NetBeans for Visual Studio users

One of Visual Studio's most useful and time-saving features is highlighting of recognized class names (in light blue). You can always tell you've typed a class name correctly, because as soon as you finish typing, in turns light blue for you.

Here's how to get this convenient effect in NetBeans 6:

1. Tools menu -> Options
2. Fonts & Colors tab
3. Language: Java
4. Do the following for each of "Class Declaration", "Class Use", "Constructor Declaration", "Constructor Use":
4.1. Set "Foreground" to Custom
4.2. In the dialog that appears, go to RGB tab
4.3. Red: 43, Green: 145, Blue: 175
4.4. Click OK as many times as required

You can also get the same font Visual Studio uses. To do this, Go back to Fonts & Colors and set the font for "All Languages" category "Default" to be "Courier New 13".

The next things are getting automatic code completion everywhere (hell, my box is fast enough!) and then making the keybindings feel like Visual Studio. More soon!