Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
139 comments
Buy a starter pistol, you know the kind that they use at tracks. This is still considered a valid weapon for airport screeners so this "tip" applies only to non-carry on luggage. Put the pistol into your luggage and declare it before depositing it with the airline. It won't be lost, tampered with or diverted, ever.
The reason is simple. They have to treat luggage with firearms different from normal luggage. It goes into its own area and is placed in special locked compartments. There's a high level of security involved to protect passengers which ultimately aids you.
The reason is simple. They have to treat luggage with firearms different from normal luggage. It goes into its own area and is placed in special locked compartments. There's a high level of security involved to protect passengers which ultimately aids you.
How does that work out in terms of the amount of time you have to spend vs the probability of having your luggage lost?
Also, don't you think it's a bit unethical? Applying the "what if everyone did this?" rule it seems to come across pretty badly.
Also, don't you think it's a bit unethical? Applying the "what if everyone did this?" rule it seems to come across pretty badly.
I know people who do serious mods for classic arcade games. Serious mods as in: build custom PCBs for the three FPGAs needed to make an Atari 2600 generate VGA output. Those systems look like bombs: they're old machines bristling with wires and test equipment. Transporting them to arcade game conventions is a massive pain. You can't check them because you can't trust the airline/TSA not to destroy them. And you can't carry them on board because there is literally no way to convince TSA inspectors that you're not carrying a bomb. This seems like a very good solution. I mean, for some of these people, the choice may come down to the starter pistol idea or just not flying to conventions. Seems like a real win to me.
I'm not really seeing how it is unethical. The TSA decided on the security procedures. It might be slightly inefficient, but given the massive inefficiency of the entire airport security policy, I can't imagine complaining about this. There is no reason that people with delicate electronics should be forbidden from flying on airplanes. No reason at all.
I'm not really seeing how it is unethical. The TSA decided on the security procedures. It might be slightly inefficient, but given the massive inefficiency of the entire airport security policy, I can't imagine complaining about this. There is no reason that people with delicate electronics should be forbidden from flying on airplanes. No reason at all.
Have you actually done this?
Life Hack:
Buy a box (10 or so) of small LED flashlights. Place one discretely behind anything you routinely have to peer behind. I have one behind my fridge, my television and inside my computer rack.
Work Hack:
When hosting a meeting, never schedule more than 30 minutes. This requires keeping things on point and moving ahead. Start on-time, state the point, tease that the meeting should only take 20 minutes. Avoid rehashing for late-comers, explain that you'll get with them after the call/meeting. Participation goes up when people have incentive and when you have a reputation for starting on time, people will arrive on time. The ones that don't probably don't need to be there.
If you're at a larger company, greet everyone you pass in the hallway regardless of title, position, or rank. Get to know their names and use it in the greeting (there was a famous book somewhere . . .). "Good Morning, Joe" is enough.
Completely disconnect for more than two days every once in a while, especially if you're in a rut somewhere (dead-end project, writer's block). I'd take short cruises and spend the majority of the time watching the water (this was back when cruises didn't have internet access or cell service, and even now the cost is prohibitive enough that you can tell work "You can reach me for $9.00 a minute"). The first day or so is discomforting, but after the third you stop thinking about what you missed on Hacker News.
You didn't say Vacation Hacks, but I have a few:
- Schedule trips during the common first/last week of school. Parents usually can't take trips at this time, so resorts/cruises are usually under-booked and less expensive.
- If you like cruises, watch NYC launches that happen over one of the big Jewish holidays, especially themed or promo cruises. Cruises are usually booked several months in advance. Cancellations are common, the cruise company gets paid partially and wants to fill the room. I got a $500 and $400 balcony on a 7-day in East Caribbean on a great ship this way. Both were themed cruises, so this may make a difference (much earlier booking, perhaps).
Buy a box (10 or so) of small LED flashlights. Place one discretely behind anything you routinely have to peer behind. I have one behind my fridge, my television and inside my computer rack.
Work Hack:
When hosting a meeting, never schedule more than 30 minutes. This requires keeping things on point and moving ahead. Start on-time, state the point, tease that the meeting should only take 20 minutes. Avoid rehashing for late-comers, explain that you'll get with them after the call/meeting. Participation goes up when people have incentive and when you have a reputation for starting on time, people will arrive on time. The ones that don't probably don't need to be there.
If you're at a larger company, greet everyone you pass in the hallway regardless of title, position, or rank. Get to know their names and use it in the greeting (there was a famous book somewhere . . .). "Good Morning, Joe" is enough.
Completely disconnect for more than two days every once in a while, especially if you're in a rut somewhere (dead-end project, writer's block). I'd take short cruises and spend the majority of the time watching the water (this was back when cruises didn't have internet access or cell service, and even now the cost is prohibitive enough that you can tell work "You can reach me for $9.00 a minute"). The first day or so is discomforting, but after the third you stop thinking about what you missed on Hacker News.
You didn't say Vacation Hacks, but I have a few:
- Schedule trips during the common first/last week of school. Parents usually can't take trips at this time, so resorts/cruises are usually under-booked and less expensive.
- If you like cruises, watch NYC launches that happen over one of the big Jewish holidays, especially themed or promo cruises. Cruises are usually booked several months in advance. Cancellations are common, the cruise company gets paid partially and wants to fill the room. I got a $500 and $400 balcony on a 7-day in East Caribbean on a great ship this way. Both were themed cruises, so this may make a difference (much earlier booking, perhaps).
> watch NYC launches
Is there a site to keep up with this? I'm in NYC.
Similarly for air travel: what do you use to find good deals? Sounds like you've done research.
Is there a site to keep up with this? I'm in NYC.
Similarly for air travel: what do you use to find good deals? Sounds like you've done research.
My best hack, hands down is: just don't go to meetings.
It's weird at first. Seems like you'll get in trouble, and people do get pissed. But they have a weird way of getting you just the information you need and little more.
I don't skip every meeting, just the ones that routinely offer me little value and waste a lot of time. I just stopped going and nothing changed except I have a lot more time to get things done.
BTW, I switched to Colemak a couple of months ago. If you're doing it to type faster, you might be disappointed for a while. If you are doing it for ergonomics, you'll be delighted. I switched because I started noticing fatigue in my fingers.
It's weird at first. Seems like you'll get in trouble, and people do get pissed. But they have a weird way of getting you just the information you need and little more.
I don't skip every meeting, just the ones that routinely offer me little value and waste a lot of time. I just stopped going and nothing changed except I have a lot more time to get things done.
BTW, I switched to Colemak a couple of months ago. If you're doing it to type faster, you might be disappointed for a while. If you are doing it for ergonomics, you'll be delighted. I switched because I started noticing fatigue in my fingers.
If you want to force yourself to tidy your apartment, invite a girl over for dinner.
If that doesn't work, you can invite your parents over. I always clean my apartment for my parents, because they won't be shy in telling me immediately if it's dirty, and then they'll nag me about it the rest of the night - and I definitely don't want that.
Ditch your TV. I did this by accident (http://blog.jgc.org/2010/02/year-without-tv.html) and it's been an enormous change in my life.
Just be careful you don't turn into this guy:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/area-man-constantly-mention...
Really though, I think it's a good idea. There's some good content on there, but it's a tempting easy distraction. I'd also add "limit your time messing around on the internet".
http://www.theonion.com/articles/area-man-constantly-mention...
Really though, I think it's a good idea. There's some good content on there, but it's a tempting easy distraction. I'd also add "limit your time messing around on the internet".
Yep, I do prefer to watch films/series/documentaries not being broadcasted live, because I choose what I want to watch instead of watching whatever rubbish is on tv, and with the additional benefit of skipping ads.
I ditched my TV in 2005 (http://personalmba.com/need-more-time-to-read-get-rid-of-you...). There's no way I could've read so many books If I didn't.
I rarely cook a meal for just myself. Either I cook for my housemates, or one of them cooks for me. It saves a lot of time, because cooking scales sublinearly. It's also cheaper and tastier (I put more effort in if I'm cooking for others).
Also, if you live alone (or have a diet incompatible with your housemates), try cooking for several days at once. Cooking and meal planning are skills you're guaranteed to be using for life, so put in the time to become at least moderately competent at them.
That's a good one. My wife usually cooks our dinners for the week on Sunday all at once and freezes some of it. Mon/Tue we eat left-overs, Wed/Thu/Fri we eat what was frozen (and to keep from eating the same thing over and over, we mix up the frozen stuff).
She used to spend an hour a night making meals, now she gets the week done in a couple of hours (she is a stay-at-home mom and the only one capable of making a meal that's edible in my house).
She used to spend an hour a night making meals, now she gets the week done in a couple of hours (she is a stay-at-home mom and the only one capable of making a meal that's edible in my house).
1) 9 - 10 hours sleep
2) reduce multitasking
3) eat like a bird
4) exercise
5) don't commute more than 20mins each way
2) reduce multitasking
3) eat like a bird
4) exercise
5) don't commute more than 20mins each way
1. I understand sleep is important, but how in the world do you guys get 9-10 hours of sleep?
Between a full time job (8-10 hrs, salary so when a client needs help, off I go!) and trying to hack the latest and greatest of my ideas in my spare time, family, friends, chores, and relaxing for a moment at the end... I don't have 9 hours left before I have to be at work the next morning.
3. Am I missing something, can someone enlighten me about this eat like a bird? If anything I need to gain weight.
5. I live a block from the office :)
Between a full time job (8-10 hrs, salary so when a client needs help, off I go!) and trying to hack the latest and greatest of my ideas in my spare time, family, friends, chores, and relaxing for a moment at the end... I don't have 9 hours left before I have to be at work the next morning.
3. Am I missing something, can someone enlighten me about this eat like a bird? If anything I need to gain weight.
5. I live a block from the office :)
He didn't say he/she has a work. Anyway, you can decide to work on your projects on certain days and go out with friends in others (weekend perhaps). There's no way you can do everything in the same day and still sleeping 10 hours.
I think Means "eat less, more frequently" when he say eat like a bird.
>> 5) don't commute more than 20mins each way
I walk to work. Free 1.5 hr of exercise every day and I don't have to spend money on transportation.
I walk to work. Free 1.5 hr of exercise every day and I don't have to spend money on transportation.
You can get to work some quicker way and run instead. Running is much more valuable than walking.
I could jog on my way home, but since I sweat a lot, running to work is probably not a good idea. I've thought about biking, but it'd be a hassle because of the narrow staircases in my building. The subway is just slightly faster than walking (when it's on time anyways)
In any case, I do ~6 hrs of martial arts per week, and I find that walking is a nice low-impact type of activity to complement it.
In any case, I do ~6 hrs of martial arts per week, and I find that walking is a nice low-impact type of activity to complement it.
Well, you have to factor in changing out of your running clothes and showering if you're in a "professional" environment.
Also I have bad knees that make even the mile I walked to the job I just quit a little difficult. I doubt they will ever heal enough that running is a good idea.
Also I have bad knees that make even the mile I walked to the job I just quit a little difficult. I doubt they will ever heal enough that running is a good idea.
I had bad knees for years, but found that running exclusively up-hill on uneven ground for about 2 years completely cured them.
This might not be practical or work for you, but I found a steady improvement after I started walking gently down hills and only running up. I also made a conscious effort to minimize the impact of each footfall.
After 2 years, I found I could even run downhill again without pain or injury.
Do you run striking with your heels or a more sane part of your feet?
You can try bicycling, it's faster and you won't sweat unless you have to go uphill. Also, if your office has showers (a rare but nice feature) you can go running/bicycling and have a shower.
Indeed. Id recommend using a fixie -
http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding_250/268_fixed-gear...
If showering is not an option, choosing the right apparel can get you through the day. http://shop.outlier.cc/index.html
The compromises are an inconvenience, but IMO the subsequent healthier and happier life is worth it.
If showering is not an option, choosing the right apparel can get you through the day. http://shop.outlier.cc/index.html
The compromises are an inconvenience, but IMO the subsequent healthier and happier life is worth it.
A fixy is the shortest route to blown out knees. Especially if they were bad to start with.
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I agree that sleep is very important, but like I said before, I'd like to try polyphasic sleep. That would be an impressive hack, giving me more time and maximizing REM phases.
Reduce multitasking - that is, focus in a single task at a time, agreed!!
Eat less, exercise more - agreed! That is in fact one of my pending points.
Don't commute more than 20mins each way - I would add... unless you can do something useful while you are commuting!!
Thank you!!
Reduce multitasking - that is, focus in a single task at a time, agreed!!
Eat less, exercise more - agreed! That is in fact one of my pending points.
Don't commute more than 20mins each way - I would add... unless you can do something useful while you are commuting!!
Thank you!!
I highly doubt the effectiveness of polyphasic sleep. I myself found myself physically fatigued when I tried something like that.
So, based on my own (little) experience, my muscles need the long rest that a good night's sleep gives.
And doing "something useful" while commuting... Well ain't there a sure sign for disaster?
Hmm. Now don't get me wrong, but your post seems to be coming from a guy who's heading enthusiastically straight into a total mental burndown...
So, based on my own (little) experience, my muscles need the long rest that a good night's sleep gives.
And doing "something useful" while commuting... Well ain't there a sure sign for disaster?
Hmm. Now don't get me wrong, but your post seems to be coming from a guy who's heading enthusiastically straight into a total mental burndown...
I think the original commenter was envisioning a bus/train/van-pool/subway/ferry commute rather than a car/bicycle/walking commute. My last job involved a long subway trip and I found that a Kindle really helped. The trains were too crowded to make reading on, let alone working on a laptop feasible.
I understood that he meant being in a bus/train/van-pool/subway/ferry. The point that I was trying to make was that trying to do "something useful" while commuting is, at least to me, pretty annoying - there's so much distraction going on around you that your chances of actually having attention to the task you're doing are slim.
And time without attention is time wasted.
Ultimately you might find yourself using 24/7 of your time in practicing things - and realizing that you've understood nothing.
And then you're ready to welcome the burnout
And time without attention is time wasted.
Ultimately you might find yourself using 24/7 of your time in practicing things - and realizing that you've understood nothing.
And then you're ready to welcome the burnout
Yes I meant a bus/train/van-pool/subway/ferry, and yes I was thinking in listening to an audiobook/podcast, reading a book, perhaps doing some brainstorming with a Moleskine (well, it depends on the crowdiness of where your are), and if you have a table perhaps working on your laptop...
"And doing "something useful" while commuting... Well ain't there a sure sign for disaster?"
Podcasts and Audiobooks. You can learn new things, keep on on recent events, or, even better, just enjoy the time with a good book. You can do this while driving even, without problems.
The only downside is you tend to not mind the traffic during the commute.
Podcasts and Audiobooks. You can learn new things, keep on on recent events, or, even better, just enjoy the time with a good book. You can do this while driving even, without problems.
The only downside is you tend to not mind the traffic during the commute.
I came across this finding often while doing some research on sleep deprivation - Sleeping for more than 8 hours daily can be harmful.
Quoting an article from Time - "Studies show that people who sleep between 6.5 hr. and 7.5 hr. a night, as they report, live the longest. [...] Sleeping 8.5 hr. might really be a little worse than sleeping 5 hr."
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1812420,00.ht...
Quoting an article from Time - "Studies show that people who sleep between 6.5 hr. and 7.5 hr. a night, as they report, live the longest. [...] Sleeping 8.5 hr. might really be a little worse than sleeping 5 hr."
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1812420,00.ht...
This study may show that more sleep may reduce longevity, but it doesn't say anything about daily well-being, alertness, and general state of mind. If I had to choose between more sleep and feeling better and being more productive everyday (what 9-10 hours/night does for me) and living longer but feeling crappy all the time (6-7 hours/night), it's no contest.
Research suggests that 6-7 hours of sleep correlates most strongly with longer life.
Not that your way doesn't sound great (it truly does), just a matter of priorities :)
Not that your way doesn't sound great (it truly does), just a matter of priorities :)
Ledger - command line double entry accounting. A great way to keep track of your money.
Martial arts - beating people with a stick is good for the soul.
Aldiko - ebook reador for Android. It makes reading very easy; rather than carrying a book everywhere you go, just take out your phone.
Martial arts - beating people with a stick is good for the soul.
Aldiko - ebook reador for Android. It makes reading very easy; rather than carrying a book everywhere you go, just take out your phone.
GNU Screen is the big new thing for me. While old hat for many programmers, I just recently started realizing the power of it, especially detaching and reattaching, or reattaching to a broken SSH connection.
I agree, GNU Screen is great... but try tmux, I do prefer this one because of the ease of splitting horizontally and vertically without the need of a patch. If you want to stick with Screen... try Byobu
Is splitting terminals really that helpful? I tend to use 80 character wide, tall terminals so that I can have emacs sitting next to it (in similar dimensions). I guess if I used console emacs, having one terminal with it split would be fine, but when I'm using a tiling window manager, I don't necessarily see the benefit..
tmux has tiling window manager layouts (the same ones dwm and XMonad use) built into it.
Having two narrower columns visible at the same time in the text console (with easy copy/pasting) has been really helpful for me on several occasions.
Having two narrower columns visible at the same time in the text console (with easy copy/pasting) has been really helpful for me on several occasions.
Python. I'm sure people will fill in the scripting language of your choice, but knowing at least one is a real time saver. I have lost count of the hours and hours and hours of drudgery I have saved because of being able to fire up a script in short order.Life is good when you can make a 2 hour task take several minutes :-) Especially if that task is something you have to do on a consistent basis
For life in general, exercise has been good. I'm in crappy shape now, but getting back on the wagon. Being in some semblance of shape does wonders for your health and well being. And strength training in particular makes you less of a victim in many life circumstances, like having your snack stuck in the vending machine or moving furniture. The downside, obviously, is that you get asked by people to tip vending machines and move couches...
For life in general, exercise has been good. I'm in crappy shape now, but getting back on the wagon. Being in some semblance of shape does wonders for your health and well being. And strength training in particular makes you less of a victim in many life circumstances, like having your snack stuck in the vending machine or moving furniture. The downside, obviously, is that you get asked by people to tip vending machines and move couches...
1) A smartphone. I use it to record notes and random ideas as they strike me, read & answer emails, find directions, and all that other good stuff. The note taking is a huge advantage though.
2) An online calendar. For better or worse, I've freed up my brain space in favor of an online calendar to track my meetings, appointments, events, etc. I don't have to keep those in mind anymore. Personally, I love this, but it does make me overly dependent on the online calendar.
3) Goldtouch keyword. I love this thing. I was trying to stay away from brand names in my list, but I didn't know how else to describe it. It folds down from the middle allows you to touch-type in a very ergonomic position, at least for me.
4) Duct tape. It truly can repair anything physical. Just fixed my fan with it.
5) A towel. You always need to have a towel ;)
2) An online calendar. For better or worse, I've freed up my brain space in favor of an online calendar to track my meetings, appointments, events, etc. I don't have to keep those in mind anymore. Personally, I love this, but it does make me overly dependent on the online calendar.
3) Goldtouch keyword. I love this thing. I was trying to stay away from brand names in my list, but I didn't know how else to describe it. It folds down from the middle allows you to touch-type in a very ergonomic position, at least for me.
4) Duct tape. It truly can repair anything physical. Just fixed my fan with it.
5) A towel. You always need to have a towel ;)
Hahaha nice reference to "Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy" in #5. Douglas Adam would be proud ;)
I agree with you on the smartphone, I use an android flavoured device myself.
The online calendar is a win as well, and it integrates great with the smartphone.
I would add Evernote (or similar)!! For online note-taking.
Didn't know about Goldtouch keyboard before, I'll have a look.
Duct tape!! McGyver lives in our heart ;)
Thank you
I agree with you on the smartphone, I use an android flavoured device myself.
The online calendar is a win as well, and it integrates great with the smartphone.
I would add Evernote (or similar)!! For online note-taking.
Didn't know about Goldtouch keyboard before, I'll have a look.
Duct tape!! McGyver lives in our heart ;)
Thank you
As long as your bringing up MacGyver, Victorinox "Tinker" Swiss Army knife. Duct tape to put things together, knife to take 'em apart. The Tinker is small enough for every day pocket-ability but versatile enough to do about anything you need.
Although I don't have a Swiss Army knife myself, a buddy swears by it. He even breaks it out when we're just grabbing a bite to eat. Other restaurant patrons always cast sideways glances at him, but hey, at least he's able to open his bottle of beer. ;)
When going out to eat in a group pay a bit more than you owe. A few extra dollars to have the meal end in peace is always worth it.
Life's too short to get worked up over dollars and cents.
In general I try to live as if I've set an hourly wage for my time. Arguing over a few dollars change I consider more expensive than paying a little extra. If there's a task someone else/some company has a competitive advantage in compared with doing it myself, it's cheaper for me to not do it. So, offload git hosting to github, rails hosting to Heroku and spare yourself the headaches.
Applying sunk costs also is a great stress reliever for me, time spent on a project is time you won't ever get back. Don't fuzz about it.
In general I try to live as if I've set an hourly wage for my time. Arguing over a few dollars change I consider more expensive than paying a little extra. If there's a task someone else/some company has a competitive advantage in compared with doing it myself, it's cheaper for me to not do it. So, offload git hosting to github, rails hosting to Heroku and spare yourself the headaches.
Applying sunk costs also is a great stress reliever for me, time spent on a project is time you won't ever get back. Don't fuzz about it.
This can also get expensive really fast
Asymptotically, it's only O(N) for a meal priced N. In practice, since you only need to put in a few extra currency units, it's O(1). So it really can't get expensive fast.
Big O.
Sometimes it is nice to just bask in the way disagreements are carried out on HN as opposed to e.g. Yahoo news.
Sometimes it is nice to just bask in the way disagreements are carried out on HN as opposed to e.g. Yahoo news.
Whack a screwdriver blade against a strong magnet a few dozen times, all in the same direction. Presto, your $1 screwdriver is now a $2 magnetized screwdriver.
There's a lot of great tips here, some I use every day. However, there's one conspicuously missing: whiteboards.
To me, whiteboarding is the best brainstorming tool possible. It's useful for just about everything, too. My whole wall is covered in them and they're almost always full. Get a whiteboard and you won't regret it.
To me, whiteboarding is the best brainstorming tool possible. It's useful for just about everything, too. My whole wall is covered in them and they're almost always full. Get a whiteboard and you won't regret it.
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. One thing that has worked really well is to take 3' x 2' whiteboard, rip off the frame and place it flat on your desk. It is fantastic for when you are talking to someone at your desk and quick diagram would help. At first people thought it was weird but people have gotten used to it and gets doodled on all the time.
It's also good for reminders and phone messages.
It's also good for reminders and phone messages.
Great idea! Behance also sells some whiteboard paint that you can use to turn most any surface into a whiteboard. Thinking of picking up a batch for my room.
1. Sharpie marker attached to my keyring, can’t keep count of how many times this came in handy (Marker, Ready-to-Edit)
2. Espresso + Emacs: former for fast HTML/CSS prototyping, latter for fast prototyping of everything else
3. Wacom tablet when I don’t use the keyboard a lot. Faster and more accurate for me compared to a mouse.
4. KeyRemap4Macbook: rebinding the keys I don’t use often to something more useful (caps lock to control, right command to escape, etc.)
2. Espresso + Emacs: former for fast HTML/CSS prototyping, latter for fast prototyping of everything else
3. Wacom tablet when I don’t use the keyboard a lot. Faster and more accurate for me compared to a mouse.
4. KeyRemap4Macbook: rebinding the keys I don’t use often to something more useful (caps lock to control, right command to escape, etc.)
1) a collection of autohotkey scripts (key remapping, fast toggling for show/hide hidden files, toggle selected text from upper/lowercase and a heap more)
2) sms reminders on google calendar (free!)
3) learning as many kb shortcuts to your software as you can
4) automatic filters and a well thought out label system in gmail
5) sumatra pdf viewer, or any really quick pdf program
6) electric blanket on a timer, makes going to bed when I should seem so much more appealing
7) sysinternals process explorer instead of the usual taksmanager
8) a large good quality whiteboard hung somewhere you cannot ignore it (I have 3 main sections: Do, Dates & Buy)
9) write well thought out shopping lists before you leave for the store
2) sms reminders on google calendar (free!)
3) learning as many kb shortcuts to your software as you can
4) automatic filters and a well thought out label system in gmail
5) sumatra pdf viewer, or any really quick pdf program
6) electric blanket on a timer, makes going to bed when I should seem so much more appealing
7) sysinternals process explorer instead of the usual taksmanager
8) a large good quality whiteboard hung somewhere you cannot ignore it (I have 3 main sections: Do, Dates & Buy)
9) write well thought out shopping lists before you leave for the store
On #8 - Another option is to paint a full wall in your office with Dry Erase Paint (I used this, it works well: http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=128)
Or a whiteyboard for a super-cheap, mobile solution.
[deleted]
#6 - There is growing evidence that putting large electromagnetic fields near vital organs is not good for your long-term health.
Yeah, those who are conservative with their health should get a timer that switches the heat off soon after bed time. If the timer is automatic, it's a good incentive to get into bed on time. :)
excellent number 6.
Sorry, only computer/work related:
1) I am so used to a mac that makes me save lots of time compared to other systems I am not used to. That doesn't mean a mac is better or whatever, I just want to point out that using the same system for a long time is probably the best time saver there is.
2) notational velocity is the note taking application (for my mac) that I have been looking for years. I have to write something down every now and then and I can reach NV just with a key press, and get back to work. NVs ui is so intuitive and blazingly fast, that I fell in love with it instantly.
3) spotlight (as a program starter and a desktop search enginge) and time machine are IMO the most time saving things built into the OS (and the user interface, of course).
1) I am so used to a mac that makes me save lots of time compared to other systems I am not used to. That doesn't mean a mac is better or whatever, I just want to point out that using the same system for a long time is probably the best time saver there is.
2) notational velocity is the note taking application (for my mac) that I have been looking for years. I have to write something down every now and then and I can reach NV just with a key press, and get back to work. NVs ui is so intuitive and blazingly fast, that I fell in love with it instantly.
3) spotlight (as a program starter and a desktop search enginge) and time machine are IMO the most time saving things built into the OS (and the user interface, of course).
+1 for notational velocity -- it's my scratch area for infrequently used commands, random links, half-written blog posts, todo items... it's just simple enough to get the job done, and blazingly fast.
Turn your outside, rear view mirrors out on your car to completely expose your blind spot. When done right, you should have a continuous field of vision by scanning your eyes from your inside, middle rear view mirror to the outside mirror, and then by turning your head very slightly while still scanning your eyes to catch the cars directly to your sides. It's disorienting at first because you can't see the sides of your car, but that's rarely useful anyway, and when it is, you can just move your head until you can see what you need to (e.g. when parallel parking). You'll get used to the setup pretty fast. I can't count the number of times this hack has saved my butt on the highway.
agreed. I think the right way to do this is move all the way to the driver's window and adjust that mirror so that it just barely sees the side of the car on one side. Then move to the center of the car and do the same for the passenger side mirror. You'd be the normal distance from the dashboard in both cases.
I think State Farm sent me that tip once. It makes it very easy to set mirrors up when you're in a strange car. And you verify by making sure that objects leaving one mirror enter the next one.
I think State Farm sent me that tip once. It makes it very easy to set mirrors up when you're in a strange car. And you verify by making sure that objects leaving one mirror enter the next one.
I say 'no' to a lot of requests. Works great.
Use a good social bookmarking service. I use Diigo, there are a few key things it does for me:
- Keeps a copy of a page (if it goes off the web, i've still got it)
- Lets you tag and keyword search all the content of my bookmarks (Useful when you have a few thousand built up over years)
- Lets you highlight/annotate text on a page
I actually don't really use the "social" aspects of social bookmarking at all.
I actually don't really use the "social" aspects of social bookmarking at all.
+ for Diigo. I want most stuff private, it does it. You can create private groups, which I use as folders, say if doing research on an idea I throw all the related bookmarks in a private group. Then I can also share the collection, by just letting someone in the group. They have very robust browser extensions as well.
I find that the old bookmarks tend to disappear. And google seems to find more current things faster. But yeah, for recent stuff and stuff I use all the time at work, bookmarks save lots of time.
1. Reading on the toilet
2. Getting rid of the TV
3. Exercise
4. Sleep
5. Org mode
Reading on the toilet is actually bad for your lower intestines. It can lead to health problems. You want to minimize (within reason) the time spent sitting over a hole like that.
[citation needed]
For god's sakes please!
I'm confused - are you saying my request for a citation was not well founded?
I'm saying I wholeheartedly want to see that citation for my own edification.
When asked to do things you do not want to do, say no.
Obviously you have to pick your battles, but this simple act is guaranteed to give you more time to do the stuff you do want to do.
Obviously you have to pick your battles, but this simple act is guaranteed to give you more time to do the stuff you do want to do.
I've noticed that I don't do this often enough. I don't know if it is because I've become conditioned to say yes to tasks and assignments at work, and that has bled over into my personal life, or just because I hate friction. Either way, I agree with this tip. If you don't want to do it, say no. Otherwise you're going to spend a long time making excuses.
Excellent point. An added benefit is that most people will respect you for standing up for what you want, and will tend not to bother you with trivia.
Cheap program launcher for Windows users, but I've had something similar on Linux at one point:
1) Create directory "shortcuts".
2) Map path to that directory.
3) Drag shortcuts into there, for e.g. documents, folders, programs. The further-from-your-desktop the better, because that saves the most time. Rename them to 'ideas', 'timesheet', web', 'projects' etc - note that the shortcut name can be quite different to the file name.
4) Change IE setting for autocompletion in the URL bar to true. Probably Tools/Internet Options/Advanced/Use inline Autocomplete. This affects your start menu.
5) [Windows key]-R and the shortcut name. Your shortcut should execute. If you have done #4 above then in future you should only have to type one or two letters of the shortcut in future. 'ti' for timesheets, for example.
1) Create directory "shortcuts".
2) Map path to that directory.
3) Drag shortcuts into there, for e.g. documents, folders, programs. The further-from-your-desktop the better, because that saves the most time. Rename them to 'ideas', 'timesheet', web', 'projects' etc - note that the shortcut name can be quite different to the file name.
4) Change IE setting for autocompletion in the URL bar to true. Probably Tools/Internet Options/Advanced/Use inline Autocomplete. This affects your start menu.
5) [Windows key]-R and the shortcut name. Your shortcut should execute. If you have done #4 above then in future you should only have to type one or two letters of the shortcut in future. 'ti' for timesheets, for example.
Launchy is as cheap as free (as in free beer), and it indexes all the filetypes you want, and with a hotkey like alt+space or win+space it learns by usage, so you end up just typing one or two letters... plus there are plug-ins
I've been using humanized enso for two years, it does this task and periodically checks through the start menu folder for updates.
I sift through a huge file network at work and have a number of shortcuts to cut through the directory hierarchy there.
I sift through a huge file network at work and have a number of shortcuts to cut through the directory hierarchy there.
If you have a hole, or a series of holes, to fill in a wall or anything wooden (a smallish hole that a screw needs to fit into), and you need to plug it to put a new screw in (say for example the hinges on a door need to be changed and you want to put the door in the same place) - a simple hack is to get a wooden pencil, shave it down and hammer it into the hole.
Where it stops, or starts to crack under the pressure from the hammer, break it off. Rinse and repeat for all holes.
Then simply use some glue in the hole (around the pencil) to make it fit snuggly. Allow to dry and re-screw.
At least you don't have to buy wooden chips/strips or anything fancy to plug holes. Good old fashioned wooden pencils (No. 2, e.g.).
Where it stops, or starts to crack under the pressure from the hammer, break it off. Rinse and repeat for all holes.
Then simply use some glue in the hole (around the pencil) to make it fit snuggly. Allow to dry and re-screw.
At least you don't have to buy wooden chips/strips or anything fancy to plug holes. Good old fashioned wooden pencils (No. 2, e.g.).
Amazon has lots more than books, so signup for Amazon prime. It's ~$80/yr but you can split it with up to 4 different accounts (so find some friends and it's $20/yr). Instead of all those trips to the store you can now use a few mins of your free time to order any items you need (batteries, shampoo, garbage bags - whatever) and they'll arrive within two days. Overnight orders are only $3.
Grocery delivery. Not a big fan of Safeway stores but their delivery is awesome. I get overwhelmed in grocery stores, buy things I don't really need, forget to buy others. Grocery shopping at home makes it very easy to compare your items and review your basket before finalizing your purchase. Works really well if you work at home and can schedule their 4hr delivery windows (cheaper).
Legal pads. Great for taking notes, sketching ideas, exploring ideas - lots of startupy tasks. They're high contrast and longer than traditional notepads. I know moleskins are generally the startupper standard, but give the legal pad a try one day.
Phonetag (http://www.phonetag.com/) I hated voicemail. Phonetag now handles all my voicemail, emailing me the transcription and MP3 of the audio. Now I can organize, sort and search my voicemail just as I do with the other items in my inbox.
Grocery delivery. Not a big fan of Safeway stores but their delivery is awesome. I get overwhelmed in grocery stores, buy things I don't really need, forget to buy others. Grocery shopping at home makes it very easy to compare your items and review your basket before finalizing your purchase. Works really well if you work at home and can schedule their 4hr delivery windows (cheaper).
Legal pads. Great for taking notes, sketching ideas, exploring ideas - lots of startupy tasks. They're high contrast and longer than traditional notepads. I know moleskins are generally the startupper standard, but give the legal pad a try one day.
Phonetag (http://www.phonetag.com/) I hated voicemail. Phonetag now handles all my voicemail, emailing me the transcription and MP3 of the audio. Now I can organize, sort and search my voicemail just as I do with the other items in my inbox.
I can't recommend this software organizer heavily enough -
http://mylifeorganized.net/
It's minimalist and gets out of the way, but has lots of powerful features if you need them. But it stays out of your way if it doesn't. I had about 130 little tiny things to do a month ago on various lists, inboxes, etc, etc. Put them all into MLO, got it down to ~40 now. Very useful, worth trying out.
http://mylifeorganized.net/
It's minimalist and gets out of the way, but has lots of powerful features if you need them. But it stays out of your way if it doesn't. I had about 130 little tiny things to do a month ago on various lists, inboxes, etc, etc. Put them all into MLO, got it down to ~40 now. Very useful, worth trying out.
Looks good! I'll try it out! I've tried many GTD software and organizers but none fully satisfies me (I liked Tracks).
I see there is an Android version, that is good!! But there is no Linux version... I use both Linux and Windows. Anyway, looks good!
I see there is an Android version, that is good!! But there is no Linux version... I use both Linux and Windows. Anyway, looks good!
I've been using Remember the Milk for GTD:
http://blog.rememberthemilk.com/2008/05/guest-post-advanced-...
Also, start keeping a separate google calender (subcalendar) for small daily routines you want to do (i.e. workout, check todo lists, etc). Set it up to SMS / push to your device, But don't sync the calendar on your mobile.
This way your calendar app on your phone only shows the important events in your month view, and you still get notified when to do daily things like "check todo list"
This way your calendar app on your phone only shows the important events in your month view, and you still get notified when to do daily things like "check todo list"
humanized enso. I usually drop this in every "best tools" thread.
for windows users: I recently learned to like installing the console app and set the startup path in it to cygwin. I'm sure most of you HNers do this already, but I've spent a loong time looking for a decent console setup on windows x64, where andlinux/colinux isn't supported yet.
for windows users: I recently learned to like installing the console app and set the startup path in it to cygwin. I'm sure most of you HNers do this already, but I've spent a loong time looking for a decent console setup on windows x64, where andlinux/colinux isn't supported yet.
Wall timers for my air conditioners. I have window units in my bedroom and living room. I'm on the top floor of my building, right under a black tar roof. In the summer my place would sometimes get so hot that I'd have to leave both air conditioners on all day just so the place was livable when I got home. Not cool, just livable. My asthma reacts badly to heat, and I'm addicted to breathing.
Then I bought a couple of timers. They're like the ones people use to turn lamps off and on, only these are heavy duty, and can handle the load of an air conditioner. Now the AC turns on in the middle of the afternoon, and things are fine by the time I get home. The living room unit turns off at midnight, so I won't accidentally run it all night if I drift off in my bedroom. The bedroom unit shuts off at 8:30 AM, so I don't accidentally leave it running all day. Not high-tech, but useful.
Then I bought a couple of timers. They're like the ones people use to turn lamps off and on, only these are heavy duty, and can handle the load of an air conditioner. Now the AC turns on in the middle of the afternoon, and things are fine by the time I get home. The living room unit turns off at midnight, so I won't accidentally run it all night if I drift off in my bedroom. The bedroom unit shuts off at 8:30 AM, so I don't accidentally leave it running all day. Not high-tech, but useful.
1) iMac 27"
2) Yoga + Meditation (everyday)
3) MixCloud (for fresh + awesome source of music playlist)
2) Yoga + Meditation (everyday)
3) MixCloud (for fresh + awesome source of music playlist)
Meditation has been life-changing for me, and combines nicely with a good diet and regular exercise to keep me feeling terrific. Negativity and stress are almost non-existent for me, and at 48 years old I have never felt better in my life.
++ for Yoga. You might also try Tai Chi.
I have found the physical demands of Tai Chi to be less extreme than Yoga. I have been in too many car accidents.
[deleted]
Got rid of my car and moved to a city with good public transit. Lots of time and money saved.
Vimperator for Firefox. Granted, this is mostly a time saver for time wasting...
I second that. I'm a vim lover anyway, but vimperator has been awesome for me. I had RSI problems and this really helped me to reduce my usage of the mouse. Like vim, there's a learning curve, but there are very useful corners to explore.
Tried VIMperator and loved it but had to kill it since it was incompatible with Gmail keyboard shortcuts.
Hit ctrl-z to pass through keystrokes. It works with Google Reader, but I'm not 100% that it works with Gmail. I know the issue has been discussed before, and I think it was fixed, but I'm not certain.
You're right. In fact, I have my vimperator setup so that it automatically does this for Google Reader and GMail, and only for the relevant tab (i.e. if I hit "v" to view a Reader article, the pass-through turns off on the new tab). I did it with this statement in my .vimperatorrc (Linux):
autocmd LocationChange .* js modes.passAllKeys = /(google\.com\/reader|mail\.google\.com)/.test(buffer.URL)
autocmd LocationChange .* js modes.passAllKeys = /(google\.com\/reader|mail\.google\.com)/.test(buffer.URL)
Remember The Milk (http://www.rememberthemilk.com) is a life saver. It's a task list that runs on your phone and browser. I can't recommend it enough.
Commitment devices. Bethany Soule and I just committed to staying on all of these "Yellow Brick Roads": http://kibotzer.com/fitfam . We did so by each auctioning off a security worth $2000 in the event we fall off any of those roads before August 1. Our friend David Yang won for $65 apiece.
Think about ways you can spend a few dollars to save yourself time. By driving to my subway stop and paying to park instead of walking, I save myself over 5 mins each way every day. That comes to over 3 hrs a month I get back--about 40 hrs a year. I get exercise elsewhere and it is a pretty ugly walk anyway, so I don't miss it at all.
how much do you pay to park? and how long does it take to park?
I calculate my hourly rate after taxes to put a value on time saved when making such calculations.
Also, if saving 2% at Walmart means much waiting in line and dealing with a lot of junk that ends up having to be returned, shop at Target instead. Spending a little money to avoid suffering is often a better deal than spending a lot having a good time. It all matters.
I calculate my hourly rate after taxes to put a value on time saved when making such calculations.
Also, if saving 2% at Walmart means much waiting in line and dealing with a lot of junk that ends up having to be returned, shop at Target instead. Spending a little money to avoid suffering is often a better deal than spending a lot having a good time. It all matters.
Multi monitors and tiling window managers
I can definitely recommend the Dvorak layout. If you think Colemak will be even better then go for it!
Thank you! Well I'm sure the Dvorak layout is much better than the QWERTY layout, but from what I've read, Colemak makes it easier to use default shortcuts such as Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z...
I need to be on holiday to learn the new layout though.
I need to be on holiday to learn the new layout though.
Cut/copy/paste is annoying for about a week, then you're fine. Here's my learning curve: http://www.superjoesoftware.com/temp/dvorak.png
I think now (2 years or so later) it's between 90-120 depending on how many typos I make.
You aren't really going to be super fast with dvorak but I do notice that my hands don't feel so tweaked.
I think now (2 years or so later) it's between 90-120 depending on how many typos I make.
You aren't really going to be super fast with dvorak but I do notice that my hands don't feel so tweaked.
If you're willing to put in the time to learn a whole new keyboard layout then you should be willing to put in the time to change any default shortcuts that you don't like!
But personally I haven't found them a problem at all, even in Emacs.
But personally I haven't found them a problem at all, even in Emacs.
Something I've always wondered...
If you learn a new keyboard layout, does that make it hard to use a regular layout? And what about if someone else uses your computer?
If you learn a new keyboard layout, does that make it hard to use a regular layout? And what about if someone else uses your computer?
I wouldn't say hard, but it can take me a few minutes to get back to full touch typing. Before switching to Dvorak Type 2 (plus <Alt Gr> + homerow mapped to <[({})]> for programming) I did already have to switch between QWERTZ (German) and QWERTY (UK, sometimes US) on occasion, which may have prepared me for it. Though the differences between QWERTZ and QWERTY are pretty minimal compared to Dvorak.
Personally I find it damn near impossible to use QWERTY after going to DVORAK, even after several years. As for someone else using my machine, well my friends refer to my work machine as having "the klingon keyboard". Handy for keeping people the hell outta your workspace though ...
When I switched back (from Dvorak to Qwerty), I was faster than ever.
When you relearn the old layout, you can avoid your bad habits.
When you relearn the old layout, you can avoid your bad habits.
I think QWERTY + a foot switch, like this from Kinesis (http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/), makes for more fun.
Don't drive.
Ride a bike.
Lot's of rest.
Make a todo list start of each day.
Ignore everything else.
I make my days to-do list just before bed at night. Since starting this I have had much more success utilizing to-do lists.
I used to ride Muni out of downtown SF every evening. The train would get really crowded and I'd have no place to sit. The hack was to ride Muni against rush hour traffic for a stop or two, cross the platform and jump on the next train which always had room to sit.
1. Program Launcher: Rocketdock
2. Notepadd++ - For all editing purposes.
3. A diary to track and list everything work related, this works as a todo list, doodles, project discussions, lists.
4. Evernote for dumping notes from across the web and emails.
5. Combination of Firefox and Google Chrome
2. Notepadd++ - For all editing purposes.
3. A diary to track and list everything work related, this works as a todo list, doodles, project discussions, lists.
4. Evernote for dumping notes from across the web and emails.
5. Combination of Firefox and Google Chrome
I'll second Evernote. It's the best place for dumping anything: links, notes, photos, etc.
My desktop uses a wireless network with an external USB radio. Having the ability to physically disconnect it a few hours a day works better at countering distractions than exercising self-restraint by not opening a browser.
This is all pretty technocratic. I would recommend Peter Drucker's "The Effective Executive" for some useful thoughts on organizing your day and being more effective at work.
If your living space is limited, ditch your dining table and get a folding ping-pong table with wheels. Do this before you find your life partner.
Wow, I'm glad somebody thinks alike. My living room has no furniture whatsoever except for the ping-pong table and a refrigerator.
And this was a joint decision post finding my life partner!
Advantages:
1. Loads (and loads!) of fun, along with all the accompanying benefits of learning/improving at a sport
2. The lack of furniture ensures random hangers-on who visit don't stay for too long, and only good friends who can appreciate our lifestyle stick around for eats and drinks and such.
Disadvantages:
1. Hard to get work done at home
2. Nothing else that I can think of!
edit: formatting
And this was a joint decision post finding my life partner!
Advantages:
1. Loads (and loads!) of fun, along with all the accompanying benefits of learning/improving at a sport
2. The lack of furniture ensures random hangers-on who visit don't stay for too long, and only good friends who can appreciate our lifestyle stick around for eats and drinks and such.
Disadvantages:
1. Hard to get work done at home
2. Nothing else that I can think of!
edit: formatting
Critical thinking is advantageous in many situations.
BASH
Generically: Learn your tools. Whether it's bash (can I recommend this? http://www.catonmat.net/download/bash-history-cheat-sheet.pd... ) with the ability to do very fancy stuff with the command line, vim, emacs, Eclipse, or the MS tools, learn them. Backwards and forwards. You aren't done until you have hundreds of keyboard shortcuts memorized and in daily use. Learn how to use grep, find, less, xargs, and awk. The returns on learning these tools well are amazing.
Also, do less. In order to be good at something, no matter what that is -- programming, math, entrepreneurship -- you need to focus and spend a lot of time on it. In order to do that, you need to find that time, and the easiest way to find time is to prioritize what you are doing and do less. If something isn't important to you, then don't do it. For me that's TV -- I don't own one. South Park, all 14 episodes a year, are available online both legally and illegally.
Also, do less. In order to be good at something, no matter what that is -- programming, math, entrepreneurship -- you need to focus and spend a lot of time on it. In order to do that, you need to find that time, and the easiest way to find time is to prioritize what you are doing and do less. If something isn't important to you, then don't do it. For me that's TV -- I don't own one. South Park, all 14 episodes a year, are available online both legally and illegally.
Some things I would add to the list:
1) Program launcher (launchy/quiksilver/gnome-do/katapult/etc) instead of icons
2) Vim as an editor (mastering its usage)
3) Gesture search in android
Not currently using but I want to try:
- Polyphasic sleep (perhaps everyman)
- Colemak keyboard layout