Brent is the Program Manager and Emerging Technologies Evangelist at the eLearning Guild.  Brent blogs at Corporate elearning strategies and development

Brent's Top 10 Tools as at 14 March 2008

1. Drupal: This is an awesome open source CMS that can have any low level wannabe web designer building functional sites with nifty features in no time. The DrupalEd community has created an install that includes all of the modules for a great educational site in ONE simple install saving you many, many hours

2. Google Reader: Hands down the best web-based RSS aggregator. This is how I scan my world quickly and stay connected with my communities of practice all over the world.

3. Blogger: Sure, I want to switch to Wordpress, but I started with Blogger exactly 2 years ago and I've just gotten used to putting up with it.

4. Facebook: I've only recently started getting deeper into Facebook, but I've tested just about every other social network, and social network creator, around and Facebook simply has the right formula for what makes for a GREAT social networking experience. I'm hooked

5. Firefox: It seems like everyone listed this, but you just can't beat it. I hate MS IE, and many sites simply still don't work in Safari.

6. iPhone SDK: This software developer's kit will truly change the world of mobile learning.  Serious Games will get a big boost as will any rapid development vendor that embraces an iPhone export option with their development tools.  LMS vendors should be creating apps that sync courses, curriculum, etc.

7. iTunes: Podcasting (video and audio) has replaced broadcast television in my life. Its also a MAJOR component of my personal lifelong learning toolkit. My favorite music, podcasts, movies, TV episodes, all in one place and syncable, and playable on my iPhone...that's a beautiful thing.

8. Bento: Finally, a user-friendly database for the rest of us.  Sure, its not as robust as FileMaker Pro, but it doesn't claim to be and I don't want it to be.  

9. Skitch: An unbelievably cool little mac app for screen captures, minor image editing, and sharing. This tool has made blogging images easier, faster, and much more fun. I find a new use for it just about everyday. My fear is that once the beta is over they'll want me to pay for it. But I'll pay...it's that good.

10. Skype: VoIP is simply a sweet deal...at least when I'm at my computer. $30 for a year's worth of free calls around the world is a very sweet deal

Brent's 10 Top Tools as at 20 July 2007

1. Drupal: This is an awesome open source CMS that can have any low level wannabe web designer building functional sites with nifty features in no time. The DrupalEd community has created an install that includes all of the modules for a great educational site in ONE simple install saving you many, many hours

2. Google Reader: Hands down the best web-based RSS aggregator. This is how I scan my world quickly and stay connected with my communities of practice all over the world.

3. Blogger: Sure, I want to switch to Wordpress, but I started with Blogger exactly 2 years ago and I've just gotten used to putting up with it.

4. Facebook: I've only recently started getting deeper into Facebook, but I've tested just about every other social network, and social network creator, around and Facebook simply has the right formula for what makes for a GREAT social networking experience. I'm hooked

5. Firefox: It seems like everyone listed this, but you just can't beat it. I hate MS IE, and many sites simply still don't work in Safari.

6. iPhone: I know this is about applications but there currently is NO better complete mobile "application" than the combined applications of the iPhone. I'm having an unbelievable experience with it and could never consider returning to the now old school blackberry, Treo, or razor.

7. iTunes: Podcasting (video and audio) has replaced broadcast television in my life. Its also a MAJOR component of my personal lifelong learning toolkit. My favorite music, podcasts, movies, TV episodes, all in one place and syncable, and playable on my iPhone...that's a beautiful thing.

8. Parallels: One killer MacBook Pro, Two operating systems: OSX when I want to be productive/creative/innovative and have some fun, and WindowsXP when the rest of the world comes calling

9. Skitch: An unbelievably cool little mac app for screen captures, minor image editing, and sharing. This tool has made blogging images easier, faster, and much more fun. I find a new use for it just about everyday. My fear is that once the beta is over they'll want me to pay for it. But I'll pay...it's that good.

10. Skype: VoIP is simply a sweet deal...at least when I'm at my computer. $30 for a year's worth of free calls around the world is a very sweet deal.