Software to help with personal productivity.
55
votes
31answers
7k views
Which computer-based Pomodoro timers exist and what are their features?
I'm looking for computer-based The Pomodoro Technique timers with rational that provide cross-platform compatibility, it should not be restricted to a single Windows edition. Currently, I'm using ...
37
votes
14answers
2k views
What FUTURE-PROOF software for building & managing a personal BIG knowledge base?
There are some questions similar to this. But i would like to know, what software one should choose, if you go to university for example and are building a knowlegde base of everything you learn & ...
16
votes
8answers
566 views
What features should I look for when choosing task-management software?
There are a seemingly-endless variety of tools available for keeping track of tasks. From feature-clogged behemoths that will do everything (tracking time and generating Gantt charts) to the venerable ...
15
votes
15answers
2k views
Is there software to log tasks daily?
My boss wants me to write a logs about what I do during my work day, and he wants me to write how much it takes to perform the given task and details.
Something like:
Revising the CSS of the main ...
14
votes
13answers
918 views
Version control for homework?
Background:
I'm a high school student. I've noticed lately that I'm not particularly fond of my current scheme for keeping my files up to date (ferrying around a USB stick, naming files 'essay-1.doc', ...
14
votes
9answers
947 views
How to organize and analyze structured data without building entire database applications?
UPDATE: 2012-06-01 Added Non-Ideal Solution #2.5.
The Puzzle I'm Looking to Solve
As an organization and analysis nerd with professional database experience, I frequently encounter situations in my ...
12
votes
10answers
1k views
Windows Freeware/Shareware programs for tracking daily tasks?
I once had a cool little Java program that allowed me to name each task, and toggle back and forth between tasks to track the time spent on each. At the end of the day I could export the data and ...
10
votes
4answers
622 views
Is there a task manager that incorporates spaced repetition learning?
I'm having students in mind, let's suppose that a student plans to prepare exam for next month.
According to the "forgetting curve", the key for successful study is spaced repetition learning.
Are ...
9
votes
9answers
2k views
Which GTD apps provide cloud syncing, android device access, and SSL?
It seems like every system I've tried is missing something.
Remember the Milk
Requires paid for android application and requires a lot of tinkering because of it's flexibility.
Producteev
Doesn't ...
9
votes
8answers
3k views
What is an Android task manager with sub-tasks and complex filtering?
Basically, I'm looking for an Android app that will let me do just two things:
Have unlimited levels of nested sub-tasks
Filter so I can view only tasks that have no sub-tasks.
Let's say I have ...
9
votes
4answers
589 views
Why am I not able to motivate myself to code?
I have got an idea that can make a good app for web and mobile. I tell myself to design the prototype so as to see how people take it. The problem is when I sit to code, I can't get things done. I ...
8
votes
8answers
466 views
What's a good cloud based notebook?
What's a good cloud based notebook?
The features I'd like to have:
I need to be able to sync my notes on my Android cell phone and various computers.
I need to be able to have the actual files, ...
8
votes
5answers
407 views
How do I analyze my daily computer activity?
A while back I saw a piece of software you can install that would track what windows you had open. Every week, the software would compile a list of what software you had open and how much time you ...
8
votes
4answers
484 views
Day Tracking Program, with Charts
I need to find a program or excel template to help me track what I do during the day. The ideal candidate would be simple to use, and I would spend virtually no time filling it out. I would then like ...
7
votes
3answers
745 views
Free and simple speed reading software?
Many years ago I did a 5-day speed reading course. At the time, my reading speed (paper, not screen) went from 200ish words a minute to between 1100 and 1250 wpm. It was fantastic. Comprehension ...
7
votes
2answers
133 views
Is there an electronic task management software that stores encrypted data in the cloud for syncing with other devices?
My question is basically what the title says. I am trying several software for GTD/todo/task management, focusing on syncing between laptops and cellphones. Although most of the software transfer ...
7
votes
1answer
515 views
pomodoro + GTD tool as an integrated tool / web service?
I have recently started to employ pomodoro as a way to allocate time for working on specific tasks (using Pomodorium) and am starting to see encouraging results. I figured if there's some tool that ...
7
votes
3answers
239 views
How to separate working environments in a single computer?
I have multiple projects in my life but only one notebook.
This means that documents, software, notes, almost everything goes into the same machine and this can be very distractive.
My solution to ...
7
votes
5answers
751 views
How do you integrate time tracking tools with the Pomodoro technique?
I am using http://pomodoro.ugolandini.com/ when working on my mac. It can trigger scripts when starting / stopping a Pomodoro.
Ideally, it would integrate with time tracking tools such as paymo or ...
6
votes
9answers
275 views
Simple program with subtasks
I need a program (something similar to Google Tasks but with showing/hiding subtasks) with following functionality:
tasks
subtasks (with multiple level, so I can, say, create a task with 3 ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Things vs Omnifocus - what are the advantages and disadvantages of both programs for task management?
I'm searching for a new software for managing my tasks and projects with a modified GTD approach (inspired by Michael Linenbergers "Master Your Workday Now").
I'm on MacOS X (10.6, Snow Leopard) and ...
6
votes
8answers
242 views
Recommended Task and Goal Management Apps
What recommendations are there for good apps that combine goal setting with task (or to-do list) management ?
I currently use Microsoft One Note, because you can create lots of related pages and it ...
6
votes
4answers
717 views
What are the digital equivalents of index cards?
I have a very deal of trouble filtering visual information and so have problems working with lists, digital or analog. When I realized that the inherent visual nature of lists was the source of most ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
Remember The Milk alternative that is not “in the cloud”?
I use RTM for my personal task management, and I love it. I'd love to use it for work as well but my company has policies that do not allow me to put company data onto external services. I currently ...
6
votes
3answers
158 views
How to track time spent across individual websites?
I've used Rescue Time, but unfortunately, they don't offer the (free) ability to track time across your browsing, only showing that you were using a browser during that time.
I spend a lot of time ...
5
votes
3answers
235 views
Save a place in a webpage where I stopped reading?
If I am reading a really long book online, after leaving and coming back a few days later, I have no way of remembering where I stopped.
Is there any "tool" (for browser say, I use chrome), that can ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
GTD app for iPad?
I'm trying to find a great GTD app for my iPad. I don't have any other iOS devices or a Mac, but I want to ability to access it through my PC (web based is fine). A lot of the better GTD systems seem ...
5
votes
1answer
492 views
Free Alarm Clock And Calendar Software?
I need something like Atomic Alarm Clock but free. I feel limited with organizer that has no alarm clock. It would be amazing to have calendar notifications with an alarm clock as well.
5
votes
4answers
200 views
Tasklist manager that keeps track of changes to tasks?
I have been using Todoist to pretty good effect. I would like to understand my tasklist usage better, especially how much I reschedule things for later. Are there any tasklist managers that keep track ...
5
votes
2answers
268 views
What is a good planning software for a proactive student?
I'm studying Computer Engineering and I run a small hosting reseller company and a computer club and am involved in other activities as well. What good software can make me very efficient. I give a ...
5
votes
3answers
258 views
Structuring your day/week to be the most productive when you need to do development and non-development tasks?
I have straight development tasks, non-development/business tasks, and some tasks that kind of sit in the middle to do most days, and I was wondering what would be the most efficient way to structure ...
5
votes
3answers
227 views
What software helps organize and manage practice routines?
I have a practice routine I would like to manage using software.
I have several sequential daily and weekly tasks that are flexible in there time(for example, it maybe be a 30min task but can be more ...
5
votes
1answer
337 views
Are there software solutions that implement Structured Procrastination?
Let me just say this philosophical essay changed my way of working: Structured Procrastination
Basically it says that you should put urgent critical tasks at the very top of the list; but ones that ...
5
votes
3answers
355 views
Are there any applications to create workflows for todos?
Currently I use sheet of paper, pencil and eraser, but it is just a bit tedious, especially when making things more detailed.
Just text example with different levels of detalization:
Drink water ...
4
votes
3answers
468 views
Excel Spreadsheets for Time/Project Management?
I have tons of stuff to do, and I get bogged down. I end up doing nothing for hours, sometimes even days. I have personal projects to complete and books to read, but sometimes I'm just flailing around ...
4
votes
5answers
398 views
There are GTD software that includes review?
I found a lot of software that claims to support GTD, but of "collect, process, organize, review, do" they usually on focus just on collect and process.
There is a software that has some feature to ...
4
votes
5answers
184 views
Easy way to archive web pages
I read lots of web pages articles (magazines, blogs, wikis, forums).
Keeping the interesting ones stored in a single location have become a big problem. Also, looking for important information that I ...
4
votes
3answers
124 views
Is there evidence for the impact of Web Apps on productivity?
As somewhat of a power user when it comes to computing (I'm a software engineer, it comes with the territory), I find that I really dislike most web apps. While some (such as GMail) offer keyboard ...
4
votes
3answers
591 views
What is the most efficient software for email and task management
I receive most of my tasks by email or in meetings, and many tasks are complete using email. At the moment I use Thunderbird on my computer, and the Toodledo website on my computer and on my Android ...
4
votes
3answers
226 views
Time management strategies for computer science students
Over the past few months, I've been contributing to both Wikipedia and Stack Overflow, and working on open source software projects. However, I've found that my obsession with software development has ...
4
votes
1answer
165 views
Recollection of non-linear content
I just read Joshua Foer's book "Moon-walking with Einstein," and examined some relevant passages from Rhetorica Ad Herennium in hopes of being able to learn and remember faster.
One issue that these ...
4
votes
1answer
181 views
Inability to function without use of the exocortex
As someone at least passably competent at productivity-enhancing procedures and tools, I've developed an extensive exocortex for information. This information usually enters the input chute from ...
3
votes
8answers
555 views
Software to restrict access to time-wasting applications?
I am looking for free solution to block some programs on my pc for sheduled time? Seems to be hard to find one.
3
votes
3answers
139 views
How to Google text in the clipboard
I have come across WinURL, which launches any URL stored in the clipboard.
Does anyone know of such a tool that will Google any text in the clipboard?
Edit: I'm looking for a solution that does not ...
3
votes
2answers
275 views
Is it possible to block a website after 2 visits each day?
Is there a Google Chrome extension where I can block URL's which I have visited more than x-times this day already?
I'm catching myself going to Facebook more than twice a day, this sadly happens ...
3
votes
8answers
2k views
Is there a time tracking application for Mac OS X and iOS that can sync with each other easily and does not require an Internet connection?
I'm looking for simple (all I need is a time tracking feature) time tracking software that meets the following requirements:
Does not require an active Internet connection. For this reason web apps ...
3
votes
1answer
533 views
Automated time tracking program for Linux [closed]
I've heard of several time tracking applications that can tell you how much time you spend using each application, how much time is spent on each website that you visit, etc. Does such a program exist ...
3
votes
2answers
118 views
While browsing, how can I quickly capture thoughts/ideas across locations and environments into a centralized, searchable medium?
While actively browsing the internet (via phone/tablet/desktop), how can I quickly file an impromptu thought or idea into a centralized, searchable medium -- but importantly -- through a method that's ...
3
votes
1answer
66 views
Metadata for Project Archive
There is a folder with nowadays quite a few zip archives of projects I have completed.
I would like to make the archive more searchable by creating a metadata file. Similar to mp3 or images, I want ...
3
votes
2answers
66 views
Mobile phone PC integration?
Does anybody know of a mechanism/tool/app/phone that allows me to see on my PC when my smartphone is ringing?
I'm a programmer, and I wear headphones at work, so I don't hear it ringing. The visual ...
