LAMPdocs: Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP » Time Management

Getting Things Done Tools: All in One Place

admin — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:03:42 +0000

Since I am a real fan of efficiency, I would like to share a good link. All the most known getting things done (GTD) tools are in one place. Here you can find them. I have never seen a more complete list with detailed descriptions. Most of them are not so well known, but are really interesting.

If you know any more resources, related to Getting things done methodology, please, share them in comments.

Effective Time Tracking Software for Windows and Pocket PC

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:44:21 +0000

Time management is an important thing today. If you don’t know how to manage your time, how to find time for great things, you will hardly achieve your goals. How to find out where is your time? You will need to track it, using a simple notepad, of a software package, if you like to do it more professionally.

I have been searching for an utility that allows to track time and to categorize it. Software should be able to create reports so I could see all my time spent at a glance.

There are some similar applications created for Linux. You can check Hamster, Gnotime (not supported), and Timebox : these are the most well known. I would like to show you an application, that can be run using Wine: Timepanic.

Timepanic is an application for tracking time spent at the computer (Windows version) and other time (Pocket PC edition). If you need to keep track of the work you do and when you do it, and want to stay on top of tracking projects or your business, then TimePanic is the ideal solution.

It allows you to improve your efficiency at work,keep on top of all your projects. watch an overview of all your priorities, see where the time is going in your day, see which projects/clients consume the most time. and many other features.

Timepanic is not only a computer application; it comes bundled with a Pocket PC version. It is used if you have a Windows Mobile Phone, or a Pocket PC, and you would like to track your time out of office. It is very useful to track traffic times, waiting, and any other activities that are a part of your life and you want to keep track of them.

The most useful thing of Timepanic as the ability to create reports. Reports will show you how much time is spent on each of your projects or time category so you could see it and make necessary changes.

If you are a time management fan, you must have this software.

Time Management Instruments For a Freelancer

admin — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 08:05:55 +0000

When you’re a freelancer, you need to control your time even more when you do when you work at an office. You set up your own goals and manage your time. There are some instruments actually used by me and I would like to tell you about them, as there is about a year when I implemented them in my life and they have greatly increased my effeciency: I started to do more than before and even this blog has appeared: I thought I don’t have time for blogging until I began to manage my time.

The first sofware that is run on startup is… Microsoft Outlook. I really don’t know any other software that could better match my needs. Even if I am not using all the features provided by Outlook, some of them greatly help me to plan my day.

First of the features I use is Calendar. I am planning all the events that are related to certain time using it. All friends’ and coleagues’ birthdays are also planned there; all recurrent appointments like domain renewals may also be found there. When I look at the day, I can predict how much time will be spent to certain appointments and other actions. I know there is Google Calendar that provides similar functionality, but I didn’t find the ability to add simple and recurrent tasks there, that’s why I don’t use it.

The second useful feature provided by Outlook is Tasks. Everything that needs to be done is fixed there: phone calls, important tasks, reminders to pay my bills, etc. Tasks are sorted by categories; each category represents an area of my life, e.g. Education, Personal Care, Ideas, Persons, Places, and so on. This way of planning is also named context-oriented time management: when I go to a person, I take a look at what I need to do related to the person, when I visit a place, I try to do everything that can be done in this place. Most of my tasks have reminders, that’s why I don’t forget about them.

Contacts and Notes are synchronised with my mobile phone and I keep the current version of my contact list on my Pocket PC too. That’s why I don’t worry if I lose my mobile with the whole address book in it (about 200 phone numbers). I know I have a copy and I don’t have to think about it.

Tasks and calendar events are synced with my mobile too. Reminders are also set, that’s why I can manage my time even if am away from my PC. Anything realted to phone calls or appointments is also fixed in my mobile and is transferred to the PC when I come home.

Notes are not widely used by me, I usually write short information about prices, or short ideas from my mobile too. I don’t use this feature in Outlook, though I know all my notes are stored there.

I’ve tried another good software for personal planning, named Achieve Planner. I liked it very much with some exceptions – Outlook categories are much better for me. But the software is great and the developer works at the product updates.

My mobile phone is Sony Ericsson W810, and it has most of Outlook features. Certainly it has less functionality, but all basic features are available. It’s a pity that battery has become dead on my Pocket PC and I am looking for a new device at the moment. I’ve searched for a smathphone, maybe communicator, that could have similar features as Outlook on Pocket PC (powered by Windows Mobile) and had camera with flash. I found nothing and I encourage you to post if you know such a device.

That’s my first post in this category, if you find this interesting, I will continue writing about time management. I think everyone needs it to achieve great goals.