Dec 03 2008
Productivity tools I love!
The other day I was in a meeting and was using one of my favorite productivity tools, RoboForm, and someone looked over my shoulder and asked me about it. We got to talking and I realized that I am addicted to a bunch of tools - some of which you may know about and some of which you may not know about. I hope you find the following list helpful!
RoboForm: A web password vault system that goes a few steps further than others. This tool sits on your browser toolbar and memorizes all your log in information for various websites. Then, it also presents you with a bookmark type list of these so that when you want to go to a particular site, say your bank, you click that bookmark and Roboform takes you there and automatically logs you in. The tool also stores everything about you so that when you have to fill in a new form, you click the RoboForm button and all information on the web form is automatically filled in.
Windows Search: Desktop search programs allow you to search your own computer like you would use Google to search the web. If you are like me, most of the time you can’t remember where you filed a particular document or when someone wrote you a particular email. The problem is solved by desktop search programs. Over the years, I think I’ve tried every different desktop search program (at least once). I’ve used Google Desktop, X1 and different versions of Windows Search. I think Windows finally has it right with Windows Search 4.0. Extremely easy to use; fast; great results; great search flexibility.
ChaCha: This is one of the coolest mobile products I’ve seen and it works on any phone w/ any network. ChaCha is similar (but better) than Google Answers. You simply call or text ChaCha (1.800.2ChaCha or text to ChaCha (242242)) any question you can think of and ChaCha will text you back with an answer. It works for silly trivia like, “how fast does the average wood duck fly” to specific questions like, “where is the nearest place for me to purchase a new briefcase”.
Jott: This is an essential tool for all of us LA drivers who brainstorm when we drive… and are really trying not to type away on our blackberries in traffic! Call Jott anytime and an automated system will pick up that allows you to record a message to yourself (e.g. a reminder) or someone else. These messages are automatically translated into quick notes and are forwarded to the email or SMS location of whomever you specify. The service requires an initial setup at their website. For you blackberry users, they’ve incorporated a premium service that allows blackberry users to use Jott to reply to email using their voice.
Auto-mate: This is a great tool for managing an overwhelming Outlook inbox. Automate is an advanced rules engine (better than what comes with Outlook) that allows you to specify how incoming mail is handled based on any number of criteria (who it is from, the topic, who was copied, etc). For instance, I use Auto-mate to automatically file all the messages in my inbox that I’ve already read. I simply hit the button (which is added to Outlook after installation) and the program runs and files all my messages according to the rules I set up.
Good luck!
-
Omarra Byrd
