like?

Good Hint about new Apple Keyboards

Macosxhints.com has a good hint up today about getting the New Apple keyboards high-speed built-in ports to work with USB hubs. Go read it here.

Also please post up your experiences on the tips comments to benefit us all.

iPhone Cash Back

I got my rebate today! And here I was worried they had forgotten about it.

To get yours go here:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/storecredit/

Enjoy

Review: New Aluminum Apple Keyboard

As I am still waiting for Apple to ship me my bluetooth Apple keyboard (aluminum one) I went out and got a new wired one, and a new battery for my Macbook Pro (damn thing went kaput). Anyways the keyboard is very impressive and stunning. I had been using the last model of the Apple keyboard at work and quickly swapped it out.

The first thing that I really noticed was how much better it looked, not only the color, but the keyboard looked 10 times smaller, with out actually being anything but thinner (perhaps the coloring at play). The special keys didn’t work until after I installed the updates via software update. This is just a keyboard so I will keep this short, but I love it!

My main problem with the last iteration was the fact that the throw on the keys (amount you have to press them) was huge in comparison to a laptop. Not a big deal if you are used to it, but I primarily use a Macbook Pro keyboard, so it was too long for me. Leading me to miss letters because I would not press them hard enough.

This is not a problem with the new keyboard at all, it is the same as the Macbook’s and that is just perfect from me. I don’t find the spacing odd at all, and had no problems using it. Also the keyboard felt very natural to me because of how close it is to a laptop (the same with the addition of the 10-key). I am glad I bought the wired one for work, because I couldn’t do with out that 10-key on the side.

This is the best non-laptop keyboard I have bought to date, can’t wait to get my hands on the bluetooth version (heres hoping it ships tomorrow).

Installer.app Part II

I am now on day two of using Installer.app and third party applications on the iPhone. I have roughly 25 or so 3rd party apps installed on my phone. The Summerboard app is the most important, it allows the home screen to scroll, the the rSBT app which allows you to rearrange the icons on the home screen.

I have noticed a few things, quirks really about all this. The scrolling is a little laggy on the home screen, but is continually improving. Also the phone tends to crash or lock up when using some apps requiring you to force it off (power button and home button). Other than that all is well.

I really have to hand it to the community of developers for this project, the apps are regularly updated, about 5 get updates a day, some times 2 or three updates in a day. There are new apps all the time, and though not all are elegant, most are not half assed.

For new users the one thing that is really lacking is any sort of help and manuals. You can get a lot of help in various forums, the best I have found being modmyiphone.com

My favorite apps so far:

iSaber (makes that light saber sound when you move your iPhone around, you know you want it now)
FiveDice ( yahtzee for the iPhone)
Vnotes ( voice notes)

What are yours?

Installer.app on the iPhone

Well I bit the bullet and after watching this weeks episode of Diggnation I decided to install Installer.app on my iPhone to add the 3rd Party apps.

I love my iPhone stock, it always did what I needed. But I am way happier with the 3rd party apps installed. Being able to play games is sweet, I love it. Makes the iPhone much more entertaining and all the games that I have tried so far are very nice.

I have only been playing with this for a few hours, but I am very happy thus far, I will do a full write up soon.

iPhone cash back to early buyers.

If you haven’t heard Apple next week will be offering $100 back to those early adopters who bought the phone prior to the $200 price reduction. I am sure there are many people who feel like Apple owe them this money and some, and those who think, why not just give us the full $200.

I as usual am in the minority on this issue. It is an unnecessary and pleasant surprise to me. I will gladly take it, but not be upset if it was never offered. The reason you ask? Simple, I always buy technology when it is hot and new, the cool thing. You pay a price for being and early adopter, be it limited support, buggy and crashing software. Poor this or that. And certainly the high cost of buying the devices. This is no different than any other company, though most companies would not have cut the price so fast. But so what.

I remember my dad buying me a Razr when it first came out for upwards of $500. So this does not phase me at all. If you want cheap technology buy last years stuff. Just don’t complain about the conscious choice that you made to be an early adopter.