My Favorite Tools

As a software developer I’ve always found it very useful to see which tools and gadgets other fellow developers are working with. Searching the web for the right tools can increase your productivity, motivation, and, above all, your knowledge and skills.

At the time I began developing for Windows, nothing has proven more helpful and invaluable than looking over the shoulders of those who had already established themselves in the software industry. I’d like to follow this tradition and thus give back to the community I’ve learned and I keep learning so much from.

Here’s my (current) list of favorite tools (and short reviews). I understand the word ‘favorite’ as something I absolutely wouldn’t want to do without:

  • HelpStudio by Innovasys (help authoring)
  • PhpStorm by JetBrains (advanced web IDE)
  • Advanced Installer by Caphyon (setup authoring)
  • Visual Build Pro by Kinook (release management)
  • Camtasia Studio by Techsmith (advanced screencast recording and editing)
  • SnagIt by Techsmith (screen capturing)
  • DevExpress (.Net Component Suite)
  • DevComponent’s DotNetBar (.Net Component Suite)