GTD in Outlook Its As Simple AS J-E-L-L-O
Over the past year I have been trying to get into a Getting Things Done mindset, however I have yet to even read the book due to a lack of time. Currently I am the busiest I have been in my life which reinforces the need for a system to manage my life. The most recent step I have taken is to install an outlook plugin called Jello. The plugin takes the place of your homepage in outlook and provides an easy way to assign emails to an action as well as organize projects. I am still working my way through the best way to use it but needless to say you don’t need to know GTD to gain productivity from this plugin. After the “install” I highly recommend that you check out the how to documentation (even though I haven’t read the whole thing yet).
Jello: GTD Outlook Plugin via lifehacker img – lifehacker
Previous Outlook Tips
Lookout Search and Conversation Grouping in Outlook
Get a Text Alert When Your School is Delayed
I came across this useful site Schooldelay.com which works with schools to send text message, email and RSS alerts to students and parents when their school is canceled or delayed. The push factor of this site is leaps and bounds above the method we used to use to find out if school was canceled which consisted of listening to the local radio and delaying the start of our day until the announcer got the the T section of the school closings. At which point we either rushed through a shower or ran back to bed. With Schooldelay.com the info is pushed to you in whichever method is the most convenient for your. If your phone is on your nightstand then as a student I am sure you will welcome an early morning text message during the winter months, and parents will be happy to know what plans need made without spending 15 minutes in front of the TV or listening to the radio on a already busy morning (don’t forget you need to scrape your windshield today!).
I believe the schools can also use the system to get in touch with parents for other necessary mass announcements which could come up. The Schooldelay site also shows school statistics for each school in your area making it a good resource for determining a school or school district to move into.
Schooldelay.com also features an online store which offers some great toys for younger children and Stikfas action figures for older kids like me. They offer an option to set up a spirit store to the schools which will let them receive a portion of proceeds for their use. If you want to pick up a cool Christmas present the owner has provided this code for free shipping: R01K-9517-Q4V2 which is good until December 20th. I recommend the Stikfas or the Automoblox Cars but those are just for the kid in me. There are also educational toys as well as toys for children of all ages.
Finally after talking to the owner and to my Mom(who is a teacher) the price for a school to use SchoolDelay.com is more affordable than similar offerings. You can use a form on thier site to request that yoru school start using the service as well.
Disclaimer: I know the owner of this awesome product.
How To: Make a shutdown Icon for your computer
instructables has a walk through for creating a shutdown icon for your computer. If you follow their instructions shutting down becomes as easy as one click if you place the shortcut in your taskbar. I find this especially handy on my laptop, which I often find my self trying to shutdown and get into a carrying case quickly in order to get to my next meeting or location. You can also use other provided codes to make a shortcut for restarting or hibernating.
Make a Shutdown Shortcut : Instructables via Lifehacker
MaxiVista: Extend your desktop
I have had a few days to toy around with MaxiVista: Multi Monitor Software. I found this software on Lifehacker last week and it has revolutionized my work experience. With an old laptop(850Mhz,128MB, XP Pro) and my work network I have been able to easily add a second display and extend my desktop to the old laptop’s display. The software works flawlessly and after I figure out which version I need I will be picking up the software for $20, or $27 if I need the features of Pro. I cannot recommend this software enough, especially if your employer won’t spring for a dual monitor setup.
My current setup:
And a Broader shot:
Yes that is a podium, and no I am not currently taking reservations for speaking engagements.
Random Bits of Tech and Print
Sorry for the long delay between posts, I was without my laptop while it traveled to Louisville to get a fingernail
removed form the keyboard and some connections tightened up.
Print
In a cool announcement The Author I know is getting his book Crystal Rain made into a graphic novel by the Dabel Bros, who were just recently acquired by Marvel. Sniff Sniff….do I smell a movie in the future? I can’t wait for this to hit as well as Ragamuffin the sequel to Crystal Rain which is due out in June by Tor books.
Now for some tech goodness.
Pheeww the new HTC Herald is sweet looking, I can’t wait for it to drop, where is it going to land, probably on T-mobile or Cingular judging by the radio speculation. More ifno, 2 megapixel camera, 2.8-inch QVGA screen, miniSD slot, 64MB of RAM, 128MB of ROM and a QUERTY keyboard.
Ottobib lets you type in the ISBN and it will cite your book for you in most formats, the only caveat I have is that if there are multiple editions or locations to be published you may hvae to add int eh info, but Otto puts in the keyword of the info you need.
Do you need to know a great way to write a complaint letter in order to get your problem resolved? Consumerist.com has the answer in the form of a How to.
More to come as I finish writing about a Heat wave that hit Chicago in 1995 and using metaphors to describe organizations.
Outlook Reminder Tip
If you use Outlook to handle your task and appointment reminders marking the task complete can be a cumbersome process. However when the reminder pops up if you are done with a task rather than opening it and clicking to complete it simply right click on the task and choose mark complete.
Enjoy!
How To Keep A Tidy Desk
Through Lifehacker I found this great link about how to keep a tidy desk. It focuses heavily on a paper management system, something I do not have mastered yet. Tommorow I plan to implement the paper management described on teh next page and really get into some GTD ideaology. I hope to have time to report back on my progress. This week in Masters class I am reading Servant Leadership by Robert Greenleaf
Outdoor Survival Skills
Field and Stream has a 10 question quiz which will assess your preperation for spending time out in the wilderness in the winter. According to the quiz I am not yet ready for a winter camp out without any prep. Though I would like to think I could do better if I were dropped into the situation. The Field and Stream Quiz on Outdoor Survival.
Feel free to check out thier Altoids survival kit guide. It features what you should carry in an altoids tin to survive the wilderness. I WOULDN’T pack this on your carry on!
Josh Smith is a blogger, database manager and adjunct professor of business and technology. 
