Stop Sucking Series: Improve your IM

This one goes out to anyone still using Aol Instant Messaging and thinking that they are enjoying IM. If you are going to IM, you need to upgrade your software so it no longer includes the keyword “Aol.”

My vote for the best IM Client: Digsby.

Why it beats others like pidgin?

The social networking and email tools provided by Digsby make it the all in one social connectivity program.

So start off by visiting the website:

http://www.digsby.com/

The client has all the great features that users have come to expect for IM software as well as all of the following:

Email -

• Manage your Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL/AIM Mail, IMAP, and POP accounts right from digsby.
• Get popup notifications when new email arrives. Clicking a popup takes you right to the message with auto-login into webmail accounts.
• The email InfoBox gives you a snapshot of your unread messages with just one click
• Perform actions such as “Mark as Read” or “Report Spam” right from the email InfoBox.
• Send emails to your friends right from the IM window. The email is sent directly from any account digsby is tracking for you.

Social Networking -

• Stay up to date with everything happening on your Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace account (other network support coming soon).
• Receive alerts of events such as new friend requests, messages, group invites, etc.
• The social network InfoBox gives you a real time NewsFeed of what your friends are up to. Everything from new photos, to status updates, to upcoming birthdays is just a click away.
• Set your Facebook and Twitter status right from Digsby.

With the added ability to install personal themes from sites like http://digsbies.org/site/, I see no reason to use any other IM client.

Plus, it has been noted in their blog that there is an update coming soon to fix my only complaint about digsby: Its RAM usage. With that fixed, and using a much lower amount of memory, switching to Digsby will be a must.

So, stop sucking and switch to Digsby!

LinkDrop: Photoshop tutorials and hacking your life

The Links:

Pixel2Life – Awesome site for tutorials of all kinds, but especially photoshop.

Good-Tutorials – Another similar tutorial site that has a very very large selection.

PSHero – A great photoshop tutorial site. It doesn’t have the largest collection, but they are all quality tutorials.

Lifehacker – My favorite site for improving computer productivity, as well as real life productivity.

LifeHackery – Tips and tricks for getting your life in shape.

LifeHack – Lots of useful articles for improving productivity and your overall life experience.

Patriotism – A picture of true patriotism..

MIT OpenCourseware

Did you know that MIT offers a lot of free course materials and entire courses online?

I thought that this was really a gem, and I plan on watching some of the full lecture videos in the future. The categories include everything from engineering to physical education.

MIT OpenCourseware – Audio/Video Courses

Props to people who like to learn new things in their free time.