I'm curious about the software tools that every sysadmin considers essential enough to personally invest in. What are some of those tools that aren't just company-paid, but you'd actually pay for yourself? I'm thinking about something like TreeSize Pro, which isn't too pricey and can really simplify life as an admin. What do you all think?
5 Answers
Everything by Voidtools is amazing for file searches. It’s free and instantly finds files on local drives, which is a lifesaver when trying to locate misplaced files. I swear by it!
Very handy indeed! I always recommend it to my coworkers.
For me, the only software I would buy is a good keyboard and mouse. I brought my favorites from my last job and won't settle for the cheap stuff at work. An extra monitor is also a must if the company only provides one! Otherwise, I believe any admin tools should be covered by the company.
Totally agree! I had my keyboard reimbursed before, and I'm convinced good peripherals make all the difference.
Same here! My keyboard from consulting is with me now, and I’ll never use the standard ones they provide.
If you want to be effective, learning standard *nix tools is key. Tools like ssh, curl, and grep are invaluable. These are tools that are often available by default and can simplify a lot of tasks without complicating setups. Pair them with some basic scripting and you’ll be unstoppable!
Best advice ever! Investing time in learning the command line is worth every minute.
What resources did you use to learn those tools? I'm trying to pick up Powershell myself!
Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager is an absolute must-have! It’s super handy for managing multiple connections and makes life so much easier.
I can second that! It’s so underrated but really makes a difference.
Definitely! I can't live without it now.
I won’t buy any software that my company won't cover, but I did find Beyond Compare to be a fantastic purchase years ago. Their licensing allows you to use it on any machine, and it's super helpful for file comparisons. Plus, their customer service is top-notch!
What’s Beyond Compare? Is it really that good?
Absolutely, I can't imagine not having it now. It’s so useful for my daily tasks!
I liked Everything too! It worked wonders when I lost some essential files.