It's not which browser it's which browsers and how you use them
2009-02-02 17:29:22
Intro:
We've got so many browsers to choose from, for me, it's not which one is the best one, it's how you use them together.
What browsers:
Currently using a combo of Opera.com, firefox, ie7, ie6, ie5.5, safari and google chrome.
How I'm using them:
Opera - Do most of my morning crap surfing here. Been a fan for a good few years, love the mouse gestures, the solid session save and the quick dial. For my random surfing it suits me perfectly and when I want to do some work, it just gets minimised to the toolbar. For avoiding ads go for a hosts file solution which while not as beautiful a solution as ffs still does the job.
FireFox - My work browser. So many lovely firefox plugins to make web dev just that much easier and also use for google mail which have has my main work contact point.
Google Chrome - Quick browser. Do love the speed and spiking house mates most used, but for it's speed don't really use it enough. Currently testing it as my work research browser.
IE7 - Used when in windows for hotmail (as it opens directly from msn, instead of the default browser, *cough*), windows updates and checking that somethings not borked in ie7.
IE6+IE5.5+Safari - Check not broken in that browser.
Why/Conclusion:
Find the split keeps me on track, can straight away know where certain stuff is and can keep my surfing from my working.
Tagged in: browsers life hacking
Doing a 4hr work week
2009-02-02 15:11:18
Intro:
For the past year or so I've been averaging just over 4 hours of work per week. I know this because I've been using rescuetime.com to monitor my the time spent in different applications and tried to keep a split of applications for my proper work and my random other projects.
What work:
I work as a linux, coding and consulting geek. The standard structure of the way I deal with clients is that they give me a specification and a deadline and then I deliver.
How to:
There's alot of things you can do to start off down this road. A few that spring to mind; specialise, enjoy your work, have a good setup, have an idea on how you are going to do a bit of work before you start, work remotely, work sharp, buy less crap, take breaks/stock and have/make contacts.
Why:
For me the 4hr work week is all about time and personal freedom. Working in this style just gives the ability not to just seat warm for the 8hr shift. The number of hours I saw wasted with people unable to get working in the morning, lagging before and after lunch and towards the end of the day, it's just such a waste of everyones time.
Conclusion:
The stats don't tell the whole story on this. For starters there's the thinking time needed to actually fully work out the problem, then the logging method isn't going to get all the time spent and simply the fact I just enjoy what I do. The 4hr work week isn't for everyone, however it's something that works for me and gives a good work life balance.
Have a good day
Tagged in: Four Hour Work Week (4HWW) life hacking rescuetime