Tuesday
Dec112007
Bloke redux, the 15 minute emergency office, and a short automation experiment
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 11:15PM
A little grab-bag post today.
First, yesterday in Western MA, USA, we had a beautiful, exciting, and hazardous ice storm. The latter I experienced first hand (first foot, actually) when I slipped on a near-frictionless driveway and broke my leg (fibular fracture). This is three months on the heels of a broken thumb, so I feel a bit like warmed-over poo. And yes, there's some self-judgment involved as well.
So this week some short, but hopefully high-value mini entries [1].
The verdict: The latter class is much more useful and flexible, and
For auto-completion I tried these programs: LetMeType, IntelliComplete Professional, As-U-Type, and AutoTyping. My conclusion: Increasing typing speed would provide more benefit, due to completion not being 100% (which is probably impossible). Put another way, it was slower cycling through completions searching for the correct one. That said, of the ones I tried, LetMeType was the most usable.
(Side note: Interestingly, I had trouble finding one that was under active development. Makes me think either a) it's a dead end, or b) no one's created a great tool yet. Opportunity?)
For text expansion I looked researched a bunch of them [4], and ended up trying AutoHotkey first. It is free, powerful, under active development, and has a supportive user community. My conclusion: It's pretty darn neat, passed the "I'll keep using it" test, and was good enough to not try any others. And its scripting library can do about anything. I haven't integrated it deeply with Firefox yet, but I hope it will replace CoScripter (I like tool consolidation if possible). It supports UI macros as well (click here, etc.) There's a nice introduction at lifehacker: Hack Attack: Knock down repetitive email with AutoHotKey.
Note that I used the geeky edit-a-text-file approach, and did find the syntax to be a bit confusing at first. I believe there's a graphical front end, though. If you want a friendlier UI, definitely check out ActiveWords - it is pretty, but still has a large scripting library.
Mac users may want to check out this Spell Catcher vs. TextExpander vs. Typinator vs. TypeIt4Me, etc..
So tell me: What's your experience around this been? Got a favorite you can't live with? Do tell!
Resources
First, yesterday in Western MA, USA, we had a beautiful, exciting, and hazardous ice storm. The latter I experienced first hand (first foot, actually) when I slipped on a near-frictionless driveway and broke my leg (fibular fracture). This is three months on the heels of a broken thumb, so I feel a bit like warmed-over poo. And yes, there's some self-judgment involved as well.
So this week some short, but hopefully high-value mini entries [1].
Moving offices
Because my office is upstairs, I needed to set up one on our first floor. (What - Matt stop working!?) With my dear wife's help, we got it done in 15 minutes. I think this is remarkable. All it took was moving down:- Action system (already portable; and remember, it's only a calendar and three lists - Projects, Actions, and Waiting For)
- Laptop computer and headset
- Portable phone
- Stacking shelves (inbox, action support, working project folders [2])
- Desktop supplies (many in one place - my spinning organizer)
- Mail-related items (envelopes, stamps, and thank you cards)
- Printer
- Legal pad (supports my collection habit)
Windows text automation tools experiment
Over the last month I've been trying a few tools to automate my computer workflow on Windows [3]. In the productivity blogosphere, reviewing and using tools like text expansion and auto-completion is common, so I thought I'd give some a whirl. I looked at two categories: Text auto-completion (in which the program figures out the word/phrase you're typing and types it for you), and text expansion (in which you tell the program which word/phrase it should type). In other words, programs where it decides vs. when you decide. (Note: This separation is fuzzy - there's crossover between the two.)The verdict: The latter class is much more useful and flexible, and
For auto-completion I tried these programs: LetMeType, IntelliComplete Professional, As-U-Type, and AutoTyping. My conclusion: Increasing typing speed would provide more benefit, due to completion not being 100% (which is probably impossible). Put another way, it was slower cycling through completions searching for the correct one. That said, of the ones I tried, LetMeType was the most usable.
(Side note: Interestingly, I had trouble finding one that was under active development. Makes me think either a) it's a dead end, or b) no one's created a great tool yet. Opportunity?)
For text expansion I looked researched a bunch of them [4], and ended up trying AutoHotkey first. It is free, powerful, under active development, and has a supportive user community. My conclusion: It's pretty darn neat, passed the "I'll keep using it" test, and was good enough to not try any others. And its scripting library can do about anything. I haven't integrated it deeply with Firefox yet, but I hope it will replace CoScripter (I like tool consolidation if possible). It supports UI macros as well (click here, etc.) There's a nice introduction at lifehacker: Hack Attack: Knock down repetitive email with AutoHotKey.
Note that I used the geeky edit-a-text-file approach, and did find the syntax to be a bit confusing at first. I believe there's a graphical front end, though. If you want a friendlier UI, definitely check out ActiveWords - it is pretty, but still has a large scripting library.
Mac users may want to check out this Spell Catcher vs. TextExpander vs. Typinator vs. TypeIt4Me, etc..
So tell me: What's your experience around this been? Got a favorite you can't live with? Do tell!
Resources
- [1] Yes, I realize that most blogs are only entries like this. I look at it a competitive advantage - more depth, but fewer posts.
- [2] I am very careful about recommending this to clients. Before working with me, most people have tried some kind of system for managing working files - either stacked on surfaces or sitting upright in step folder stands. The main problem with these is using them as action reminders. Why? Because when they have 10 minutes, it takes far to long to find the next action. Just determining the action from one folder could take 10 minutes! Instead, the best practice is to have a centralized action list from all projects. This frees up folders to do what they're meant to: hold project-related materials. This changes the nature of having folders on desks from action reminders to support - it's merely a convenience to save a few seconds looking through their (A-Z!) filing drawers.
- [3] I would *love* to switch to a Mac - Windows' instability and inefficiency (and this is on XP, not Vista) drives me nuts. What's holding me back? One-button laptops, and PowerPoint and Quicken compatibility. I realize the latter can be solved by virtualizing Windows, but that seems like missing the point. I'm open to convincing, though...
- [4] The top candidates seemed to be ActiveWords, AutoHotkey, and Texter, but there are many other worthies as well.
Reader Comments (37)
Hey JP, thanks for the additional detail. Regarding brain modes I'm not sure what you're thinking of. The business card cube was about workflow modes - e.g., are you processing (figuring out what your work is), doing the work, etc.
Okay Okay, I finally figured out what I am referring to.
WHen I tried to figure out the action system I came across your blog post of 6/1/06; this had to do with with "work flow stage" another post called "Transitions: the secret ingredient..." and "work transitions." Also refernce to Batchelder's business card cube.
As an aside: I got real confused about the business card cube; not sure if it was meant to be a serious way of GTD or a way to fold paper. COnfused more when Matt put his work transitions ONTO the cube which totally confused me...
Anyhow: I came across your paradigm on work transitions and work flow stages. This is similar to what I had been thinking about:
HOW MANY MODES OF THINKING DO OUR MINDS GO THROUGH??
This is very useful as a concept because it helps me to figure out where I am, what am I supposed to be doing and why am I so distracted? etc.
I came up with at least Four Modes of Thinking and I was thinking of sticking them onto my Batchelder cube....
1) alpha brain. This is like when you are doing grunt work. Typing, making the page numbers in the table of contents; etc. The thing about alpha work is often creative ideas pop into your head and you must capture them immediately. Understanding the relationship of alpha to beta helps me...example:
The best capture tool: Post it pad. The smaller the better. Large post it pads lead to more elaboration on the idea. Using a steno size pad only leads to outlining the original idea and more explanation. Using a legal size pad for this task is the worst as that only leads to a 10 page dissertation on the New Idea and you've lost 30 min. of typing time. Not to mention: 10 p. dissertation missed the mark completely although initial idea remains viable.
Alpha takes its name from Beta brain wave activity as grunt work is the opposite of beta thinking. Not sure if alpha waves is correct scientific def'n of that though.
2) Beta Thinking. Totally stream of conscious of new ideas. Takes its name from beta waves that form your head as I understand this science. One must capture beta thoughts rapidly as they will disappear. Spending time on beta will mess up alpha though.
3) FOcused activity. This not as free form as beta and it is not as mindless as alpha. Example: Planning my day; you dont create so much as you manipulate existing things to do; compare them to one another etc. Organizing stuff. You have to call on different brain abilities, perhaps recall, perhaps analysis. etc.
4) At play. This can be simply enjoying a shower, or a hot dog or deep REM sleep. The mind needs these things I guess so I list it here.
That's a start. I was thinking of putting each of these on my Batchelder cube, but then I came up with a better system for the six faces of my cube;
1) my Calender; next 3 weeks
2) Things to do: next couple of days or maybe just today.
3) Beta thinking; anything that I capture on a post it note is stuck here rather than have to file it.
4) Recent reference. This is like a way to temporarily put stuff that might be tossed or might be a reference material someday. Like I go to the store to buy tulips. I talk to the guy I take notes. I get this thing done, now I cross off my things to do list and I tend to toss out everythign associated w/ tulips as its done. SUre enuf, 3 days later someone asks me about tulips and I dont have my notes caused I tossed them. So I can park stuff in this sleeve or envelope for a few days.
5) the operational orders/working plan.
Okay that's what I was thinking but I still have that six side of the cube with nothing to put on it. What do you think?
This all sounds good, john. Thanks again for all your thinking. And I like your adaptation of the business card cube, which - as you might suspect - I meant to be both a useful tool and something slightly whimsical.
but I still have that six side of the cube with nothing to put on it. What do you think? That's up to you, but maybe something to remind us to have FUN?
Matt: I'm sad to read of your near frictionless fibular fracture - I certainly don't miss the ice storms in Western Mass (although I do miss other aspects of life there).
I recently saw Buzz Bruggeman demonstrate ActiveWords, and was impressed in both positive and negative ways. Given earlier exchanges (I have the feeling I resemble a remark in one of your previous comments), I thought you might appreciate my feelings on the productivity gains (and potential losses in other dimensions). At the risk of being shamelessly self-referential, here's an excerpt from [ my blog post on ActiveWords | http://gumption.typepad.com/blog/2007/10/active-words--1.html ]:
"Buzz Bruggeman and Robert Scoble visited NRC Palo Alto yesterday and presented at our Thursday Lunch Forum. Buzz demonstrated ActiveWords, a Windows utility for customizable keyboard macros that can launch applications and/or insert text in an application. One of his examples was using a few keystrokes to launch Outlook and create an entire email message ... that looked exactly like the one he'd sent me when he proposed some things that he and Robert might talk about. On the one hand, I was very impressed with the potential productivity / efficiency gains offered by this tool ... on the other hand, I have to admit somehow feeling a little less "special" having been on the receiving end of such an easily constructed email."
I hope your leg mends well (and soon). I'm glad that you have turned this experience into such a powerful learning experience (for you and you readers)!
Thanks for the good wishes, Joe and for your report on ActiveWords - I'd trust your recommendations on tools like this. And I appreciated your comments on Scoble's reading speed - very impressive. Gives me something to aspire to!
Matt - sorry about your leg!!
A few quick thoughts:
* I don't do any automation at the moment, but I used to use Macro Express, and I recall that I liked it (although the UI was a little sluggish; a Java or .NET thing I think, and may not be true on today's PCs.) Also, QuicKeys is the "gold standard" on Mac, and I think they have a Windows version. I have AHK but never liked the interface.
* Programmer's Notebook: I've often thought of putting everything in a wiki, and looks like at least one other person has suggested that.
* Yes, in a sense, virtualizing on Mac "misses the point". But in another sense, NOT doing it misses the point! When you first started running modern Windows, did you abandon all your DOS apps? No, you ran them inside a DOS box, even though you usually couldn't use the mouse at first, and they didn't share the clipboard, etc. Over time, even as integration got better, you (mostly) abandoned them for newer, shinier products. I'll bet once in a while you still discover you've somehow launched WOW.EXE, right? And if you ever run Java apps, they're running on a virtual machine too.. it's just a much simpler one.
I'm planning on that with the Mac. Most programs I use are cross-platform, and for the few key ones that aren't, what do I care if, under the surface, they're running Windows? So they'll have a blue title bar instead of a grey one. But Parallels's "Coherence" feature is amazing; clipboard, mouse, windows, drives, printers, Expose', everything is just seamless.
* It's true that Mac laptops only have a single visible button, but all modern ones have a two-finger right-click (and two-finger scroll) ability that's so incredibly natural, I find myself wishing my PC mouse had it.
* What are the odds I'd talk you into changing your template to show the *dates* of comments instead of/in addition to the time? Because that's a lot more interesting.
Jay, thanks for the good wishes and the automation tips.
Re: Wiki notebook, I like the model - time-stamped entries with cross-linking, but the interface isn't dynamic enough for me, and creation is a bit heavy. I do think the 'ultimate' might be a Wiki+Blog+PIM combo ( see my post [ My Big-Arse Text File - a Poor Man's Wiki+Blog+PIM | http://www.matthewcornell.org/blog/2005/08/my-big-arse-text-file-poor-mans.html ] ).
Re: virtual OS, I have experience with them, and I appreciate your points - thank you. I've found them unstable and slow, but maybe the product you mention is a lot better. I'd still need to buy (expensive) Apple hardware - but you can make sound cost-of-ownership arguments in favor of Macs.
Macs...two-finger right-click - Sounds really good. More here: [ Mac Tip: Right-Click from the Trackpad | http://lifehacker.com/software/mac-tip/right+click-from-the-trackpad-323322.php ].
What are the odds I'd talk you into changing your template to show the *dates* of comments instead of/in addition to the time? Done! Thanks for the suggestion; I always subconsciously disliked just the time :-)
I'm sorry to hear about the leg! We had lots of snow and ice here too.
I've been disappointed with the text entry products of all kinds - my typing speed is such that the computer may not keep up. Even if it does, it slows me down to have to go back and correct it.
Most of these products don't seem to take into account those of us who can type well. Oh, well.
About Macs: I've always been a fan of Macs and of UNIX - so when they came together - it was love at first sight :-)
I might add it was the ever irreverent [ Jef Raskin | http://jef.raskincenter.org/home/index.html ] who pushed mightily for the one-button mouse. For geeks with some history behind them, the Canon Cat was almost entirely Jef Raskin's baby.
David
[ Administratosphere | http://administratosphere.wordpress.com ]
Great post, Matt. For your text experiment, you might look at [ Direct Access | http://www.nagarsoft.com/ ]. I [ reviewed it | http://www.legalandrew.com/2007/05/13/streamline-computer-tasks-with-direct-access/ ] a while back. I've since gone back to AutoHotkey, but that's mostly because I need a solution for work and home, and I didn't have two Direct Access licenses.
Thanks for the pointer, Andrew. It was third on my list, so I never got to it. Reaching up for that F12 would drive me nuts, though I'm sure you can configure the key. Confirmation *would* be nice - sometimes AuthHotKey expands when I don't want it to, and it can be really hard to stop it!
Thanks for your comment. Great blog, BTW.
Goodness, Matt! I had no idea...must have missed this post. Ouch! To add to commiseration I too went down on icy stairs about the same time and I hit the ribs, scared the hell out of myself, and couldn't roll over without a big ouch for weeks ; its taken until just this week to get some normalcy! Hope you are mending fast!
Thanks, Gina. I'm sorry about your injury. I've had a cracked rib too, and it hurts when breathing. All is healing properly - I'm bearing weight on it now, and in two weeks, no cast! Mountain biking by end of Feb :-)