Web Wanderings

[da]

A few cool things I've come across recently:

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http://labs.ideeinc.com/multicolr/ -- finds you flickr photos matching your colour palette. Very pretty.

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For gmail users, there are some useful features available from a new "google labs" tab in gmail preferences. The two I am most happy with do simple things: move the Labels list to a column on the right-hand side; and add a Google Calendar Upcoming Events list to the left-hand side. There are other labs items, such as "canned responses" and "rotating footers".

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Finally: mind maps. I've used them as an organizational tool for quite some time.

They're great for brainstorming- the more I write, the more I think of, and arranging the thoughts spatially can add important structure that makes moving forward easier as well.

Just the other day, I came across a talk and screencast by the author of "Getting Things Done." He uses mind maps often in planning "the bigger picture" - his 20,000-foot view, life-goals and 5-year plans.

Watching his talk encouraged me to go back to a task I'd abandoned a while ago, to find a software mind-mapping tool I liked. (The last time, in '06, I gave up without finding something I'd use).

Jackpot, maybe. This is web-based, and amazingly, it seems to work well in some initial testing. There's a freebie version, which would probably suit me fine, though I might spring for the academic version ($15/yr). Go, check it out, let me know what you think. :)

Comments

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Nice flickr tool - as you say, very pretty!

I have used mind maps for several years - both in planning and also taking notes in meetings. I have played with mind mapping software, but for me (and likely only for me!) the physical act of writing is very important in building my picture and my understanding: if I am using a keyboard, I might as well just write a list in Word!

[da-lj.livejournal.com]

I like the physicality of putting pen to paper (or marker to whiteboard), so I see where you're coming from... But I do like the impermanence of the digital screen as well.

[tocityguy.livejournal.com]

For gmail users, there are some useful features available from a new "google labs" tab in gmail preferences. The two I am most happy with do simple things: move the Labels list to a column on the right-hand side; and add a Google Calendar Upcoming Events list to the left-hand side. There are other labs items, such as "canned responses" and "rotating footers".

I can never seem to find the Google Labs button / options. I'm not sure if they hate me. The only thing I suspect that might be keeping me from these options is my English (UK) setting instead of English (US).

Otherwise I would be using some of these features a while ago!

[da-lj.livejournal.com]

*grin*

On mine, from the main page, it's "Settings" (top-right corner) -> "Labs" (right-most orange tab)

[tocityguy.livejournal.com]

I don't have that tab unfortunately. Oddly enough my other e-mail account does.

[da-lj.livejournal.com]

It must be true- labs does hate you?! Sheesh.

[kraig.livejournal.com]

Looked at Freemind at all?

[da-lj.livejournal.com]

I did, last year, and didn't care too much for it visually at the time. The screen shots still look sort of ugly to me.

From its docs, the latest version of freemind looked interesting but unstable- I'd like to take a look at scripting and such once they've gotten more of the bugs out.