5 Apps for Productivity
Lately my workflow for getting stuff done has changed. I am working more from a traveling office and have less time to get things done. I need to be more efficient when I am working and these apps help make that happen.
Podio
My main tool for organizing my work. I use Podio to mange both my personal and work projects. What makes Podio such a unique App, is its customization. There is a Podio App store to add different functionality to your projects or you can build your own Apps. It is really something you have to try to see how expansive and useful the App can be.
To give some examples of how diversely Podio can be used. I use it for managing the technology inventory at work. I track development progress on several websites. It even powers the contact form on this website.
Music
The way I listen to music has come full circle.
When I first started listening to music, it was on the radio. I had a yellow Casio hand-held radio. This “hand-held” radio is bigger than my smart phone is today. I didn’t know much about radio stations, but I knew how to scan around with the manual knob until I found music I liked.This got me by, since it was portable and I didn’t really know music.
Minimalism is not a lack of something. It’s simply the perfect amount of something.
Nicholas Burroughs
Developing a Website on the iPad
The iPad has a reputation as being only for media consumption. It wasn’t possible to really create with the device. Any serious computer work had to be done on your laptop or desktop. I needed to prove this wrong.
This write-up has some bias. I very much want my iPad to be a computer replacement, for battery life, size, and ease of use alone. I set out to see if I could develop and maintain a website using only the iPad.
The project chosen was Quotey.net. A WordPress based site filled with quotes, poems, and essays. To be clear this was created from scratch on the iPad. There was no previous version I was updating
5 Tips for Freelancing
I have been working as a freelancer for the past three years. Both part-time and full-time. There are things I’ve learned, and things I wish I knew starting out. I work as a web developer, but the advice is pretty universal.
1. Clear Separation
You are a constant representation of your work, but your work life is not your entire life. For communication, you and and your business and two separate entities. You don’t want clients to contact you the same way friends would. Have a level of professionalism with how you communicate.
There should be some ground rules. You may be working from home, but that doesn’t mean you are always working. I only answer my work communications during business hours (usually 10:00am – 7:00pm), but I also make sure I am always available during these hours. You can’t expect yourself to be on call 24/7. Work and personal life needs some division.