Did you know that keyboard shortcuts can add years to your life, make you thinner and more attractive? Ok, maybe not, but they sure can save you some time. CNet has a great short video about these, and I offer a few more tricks I have up my sleeve below.

Home, End, Page Up & Page Down. They are just sitting there on your keyboard. Try using them. Want to go to the top of a page quickly? Hit “Home”. Want to go to the end? Hit “End”. Easy, simple, fast.

Gettin’ techie with it….

Teleclass: Tech Tools & Online Tools for Organizing
Presented by: Brandie Kajino, The Home Office Organizer

? For those seeking professional organizer education
? For those who would like to become more organized

DESCRIPTION:

Technology moves fast… sometimes too fast.
From laptops, smart phones and other gadgets, what are the available tools to keep yourself organized?
We’ll cover the latest and greatest tools to keep you organized no matter where you go, from task lists, to calendars and note-taking tools.
Come get your “geek on” & get the important things done.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• How technology tools can help simplify your life
• An Organizer’s favorite software tools
• Online organizing solutions you can use today at little or no cost
• A variety of tools available for your smart phone or iPhone

DATE: Monday January 25, 2010
TIME: 1pm ET, 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT
DURATION: 1 hour
HANDOUTS: a link to download handouts provided with registration
RECORDING: This class will be recorded so you may listen after the live class is over.
COST:   $15 (or use the coupon code “clutter” for 10% off!)

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:

Brandie Kajino, known as “The Home Office Organizer”, is a consultant, author, speaker and small business owner. Her specialty is empowering busy professionals resources, tools and simple organizing solutions. Her resource-packed website TheHomeOfficeOrganizer.com includes articles, a weekly podcast, downloadable products and a service menu. Some of Brandie’s media credits include Yahoo.com, WashingtonPost.com, StartupNation, television and radio.

Whether working one-on-one with a client, or speaking to a group, she loves seeing the proverbial “light go on”. She uses a mix of fun, humor and honesty to empower clients feel more productive so they can get the important things done.
$15.00

Get 10% off by entering the coupon code: “clutter”

< < < Register HERE…. > > >

Cruising through my Google Reader today, and found some very interesting (and useful) stuff.  Enjoy!

A Keyboard for Gmail…

It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Gmail and Google Apps.  One of the many things I love about Gmail are the shortcuts!  There are so many to remember, but this handy little device, the “GBoard“, is like a little Gmail Shortcut Cockpit.  And it looks so gosh-darned fun to play with!

Broadband for America:

Undress for Success wrote up a post about what this organization is doing.  Imagine, every home in America with high speed internet access.  (One of the biggest challenges we face is the sheer enormous size of our country.)  I’m excited to see what they do!

Getting ready for the holidays…

WorkShak has a great article on how you can prepare your freelance business for the holidays. On a personal note, I took a little over a week off for the Thanksgiving holiday recently, and I feel 100% better, refreshed and ready to go!  You can do the same, with a little preparation.

The electrical outlet gets a makeover…

There are times I would love to just plug a USB charger into the wall.  Little did I know, you can actually do this!  Mashable shows this new outlet that allows you to plug right into your outlet. It’s due to ship sometime in 2010, and you can pre-order it now.  One less adapter to use!

If you’re on Facebook, you’ll want to check out these fabulous organizers!  I, like the majority of them, am a NAPO member (more info on NAPO).  They have a lot to offer, so be sure to connect with them.  Tell them I sent ya!

Have we connected on Facebook?

While we’re on the subject, be sure to connect with my Fan Page on Facebook.  And since you’re here, I’m going to bet you already know my website address.

Here’s the organizers on Facebook:

Do you have lots of passwords, account numbers and other information you need to keep track of?  Want to keep them on something more secure than a sheet of paper in your desk drawer?  Then you’re going to love SplashID!

Product: Splash ID

Description:

A description from the manufacturer:

“SplashID safely and securely stores all of your personal identification information including user names, passwords, credit cards, calling cards, bank accounts, PINs, and more. Information is stored in a secure, encrypted format and is quickly accessible on your desktop, and you can synchronize with a Palm, Treo, Pocket PC, or Smartphone (Windows Mobile, Symbian UIQ, or Series 60).”

Here’s some features of SplashID:

• Unlimited number of customizable record types and categories
• Customize the list view with color and icons
• Feel good about the security: Password protection uses 256-bit Blowfish encryption, keeping your data safe & secure
• Synchronize: Use the desktop application to sync with a PDA or Smart phone
• “Masking”:  Hide for sensitive data (like passwords) from peekers (great when you’re using the mobile version!)
• Locks up automatically: locks after specified timeout
• Automatic Password Generator – can’t think of a clever password?  Generate one with a few clicks
• Separate your business and personal records with categories
• Backup & Restore automatically or manually (great when you change devices or upgrade your PDA or smart phone)

My Experience:  I’ve  been using this product for quite a while now.  I’ve recommended it whenever I have the chance.   If you’re like me, you have a fair amount of numbers, usernames and passwords to keep track of.  It can be overwhelming!  Many people use the same password for all their accounts – Yikes!  There’s an easier way to keep track of it all that doesn’t make it easy for someone to break into your information.

I’ve been using the desktop application, and have also used the Blackberry version, and more recently the iPhone app.  I love it!  It’s easy to find the information with a few clicks, and I don’t break out in a cold sweat when I need a password in a hurry.

My Favorite Things:  It’s simple to use and get up and running.  I’ve taken information from one mobile device to a new one.

My Least Favorite Thing: It’s small, but once in a while I had to reset it with the Blackberry.  I haven’t had this problem with the iPhone app.

Overall Rating: Recommended!

Where To Find It:

For the iPhone App:  SplashID iTunes App (this will launch iTunes)

For other mobile phones:  Splash ID Mobile

If you’re ready to try it out, click below for a FREE 30-day trial:

Do you know it?  Love it?  I’m talking about Skype, and it’s time for another giveaway to my loyal readers.

What’s the prize?

(One) Skype Unlimited U.S. & Canada subscription plan voucher, which allow for unlimited calls to landlines and cell phones in the U.S. & Canada for three months

(One) Freetalk® Wireless Stereo Headset

I heart Skype.

I have been using Skype for about two years.  I use it to communicate with others around the globe in either a voice chat or a text chat.  I also have been working on my NEW podcast ( be sure to subscribe to my mailing list so you’ll know right when it’s released!) and conducted an interview with Pamela Recorder.  So easy and simple to do!

That wireless headset?  Skype sent me one to try out.  Love. It.  Have you ever stood up to walk away from your desk, and nearly gotten whiplash because your headset cord was still attached?  Yes?  Then you’ll know why I’m loving it.  (If not, you are one lucky person, and I’m sure your neck thanks you!)

Do you use Skype?  Do you want to?  Here’s the deal…

It’s easy to win!  Here’s what you do:

You can enter by either leaving a comment or writing a post (be sure to link back to this post) telling us:

1. What you use Skype for (or would use it for) and

2. Your favorite Skype feature

Get creative and teach us something!

Be sure to enter by the deadline, August 7 at 11:59pm PST.

That’s it!

Bonus points:

Re-tweet: Join me on Twitter.  After you tell your story or write a blog post:  retweet this status update about the giveaway.

Subscribe to my enewsletter (if you haven’t already).  Click here to do that.

Good Luck!

Some other details:

One winner will be chosen. Winner must be 18 years of age or older, only one entry per person.

Winner will be contacted via email, to “sender” email address used to enter the giveaway/contest, and the person receiving and replying to the winner announcement email will be considered the winner unless they specify another person within the reply email as the winner.

** Disclosure:  Skype sent me a headset to try out, and I have not been compensated to offer this giveaway.

Update: This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for your interest!

Ok, I love Google Apps & Gmail.  So, as I was doing a little research, I came across some resources and thought I would share them with you.  Enjoy!

Gmail Power Tips

How to Make Gmail Your Ultimate Productivity Center on ZenHabits.net

Task Manager in Gmail

Tim Ferriss on Becoming an “Email Ninja”

Hack Attack: Become a Gmail master (lifehacker)

Comparing Outlook & Gmail (lifehacker)

We’ve all got places we look to for information.  I happen to love technology that helps home office professionals, but I bet you already knew that, right?  So, where do I go to find news about all things shiny and useful?  Here’s a list of my recent favorites:

PCWorld
I’m increasingly drawn to this publication.  I’m a PC user (primarily), and there is just so much to learn!

MacWorld
Although I use a PC laptop, I also like learning about Macs.   Windows is my operating system of choice, but I’m not a Apple hater (so please hit delete on that hate mail you were about to send me).   I have had several iPods, and love my iPod Touch.  So, if you’re a Mac person (or want to be), this is also a great resource.

CNet Reviews
Whenever I am on path to purchasing any kind of electronics, I first go to cnet.com.   They have a great variety of reviews on most anything I am looking for, like smartphones, laptops and software.

Consumer Reports
This is the next stop I make when looking for electronics.  I want to make sure what I’m buying is a good choice.  I’ve had really great success when I go with something these guys like.  (I’m also a magazine and online subscriber so I have access to everything.)

Silicon Florist
Since I love technology and small business, I also like seeing what’s going on with the startup community here in my local area.  Silicon Florist keeps me up to date on all that.  Yippee!

Twitter
Ok, you might not think of this, but man have I learned a lot from some of my peeps out there!  (Join me on Twitter!)

Gizmodo
I’m all for a good gadget, and let’s face it, Gizmodo is just pure eye candy for the gadget-prone.  I have this in my “must read” file in my…

Google Reader
There are so many tasty tidbits for all things I want to know, so I keep track of most of them by subscribing to their RSS Feed with Google Reader.   I have several folders based on category, and one that is a “Must Read” folder.   It helps me with one place to keep it all, so I can find it later.

What’s your favorite resource to learn about home & mobile office technology products and news?

Ok, I must kvetch for a moment….  Why is it that electronics are mostly design carbon copies?  Why must they mostly be black and dark?  (Other than that is what sells.)

If you’ve been to my site, you may be vaguely aware that I am a bit of a vintage type girl.  The truth is, I love the lines of vintage things, the weight, the feel.  Trouble is, I am also a gadget girl.  Uh, yeah, not seeming to go together, right?  Why couldn’t they?   Why do most electronics have to be black plastic?  Why couldn’t a TV look as great as it works?  Why couldn’t a keyboard have vintage typewriter-inspired keys?   Why?  I don’t know either.  I’m just putting it out there in the universe.

True, some are better looking than others, and the recent trend of optional color cases is a great start!  But hey, let’s start a design revolution!

What would be your dream look for your laptop or other consumer electronic?

Have you seen a electronic design idea that caught your eye?  Leave a link!

Tip #24: Backups save your files from disaster

Do you back up your computer documents?  If not, why?  Recently I heard the best explanation for backing up your stuff: “Don’t backup things you don’t mind losing.”  I’m guessing (if you’re anything like me) that you have a whole lot you’d miss if your computer crashed or some catastrophic weather pattern leveled your house.   Worse yet, what if you have a trojan horse virus that randomly erases some of your important files?  This happened to me recently….

Where did those files go?!

I was looking for some documents that were on a pretty urgent deadline.  I looked  for the folder they were in,  and guess what?  Yeah, they weren’t there.  So, if I hadn’t backed up my entire hard drive off site, panic would have ensued.   However, I had backed up my files with Carbonite.  So, a few clicks and less than five minutes later, my folder and it’s contents were restore.  Ta dah!  See how important it is?

Not backing up your files yet?

Seriously consider it.  Even if you don’t have a lot of documents, I’ll bet you have pictures and music you’d like to back up.   Can you really afford to lose them?

(Want more tips? Pick up my ebooklet, “101 Tips for Your Home Office” HERE.)

Just got my Entrepreneur magazine, and they have a fantastic article on Free Stuff you can use in your business.  Their list is enormous with great resources.  Since I’m a user of such services, I thought I would share my top ten favorites (most of them are listed in the Entrepreneur article, too!).

My Top Ten Favorite Freebies

DimDim

Conferencing and collaboration.  Have you ever tried to show a friend/colleague something on your screen, only they are in Holland?  Yeah, now you can do that without pulling out your hair.

PrimoPDF

I’ve been using this program for about two years.  It’s invaluable!  I used it to create my 101 Home Office Tips eBooklet.  Easy to use and download.  (Entrepreneur’s article mentions CutePDF Writer which is also a great option.)

BlogTalkRadio

You have heard our show, right?  Oh, you haven’t?  Well, check that out HERE at www.theomyth.com.  We use BlogTalkRadio for our monthly live show.

WordPress

Blog, website or content management system – call it whatever you like, it’s got it all and then some.  Like my site?  It’s all run on WordPress baby.  Don’t want the extra expense and hassle of hosting your site, and just want to set up a blog?  Check out their free (hosted) version at wordpress.com (which is where my blog started).  Give it a whirl!

Remember The Milk

A task management tool.  I love this little program.  Yes, I use Outlook, but I find this tool easier to use.  The basic is free (which is what I use) and hooks up to Gmail.  Love that!

Audacity

Audio editing tool.  Love, love, love this program.  It’s a desktop audio editing tool.  A friend of mine told me about this over a year ago.  It’s powerful enough for me.  I’ve used it to edit my “Organizing For Your Brain Type” audio and our podcast show, “The O Myth“.

FeedBurner

If you subscribe to my blog (and chances are you do if you are reading this, and if not, you can subscribe by clicking HERE) then you are getting it through Feedburner.  Great tool, easy to use for blogs and websites with an RSS feed.

Google Docs

Online document management, editing and collaboration tool. Ok, I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but Google Docs is another tool we use behind the scenes on “The O Myth“.  We keep our working documents there, and work on them together.  (Sometimes even using them live on the show!)

SurveyMonkey

Online surveys.  I have used this to poll readers, etc.  Easy to set up and use.

Wesabe

Need a budget?  I ran across this utility recently, and fell in LOVE with it!  I’ve recommended it to others.  It’s a great tool if you don’t have a budget down on paper.

What’s YOUR favorite freebie?

That’s right, BlogWorld ’08, or #bwe08 if you’re on Twitter.  I spent the weekend in Las Vegas at BlogWorld, and if you’re a blogger and you didn’t, bummer.  It was a great time + lots of information + making new friends. Kinda like summer camp, only with PDA’s, Twitter and learning about the vast opportunities that exist in Social Media.

First off, thank you EPSON!

I went to BlogWorld Expo with the Sparkplugging team, and our gracious sponsor was Epson.   Ia m positively drooling over this new printer: Epson WorkForce 600.  Wireless capabilities, editing photos and more… yeah, count me IN.

Check out the interviews.

The Sparkplugging team did a huge pool of interviews with experts, superstars and all-around cool people in attendance at Blog World.  You can check them out here:  Sparkplugging Media Page.  We are loading more each day, so be sure to subscribe if you have an RSS feed reader or bookmark it.  Lots of good stuff coming!

Some take-aways & silly observations.

Eye-opening + Inspiring: I love technology (but you already knew that), and I was blown away at what some creative and smart thinkin’ people are doing with it.  Hip-hip-hooray!

Home office professionals abound: Most of the people at this conference were home office based.  How much do I love that!  I knew that there are about 28 million people working at home in the US, but I just wonder what that number is worldwide.  Something to think about, eh?

Data plan + Twitter = Connected. I hooked up my Blackberry to a data plan before I left, and BOY was I glad.  Most communication, session information and other various communique happend on Twitter.

Presentations will never be the same. Instead of powerpoint (which there was some of), there was a hashtag for most sessions.  What does that mean?  Well, here’s what the BlogWorld hashtag page looks like:  #bwe08 That is just one of the hashtags, and there is much info you can pick up even if you didn’t attend BlogWorld.  Crazy!

Staying in touch vs. real-world interaction: I thought it was kinda funny when I was at a nightclub on Saturday night and a lot of people in there had their Blackberries out, checking Twitter and email.  Funny?  Yes.  Interesting?  Yes.  Wave of the future?  Hmmmm…

I had a great time!

There was so much to learn, vendors to check out and notes to take.  I couldn’t possibly distill it all in one place, and besides, I’m still tired and I’ve got a list a mile long of people to follow on Twitter!  So I’ll end with this: if you’re a blogger or involved in social media in ANY way, you’d best check out #bwe09. 

Our guest today was Wendy Piersall of  Sparkplugging & SparkplugU.

Here’s the Pearls of Wisdom from the show today:

• Earth911.org: Need to recycle something?  Not sure where to go?  Check out Earth911.org for sources and loads of information about recycling in your area.
• Free Geek: A local place to take used electronics in Portland, Oregon
• OfficePDX.com:  A local Portland, Oregon place that also has an online store.  Think vintage + function + art and you’re on the right track!
• Organizing photos: Have lots of digital photos and not sure what to do with them all?  Consider using Flickr, Picasa and Photoshop Express to get them together and in shape!
• Techie Tip: Check out Active Words.  It’s my new favorite productivity tool!

We also mentioned…..

We have a contest goin’ on!  You can win this lovely “Internet Notes” book, sponsored by The Organized Parent.  To enter, leave a comment on this question:

“What is your favorite vintage piece of technology?”

Mine is definitely typewriters and this cute rotary phone dial (from Queen of Tarte)!

Join us next time on The O Myth, Aug. 22 at 10am PST with our guest, Aby Garvey of Simplify101.

Are you obsessed with your email?  How often do you check it?  Is it time to step awaaaaaay from the laptop?

I had an epiphany this weekend: what if I didn’t check email all weekend?  So, I tried it out.  Guess what?  Nothing happened.  Sure, I’m not totally obsessive about email, but working from home does wreak havoc on one’s boundaries (which I discovered quite a while ago).  The other thing that can wreak havoc on the home office professional?  Technology barking at your heels.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m ALL about technology and the wonders it does for working from home.  However, if we don’t set clear boundaries about when and where we to it, consequences will arise personally and professionally.

So, do you need to step away from the laptop and engage in the real offline world?  And how can one do that?  Here’s some thoughts and tips:

You don’t always need a data package. I have Blackberry.  What I do NOT have is a data package.  Why?  Because I want to be reachable, but not that reachable.  Setting boundaries for me is much easier when you don’t have something nipping at your heels.  Like the Crackberry informing you of a new email… every two minutes… on vacation… on a bike … at the coffee shop…  You get the idea.

Take the weekends off.  Ok, so I don’t always do this.  But when my stomach gets heavy, and I’m ready to go postal on the laptop it’s time to step away.  I put everything down for two days.  I feel refreshed, honestly.  It’s hard I know, but try it.

Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries. Set hours and stick to them.  Working from home has perks, like flexible hours.  Working from home has downsides, like flexible hours.  Don’t abuse yourself, cause you’ll be sorry in the long run.

It comes down to this, don’t overstretch or burn yourself out.  Working from home doesn’t mean constantly working without a break.  We’re people, and we need time off.  So, close your browser and go have coffee with a friend. 

Here’s the latest version of my favorite links. Enjoy!

Web Worker Daily gives some great tips on using a whiteboard. One of them is for brainstorming, and I admit I do this and then put it the finished project into a Powerpoint slide.

Levenger has a great article about organizing a home office. They have some good tips about multi-use home offices if you are just setting up your office.

My Design Secrets is a developing directory of decorating sources. I read about it in my local paper, and had to share. Great place to get ideas if you are remodeling, rearranging or redesigning soon.

Zenhabits’ article about “editing” your workspace. I especially love the “quick not about productivity. It’s pretty much how I feel about productivity: it’s not that we have to do more and more and more… it’s that when we are more effective with our time and get our work done, we can spend time doing other things we love.

43 Folders: “Inbox Zero” Email can rule your life, and recently I heard someone call it the bane of our existence.  What we need is a system, and some fierce, ninja-like tactics to get the stuff under control.  That, and not checking the inbox every 10 minutes.    (Check out Merlin’s talk at Google, very good stuff!)

Yep, it’s time for another link roundup. Here’s the latest in home office and productivity around the Net. Enjoy!

“Getting To Done”: The Ultimate Home Office

10 Hacks to Improve Your Home Office Productivity: Lifehack serves up another great article on improving productivity, this time about home offices.

8 Ways To Be Ruthless With Your Time: Guard your time and use it wisely, cuz you’ve only got 24 hours each day to work with.

Best Contact Management Software: There’s lots of ways to track your contacts electronically, this is a roundup (along with some honorable mentions at the end) of LifeHacker’s popular vote.

Chief Home Officer’s Link Roundup: I know, it seems silly to link to another link roundup, but I’m doin’ it anyway! From noise levels, kids and backyard offices, this is a good read.

The Ideal Office: an article about an ideal office by Claire Josephine (author of The Spiritual Art of Being Organized)

Have you seen Neat Receipts yet?  You have gotta check it out!  I just reviewed it for Sparkplugging (click to read the full article), and it’s also posted in Reviews section of the Neat Receipts website HERE. (Between PC World & Fortune Small Business I might add!!)

A portable little piece of technology that cuts down on data entry.  Gotta love that!

Love Neat Receipts?  Want to get one?  Check it out HERE.

I have this love/hate relationship with my Palm Treo. Here’s what I love:

• Everything is centralized
• Dizzying details in the address book
• Contact details galore
• Directions can be put in a Note
• I can keep track of quotes I come across
• My information is backed up (boy has that saved a few times)
• There are hundreds (thousands??) of great little add-in programs (like HandyShopper)
• It’s easy to use

So, here’s what I don’t like:

• Maddening transfer of information when I get a new one (and after 15 years of using Palm I’ve done it once or twice… grrrr…)
• The “looping” which occasionally occurs for no apparent reason, out of the blue (even after getting rid of the newest favorite program)
• It’s not pretty to look at – let’s face it, it’s utilitarian
• It doesn’t always play nice with my Outlook (grrr)
• I’m visual, and seeing one day at a time just doesn’t cut it (I end up looking at my laptop to see the entire month)

Here’s a few ways I’ve combatted the things I don’t like:

• Transferring to a new device: I read the directions, and set aside a couple hours.
• I practice patience when the “looping” happens
• I pair it with a russell+hazel binder to help it look a little prettier
• Outlook: I mostly use my laptop (ah the joys of a home office)
• I look at the month view on my laptop when I need to plan something, or print out my calendar and put in my russell+hazel binder

So, what do you use?

(I’m working on a paper/pda hibrid system, and I may post on that later…..)

I spent a great deal of the day trying to figure out something that was technologically just a little above my head. It was frustrating, but with some help I figured it all out. Then, after all that anguish, I discovered that I didn’t have to go the route I went. Oy ve. Ever been there?

I’m a big fan of technology, and I believe a lot of it makes our life simpler. Here’s Wikipedia’s definition of “technology:

“….a species‘ usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects a species’ ability to control and adapt to its environment.”

Think about if we didn’t have hangers, paper clips or email. Medical technology is advancing at warp speed these days, faster than any other time in our history. In its helpful arenas technology innovates, enhances creativity, increases productivity and alleviates suffering.

Technology, even the less complicated sort, can make our lives just a little easier. Some of my favorite things to do this are Outlook, Palm Treo and my russell+hazel binder. They keep eveything handy and ready to use.

What’s your favorite technology?

Who says you have to use a labeler with plastic or paper labels? Now, don’t get me wrong – I do have a Brother labeler. And yes, I use it. However, sometimes labels should be fun and creative. Today I did a little shoemaker’s daughter kind of organization project: I organized the TV armoire. It desperately needed to be done, so I sorted, purged, made a list and measured. Then I packed up my son (with his Leapster) and we headed off to Ikea. So, see what you think.

This is the inside of the armoire now:

This is a closeup of one of the bins. I didn’t want to hand print labels with a Sharpie. I wanted something more out of the ordinary. So, I used an “antique type” stamp set to label the boxes. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out!

I think a shopping trip to russell+hazel is next. I think it’s time my plastic 3 ring binders and I parted ways. Besides, I’m completely inspired by Aby Garvey’s “Notes” binder and I’ve put it off long enough!

How can you get creative and organize your space?