Linuxchic’s Favorite Online Apps

 

 GeekGirl's Favorite Web Apps [4:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Google CalendarIf it wasn’t for Google Calendar I wouldn’t know where I was supposed to be or when. Well, maybe I would, but there are some features that I like about it that have made me want the hassle of using it at the same time as my Outlook Calendar that I am forced to use at work and my Sidekick 3’s calendaring.

1. I can share it! My friends can find out when I am and am not available. This includes friends who are working on all my little side projects with me.
2. It is my personal calendar so I can add my kids’ activities, my husband’s schedule, my day job schedule, and my everything else to it without feeling guilty that I am using my work calendaring for personal things. I am lucky I work somewhere where it is not against policy to do so but frankly, I like to keep my employer’s calendar only for my employer’s calendar items.
3. My daily schedule to my email. It is really nifty to open my email in the morning – because it is really the first thing I do after grabbing some caffeine – and seeing my day at a glance. I don’t have to do a bunch of clicks and stuff to change my view on my Sidekick 3 or in Outlook or even log on to Google Calendar because my day is waiting for me in my inbox.

I do have a few dislikes…I wish that it was easier to update from either my SK3 or Outlook. Until it is, I have to run and export from Outlook and pray there aren’t too many duplicates to clean up.

Gmail

There are gobs of free email providers out there all with gobs of free space, so why do I like Gmail so darn much? I love labels. I hated them at first, I was trained to use folders but I have been converted. There are outlandish amounts of email in my mailbox that never gets deleted because I have a ridiculous amount of space but I can see exactly what I want when I want by clicking on the designated label.

I have setup filters to label all my mail as it comes in so I can find the stuff I want to read the most with the click of the label. Gmail’s spam filter isn’t half bad either.

Twitter

Oh Twitter, how I love thee. I have quite a little online circle forming now thanks to Twitter. Most people that have friended me are pretty cool and they talk about lots of things that I find interesting. I have learned about a lot of sites I might not have found as fast on my own and I keep up to date about news in the tech world as it happens from Twitter accounts for sites like TechCrunch, BloggersBlog, TechMeme, WebWare and more.

I also keep tabs on podcasts I like for Technology Evangelists and C|Net’s Buzz Out Loud.

Meebo

Meebo is a very slick web-based multi-network IM client. Meebo allows for customization of Meebo interface skins, has fancy pirate and ninja emoticons, an SSL site for those that want their chats encrypted, a pirate language interpreter, support for multiple accounts on YIM, AIM, MSN, Gtalk, ICQ and Jabber. If you think you might use it more often than once and a while in passing you can setup a Meebo account and have it remember all your IM info and buddy icon. They recently added chat rooms in which you can stream video in. Still not enough for ya? How about Meebo Me (Meebo widgety goodness for your own site), Meebo Map (see where are the IMs are coming from), or Meebo Repeater (access Meebo even when it’s blocked or tracked).

Google Reader

My RSS feed reader of choice. I especially like the next button I can add to my toolbar in Firefox so if I get sidetracked one click will take me to the next article on my list (check the Goodies tab in Settings for the link to add). Google Reader’s new mobile interface guarantees I always have something decent to read in waiting rooms.

Netvibes

Yes, I am almost duping feed readers here listing NetVibes and Google Reader but sometimes I just want to be able to have a start page with my favorite things in it plus NetVibes is much more than just an RSS reader.

This is my one stop shop to add all my frequently used things: meebo, Twitter, webnotes, Box.net account, calendar, weather, del.ico.us, the list goes on and on.

Google Docs and Spreadsheets

I used to just use OpenOffice and keep my files on a thumbdrive to port it around between locations until I had the need to collaborate. I can still use OpenOffice, but now if I need to collaborate docs with the CodeNinja here at AGG I upload the doc to Google and share it. I have even taken to using it to keep track of ideas and unfinished posts for AGG. Very handy.