Productivity Tools: How did I Live Without That?

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March 2007

Due to weather, we were unable to hold our February event on productivity tools and new technologies.  In the spirit of having a participatory event, several people sent their suggestions on productivity tools, technologies and web sites that they find great but are not well known.

Devices/Software

  1. Portable Applications - As flash drives have grown in storage and shrunk in cost, a number of applications are being packaged to run directly from the flash drive without the need to install them on the PC.  Applications available from www.portableapps.com include a number of the most popular open source include the Firefox web browser and OpenOffice office suite.   U3 and Mojopac improve on the packaging and delivery of portable applications and entire operating environments are being developed to allow you to take your system with you wherever you go.
  2. Wireless - 802.16 (WiMAX) will deliver increased range and speed that will bring increased competition in the 'last mile' marketplace.  802.11n will deliver a 10x improvement 'last feet' speeds, typically delivering 200Mbp/s, enough for most high-speed video applications.
  3. Unyte - A free remote control package built on top of the Skype Internet phone service.  A useful remote support tool, Unyte demonstrates how Skype can be used to provide secure connectivity and a pipeline for other peer-to-peer applications. More information is at http://www.unyte.net/.
  4. Audacity - A free audio tool, it can capture any audio a PC can input or output.  Record your voice, make a ring tone or save an old vinyl record are all possible.  It can be downloaded at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/.
  5. AVG - Free anti-virus and anti-spyware software means your home computer does not have to go unprotected.  When used in conjunction with an Internet firewall and a 'limited' (non-administrator) WindowsXP user account, will dramatically improve the integrity of your PC.  This program is free for home users and can be purchased by companies.  The free version can be downloaded at http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1.
  6. Roboform - it runs in the background on your desktop and offers to automatically fill any form that you open.  You can save all your data, like SSN, phone #, address, your name, middle initial, date of birth, all kinds of stuff.  Then when you have to fill out a form (like a meeting registration or a login page), one click and Roboform fills all the fields it recognizes.  It has saved me countless hours of typing in information.  You can get it on a free trial basis, which expires after 30 days.  But I have the original version which was freeware and doesn't expire.  You have to contact me to get that.  It can be downloaded at http://www.roboform.com/.
  7. PDF Creator - It is a great application that allows you to create a PDF document from any Microsoft application.  Here is the link to the download http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/.  Unfortunately, Adobe Acrobat licenses are not in our budget so this is a great solution for our users as it eliminates the need to print a hard copy then scan it to create a PDF.
  8. Winamp Remote – Winamp uses Orb Network’s technology to let you stream your music from one computer to another.  For example, you can install the host software on your home computer and then steam that music to any computer that has Winamp running.  Then you can listen to the music you have stored at home, on your work laptop, while you are sitting at Boston Stoker.  www.winamp.com
  9. Paint.NET – Paint.NET is a graphics program that was started by Washington State University.  It is open source and features a generous GPL.  It is not as powerful as Photoshop but it is still very good at many tasks, is a lot easier to use than GIMP (another open-source graphics program), and is free for businesses to download.  This program allows everyone in your organization to have a good graphic design program.  It can be downloaded at http://www.getpaint.net/index2.html.
  10. Windows Live Local – This is a free Microsoft add-on to Outlook that puts a map into the Appointment file.  It also can load traffic information.  You have to put the address in the “Location” field and it can be kind of finicky but it is always nice to have that information when you are running late to a meeting.  It can be downloaded at http://outlook.local.live.com.

Web Sites

  1. Librivox - Texts of thousands of public domain books are available at Project Gutenberg.  Volunteers at Librivox record these and make them available at www.librivox.org.  Download classics like Robinson Crusoe, Anne of Green Gables and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and listen to them while in the car, exercising or just relaxing on the couch.
  2. Pandora - Explore music that fits your taste.  Pandora starts by letting you enter an artist or song, then delivers a 'radio station' that contains songs similar in style.  Train your Pandora to your taste by 'liking' or 'disliking' songs. http://www.pandora.com/
  3. Kayak - Quickly explore flights, hotels and cars rentals.  Kayak uses the new AJAX style to deliver an entertaining and productive interface.   Compared to other travel sites, Kayak allows you to explore more options faster, improving your odds of finding that perfect deal. http://www.kayak.com/
  4. Google Apps - Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Docs & Spreadsheets and portal deliver one of the first totally web-based communication and collaboration solutions at the fraction of the cost of PC-loaded applications.   http://www.google.com/a/
  5. Sanoodi - A mash-up built on Google Maps, Sanoodi allows you to create biking or running maps complete with distance traveled.  http://www.sanoodi.com/
  6. RadioParadise – This is only a productivity tool if you work better when music is playing, but it deserves some publicity.  RP is out of Paradise, CA and is programmed by a former DJ who takes pride in having commercial free radio and great variety.  It is a great way to learn about great old songs and new songs, and groups that you do not hear on commercial radio.  The station is supported completely by donations and allows anyone to rate the songs.  http://www.radioparadise.com/index.php
  7. Lifehacker – This web site really inspired the Greater Dayton IT Alliance event that was planned for February.  It has probably featured every item on this list and you can probably expand your C: drive once a week with something that it features.  http://lifehacker.com/
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