Thank You Software

by

I find it hard to believe that we are in November but, the trees and the calendar tell me it is so. As we approach Thanksgiving I started thinking about things for which I am grateful. While I am thankful for my health, family, friends, my business associates and clients that would not make a very interesting article.

So in the spirit of Thanksgiving I thought about software utilities for which I am thankful. And of course, thanks to the developers!

First on my list, Snagit. While I know that Windows comes with the Snipping Tool, I find Snagit easier to use and more powerful. When I was writing my QuickBooks for Law Firms book I used it constantly to create screen shots. But even when not writing a book I find I use it almost daily. When working with clients if I am making a change and need to recall where I started or which matter we were working on, I grab a screen shot. Previously I would grab a sheet of scrap paper and write notes. A screen shot is faster, more reliable and saves trees.

Another favorite utility is Agent Ransack. When I first started using Windows 7 I hated the search function. I went looking and found Agent Ransack. It helps me find what I need and makes it easy. It has lots of customization options so you can increase the likelihood or finding the right document. While there are many search programs, the price was right and it has worked well for me. Windows 7 search has improved, but Agent Ransack is my preference.

Sometimes you need help with one task. I recently found that I had accidentally moved a folder inside a different folder where it didn’t belong. Not a big deal to fix but as I explored I discovered I had somehow accidentally moved a lot of folders. After about 20 minutes I decided there had to be a better way to find the problems. A quick search of the web and I found TreeSize.

The visual layout of my folders helped me find the problems and soon everything was back where it belonged. I was able to use the free trial to accomplish what I needed, but I would definitely purchase this if I had a more ongoing need.

For fun and relaxation, Overdrive Media is a great program. If your local library participates, you can download books in formats for listening or reading on varied devices. I download books and listen when I walk; makes the time pass much more quickly.

I also download books to read on my IPad, iPhone or Surface Pro, depending on where I am and what I have with me. They load into my Kindle app and I can pick up where I left off even if switching devices.

While there are many other utilities I could mention, for now I will close with PDF reDirect. This clever PDF printer lets me print multiple documents to a single PDF without having to create individual PDFs and then combine them. While QuickBooks 2015 now offers the ability to do this, with PDF reDirect it doesn’t matter which program the data is coming from.  

Everyone has their favorite programs / utilities. Maybe one of my favorites will help make your computer life a little easier.

Caren

You can find Caren's Book, QuickBooks for Law Firms here.

Editor’s note: Caren submitted this probably with the impression that I would take a few days or perhaps as much as a week to get it into print, and by then it would be well into November, but I just loved this little ‘thank you’ so much, that I had to get it pushed out to all our readers right-a-way.  So even though it is October 31, let’s just pretend November has arrived.

PS – all these images were captured with SnagIt (one of my very favorites too).