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Links

• Document Preparation

  • LaTeX
    LaTeX is pretty much the de facto standard for scientific academic papers. LaTeX's ability to handle equations, references, cross references, and large documents makes it an invaluable tool when it comes to document preparation. It has a reasonably high learning curve, but it is definitely worth learning in the long run.
  • LyX
    LyX is essentially a GUI for LaTeX. It does not follow the WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) model, but rather, the WYSIWYM (what you see is what you mean) model. It greatly reduces the learning curve for using LaTeX, gives all the flexibility of LaTeX, and greatly simplifies the process. I highly recommend this software. Works on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux.
  • JabRef
    Simple Java program that creates and manages BibTeX bibliography reference databases. Very easy to use. Works on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux.
  • pro TeXt
    pro TeXt is an all in one LaTeX set up. It includes MiKTeX, TeXnicCenter, Ghostscript, and GSView - Everything you need for a fully functional LaTeX work station. If you are new to LaTeX and want to do it the old fashion way, install this. Otherwise, use LyX. Windows only.

• Open Source Software

  • 7zip
    7zip is by far the best archive program I have come across. It can handle most common archive types (including zip and rar), is lightweight, and fast. Highly recommended. Windows only.
  • Audacity
    This program is great for basic sound recording and editing needs. It takes some getting used to, but I have found it to be able to do most everything that I need. Works on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux.
  • FileZilla
    FileZilla is a simple, yet full featured file transfer client that supports FTP, SFTP, FTPS, and FTPES. Works on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux.
  • Firefox
    A web browser that is far superior to Internet Explorer (especially from a web designers point of view). Works on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux.
  • Launchy
    Launchy is an application launcher that will really increase the speed with which you can open programs and files. Simply press a keyboard combination (default is alt+space), type in the first few letters of the program, and hit enter. After you get used to it, you'll almost never use the start menu again. Works on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux.
  • Notepad++
    A great, light weight text editor that has numerous features including syntax highlighting and macros. Windows only.
  • PDFCreator
    A simple PDF printer. Windows Only.
  • Portable Apps
    A suite of applications (all OSS) that can be installed on a flash drive. You can find portable versions of many popular OSS. While most of the applications are cross platform, the shell which is used to install them onto a flash drive is Windows only.
  • Thunderbird
    An email client made by Mozilla, makers of Firefox. I've always preferred it to Outlook and Outlook Express. Works on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux.

• Web Design

  • 15 Essential Checks Before Launching Your Website
    A shorter checklist of things to do before launching a new website.
  • A List Apart
    A List Apart is a magazine for people who make websites. The articles are very well written and include detailed explanation of the topic in question. Articles cover topics from content, structure, layout, CSS, marketing, design philosophy, and many others. Most articles are targeted at the experienced web developer, but there is still a lot for beginners as well.
  • A List Apart - Print
    An article from A List Apart that discusses preparing websites for print media.
  • ColorJack - Color Theory Visualizer
    A simple web utility for picking color schemes based on a variety of conditions. Selected color swaths can then be outputted to most major image softwares.
  • Fonts 500
    A database of 500 fonts. All of the fonts are supposed to be free.
  • Host Monster
    My current web host. I have been with them since 2006 and am quite happy with their service.
  • Meta Tags Analyzer
    Analyze any website's meta data from this site. It is convenient for seeing how search engines interpret your website and use this information for search indexing.
  • mod_rewrite
    Information about to properly use the .htacess file for Apache web servers.
  • MySQL Documentation
    Documentation for MySQL functions and commands.
  • php: Hypertext Preprocessor
    The PHP home page. Also includes a comprehensive function list complete with examples.
  • Typetester - Compare fonts for the screen
    The Typetester is an online application for comparison of the fonts for the screen. Its primary role is to make web designer's life easier. As the new fonts are bundled into operating systems, the list of the common fonts will be updated.
  • Ultimate Website Launch Checklist
    A checklist of just about everything that needs to be completed prior to (and just following) a new website launch.
  • W3C - World Wide Web Consortium
    The World Wide Web Consortium is the main standards body for all things associated with the internet. They have references and specifications on major web languages as well as validators for HTML and CSS.
  • W3C CSS 2.1 Specification
    W3C CSS specifications. The primary reference for anything and everything related to Cascading Style Sheets. The index is particularly useful.
  • W3C Schools
    W3C Schools has beginning lessons for (X)HTML, CSS, PHP, XML, and almost everything else related to the web. Chances are, if you want to learn something associated with the internet, you can find at least an introduction to the topic on this website. Everything is very well organized and explained, complete with examples and further references.
  • W3C XHTML Working Group
    W3C XHTML specifications. The primary reference for XHTML standards.

• Academic

  • MIT
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • MIT EI
    MIT Energy Initiative
  • MIT ME
    MIT Mechanical Engineering (Course 2)
  • UCLA
    University of California, Los Angeles
  • UCLA HSSEAS
    UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
  • UCLA MAE
    UCLA Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

• RSS Feeds

  • BBC News
    The BBC World News is among the most comprehensive and fair news reporting sources around. Great for knowing what is going on around the world.
  • The New York Times
    Great source of US news with the occasional good article on world news.
  • The New York Times Magazine
    The New York Times Magazine has interesting articles on random topics. They are all quite long.
  • The Wall Street Journal
    One of the best sources of financial news.
  • The Tech
    MIT's student newspaper - keeps me up to date on school related issues.
  • Daily Bruin
    UCLA's student newspaper - keeps me up to date on the school as well as California issues.

Karan Mistry is not responsible for the content of these links. Due to the transient nature of the web, it is difficult to keep track of linked content.

Please notify me if any of the links do not work.