Dorkness!

Twice this week, I was asked this question:

“Phil, I just got new computer, which programs should I install?”

Well, both times I kind of mumbled a few things off the top of my head, but here is a more extensive list of a few free programs that I recommend. They are in no particular order.

WinSCP: secure ‘explorer-like’ ftp/ssh connections

Winamp: music player that has many useful plug-ins

Peerguardian: protect your computer from known IP addresses

µTorrent: download torrents using a very simple & friendly client

AVG Free Edition: simple anti-virus

Spybot S&D: simple spy ware detection/removal

Firefox

• StartAid: saves all bookmarks to a server so they are accessible from more than one location
• Downloadthemall!: chops up downloads into chunks and downloads them concurrently

Thunderbird

• Lightning: calendar app
• Minimize to Tray: minimizes Thunderbird to tray
• Minimize to Tray Enhancer: starts Thunderbird with Windows

RocketDock: an unobtrusive aesthetic launch bar

Paint.NET: a much more sophisticated Windows Paint

Notepad++: quick and convenient development tool

Putty: quick and dirty terminal

Foxit Reader: small and quick pdf reader without all the Acrobat Reader plug-in junk

CutePDF: convenient PDF creater

Rainlendar: desktop calendar and task organizer

FinchSync: free PDA/Thunderbird calendar and contact sync

Digsby: instant message protocol that supports Facebook messages

Skype: inexpensive way to call others

Trying To Keep To Schedule

So it hasn’t been easy. Dedicating an hour to running is harder than I thought. Especially in all this warm weather. I either have to unwillingly wake up really early in the morning to enjoy a comfortable run or I have to run in the afternoon in the hot and humid Chicago weather.

Either way, it’s gotta be done. Yesterday I pulled off 3 miles at a 9:30 pace. After my run my ‘everything’ hurt: my shins felt like they were about to explode, my knees felt like loose rubber bands and my toes ached ever time I pushed off of them during each stride.

Today I’m going to rest and hopefully tomorrow my long run will feel good.