IT Pro Tuesday #134

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Welcome back to IT Pro Tuesday!

This week, we're asking for your favorite tools and timesavers we can share with the community... those that help you do your job better and more easily. Please reply or leave a comment with your suggestions, and we'll be featuring them in the coming weeks.

As always, we’re updating the full, searchable list on our website here. Enjoy.

But on with this week's tools...! Here are the most-interesting items that have come across our desks, laptops and phones this week. Hornetsecurity has no known affiliation with any of these unless we explicitly state otherwise.

A Free Tool

QuickLook offers a quick preview of file contents when you press the spacebar. batterywithin explains that it "gives you preview like in MacOS... I love this, it's one of my favorite mac tools, now on Windows." (Not for Windows 10 S devices)

Tutorials

Microsoft Virtual Training Days are 1-2 day virtual events for enhancing your skills. Take advantage of expert webinars on Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Dynamics 365 or Microsoft Power Platform and interact with Microsoft experts. denyaaa explains, "you can get 2 free certifications and insight into newer Microsoft products, totally free." US options here.

Another Free Tool

Shodan is a search engine for Internet-connected devices that allows you to discover all the IoT devices on your network. Find out what is connected, where it's located and with whom it's communicating. Appreciation for this one goes to panzerstyle.

Humor

Tech Support Cheat Sheet is the answer for those tired of being expected to know how to use every piece of software that has ever been written, regardless of whether it is at all related to your job. This all-purpose how-to is the perfect addition to your arsenal of user training materials. Battle-tested by Hoggs, who wryly adds, "I share this with my users a lot. :)"

One More Free Tool

f.lux changes the color temperature of your display based on the time of day, which can be far easier on your eyes. uwaterloo adds, "It takes a while to get used to the hue, but it's an easy solution to headaches (besides blue-light blocking lenses). Only disadvantage is if you're doing color-sensitive work since the color will be distorted (but even then, you can disable it for as long as you need)."

P.S. Bonus Free Tools

Ant Renamer makes the task of renaming large groups of files and folders easier. You simply select the files you want to rename and choose one of the provided renaming rules. Allows you to stop and undo renaming tasks in case you have regrets. Supports Unicode names. Kindly suggested by Moubai.

Unchecky is a quick answer to installers that try to push crapware or system modifications by requiring you to uncheck boxes at installation. Should you miss unchecking a box, you end up having to remove programs or reconfigure later on. Unchecky automatically unchecks unrelated installs and warns you about potentially suspect offers. corewen2 likes that, "This little small program has saved so many headaches of having to go back and uninstall crap…"

Have a fantastic week and as usual, let us know any comments.