Since Windows 7 came along a ton of things have changed. One of those things is modifying the way that folders are configured.
I for one, need to see hidden files and folders. It something that, as a web developer, I just need.
- Click Start and launch the control panel.
- Now click Folder options under Appearance and Personalization, and then click Folder Options.
- Click the View tab.
- Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and then click OK.
Posted in Windows
Tagged with files & folders Windows
This last week I have been using Aptana’s Studio 3. I came across it when I watched a tutorial on the web. The guy giving the tutorial was using the older version.
I immediately thought the IDE looked easy to use but in the same respect quite powerful.
After the tutorial finished I popped over to the Aptana site and downloaded the new Beta version of the Studio 3 application. I have to say I was a little wary that the app was still in beta but so far I haven’t found any issues. I’m guessing, or maybe hoping, that the beta is just a version short of a few features rather than an incomplete test version.
The app comes in three varieties, Mac, Windows and Linux which is cool as I’m forced to use a windows machine at work. Another great thing is that it’s my favourite price, free.  I have to say that I’ve used a few of the free IDE’s out there and Aptana is definitely the most highly polished.
Installation
As I say I have installed the app on both windows and mac machines and I found the the download was quite small at 130.7 MB AND 102.1 MB respectively. The installation process was a pretty standard affair for both operating systems. The mac mounted a disk image and you drag the app to the applications folder. The PC launched the usual installation wizard which is the usual few steps and the app is ready.
Usage
The app is quite quick to load even on my old Windows XP machine which is currently dogged by random restarts. The interface comes as standard with a black background which is way easier on the eye than the white I’d been used to. It’s funny how you don’t even notice until you switch, and the grass really is greener.
One superb feature
In the past I’ve used local IDE’s that have no FTP connection etc and I have gotten used to clicking save, switching app then uploading the changes to the server. For a while I have been using a certain mac app that connects to the FTP so I can work directly online, my only concern about this is effectively only having one copy of my work.
Aptana has a cool feature whereby you work in a local folder but you can specify a connection for each project. There is the a checkbox in the project deployment settings that let’s you automatically upload your saves to the server. It’s such a timesaver and it means I have my local copy all backed up plus the server copy all in perfect sync.
My new Aptana based workflow
As I mention I like to have an offline backup of my work, it thinks it’s only sensible these days. I currently use Dropbox to store most of my work. It’s a fantastic application and has free options, but that’s not why were here. Just as a brief history if there is anyone left in the world who doesn’t use dropbox, it simply stores your files online so that you can access them from anywhere.
So my files are saved in dropbox, Aptana is configured to automatically sync to the FTP site so everything is always in sync no matter if I’m working from work or on my iMac or Macbook.
I wrote a review of Dropbox for Boagworld some time ago if you like to check it out here it is.
Aptana have not asked me to write this review, but I hope they would like it.
Posted in Featured Software Windows
Tagged with IDE Windows
