Marcus Hamaker is The Sleepy Geek

In the first of a new strategy, @pcmichiana has asked if there is any free software that I recommend …. well here goes :)

@pcmichiana I’d actually like to know if there is any other free software you recommend I post at my site http://www.pcmichiana.com

This one is great because we can ALL benefit from free software. A split of 5 Windows and 5 OS X below to give you my favorite 10 :)

Windows Freebies

1. JSM GMail Notifier – Great little taskbar program that is simple to set up. Just lets you know if you have any unread gmail.
2. Notepad++ – If you do any scripting or text editing, this is a great open source option.
3. UltraExplorer – If you need more functionality than Windows Explorer gives you then you have an option, saves me time everyday.
4. Audacity – OS X has Garage Band but Windows needs Audacity. Great multi-track audio program. (I know there are version available for other OSs)
5. uTorrent – This is Windows best torrent program in my books.

OS X Freebies

1. Cyberduck – Great little FTP program. It just works and I bet you that many people use this for their FTP.
2. Colloquy – IRC Client for OSX, different than what I was used to on Windows but I like the interface.
3. Adium – Chat client for all the major IM protocols. Nice interface.
4. iTerm – For people who can’t stop using the terminal, this adds some cool features.
5. Transmission – If you are in to torrents this this is a great program.

I hope this list finds everyone with at least one new thing to try. After all, that’s the best part of reading someone else’s recommendations.

Geek on!

I have wanted to get a Bluetooth headset for driving in the car for quite some time. It always seemed to be second place to something else that was more urgent on the ‘purchase list’. When I was on vacation I received a new Plantronics Discovery 665 as a gift, and what a nice gift it has been.

The first thing anyone asks me about it is “How does it sound?”. I honestly can say that on my side it is clearer that using the cell phone itself while in the car. I believe that this is due to the gel ear insert that for most people will actually hold the unit in your ear without any ear loop. This makes quite the seal in the ear canal and blocks most other background noises from affecting the call. I have quizzed quite a few callers about how it sounds to them on the other end of the call and all except for one person told me it sounds the same as if I was talking directly into the phone. This means that the AudioIQ feature is doing the job of blocking out some of the background noise from the conversation that the sensitive mic would otherwise pass on to the other party.

The unit comes with some nice options as well including a home charger, a car charger and the ability to clip a holster onto your shirt to carry it around. Here is an excerpt from their website that includes those and other details:

The Plantronics Discovery 665 Bluetooth headset is the optimal road-warrior conversation piece! AudioIQ digitally enhanced sound improves the experience on both ends of the call, creating stand-out sound so you can hear and be heard like never before. Unique vehicle power charger with call indicator light helps ensure it’s always ready when you need it. For a comfortable, customized fit it weighs only 9 grams, and comes with three soft gel ear tips and an optional ear stabilizer loop.

I am very happy with this unit but I need to offer one bit of advise. A group of colleagues at my 9-5 bought a set of OEM units off of Ebay and they were not the same at all. The units were very similar in design but seemed a lot more flimsy and many of them have broken. Be careful what you pay for!