Maximum PC evernote RSS Feed

Freeware Files: 5 Apps for Keeping Your New Year's Resolution!

David Murphy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:00:00 -0600

Ahh, the new year is nearly upon us. And, naturally, it's that time to start making a list of all the things that you'll likely end up putting off in 2010. The dreaded "New Year's Resolution" list is really just a fancy way of saying, "I'll get to it." Right? But it doesn't have to be. Post-it notes can be ignored and shopping lists can be misplaced, but there's no stopping a concrete digital solution from reminding you of all the things you promised yourself come the drop of the ball January 1.

That said, you don't have to use this week's batch of friendly to-do and reminder tools to just keep track of your resolutions. These various free and open-source software programs do much more than just that. From integrating with existing online tasks lists, to delivering GUI-free methods for organizing tasks, to tracking your online auctions (no less), these apps deliver a virtual smorgasbord of options for keeping your life in check. You'll never look at another Outlook calendar or Google reminder the same way again.

Google Tasks

Simple. Easy. Efficient. This lightweight Adobe AIR application calls up a miniature instance of Google Tasks right on your desktop. You won't need to pull open a Web browser just to access your task listings. And since this is literally just connecting to Google Tasks, you'll always have the most up-to-date list of things to check off whenever you launch this app--an ideal solution if you're accessing Google Tasks from multiple workspaces. Combine this program with the ever-useful Always on Top Maker to create a permanent window that lists the things you have to do! Google Tasks might not be the best application of Google Tasks in a desktop environment, but it's certainly one way to rip this feature straight out of your browser window.

Download it here!

Doit.im

Yes, it's another Adobe AIR application. However, Doit.im is a comprehensive project management application that delivers a bunch of different options for keeping track of everything from smaller to-do items to larger efforts. It even uses the power of the cloud to synchronize itself across multiple instances of the application, ensuring that you'll always be accessing your most up-to-date scheduling no matter which of your many computers you're using. Add multi-step tasks, invite friends into your project chain, and organize your tasks by time (to showcase the next actions you have to take, elements due by tomorrow, or elements due at some point in the future).

With mobile versions of Doit.im in the works, it's only fitting that you start integrating this useful tracking program into your daily routine. You'll soon be able to take it with you wherever you go!

Download it here!

TimeLeft

For more urgent to-do requests, TimeLeft is a basic alarm clock app that's been stuffed full of different add-ons and features. The combined result is a program that truly leaves no stone unturned when it comes to keeping track of your activities, be they time-sensitive or general "to-do" items. An integrated countdown mode gives you the exact time before a specific deadline hits, and the program's sticky-notes feature allows you to clutter up your desktop with any specific reminders you want. You can schedule events as one-shot items or as recurring elements--a number of complex rules built into TimeLeft gives you a wide latitude for customization. And when I said "stuffed full of add-ons," I wasn't kidding! TimeLeft even includes an auction countdown feature for keeping track of your online shopping.

Download it here!

Org-Mode

If you're totally into command-line environments (here's looking at you, Linux converts), then Org-mode might be the scheduling app for you. This program isn't for the faint of heart: Installing it requires you to first stick Emacs onto your machine. From there, you'll have to work through a variety of commands just to get the program up-and-running. And since Org-Mode is text-based at its core, don't expect to be able to just wave your mouse around and click on a few boxes to get your outlines or schedules working correctly. These challenges might be a lot to handle for an average user. However, Org-Mode delivers a commanding amount of functionality for being text-based. And just because it lacks a GUI doesn't mean that its stuck in the Stone Ages: Org-Mode users can even sync what they do in the program to their iPhones.

Download it here!

Evernote

I save this for last, as Evernote is really the Alpha and the Omega of note-taking, reminding, or whatever else you want to call "keeping organized." This super-simple application works on an awesome trifecta of platforms: mobile, Web, and desktop. You can type notes directly into the program, append pictures, organize your notes with tags, and even split your notes into multiple notebooks at the click of a mouse. Organizing and searching for your notes using Evernote's powerful interface is as easy as it is quick, and the program even transforms the very text or handwriting from notes you've inputted into the application into searchable elements.

I could go on, but just know this: Evernote will send your file cabinets and notecards trembling for the corners of your room. You will not find a more comprehensive application for note-taking, bar none. And don't forget to synchronize it across your mobile devices as well!

Download it here!

David Murphy (@ Acererak) is a technology journalist and former Maximum PC editor. He writes weekly columns about the wide world of open-source as well as weekly roundups of awesome, freebie software. Befriend him on Twitter, especially if you have an awesome app or game you're dying to recommend!

Keepin' Productive, the Freeware Way

David Murphy — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:30:22 -0600

You're busy. We're busy. Everybody's busy. Thankfully, busy people are also creative software developers. And we've tapped into their treasures to find you five awesome, "keep your life together" applications. Forever say goodbye to the yellow sticky notes adorning your computer display. These free programs will ensure that you never miss a critical appointment, important task, or billing date. More than that, we've selected a few applications that can even sync your life essentials across every platform you use, be it a cell phone, a work computer, et cetera.

Chandler Project

What it Does: This application combines a calendar and a to-do list with powerful tagging and alarm functionality. But unlike a typical application of this type (say, Microsoft Outlook), you get a special storage point on Chandler's servers absolutely free-of-charge. The program uses the available space to back up your important information. It also helps you synchronize this information over multiple computers. While the process itself is more manual than we'd prefer, it sure beats trying to manage the insanity of Outlook desktop-to-Web synchronization.

Download it here!

KeePass + Mashed Life

What it Does: This open-source application doesn't have an official name. That doesn't mean it's any less critical for keeping your information synchronized between computers. As you might guess, the mash-up combines an online login tool (Mashed Life) with your offline password application, KeePass. The synchronization aspect of this mash-up is only one-way: you enter passwords in both KeePass and Mashed Life simultaneously, but you can't pull down Mashed Life passwords into KeePass. The beauty of Mashed Life comes into play when you go to access a Web site. The application's Bookmark Login tool lets you one-click your way past the authentication systems of your favorite Web sites: You'll never have to remember a password again!

Download it here!

RTM Tool

What it Does: We first recommend you sign up for an account at Remember the Milk, an amazing Web system that helps you keep track of all of your important to-dos. You can assign individual priorities and due dates for all of your reminders, flag them as completed (or postponed) as you go about your business, and receive reminders in more formats then we've ever seen: instant messengers, e-mail, mobile, and more! Then fire up RTM Tool, which slaps the functionality of Remember the Milk right on the front of your desktop. Interact with the online service without firing up a Web browser, and enjoy the built-in reminder functionality that RTM Tool brings to your PC.

Download it here!

Evernote

What it Does: Evernote is another application that allows you to synchronize reminder messages across multiple devices. This application contains impressive notation functionality, as it's even able to recognize the scribbling you've done on images (We're going to assume that you're taking a picture of a white board for this one, unless you're planning on scanning your sticky notes). The interesting part of Evernote lies in its mobile functionality. Unlike Remember the Milk, Evernote's iPhone and Windows Mobile applications not only let you send screenshots directly to your Evernote account using the phone, but they also let you record your own audio notes as well. There's even a flash-based version of Evernote, which you can run off a portable drive without ever needing to install anything onto the host computer.

Download it here!

GnuCash

What it Does: Keep track of the money you're shelling out (and more importantly, the funds that are coming in) with this powerful financial application. It embodies functionality that you'd find in Microsoft Money or Quicken at a far lower price of "free." While you might not initially consider a financial application as part of a general productivity suite, hear us out. With GnuCash, you can generate spending reports and track your expenses by category. You can then track what you're dishing out against a budget that you've created, ensuring that you'll have enough to pay rent by the time the month ends. And yes, you can even set up GnuCash to work with your online bank of choice--that's double-awesome.

Download it here!