ALL THINGS RANDOM: Below is a running blog of topics and reviews, anywhere from Business development and intelligence, personal finance, web and application development, to music, books, and other interests to keep one's balance in life.
Application Roundup: Task/Idea Management & Note Taking: Catch
One great web & mobile application I generally suggest to those looking for a simple management interface for their notes, tasks, and ideas, is Catch. It's easy to use and quick to update tasks and ideas as you move about your day.
When it comes to the plethora of task/idea management apps, Catch competes with the best when it comes to interface controls for users and seamless syncing. The mobile app navigation "fan" is quick to understand and navigate; You'll soon wish that other apps were organized this way.
See if it works for you. You can find the free task management application at Catch or on your applicable app market for your smartphone.
Date: 1/25/13
Tags: Mobile Application, Task Management
Author: David Wolf
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Application Roundup: Task Management: Trello
There are many project and task management applications out there to assist you in managing, executing, and completing your project's task. They range from desktop to web-based applications, with many being open-source, standalone applications that you can deploy on your own server. I've had my share of experiences with deploying LAMP (read: PHP) project/task management applications with good results, including Trac, Project Pier, and Project HQ. The installs were relatively straight forward and should have you up and running in an hour or two. However, the downside is, you have to maintain this type of environment yourself.
Either option could be good for you and your team, but I want to concentrate on purely web-based task management applications. Although there's something to be said about understanding the server install and deployment process for these open-sourced task management software, having an out-of-the-box, quick web solution is great for task management. Enter Trello. A web-based, column-style task management interface, it allows the user quick access to tasks and timelines. Although positioned in a saturated software market, Trello competes with easy to add and update tasks. The drag and drop feature, although not new, is great when moving tasks from the que to "in action". Although not a very high-end feature, you can also color code your projects, which is nice for quick view on an updated task when being pressed on the conference call.
See if it works for you. You can find the free task management software at Trello: Action Management.
Date: 10/1/12
Tags: Business Management
Author: David Wolf
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How to Become a Better Manager, one step at a time
Article roundup #2 for today also comes from an article from Forbes. I liked how he references the constant of change in the workplace. One needs to learn to accept change as a constant and be able to manage it to become a better manager. I also love the following quote, as to many of us understand this quote all to well:
"Remember: life’s too short to work with jerks. Build a jerk-free culture of excellence in your workplace. And have fun."
. Of course, actually building a jerk-free culture is easier said then done. Among a great internal infrastructure, the hiring process is imperative in weeding out possible "problem childs" for a company.
You can find the article at Forbes: How to be a Great Manager.
Date: 9/25/12
Tags:Business Management
Author: David Wolf
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Success, 7UP style
Article Roundup #1 today comes from the very popular financial journal, Forbes. I personally found the seven steps outlined in the article to be enlightening. Although I would be weary of the #1 step, "Marry a June Baby", since emotional conflicts and mis-management can arise from doing business with friends and family, I love step #2, "Think Small". For the same reasons I try to abide by the process followed by 37 Signals, as outlined in a previous blog post on their book Getting Real.
Check it out at Forbes: Seven Steps to Entrepreneurial Success.
Date: 9/25/12
Tags: Business Management, Entrepreneurs
Author: David Wolf
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Band: Zammuto
Some of you may know my deep love for a band by the name of The Books. If you are new to the band and are interested in listening, I would recommend starting with their earlier stuff and working you'r way to their latest album, The Way Out. General disclaimer though, some of the work may be weird to some listeners.
One part of their two-piece, Nick Zammuto, has started another project bearing his namesake, Zammuto. Although in their infancy, their sound provides a distinct departure from The Books, however, still seems to incorporate sound styles and tribute rhythm sections from the band. You can check them out here and here.
Zammuto will be performing in Philadelphia this Saturday, 9/29/12. Hope to see you there!
Date: 9/24/12
Tags: Music
Author: David Wolf
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Getting Real: The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application
Every year I revisit one of my favorite application and project management bibles, 37 Signal's Getting Real. If you are interested in building successful web applications, new to the process, or just bettering yourself and your work, this is a great read for you. I can't recommend enough how much I work on focusing on building more by building less, concentrating on those components that actually matter to the build process and disregarding those that don't.
For a minimal fee (your email address), you can read 37 Signal's Application Project Process at 37 Signals: Getting Real.
I have also begun reading "Rework" by 37 Signals, A book on better managing a business in our present, hectic, and inefficient workplaces.
Date: 9/10/12
Tags: Application Development, Web Development, Project Management
Author: David Wolf
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