Software helps keep it simple

I walked into my school’s tech lab the other day just in time to overhear someone shouting: “Computers exist to make my life harder!”

I strenuously disagree. Computers were created to save time but were later overcomplicated by various software corporations. (Yes, Microsoft, I am looking at you.)

However, some Internet companies have been hearing the cries of the technologically repressed. Google and a few start-ups have made it their mission to keep things simple.

Several of their Web sites really do save time. I use them primarily for homework, but those of you who have finished school will find them useful for, well, life really.

Instacalc (instacalc.com): This sharp site was mentioned on the .TXT blog, but I think it needs even more love. The three pillars of Instacalc are speed, versatility and ease of use. In addition to normal math operations, this site handles charts, conversions and even advanced math such as trigonometry and logarithms. For example, you can simply type “200 kph to mph,” and Instacalc’s small window will instantly display the answer. Texas Instruments is so 2002.

Google Scholar (scholar.google.com): The normal Google search is one of the simplest, most useful tools out there. The only problem is there is no guarantee these sites are credible, which can present issues for writers of essays, reports and the like. On the other hand, Google Scholar queries a massive database of only reliable, scholarly works. Available topics range from engineering to metaphysics. Many sources are displayed as full text, and all have a “Library Search” link. This points you to the nearest libraries with the ink and paper version.

Math.com: As much as it pains me to say, there is no escaping math. It really is everywhere, which is why this site is so comforting. No matter what sort of math problem you are faced with, math.com has step-by-step instructions to help. Finally, a tutor that makes 24/7 house calls.

Del.icio.us (http://del.icio.us): This site allows you to bookmark as many other sites as you want, then access the bookmarks from any computer. Very handy for organizing Internet research, as well, because you can use keywords to “tag” each bookmark and share them with the world, if you wish. You also can search through other people’s bookmarks as an alternative to search engines.

Remember the Milk (rememberthemilk.com): Perhaps the best organizational tool to come along since the calendar, this site makes it nearly impossible to forget. It supports sorting tasks into categories, due dates, completion time estimates and integration with Google Gmail. Oh, and every sort of alarm setup possible, such as e-mail and text messaging. Amazingly, all this functionality is packaged to minimize the learning curve.

Having mentioned all these legitimate sites, it’s important to remember there are other sites far more questionable. Most notably, the number of essay and term paper sites is on the rise. Most offer free essay samples, but do not get excited just yet – most are your typical Internet garbage. I would imagine the for-pay essays are much better, but no less ethically objectionable.

In addition, services like turnitin.com make using someone else’s essay a risky proposition. That site is designed to help track down the fraudulent use of presold Web essays. I have seen the tool work and it is every bit as good as the company claims. If you are paranoid about being labeled a cheater, you can use the site to check your own work (for a nominal fee, of course).

So if computing seems like more trouble than it’s worth, try out a few of these sites. The oft-discussed Web 2.0 technology is not just a gimmick – increasingly efficient front- and back-end Internet programming is boosting the potential usability, speed and versatility of every computer. And the best part is, almost all of this is absolutely free.

Christopher Garlock is a student at Spokane’s Gonzaga Prep. He