Posts Tagged ‘software’

10 More from the Webware 100

Last week, I looked at the apps chosen by CNet for the productivity section of the Webware 100. There were, however, 10 other sections – 9 categories of apps voted for as top in their class and an extra categories of apps chosen by the editors at CNet. This week, I want to look at a selection of applications from the rest of the Webware 100… Continue reading

June 4 2009 | By Dustin | Tagged: backup, image-editing, online, search, software, sync, twitter, web-app, webware-100 | 6 comments»

Getting Productive with the Webware 100

CNet’s Webware 100 singles out 100 web-based applications for excellence in 10 categories. Unlike some other awards which recognize new services, the Webware 100 are selected as “best-of-breed” from among all the applications currently available. The upshot is, there’s some pretty good apps on the list! Here, then, are my thoughts on the 10 selected in the “Productivity” category; in a future post I’ll look through some of the selections… Continue reading

May 28 2009 | By Dustin | Tagged: collaboration, document, finance, online, remember-the-milk, software, task list, web-app, web2.0 | 8 comments»

10 Essential Mobile Apps for Your Next Road Trip

I’m getting ready to embark on an 1800-mile road trip. In addition to having my car checked out, packing my bags, and picking out a selection of fine roadfoods at my local Trader Joes (ah, Sweet and Salty Trail Mix…) I’ve also been loading my blackberry up with useful software to lend a hand on the road.

While some rural areas don’t have data… Continue reading

May 20 2009 | By Dustin | Tagged: cell phone, mobile-app, road-trip, smartphone, software, travel, vacation | 18 comments»

Things for Mac: Intuitive & Streamlined Task Management Software

I've followed the development of Cultured Code's Things with keen interest since it was announced in its early stages. It seemed like it was going to come closer to providing a truly seamless and ubiquitous, but most importantly, smooth application for managing the things that need to get done each day. My problem with task management applications is this: they require too much conscious effort on my part. Task management… Continue reading

March 4 2009 | By Joel | Tagged: review, software, task management | 16 comments»

Why Most Budgets Fail but YNAB Succeeds

Chances are at least one of your New Year's resolutions had to do with money. So how are you doing on your budget? I can't count the number the times I've created budgets only to throw in the towel and decide that they just don't work. Usually my frustration is due to any of the following:

The amount assigned to a category just isn't realistic. After figuring the numbers and seeing

February 4 2009 | By Liora | Tagged: budget, budgeting, finance, Money, software, ynab | 2 comments»

Your Guide to Apps that Eliminate Distractions

As I sit down to write this article tonight there's a fly buzzing around the room. It's driving me insane. Every few seconds it makes a pass by my ear and I lunge out to try and bat the life out of the thing. I can't finish a sentence without this pest distracting me from the task at hand. I'm not good at killing flies. My wife's grandmother has a… Continue reading

January 12 2009 | By Joel | Tagged: distraction, freeware, software, writing | 10 comments»

Home Automation: Controlling Your House with Computers

We've looked at what you can do with home automation and what sort of methods exist for installing automated functionality, and now it's time to take a look at some of the popular software applications out there for controlling your home automation system. I haven't included any software that ships with various systems in this list; you'll find out about those when you're looking at individual systems and deciding… Continue reading

November 26 2008 | By Joel | Tagged: applications, home automation, software | 13 comments»

10 Tips for More Effective PowerPoint Presentations

“Oh no! Not another boring PowerPoint presentation! My eyes, my eyes…!!!” How much does it suck to be in the audience for yet another drawn-out, boring, lifeless slideshow? Worse yet, how much does it such to be the one giving it? The truth is, bad PowerPoint happens to good people, and quite often the person giving the presentation is just as much a victim as the poor sods listening to her or… Continue reading

November 24 2008 | By Dustin | Tagged: design, powerpoint, presenting, presntation, public-speaking, software | 43 comments»

10 Great Free Apps for Blackberry

Blackberries may have been overshadowed lately by the success of the iPhone, but they still offer and incredibly powerful platform.Plus, since the Blackberry operating system is build on Java and has always been open, there are a slew of useful and mature applications, many of which are free. Since I’m a cheapskate when it comes to software, I’ve loaded up my Blackberry Curve with a boatload of free programs. Here… Continue reading

November 19 2008 | By Dustin | Tagged: application, blackbery, mobile, software, wireless | 31 comments»

Summer Giveaway: Tech Support

Computers. If you work – heck, if you live – in these times, you gotta use them. You gotta master them. More often, it seems, computers master us. Perfectly competent, intelligent people shudder at the thought of backing up their files, configuring their email clients, or setting up a website.

Today’s prizes are meant to make your computer easier to use, and to make you more productive… Continue reading

August 27 2008 | By Dustin | Tagged: activewords, giveaway, Productivity, software, tagging, tool, work | 29 comments»

5 Alternatives to Time-Wasting Meetings

Nobody likes meetings. Well, not “nobody” – that older guy with the beard that nobody seems to know personally that comes to every meeting? He likes meetings, because he gets a free donut and a nap. But other than him, most people see meetings as way too unproductive and time-consuming to be likable. Necessary, sometimes, but not likable. There are a lot of reasons why meetings can waste more time than… Continue reading

August 6 2008 | By Dustin | Tagged: brainstorming, collaboration, im, meeting, software, web-app | 19 comments»

4 Firefox Add-Ons to Ease Your Online Life

I’ve experienced 100s of Firefox add-ons, and have whittled them down to about two dozen I use on a regular basis — even out of these, I have favorites. Here are 4 I find both casually enjoyable and sheerly indispensable; I hope they add value to your browsing. Even if you’ve heard of them before, I share specific reasons why they’re so useful + fun (usefun!). All are compatible… Continue reading

July 3 2008 | By Torley | Tagged: add-on, extension, firefox, internet, Productivity, software, tool, utility | 20 comments»

Why Haven’t You Organized Your Passwords?

In my work with clients I have run into passwords in all kinds of unbelievably random and insecure places. I always shrink back from them when I see them... I don’t want to know! Passwords are the key to unimaginable ruin in the wrong hands, and it consistently shocks me how careless people are with this information. (It’s just as bad as how often I see people who don’t do… Continue reading

July 1 2008 | By Lorie | Tagged: computer, organization, password, security, software | 17 comments»

What’s Missing in Productivity Today?

This month, we asked Lifehack.org contributors -- and you, our readers -- to think about the things that are missing in today's productivity systems. Not only the areas where the "Big Name" systems fall short, but the gaps in our own systems, the places where we as individuals fall down.

The Lifehack.org community rose to the challenge, offering a variety of thought-provoking posts and comments that… Continue reading

March 28 2008 | By Dustin | Tagged: advice, contact-management, failure, gtd, information management, perfectionism, Productivity, software, time-management, tips | 9 comments»

Where are the aids for increasing GENUINE personal productivity?

Too much of today's personal productivity is stuck in repeating the past

A genuine increase in productivity means getting the same, or greater, output with less effort and a smaller use of resources. Yet most personal productivity software still relies on various ways to categorize old-fashioned to-do lists. That focuses on getting more done by improved organization; it's working harder for longer (mostly by virtue of avoiding distractions and procrastination)… Continue reading

March 13 2008 | By Adrian | Tagged: lists, meeting, priorities, Productivity, software, todo | 13 comments»