Favorite Apps Thread

[jstoddard]

Hello everyone - Randy suggested we start a thread that could capture eveyrone's favorite Apps - so here it is ! To make this as useful as possible, please include as much info as you can - at least enough that we can find it again.

- Name of the App (and please fact-check this by doing a Google Search before you post it - the right thing should come up).

- What it's for -- Project management, Personal, whatever

- The URL of the company /app. Don't waste time typing- just load it up in a browser, click in the address bar to highlight the entire URL, then press CNTL-C (Copy) to copy it to your clipboard... jump back over to your thread/post and paste using CNTL-V

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mint-...300238550?mt=8

- If you can provide a screenshot - that's always good. (The Android and iPhone app stores usually have images you can copy/paste) If not - don't worry

- Anything else you want everyone to know. Why you like it, etc., and the price is always good to know

Doesn't just have to be an App - if it's conventional PC software, a website - whatever - that's all good.

JLS

PS - I don't think we can have a poll on each post - usually just one for the whole thread , but I'm going to check with Brad to see if it's something he can add.

[jstoddard]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

Here's One to get us started . Not an app, but a website. "MeetWays"

It calculates the mid-point between two points on a map, and gives you the businesses around that point. It's really handy if you need to meet someone for a delivery, or for whatever reason - and want to share the pain of travel equally. Free.

http://www.meetways.com/

JLS

[tjbnwi]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

Best construction calculator I have ever used, not enough space here to tell everything it will do;

http://buildcalc.com/

Baulsterpro, great for spacing layout;

http://www.gabrioconstruction.com/BalusterPro/Home.html

iTunes links;

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/build...ign-mpt=uo%3D6

http://itunes.apple.com/app/baluster...304928739?mt=8

Tom

[Allan Edwards]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

The iPad App I use most is "Web Albums", which syncs with my photos on Google's Picasa. I have a few thousand photos in albums. Photos show great on an iPad, and I often show these photos to prospects, subs, architects, or existing clients. I recently started creating albums by room or area or type (kitchens, pools, wine rooms etc). For example, here is album I started for Summer Kitchens:

https://picasaweb.google.com/edwards...ASummerKitchen

Here is the App:

http://www.webalbumsapp.com/

[tjbnwi]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

I have Web Albums also. Great app.

Tom

[swbuilder]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scanb...335047649?mt=8

Scanbizcards. Joe mentioned this one a couple weeks ago. Does nice 2 sided scans of business cards. It does an adequate job of recognizing information on the cards unless it's too arty or there is too much graphics but it is easy to edit. I like being able to view the cards like albums on Pandora. Very easy.

[Timbersmith]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

SnagIt.

Screenshot and annotation software.

$40 or $50 from Techsmith.com

[Lavrans]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

Just apps?

How about Firefox add-ons?

I just added Ghostery, and it's got a nice little function- it blocks sites from adding cookies and doing other things, but the nice thing is it also gives a pop-up showing what it's blocked. I love that it is telling me it's blocking Google Ad-words, Double click, Omniture, etc. I don't know for sure it works, but I like the idea.

[jstoddard]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

That's great - browser add-ins or PC software or whatever - it's going to help someone.

But if you have favorite apps - post those too. I'm trying to get enough together to do a column or even a feature article on iPad/iPhone/Android/BB apps. And I'm looking specifically for the information in my original post - particularly the correct name and URL so we can find the exact thing you're recommending. . The more info you can provide - the less we have to chase down. These kinds of articles are incredibly time-consuming to fact-check (and we don't have staff enough to do it) so the more info you can provide, the better chance it has of getting in an article.

JLS

[jstoddard]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

Tom - have you tried the Construction Master software on your iPhone/pad ? If so and you like BuildCalc better - what about it makes it better in your opinion?

Thx

[Lavrans]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

I do like My Measures (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-me...325962257?mt=8). I sorta wish it did a little more, like actually be able to measure something... but even so, it's nice to be able to take a photo & mark the measurements for later, or send to someone.

I also like Theodolite (http://hunter.pairsite.com/theodolite/). It's a good way to keep track of data- I will sometimes use that for the first photo in a series to help orient around.

[tjbnwi]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

Joe,

Sorry for the delayed response.

I do not have the CM for the iPhone/iPad, I have used it on others Droids.

What I love about the BuildCalc is what it will do, the user interface is similar.

Some highlights of the BuildCalc;

To go from imperial to metric, swipe across the yards/feet/inches keys, the line now shows m/cm/mm, to switch back swipe again.

Need to know where to set a trammel point for drawing/cutting an arch, enter the rise and run tap conversion, tap Arc. It gives you the trammel point.

Tap Arc twice an Arc layout page comes up. Anything you need to know about an arc layout is there.

Need to install crown there is a button for that. Hit conversion and the same key does fence layouts.

The hip valley key allows you to to enter standard hips, hit conversion and it will show you irregular hips. Again anything you need to know is on the page.

I could go on and on and on. The stair function is beyond incredible, this you have to experience yourself.

Then once you have all that info you need on the screen, just email it where ever it needs to go. Makes printing easy.

It calculates Masonary, Footing, Drywall, Roof material by entering dimensions in a well laid on input page.

Joe, in my opinion this is the best consrtruction calculator on the market. I have multiple stand alone CM's this blows them all away. Only way you will know is you have to try it.

So you know I paid for this (all of my apps that have a cost) app. Though I have spoken to the developer multiple times, I want nor expect nothing from him.

The BaulstrPro is great for spacing anything.

My Measures does what it does very well.

Tom

[Allan Edwards]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

Hanley Wood has a "Builder News" app.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/build...415670438?mt=8

At the bottom of the linked page are Green Builder Media and Architect Magazine Reader apps.

Also, here is an article about iPad use by Boyce Thompson.

http://www.builderonline.com/blogs/p...cid=botw050611

[Ohiobuilder]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

I have been using Google Task Organizer and find it to be very handy to keeping track of small to do's and tasks.

I keep list for personal, each separate job and an End of Day list for the items that have to be completed that day. What is really nice is the tasks can be added with voice recognition and syncs with Google Calender


Also, I cleared one of my screens on my Droidx and they have a wigit that is just for the task list, just swipe to see the different lists.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/google-t...injasoft.tasks

[DWBuilder]

Re: Favorite Apps Thread

I use Loan Calculator Pro on my iphone surprisingly often. Plug in loan amount, length of loan and interest rate and it will calculate a monthly payment and generate an amortization table. It shows you how much interest will be paid and you can plug in extra payments to see how much interest you can save and how much earlier the payoff will be.

I've used it when working on budgets with customers and when working with my bank on equipment finance options. The best use so far was when I was negotiating with the dealership on a new truck--I was able to quickly point out to the finance guy what the payment SHOULD be with all of their back-end stuff (gap insurance, extended warranties etc) stripped out of the deal. He realized he "forgot" to remove a couple things.

At 99 cents, it's a bargain.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/loan-...304485729?mt=8