What non-programming tools do you use for programming?

[CodeTRUCKER]

I was wondering what non-programming tools different folks use for programming?  Anything you use to help that is not your IDE or actual coding software is game.
Thanks!

[Eóin]

Does a music player count ?

Two very simple things I use is a window and a couch. Sometimes when you know what needs to be done, but not how to do you need to get away from the screen for a bit. I find either staring out a window, or lying down on my back with eyes closed is just what I need to clear my mind and get some proper thinking done.

[mitzevo]

Yeah I remember learning mind maps in secondary school (or brain storming), lol.

I guess IRC would be a non-programming tool that I use for programming, possibly.. no actually a web browser too 

[hollowlife1987]

I use a notebook to map out my ideas for the program, and how objects in my program will interact with each other. (going to build a white board so i can easily change my ideas and stuff without wasting paper)

Also when i need to think I pace around my room.

[Renegade]

What do I use when I'm programing... Hmmm... Let's see:

1) Beer
2) My bed
3) More beer
4) Books
5) Paper & pen/pencil/marker
6) Whiteboard
7) Even more beer
8 ) My bed again
9) Search engines
10) Whiskey if I don't have any more cold beer (need ice and sometimes coke - VERY RARE)

Well, that's a top 10 I suppose.

Did I mention beer?

[tinjaw]

Some of the apps I use when programming:

• Irfanview
• SnagIt
• Dia

[Veign]

My List:
Google - Cause I can always find what I need from Google.
emEditor - A nice interface makes coding that much easier.  Find myself doing tons of web dev out of emEditor.  When I'm not in there I'll be working out of PHPEdit.
Graph Paper - For some reason doodling on graph paper helps me think.
Note-It - Just a place I can float notes on top of what I'm doing.

[app103]

I am trying to get away from pen & paper as much as possible, since the amount I can go through planning a project is enormous, costly, and not environmentally friendly.  

I am opting more for Paintshop Pro and a software based sticky note board, along with ToDo lists and simple text files.

Then there is of course my browser, for research...

and various chat programs for when I get frustrated and need help or to just interact with another human to relieve stress.

Essential though, is a HUGE cup of tea and a pack of Djarums...I won't get anywhere without that.

and sometimes...bubblegum.

What non-programming tools do you use for programming?

[mouser]

Whiteboard, spiral notebook, 4 color pen.
M&M's.

[Renegade]

Nobody else uses BASE tools? (Beer Assisted Software Engineering)   

[Veign]

M&M's.

-mouser (December 12, 2006, 03:58 PM)

Peanut or Plain?

[f0dder]

Veign: plain - that's what I use, anyway.

Sometimes pen and paper, for some reason getting away from the computer and not using a text editor helps. Got a (too small, but still nice) whiteboard too. A bunch of (physical) books on coding, as well as some ebooks. Google & MSDN.

And as Eóin, laying in bed or on a couch, or going for a stroll.

[mouser]

Peanut or Plain?

the only way to go is buy two big bags and mix them.

[Veign]

Im peanuts all the way.  That didn't sound right

[Jammo the OrganizedFellow]

Im peanuts all the way.  That didn't sound right

-Veign (December 12, 2006, 05:37 PM)

LMAO
thanks for the laugh tonight.

i grab a pad & paper - although i love mindmapping with Mindjet Mindmanager, it's just much faster and intuitive to draw/write by hand.

2nd tool that is indespendible to webdevelopment/design, macromedia/adobe fireworks

[mouser]

for visualizing ideas i really do most often use paper - keep a notebook or two just for sketching ideas.
but a flowchart/diagramming tool can be really nice too.

[jgpaiva]

Paper, definitelly.
I keep a huge pile of used paper got from old schoolwork, bad prints and such. I always use this paper to draw my ideas, mostly to keep me from forgetting stuff, which still happens quite frequently
I'd love to have a white board, but it has two problems: lack of portability (i often spend the weekend at my parents') and it takes too much space (if i want to have a decent one, i can't fit it in any wall )

[app103]

M&M's.

-mouser (December 12, 2006, 03:58 PM)

Peanut or Plain?

-Veign (December 12, 2006, 04:09 PM)

you forgot about peanut butter, mint, and crispy

mint are my fav 

peanut butter comes in 2nd.

[app103]

I'd love to have a white board, but it has two problems: lack of portability (i often spend the weekend at my parents') and it takes too much space (if i want to have a decent one, i can't fit it in any wall )

-jgpaiva (December 13, 2006, 04:25 AM)

Tightwadder's whiteboard:  white posterboard covered with clear packaging tape

This can be folded and taken with you.   

You can use the standard dry erase markers, or even better is high quality Crayola crayons (just buff off with a dry paper towel or cloth).

The crayon is less likely to smear, they don't dry out, and you can get a whole lot more colors for the same price as a good set of markers.

Now...if you find yourself drawing the same type of diagram over & over the same way, consider taking a black Sharpie and drawing a template for yourself on the posterboard before you cover it with the clear tape.

When my daughter was younger, I did one with a map of the US on it for her to use as a study tool.

[Ruffnekk]

Besides the VS IDE I use a hex editor, VIM, Google, the MSDN library and pen & paper. Required accessoires on my desk are Twinkies®, coffee, an ashtray and a bunch of cigarettes  That's about all I need to code away

[Dr-Leech]

I use some IMs, Skype and a feed reader (oh, big time waster, damnit)