Tools of the Trade

Most developers are very set in their ways in terms of what applications they use to develop software, for me its Eclipse, TextMate and VIM. But those aren’t the only tools that we use in order to get through the entire software development process. For awhile I had been looking for a tool to replace my old standard of Microsoft Visio. I had been using Visio since before it was picked up by Microsoft. Well I am proud to say that I have found a company that produces GREAT organizational software, The Omni Group produces 3 of my new favorite applications: OmniOutliner, OmniGraffle, and OmniPlan. OmniGraffle is the application that replaces Visio for me. It allows me to draw very complex but elaborate and professional diagrams. Just like in Visio, objects snap together and it allows me to have an ever changing diagram so that I can think on the screen. If you are a Mac user please check it out, download the demo version and see what I am talking about. The next piece of software that I have really taken a liking for is OmniOutliner, which actually is bundled with most new Macs. I have started taking notes in meetings with this product. This probably isn’t its only use, but it is far superior then using some text pad and having totally unorganized thoughts in a text file. The last application is the one I really haven’t started using much of but am pretty sure I will get a lot of use out of. OmniPlan is the replacement for Microsoft Project for us Mac folks. Most Mac users are aware that Visio, Project and Access are not available for the Mac, so OmniPlan steps in an allows for Project Managment/Planning with their product.

Not only are these products very helpful for organizing software projects, but are also helpful for organizing any other facet of your life, and they also bring the creative look and feel to your work that you would expect out of a product on a Mac.

About the Author

Written by Daniel Smith

Just me, the guy behind the website. Software developer, musician, diver, and human.