Browsers and the web do go hand in hand, but there are several applications available these days that enable you to manage your web tasks straight from your desktop. Here are a few things you can do with specific apps:
Moderate WordPress Comments
Moderator (Mac, Windows, Linux)
This Adobe AIR app lets you view and manage comments on your WordPress-powered blog. You can choose to accept or delete unmoderated comments, or mark them as spam. The app will also notify you (on your dock or system tray) of the number of pending comments you have. Comes with a WordPress plug-in.
wp-comments-notifier (Windows)
This open-source app works much in the same way as Moderator, but it’s written in QT/C++ and allows you to reply to and edit your WordPress comments as well as manage them.
Write & Manage Blog Posts
Blogo (Mac)
I only blog using my browser (but that’s because I’m a bit of a control freak)- but I used Blogo’s 21-day trial and really, really liked it. Mostly because of its friendly user interface, and its Whiteroom-like “clean screen” for blogging without distractions.
Windows Live Writer (Windows)
For blogging when I’m on Windows, my app of choice is Writer from Windows Live. It supports WordPress, Blogger, LiveJournal and TypePad, works smoothly, and has a good Windows-y feel to it. The best thing about Live Writer, though, are its plug-ins, which allow you to do things like insert content from your existing Facebook or Flickr accounts.
Monitor Your Website(s)
Website Monitor (Google Gadget)
My favorite desktop web monitoring apps are Google Gadgets, and this is one of them. It’s basic, simple to use, and just works, monitoring the response time and content of your website, and automatically notifying you of any problems.
Do you manage your websites from other desktop apps?
