Note: I wrote this post on a personal blog a few years ago, but I think it still pertains to developers using Coda or any all-in-one application.

…Panic software (the makers of Transmit FTP) have released a new “all in one” web site management application called Coda. The basic goal of this app is to take a bunch of things needed to build websites and place them all together in one application. Now, pardon my skepticism and negativity, but the best part about using an operating system, particularly one like Mac OS X, is that I can easily use multiple simple or complex applications in a quick fashion to complete projects. And to put it in short, I just don’t get the point of putting everything together in one app, even if it is developed by some of the best software makers around.

In fact, the whole idea seems to go against all the benefits of running OS X, much less running multiple applications targeted to exactly what I need. Granted, some apps get a little intense and do more than I may need. For example, I can’t say I use scripting in many apps that support it, but that’s because I don’t have to. An application like TextMate gives me the opportunity to pick and choose exactly what I want from a text editor. It isn’t trying to do too much, particularly because if it did it would interrupt the way I work. The things I don’t use don’t get in my way, and the things I do use are easy to get to. Sure, there are applications out there .. iTunes .. hut…hum.. that do handle tons of tasks all under one umbrella. But guess what, advanced music creators probably don’t use iTunes to do the majority of their composing, editing, and refining. Even though it may have the capability to do some of these tasks. This is why Apple created iWeb for novice web builders, because it allows them to do what they need without getting drug into the depths of web development. The problem is, Coda is iWeb for pros, which is a paradox in and of itself.

Here’s the gist of what I am getting at — the ideal application should be great at handling everything you need to do and shouldn’t get in the way if you don’t use every feature it offers.

Coda, to me, doesn’t seem to follow this line of logic. Rather, it forces the developer to use everything it provides and it doesn’t give much leeway in one direction or the other. For instance, Coda comes with Transmit FTP built in. Which sounds great until you want to connect to a client’s site to update one tiny PDF file. Suddenly you find yourself launching the entire client web project just to make one tiny update, an update that won’t even require 80% of the tools that Coda brings up. It’s like using photoshop to casually view pictures, no one wants to do it! Having an application that does too much is like having a beautiful piece of jewelry that weighs too much to wear. It may look great but dealing with it first hand just seems like a waste of time and comfort.

As a long time user of OS X I’ve tacked on application after application to handle small, but essential, tasks.

Fluid for running my calendar and Stacks, JustNotes for syncing with simplenote, The Hist List for personal tasks, Quicksilver for application launching, and xScope for Web Development quickies.

Each of these applications has the option, and generally encourages, the use of global shortcuts. For those of you that don’t know, a global shortcut is a keyboard shortcut that can be can be used system wide.

The main advantage of this is the ability to access common features or tools without having to switch apps (i.e. switching songs in iTunes). However, many applications have default shortcuts that get overwritten by the global alternative. For instance, a common shortcut in Photoshop is cmd-option-d which is used to feather a selection. Yet, in OS X, trying to use this results in the dock getting hidden.

The best way around this issue is to create custom shortcuts for things that have conflicts or need quick access. However, before diving in and going crazy — “uh.. what did I set that shortcut to? *Click*click*click*, oh, right, cmd-option-shif-ctrl-F3″ — follow a simple framework to avoid headaches . Here’s what I recommend.

1. If possible leave the standard program shortcuts in place. This makes for less hassle down the road if you ever have to reinstall the OS or use multiple machines for task (i.e. a school computer lab).
2. Make all program based shortcuts cmd-ctrl-LETTER. To date I have not found any program in OS X that by default uses cmd-ctrl-LETTER shortcut’s. The first advantage to this is that you don’t have to worry about overwriting already-in-place shortcuts. Second, and most importantly, the cmd-ctrl keys are super easy to reach and use.
3. For custom global shortcuts use a standard. Preferably cmd-option-ctrl-LETTER. Similar to the last bullet, I have never found a pre-set shortcut that used cmd-option-ctrl-LETTER. Yes, it sound like a lot of keys, but it’s three right in a row and they’re easy to reach.

The point is, if you standardize pre-set, local, and global shortcuts you’ll never have to worry about the key combo, all you’ll have to do is remember the letter or number you used. Further, it’ll keep conflicts at a minimum and give you a lot of options for growth down the road.

I’d love to hear other tips on what people are using so don’t hesitate to comment with your suggestions.

I just recently got back into the magic of Pandora, an awesome way to find new music and share music mixes with friends.

However, after a few hours of use I remembered what kept from making it my main jukebox player in the beginning. The answer is simple, it’s hard to use while working in other applications. For someone like me who spends hours at a time locked in a text editor, switching to my browser and tracking down a play/pause button 20+ times a day can be frustrating. My first idea was to move Pandora to a standalone browser instance using Fluid. However, after a quick search and a bit of help from a co-worker I found an even better solution — PandoraBoy. It’s a small free Google code application that works similar to a standalone browser instance but also adds global hotkey controls.

You can set global shortcuts for actions such as: play/pause, next song, next station, previous station, vote up, vote down, player volume, and mute.

Once mapped you can use Pandora as your primary media player without ever having to view it in browser. Props to the makers of this app, it’s exactly what I was looking for. If you’re keen to try it you can download it now.

If you find, like me, that you can’t stand the dock icon you can use the quick one I whipped up. Download my PandoraBoy alternative icon.

Those of you familiar with Imulus know we’ve been working on a Group Task Management application for sometime now. It’s called Stacks

We developed Stacks out of necessity. It was once an Excel spreadsheet three years ago. It has morphed into an online application which we can’t live without, so we’ve decided to put it out there for others to enjoy. In the last few weeks we’ve made great progress on getting the internal beta application ready for beta testers.

Our goal is to open it up for testing before the end of October, but that’s only if client work doesn’t seriously push us off course.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be rolling out screen captures and hints to Stack’s functionality. Please stay tuned or apply to become a beta tester!