About Productivity
Published on Mar 14, 2011 Filed under: News
Hi there,
I have recently reinstalled my operating system and because it took me half a day to get everything back the way it was (less the clutter), I decided it may be helpful to somebody if I wrote a little entry about my favorite productivity software packages and a few tips and tricks.
(OS X alternative, at the bottom of the page)
Top 10 “I`m gonna use you until I die!” software for Windows
1. Launchy – FREE
This tiny app runs in the background and at a push of a macro hotkey appears on top of everything and you can launch applications using the keyboard and the first 1-2-3 letters of it`s name. It helped me unclutter my desktop of all those pesky icons, and now I can launch apps without minimizing the active window. It even has a built in calculator. Wicked!
2. SyncBackPro – 55$
Probably the most useful tool this time of my life. I have to be able to back-up my desktop on a remote location hourly and this app does that and allot more.
When I say back-up, I actually mean active sync between folders. Most apps will do a back-up in a specific archive format, but no, this one just copies your folders on another drive / dvd / flash (you name it) and keeps it in sync in at least 2 ways: sync = whatever you change in A will change in B and vice-versa, and my favorite Mirror = whatever you change in A changes B, but not the other way around. And I can schedule some folders to be checked for changes once a day: Lightroom Catalogs, Archive Folder, my girlfriends macbookpro harddrive (yes, it works over the network, and also over FTP)
And some of them to be mirrored every 10 min: like my desktop and the active projects folder. These change more often than that.
This way I get rid of the pesky incremental back-up. I just don`t need it! (this software can do incremental back-up but it`s not the thing that caught my attention)
3. Dropbox – FREE (2GB)
I think everybody knows about this one.
You get 2GB of “cloud storage” for free. It creates a folder on the computer that is kept in active sync with the cloud. Keeps some sort of incremental back-up archive for at least 3-5 days. But the best thing is that you can share folders with other Dropbox users. I installed it on each of my parents laptops, and I keep a folder in sync with my mom`s computer, and one with my dad`s. Every time they need my help with documents, they drop them in the appropriate Dropbox folder and I fix whatever issue they have, save the file and they can move on in less de 2-3 minutes.
Syncs with the iPhone through the proprietary app.
4. Team Viewer – FREE (for non-commercial use)
Have you ever helped someone with a computer problem over the phone or Skype? It happened to me so many times that I was probably the happiest guy on earth when I found out about it.
It creates a remote connection between computers. In a few words: you can see that person`s computer just like he sees it, and you can control it like your own. You get in, get the job done, get out. No more 30min phone explanations about how to install yahoo messenger or how to use Word. Of course you can use it for more complex stuff … but hopefully you won`t need it.
It has a iPhone app and I can control all the PCs I have privileges to, from wherever I am.
5. Evernote – FREE
Easy application to get your ideas on a piece of “paper” whenever inspiration hits.
It syncs with the cloud, and remembers everything you want it to. It has a desktop application, as well as a iPhone app and it`s just the best app for me when it comes to organizing speeches.
Realy easy to use and if you take the time to tag every piece of information you put in your account, will prove very helpful on the long run
6. Fences – FREE
Stardock`s Fences is a sensational app when you notice you can`t see you wallpaper anymore, because of too many icons on your desktop. Just follow the link and get yourself familiarized with it. It`s not for everybody, but I wouldn`t go back to Fences-less desktop.
7. CorkBoard – FREE
This is a online app. Just as simple as the name. It gives you a big board, and virtual post-its. Mac users have this by default, but I find Corkboard better and … drums … in the cloud!.
8. Chrometa – FREE
Have you ever wondered, what the heck did I do all day in front of the computer? It`s time you find out. Install the app, and it will keep track of everything you do, in detail. And you can select specific software and tag it to “billable time”. This way you know how much time you actually spend working, and you`ll know how much you can charge / hour to cover your expenses.
9. Tweet Deck – FREE
Best Twitter client so far, especially if you have a big screen. It has a iPhone app that takes the concept too far, but the same app on iPad is gorgeous.
10. Acronis True Image – 50$
After half a day of installing Windows 7, all the apps, heavy software and optimization, I sure don`t want to do this ever again. This software does allot of things but I use it just to back-up my entire OS HDD to a .bak file. If something fails, I can format that HDD, boot from USB, select that .bak image and restore from it, and in 10min I have the system back up and running with EVERYTHING already installed and tweaked.
Mac equivalents:
1. Launchy = QuickSilver
2. SyncBackPro = Time Machinee or SugarSync
3. DropBox = DropBox
4. Team Viewer = Team Viewer
5. EverNote = EverNote
6. Fences = DragThing
7. CorkBoard = CorkBoard
8. Chrometa = RescueTime
9. Tweet Deck = Tweet Deck
10. Acronis True Image = Time Machine
If the info helped you in any way, please spread the word.
`Till next time, take care everybody!
