Product Recommendations

David W. Jeske

Here is a list of products which I consider "best-of-breed". I have used all of these products, and at least a couple of their competitors. If you would like more specific feedback about any of these products, don't hesitate to email me (jeske@chat.net).

Computers

Full-Text Search - my page about text-indexing tools
Microsoft.NET/CLR/C# - A great programming language and virtual machine design which fixes many of the problems of Java and the JVM.
Python - Absolutly the best scripting language available. Simple clean syntax, tons of modules available, and the most unrestrictive license out there.
ClearSilver - A great web-development templating technology. Forces separation of presentation and content while making it easier to develop and debug webpages. Something like XML/XSLT in concept, but tons easier to use.
Internet Explorer - Absolutly the best web browser out there (IE5.5). Why can't open source make a browser this fast and good? (Konqurer is close, but not there yet)
Perforce - the best source code revision/config management system I've used to date. (see my projects page for Perforce related scripts)
SilentDrive - a hard drive muffler which works as advertized!
Lua - an embedded scripting language. 100% ANSI C, really small, and trivial to embed.
Mutt - a text based MIME email client
mySQL - a mostly free and robust SQL database
CRT - a shareware windows telnet client. The best telnet client I've used (that includes comparison with xterm).

Remote Control Slope Soaring

CombatWings XL - I pulled a few of my friends into combat slope soaring and we ordered a variety of planes at the same time, including a Zagi 3C, Tuffplanes Bushwacker, Tuffplanes Aircobra, and a CombatWings XL. The XL was the easiest build and the best flying of all of them. Very little reflex is needed, it tracks perfectly in the air, has plenty of room for standard radio gear, and has a wide performance range. If you want a slightly nimbler ship, get the (normal-chord) XR instead. Either way, go with CombatWings. We've bought two more XLs since then so each of us can have one.

Online-Resources

CodeProject
Consumer Reports Online - you have to subscribe to get to any really usefull information, however, it's good info once you get there. Plus, you can find what you want when you want it, instead of waiting for them to run an article about it in the print magazine.
Edmunds Car Info, CarPoint Car Info
HINT Processor Benchmarks

Other Interesting Projects or Links

Unison - file synchronizer

David W. Jeske - (jeske@chat.net)