I am a developer (or an imposter who thinks he is a developer).



A developer has to figure out solutions to problems, and sometimes carry the rest of the humanity along for the ride.

I am unique in that - rest of the developers do that 99.99xxx99% of the time, and I fill in the gap.

For that communication to be effective with my fellow humans: I prefer to structure the information, use any means within my reach and in general, not be known as a snob.

I need presentation tools to do all those preferences to happen in the real world.

Here are my favourite tools to present my invaluable ideas to the world. I work on a PC using Windows 10 - so, feel free to banish this site if you are a Mac’er. Most of the tools are free - thank you all, you are awesome.

Helpers

Helpers come first since these are omni present and are useful regardless of the medium of presentation (well, almost).

1. ShareX
   
   Using ShareX for a million years now, never let me down. I was a fan of Screenshot Captor before but I have moved on.
   ShareX can automate post screenshot flow - e.g. open Greenshot Editor to resize screenshot, upload the screenshot to a target host, copy the image or shortcut to clipboard, and take the dog out for a walk in the mean time.
   
   
   
2. InputDirector
   I don’t have a multi-monitor setup. But I do have an extra laptop. When I am doing presentations, or referring to too many materials at one go - InputDirector stands by for the rescue.
   
   
   I can seamlessly transition from my desktop to my laptop and back - all using a single keyboard and mouse combination.
   
   
   
3. yeED
   Write UMLs, simple flows, and stuff.
   
   
   
4. Pencil
   Create prototypes, mockups and simple diagrams.
   
   
   
5. GlassBrick
   Zoom in, zoom out, and be done.
   You never knew you wanted this program until you have started using it.
   
   
   
6. PowerPoint
   I use Powerpoint (an offline version) - there that’s out in the open.\

Screencast

1. Camtasia
   I have tried many screencasting software - but Camtasia works best for developers. Period.
   Record, edit sound in Audacity - and you are done.
   
   
   

2. Voicemeeter
   
   
   Do some sound processing magic in real-time - do live streaming, record, or just about anything else.
   
   
   Having a weak voice ain’t keeping us from speaking. Even the strongest of alphas will have doubts about who’s on the other side when you use Voicemeeter. All hail computers.
   
   
   Combine this with VB-Cable virtual audio device.
   
   
   

3. Epic-pen
   Highlight certain areas of the screen during a presentation.
   
   
   

4. LiceCAP
   
   
   If you are not doing anything bombastic, you should consider GIFs rather than a video. LiceCAP is good enough software to record GIFs fast.

Podcast

I am not into podcasts and only did test runs so far. This will be my resort when there are zombies around and I cannot communicate through books, blog posts or videos.

I am ready with the below tools when it is time.

1. Audacity
   Greatest sound recorder, processor ever.
   
   
   
2. Voicemeeter
   Yes, again.

Writing

Many of you will feel disappointed that I present through writing. But I can’t help it if I am a terrific author.

Blogs

1. Wordpress Post / Page Editor
   
   
   I tried a lot of software including the Wordpress offline editor, but none of them provide the same seamless experience as the inbuilt editor.
   
   
   Don’t use Gutenberg though - that has to be killed by fire as of Y2018.
   
   
   
2. Markdown editors on Netlify CMS and Siteleaf
   
   
   If you are getting started or in a hurry to write posts (who isn’t?) - these work fine. Choose one depending on your preference.
   
   
   
3. Offline markdown editing on VS Code
   
   
   I can put all my stupid preferences in VS Code, write and commit to Git. For e.g. I can Emmet something like typing a {:target="_blank"} after links in Jekyll markdown files.
   
   
   I could do something similar using PhraseExpress in all applications, but there is only so much productivity to improve on an yearly basis.
   
   
   

Books

1. Pandoc
   
   
   You can write what you want but you are not getting anywhere without providing that in a thousand formats. Pandoc has you covered.
   
   
   
2. Typora
   
   
   Write markdown, see magical rendering as you type, apply themes, and save/export in popular formats.
   
   
   Have a look at my book writing process flow
   
   
   
3. Did I mention VS Code for markdown?
   
   
   I think I am in love with that tool.

Well, that’s about my tool-set; get back to work.