Archive for the ‘Software’ Category

First, I want to thank Patrick at 16software.com for supporting me as I make a transition back into the design world.

Second, you need to look at Breevy, an excellent text expander and launcher. I want to write a full article about Breevy’s features, but for now here’s how I’m using it:

• As a launcher: I’ve reset the hot keys to CTRL + WIN + ALT + SPACE, (all next to each other on my keyboard), to call up the LaunchPad to go to my websites, start programs I use frequently, and go to folders on my hard drive. For example, to start Photoshop CS3, I press CTRL + WIN + ALT + SPACE, the LaunchPad appears, and I type .ps3. Breevy immediately loads Photoshop CS3. I no longer have to go the Start button > All Programs, etc. I no longer have to use Windows Explorer to hunt down files and folders. Once again, I press CTRL + WIN + ALT + SPACE, type “.htdocs,” and I’m at my folder for testing on my local web server.
• As a text expander: Using the same technique but without going to the launcher, I can now have frequently used text pasted into any editor I’m using. When starting a new XHTML page, I just type “.xhtml” and Breevy immediately pastes in the DOCTYPE, header information, body, and closing tags for the new web page. If I need dummy text to check a layout, I type “.loremipsum” and Breevy pastes in a paragraph of text. When I start a new CSS file, I type “.reset” and Eric Meyer’s CSS reset flows in.
• As a spell-checker: Breevy comes with definitions for correcting typos no matter what editor or word-processor you happen to be using. The first time it made a correction, I was surprised to see the cursor go backwards and fix my typo. I had forgotten that I loaded the definitions. Of course, you can add your own definitions for words you frequently misspell. For example, I regularly type my own name “Micahel” instead of “Michael.”
• Dropbox support: Breevy can store your definitions to your Dropbox account making your definitions available to any computer with a DropBox link. I don’t have to fuss with copying definitions from my desktop to my laptop. Breevy does it automatically.

I’ve been surprised, pleasantly, by the uses I have put Breevy to. I’ve tried other text expanders and hot-key software but either wasn’t satisfied with performance or couldn’t make up enough keyboard combinations to cover what I needed, much less remember them.

If you do any amount of typing that involves recurring text, or if you just want a faster way to get around your computer, you need to check out Breevy. There’s a free 30-day trial available. The purchase price is a reasonable $29.95. Cheap once you realize the time you’ll be saving.