I found out about these clipboard managers the first time I went to an iOS Workshop held at my undergraduate university. The software developer for Apple showed us how to create an application from scratch with the help of one of these clipboard managers. He had all his code snippets saved onto his clipboard and he would step through the changes every fragment of code did to our application and he did it with great ease using a clipboard manager. Otherwise, he would’ve had to have the finalized source code in which he’d be copying and pasting out of but thanks to his clipboard manager, he preloaded his entire code into snippets one by one so he could access them with ease.

I couldn’t figure out which one he used but that is when I found CopyPaster. It has a neat UI which simply captures all your items in your clipboard for future use.

I’ve been using it for awhile and fell in love with it since. I’ve used it mainly for programming purposes whether it be for PHP, LaTeX, R, SQL, and more. It’s increased my productivity as I tend to store all my frequented code fragments in my clipboard for future use. That way I don’t have to dig through my document to figure out how to create that table I formatted so well in LaTeX a few sections ago.

CopyPaster includes the following features:

• Copy and Paste many file formats
• Seamless Quick Look Integration
• Access the clipboard manager with a single keystroke
• Integrated inline search to find your item fast
• Paste data with a single mouse click
• And more being implemented

It currently runs at $1.99 on the AppStore. If you don’t like the price, you could also check out Clip Menu.

CopyPaster

I use them especially when I start programming. I devote spaces to usually containing a header and implementation file for a specific class, a terminal window, reference window such as Google, and the final window for IM.

Setting up Expose and Spaces on a Mac

So how do you set it up? Look at the previous and next picture if you want to see how I have it set up.

1. System Preferences -> Expose & Spaces
2. Set up your corners. I prefer having one that automatically starts my screensaver which locks my laptop
3. I have another corner which brings up Spaces
4. Go to the Spaces tab, and Enable Spaces
5. Create the number of rows and columns of your choice
6. If you prefer, set up your preferred applications to open up in a specific space
7. Set up your shortcut keys for Spaces and Expose if you haven’t
8. Have fun!

Overview of Expose and Spaces

I believe its a great way to increase your productivity since you can create spaces with specific tasks in mind. You no longer have to create your “workspaces” using one desktop when you can have them all on multiple spaces. Go on, let us know how you create your workplaces.

I’ve been using XAMPP for quite some time now since I’ve done a couple of web development projects already. If you don’t have some sort of web server on your computer, you won’t be able to test and run your web development projects offline if you are using MySQL or PHP for instance.

Installing XAMPP

Installing XAMPP is pretty straightforward. The website details you how to install XAMPP in a variety of ways for the different platforms. Then, once its installed, you simply place your web content in the \xampp\htdocs\ location on your computer and access it via a browser using http://localhost/

Hello World using XAMPP

For example, lets create “Hello World” using XAMPP and some PHP.

1. Once you installed and are running XAMPP, create a file called test.php and place it inside \xampp\htdocs.

2. Then, simply copy and paste the following php code.

1

<?php echo "Hello World"; ?>

. Do you notice the difference? Depending on the platform and browser, it might not behave correctly.

Overview of XAMPP

If you have wanted to get into web development, you should try XAMPP. It’s fairly easy to install and use. I’ve been using it for quite some time and haven’t found a better replacement.

Want more tutorials on using XAMPP? Let me know. I plan on demonstrating how to create and manage a MySQL database and even setting up a WordPress blog using XAMPP.

XAMPP

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Features of Dropbox

Below are some of the features I enjoy using it for. If you want to see the full list please visit Dropbox Features.

• 2GB of online storage, which can be increased through referrals
• Up to 100GB for paying customers
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers
• Allows you to share folders or files with people to start collaborating on projects
• A “Public” folder that lets you create direct links to your files to share with your friends
• Access your files online as well as upload, delete, rename, etc
• It’s secure
• And it’s also mobile too

Impressions of Dropbox

When I lost my USB Hard Drive, I hated the idea of having to go buy another one. Instead, I found Dropbox. Ever since then whenever I need to access something across multiple computers, I drop it in my Dropbox and better yet, I could access it online. Best of all it’s very easy to set up across multiple computers. With the added bonus of sharing folders and files, and even creating links for files for your friends to access, I couldn’t ask for anything better. Best of all it’s free so you have nothing to lose.

Updated: Added video on Dropbox

Dropbox

Create a virtual machine using VirtualBox

Virtual Box is a powerful open source x86 virtualization that runs on Windows, Linux, Mac and OpenSolaris. It supports a large number of guest operating systems such as Windows XP, Windows 7 RC, Ubuntu, Debian, SUSE, Fedora, and Red Hat. VirtualBox is free as well as many linux distributions. So if you haven’t tried any, I’d recommend you doing so.

In simpler terms, Virtual Box allows you to run another OS on top of your currently existing one. If you wanted to try installing an OS without the hassle of dual-booting, or even wanted to install another OS to do some programming since maybe Windows isn’t the best for you, then virtualiziation is one way to go. There is also no way you can harm your computer so its risk-free. If you corrupt a guest OS, simply delete it and try again.

VirtualBox Features

• Guest Additions for Windows, Linux, and Solaris – Allows you to install software inside the OS that improves performance. Just recently the guest additions allowed users running Ubuntu to run the Visual Effects, which is nice.
• Shared folders – Access folders from the host in the guest machines
Virtual USB Controllers – Connect a USB device and your virtual machine will recognize it, including USB Flash Drives.

For more features visit Virtual Box Features.

How to start

If you want to start, simply download Virtual Box and an OS. I’d recommend Ubuntu since thats probably the most user friendly (or so I think). If you want something else, hit up DistroWatch. Once you have that, setting up Virtual Box with the OS is pretty straightforward. I’ll add a tutorial later on for those who still need help.

My Usage of VirtualBox

I use Virtual Box to create my own programming environment. I personally use Ubuntu but I have also used other linux operating systems that can be found at DistroWatch. Since I run a dual monitor setup, I usually have Windows 7 running on my left monitor while Ubuntu runs on my right monitor in the case I need to program and attend to my other needs such as IM or music player which are still running on Windows.

When I run Ubuntu on my Macbook on the other hand, I simply run it full screen and within the virtualized machine I run my music player, IM client, and have my programming environment set up so I don’t have to be switching back and forth since running another OS requires quite a bit of resources.

Final Impressions of VirtualBox

For quite some time now, I’ve been using Virtual Box nearly every day and haven’t had a complaint. It’s stable, free, and relatively easy to use. If your interested in virtualizing, I’d recommend you in trying this out.

Virtual Box

Adium’s Features

First of all Adium is Open Source allowing anyone to contribute. It has a slick UI with tabbed chats that simply look good. Also contains an extensive system notification with the ability to download custom themes as well.

Adium Impressions

If you are looking for a multiclient instant messenger, Adium is something you have to check out. I’ve been using it since I found out about it and haven’t stopped using it ever since. It’s user friendly, intuitive, and stylish. So what are you waiting for if you haven’t tried it out yet?

Adium Screenshots

Features of DExposE2 Reloaded

• Portable Version
• Interaction with previews
• Hotcorners and Hotkey support
• Window previews are clear
• Desktop shown in background
• Multimonitor Support

For a complete set of features go toDExposE2 Reloaded Features.

Remarks on DExposE2

So far its great for users who want more eye candy and want to use your PC with style. I currently use it on my laptop and haven’t found a reason to remove it. You should try it out. It’s very fast and doesn’t use a lot of resources.

Download DExposE2.

DExposE2 in action

Do you know of any software as this one? Tell us about it!