The Software:
Firstly, the internet browser I use is Google Chrome – its fast, easy to use, I can sync it with my Google Chrome on my phone and its customisable which is why i LOVE it!!!
One of the biggest benefits of using Chrome as an internet browser is the whole host of applications that can be installed on it – transforming a pretty cool internet browser into an incredible goliath in terms of usefulness around an office! Here is a list (in no particular order) of applications that I use regularly for both Engineering and Recreational purposes…
The Apps:
Gmail
Having Gmail installed as an app is incredibly handy! Within two clicks I can be checking my emails – this saves the time and hassle of typing in the website and filling out mundane passwords just to log on, with this app in just two clicks I can be checking my emails. Interestingly, they also have an extension for Chrome, whereby you can get email notifications sent straight to your Chrome toolbar – this is particularly usefull especially when your waiting for that all important email to arrive!
Google Calender
Google Calender is an excellent app that allows you to plan your schedule accordingly. By installing the Calender extension also you can gain even more benefits from this great app. When installed, and an event created, it will show you the days left until the event is due to occur – perfect for planning meetings! Not only this, but by also having it on your phone you can create events and schedules on the fly – Never miss a meeting again!
Google Drive
This is an excellent app that allows you to store up to xxxxxGB of files. Not only this, but you can also preview and in most cases, view files online without the need to ever download them. By having it as one of your apps, it allows for the quick and easy access to your most important files – thus reducing the need to carry around a USB stick. A must have for all engineers!
Gantter
Think of it as MS Project Online! This app does everything that MS Project does… and more! not only this, but it also saves, imports and exports into an MS Project file meaning that any files created using this app can readily be used by MS Project and vice versa!
Draw.io
This is similar in nature to another MS Office package – MS Visio! This is an excellent image and diagramming application. With its flexibility and vast array of diagramming blocks, it means that this application is up at the top with the likes of MS Visio! Another Must Have!
PDF Mergy
Ever have multiple PDF files you wish were combined into just one single file? PDF Mergy is your answer! this is a very quick and reliable app.
Google Maps
This is an excellent application for quickly navigating to find a particular region etc. Perfect for getting directions or used to quickly inspect the aerial topography of a certain region.
Engineering Dictionary
Heard a new engineering term and unsure of its meaning? This application does exactly what it says on the tin! simply search for the term and it will explain in relatively good detail exactly what the term means.
Converter
This is a great piece of software! it allows for almost any kind of filetype to be converted! Again a must have!
AutoCAD WS
With AutoCAD WS (Now known as AutoCAD 360), it allows for DWG files to be viewed and edited online without the need for AutoCAD to be installed on to a computer! This is terrific for sharing ideas and showing clients what the design will look like without them ever needing to download and install anything!
Stopwatch
Perfect for being in the lab and wanting to time the flow of water or how long it takes for a particular event to occur – very simple and easy to use.
Cool Metronome
I used this app when I was doing my thesis! It’s incredible simple to use and produce quite consistent results!
Evernote
Think of it like OneNote, but for your tablet! It allows to easily jot down notes, images, recordings etc. Perfect for a college student.
Google Keep
I tend to use Keep more so than I do use Evernote, no particular reason, both are equally good at achieving the same task. Create a note on one device – and you can see the same note on any other device as long as you are signed in. Perfect for being constantly switching from laptop to mobile etc.
Visible Geology
This helped me a lot to get to grips with various geology terms and scenarios while I was still in college. It’s increble how seeing something visually can aid in the understanding process!
Redbooth (Formerly Teambox)
This was a great app when we were doing our scheme design project! It proved to be the perfect platform to not only work as part of a team, but also allowed us to monitor and control our progress and also allowed us to create discussion-like boards to help with any issues one of our team members had. Excellent app!
PDF Merger
this is a great app that allows you to simply merge one or more pdf’s together!
Cloud Convert
This is a great piece of software! it allows for almost any kind of filetype to be converted! Again a must have!
QR Creator
I used this app for my thesis poster presentation – it is a relatively easy app to use and the products are excellent.
Drive Converter
This is a great piece of software! it allows for almost any kind of filetype to be converted on your google drive account! Again a must have!
PDF Crowd.com
Ever see something online and want to view it later offline? well now you can thanks to this easy app! just copy and paste the url into the adress bar provided and bingo a pdf of the page or website you wanted will be downloaded in a matter or seconds!
These are only a handful of apps that are out there that I found useful! I’ll try post more at a later stage when I get around to it! If you have any apps that you think should be on here, please let me know and I will do my best to include them!