thoughts of a codingbadger

Bit of a cryptic title I know, but let me explain.

There have been a number of occasions on Twitter when a tweet has wandered in to my timeline along the lines of:

"What's the keyboard shortcut in GMail to send a message to Archive? #lazyweb"

Ok so that question may be a bit too simple but it is generally "How can I get [Web App] to do [some specific task]" If I don't know the answer then a quick search normally brings up the answer.

But I'm not immediately switching to Google for my searching, oh no boys and girls... I'm searching here first:

Now just to get one small and tiny detail out of the way, I am a Moderator on this site, so it's natural that I am going to say how brilliant it is! But here is the thing, it really is brilliant!

That Trello thing everyone is talking about? Well a question was asked about Trello on Web Applications waaay back in September 2011. And there are plenty more really awesome questions lurking about.

I would bet that if you have a query about anything Trello related, it has probably already been asked.  If by some miracle it hasn't, then you should ask it. The Trello Developers actively use Web Applications and answer any queries you may have. Pretty cool huh?

Moving on to Google. I don't know a single person who doesn't use Google in one form or other.  Web Applications is an Aladdin's cave full of nifty little Google tricks and tips.

Did you know that Google adds a load of JavaScript nonsense to your search results? Want to get rid of it? Well, here is the answer.

Have you ever wondered what the query string parameter `shva` means when logging in to GMail? Well, wonder no more!

Are you trying to work out how to automatically post your Google+ posts to your Facebook? Well, conserve your brain power and check out this answer.

Another nice Web Application that is getting a lot of attention at the moment is, If This Then That. This super simple Web App is all about Triggers, Actions & Channels. If this happens then do that. This could be you posting on Google+, the that could be your post automagically making it's way to your Facebook. 

This is a simple example but there are lots of Channels available (The Google+ and Facebook in this example) such as Email, SMS, Calendar and many more. Want to get an email if the weather forecast for tomorrow is raining? IFTTT can do that.

In short, Web Applications is an awesome place to ask questions about erm... Web Applications! 

But wait, there are some things that you should know. Web Applications is not the place to ask for alternatives or Web App requests. Questions like this:

Is there a Web App that will do [x] for me?

This is a bad question!

So what can you do? Well, you do some research yourself! Yes, the community is here to help you but they're not here to just spoon feed you. The same principle applies across the Stack Exchange network, we aren't just being nasty :)

A better question would be:

I am looking for a Web App that will do [x] for me.

I have done some research and the following Web Apps are almost suitable:

But here are the sticking points:

Can anyone recommend a solution to these problems? I would really like to use Web App A but the fact that it doesn't do E is really putting me off

Yes, you have had to put some effort in but this is a much better question and will more than likely get some awesome answers!

If you aren't sure you can always test the water in Chat or even post a question on the Web Apps Meta site.

By browsing through the questions on Web Applications you will find so many useful apps & services out there that you probably didn't know existed! You might even know how to answer a few questions to!

So next time you have a question about a Web Application, instead of immediately searching through no end of useless websites via Google, give Web Applications a try and see if we can help you.

P.S The answer is typing `e` when in the message ;-)