Ideas to use in resolving an issue with regard to personal productivity. Often used to increase effectiveness or efficiency.
4
votes
1answer
100 views
Long-term planning tool
There are quite a few applications that track and notify time (Google Calendar,... ) but I found that none of them has the ability to help planning over a long period (let's say, 5 years, 10 years ...
14
votes
7answers
1k views
What can I use to efficiently track progress on my tasks/goals?
I've been looking forever for a way to manage my tasks and goals efficiently. Most of them were too specific for project managers and had far more options than necessary to manage simpler tasks. None ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
Is there a tool that can track or record pomodoros based on tagging?
I'm looking for a tool that can track and record pomodoros visually and/or graphically, and ideally with the ability to tag pomodoros, like a "Writing" pomodoro completed, or a "Career", etc.
1
vote
2answers
51 views
Save browser state / tabs opened between usage?
I tend to leave a lot of related webpages open when I work, that I would like to keep working with at later points in time. Is there an easy way to "save" a browser's state with all the opened tabs, ...
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
4answers
343 views
Evernote vs. Google Keep for Personal Productivity: Pros, Cons or Other Suggestions?
I'd like to put all my eggs in one basket. Which have people have found most successful, and why?
1
vote
1answer
80 views
An app like Trello, but without the Metro UI?
Trello is so much better for me than Wunderlist. But it doesn't have a non-Metro UI for Windows. Heck the app for Win 8 doesn't even work for me. When I add a board, it doesn't get updated in the app.
...
8
votes
9answers
1k views
Time-tracking software to measure when I'm active or idle on my computer (i.e., keystrokes being pressed and mouse moving)?
I want to see how much time I spend on my computer every day and be able to browse past days' activity levels as well.
I've been using http://www.manictime.com/, which tracks nearly everything I do. ...
5
votes
6answers
151 views
Nudges - to achieve personal change?
I have tried a system of sending myself timed emails daily (using virtual meetings in Google Calendar), each containing a self-message; e.g. at 6am 'stay positive', at 8.30am 'break work down into ...
2
votes
5answers
142 views
Will my workplace benefit from a stack exchange clone on the intranet?
I am thinking of proposing to setup a stack exchange clone at our company intranet. The idea is to have a place where anybody can ask a question about anything work related, especially about our IT ...
6
votes
7answers
267 views
Recommended notes with tags management software
I'm looking for a software that enables me to manage a large number of notes, short tidbits of information, and to find back later easily the one I'm interested in.
I should be possible to add easily ...
4
votes
2answers
164 views
Todo list manager with progress bar
After doing some fiddling with some Excel sheets, I saw that it worked out nicely for me to have a monthly or trimestrial todo list with checkboxes and a progress bar on top.
The general look and ...
6
votes
3answers
156 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
131 views
GTD spreadsheet based system with alert or Calendar (iCal, gCal) notifications
I create a GTD system based on excel, whose link I report here.
The advantage of having this gtd is that I can share it with my european colleagues without the need of having a dedicated software ...
2
votes
3answers
94 views
How do I move from collecting ideas to executing projects?
I use Evernote as a way to record ideas and web clippings that interest me. Some are ideas for projects. Some are collections of ideas that relate to prospective projects. There are quotes, metaphors, ...
16
votes
3answers
394 views
Is written stenography still useful?
Are handwritten stenography systems (such as Gregg shorthand and Pitman shorthand) still useful today for personal productivity? If so, how can they be incorporated into daily life in a digital age?
16
votes
11answers
757 views
Where should I store good advice?
I sometimes come across good advice like 11 Essential Habits for Success or How To Listen Effectively, and I can't use it immediately but I like it enough to want to keep it around.
However, if I ...
5
votes
2answers
181 views
Measuring Productivity Across Multiple Devices
How can I measure my productivity when using multiple devices? I'm a software developer, and I typically work in several virtual machines during the day. Is there a tool like RescueTime or ...
14
votes
13answers
917 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', ...
31
votes
22answers
2k views
How do I get more productive from using keyboard shortcuts?
I am constantly stunned by how few people use keyboard shortcuts, because I've always felt that people who have internalized a core set realize a significant productivity boost.
How do I get better ...
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 & ...
8
votes
3answers
378 views
Taking notes on mobile device
I like reading articles on my smartphone with Android. The articles are usually in web browser or pdf or epub reader.
The problem comes when I'd like to extract a few sentences that I like.
I ...
6
votes
3answers
743 views
What's a good pomodoro timer that's both physical and programable?
I have been using focus booster app for pomodoro method. But I think i should invest in a physical timer, that I can set next to me while I work. I do have an IPod touch (with pomodoro apps) and ...
5
votes
5answers
317 views
What Android applications schedule tasks which appear each day?
I have some tasks to complete everyday (the same task every day) or on a weekly basis (e.g. every Saturday) and during a particular period (e.g. January 10 to April 20). Are there any applications ...
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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
152 views
How can I organize my daily deals emails?
I get a lot of daily deals emails, from Groupon, to LivingSocial, to Google Deals, to a bunch of very specific ones like Newegg's shell shocker deals, and all of that is on top of regular daily ...
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 ...
1
vote
3answers
73 views
What is the fastest way to take pictures of a case file?
It is a common practice in brazilian law offices to take pictures of case files, page by page. The procedure is required because the files can't be taken longer than five days, so it's more convenient ...
-1
votes
2answers
203 views
how can i design forms like this [closed]
i see such awesome personal productivity forms here.
http://davidseah.com/productivity-tools/
How can i design a form like this?
7
votes
2answers
513 views
What are recommended workflows when working with Markdown--in Windows, on a Mac?
For those who use Markdown regularly (other than for writing questions and answers on StackExchange), what workflows do you use when working with Markdown-formatted text files, and why? What ...
7
votes
3answers
808 views
org-mode and productivity
I've already seen several times the org-mode application between applications for productivity, information processing, planning, note-taking etc.
I wonder what are the advantages of this ...
5
votes
6answers
346 views
What robots can help with household chores?
What are some inexpensive robots (less than $200) can improve one's productivity for completing household chores?
2
votes
5answers
300 views
What device(s) and format should I use for my to-do lists, including plans, schedules, timetables.
My problem is I am always making todo lists, timetables, and schedules. Though the problem is not procrastination(Not 100%), it goes like this :
I want a perfect todo list, because of which I ...
5
votes
7answers
268 views
How do I take quick notes in odd places to maintain mind like water?
My biggest gain productivity (and reduction in stress) came when I embraced the idea of writing everything down. (Thank you, David Allen!) The hard part is managing to always have something handy with ...
5
votes
8answers
820 views
Where can I get a custom designed notebook from?
There are people out there who are just like me. We rarely memorize information just for the purpose of having it. We use Google to know things and we look things up as we need them. We are those ...
5
votes
2answers
483 views
Site with examples of templates for day planner?
I have developed my own template to use each day. It is personalized to account for routine tasks, emergent tasks, a to-do section for ASAP/tomorrow/this week/long term items, along with a section ...
2
votes
3answers
561 views
Does anyone produce a truly heavy duty, long arm stapler?
One of the things I do which makes handling paper documents much easier, is to print out in booklet format. With a duplex A3 printer, I can print out a document of 60 A4 pages onto 15 sheets of A3 (in ...
0
votes
1answer
328 views
What's a good replacement to Gqueues Pro?
I like task management tool GQueues (http://www.gqueues.com/). But the pro version is as costly as $25/mo which is too expensive for me as a student. What's a good replacement to it? I mainly would ...
3
votes
5answers
287 views
Mind mapping features [closed]
I work with Mindomo, a mind mapping software.
If you ever heard or even used mind mapping, what features should a software like this "must have"?
If you want to play around with it, I can give away ...
8
votes
4answers
340 views
Do gaming peripherals (mice & keyboards) increase productivity of general computer tasks?
I've been thinking of upgrading my input devices and I'm not sure whether buying the more expensive "gaming" devices with programmable keys justifies the investment. I'm looking in particular at ...
2
votes
3answers
296 views
Are daily keystrokes a good proxy metric for overall productivity? How can I measure them?
Lately I've been getting interested in "quantified self" metrics. I've been tracking basic health metrics like weight, sleep, caffeine/alcohol consumption, and several other subjective health and ...
2
votes
2answers
220 views
What is the best tool for improving brain power? [closed]
Today I discovered Lumocity which is a well developed site to improve "brain power" like:
memory
attention
creativity
Is this the best site of its kind? Are there any other recommended tools to ...
6
votes
4answers
716 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
122 views
How do I log and track all my Firefox tabs I want to come back to with out leaving them open or bookmarking them?
I have a tendency to open numerous tabs in Firefox and leave them open , mainly because I've found things interesting or useful and want to be able to refer back to them. However having hundereds open ...
6
votes
4answers
403 views
Are there any multi-column basic text-editors to use as a todo list?
I would like an application like Notepad except with multiple columns, preferrably adjustable, for the purpose of creating several todo lists that can be opened with a single document, rather than ...
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 ...
13
votes
5answers
6k views
How to use Remember The Milk (RTM) to implement a GTD system?
How can the Remember The Milk (RTM) task management system be used to implement the Getting Things Done system?
3
votes
3answers
302 views
Desktop app/group of apps for todo list/time management
I use Listhings in my browser to make sticky notes and remind myself about stuff.
I am looking for an app/group of desktop apps for the same purposes.
What I want the app to be like:
Desktop ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
Alternatives to Synergy? [closed]
I use Synergy to enable one keyboard/mouse to be used across multiple computers and platforms.
This seems to work well, but I am wondering about alternatives that have more features or make better ...
