I’ve found it - the app of all apps. It’s improved my productivity, created break though results, opened new markets, and saved me tons of money. It has transformed my life, and it’s free!
Actually, none of that is really true. I want it to be though - which is why I relentlessly search for the next web-based tool that I won’t be able to live without. My obsession to “test ‘em all” has left an untold amount of inactive accounts scattered around the web. The same thing happens with almost frightening regularity: I read about a new tool, I sign up, I play with it for a few days (or less), and then I never come back. I’m the reason why companies have to measure active users instead of just users.
Anyway, occasionally I’ll find tools that pass the three day barrier. Some will even hold my attention for a few weeks. Very few, however, get used more than a few months. Here are three that have. I have no financial interest or affiliate connection to these sites - I just thought I’d share ‘em cause they’re cool.
In no particular order:
LogMeIn.com
Log Me In is remote access tool that allows you to control another computer and work as if you were sitting in front of it. I started using it as a way of managing the PostcardPerfect kiosks from across the country - and later installed it on my other systems.
Basically, it lets me to log into any one of my machines from anywhere with an internet connection. For example, when using an internet terminal at a conference, I can skip logging into the webmail, VPN, Messenger, etc. I just plug directly into my work computer and BAM - I have access to everything I need.
You only have to install it on the computers that you want to control, so there’s no downloading every time you need to log in from a new location. The free version has all of the features you need, and they aren’t overly pushy in getting you to upgrade. Overall, it’s quick to set up, easy to use, and very handy.
Jott.com
Jott sends messages when you don’t have access to your computer. It works like this: you call Jott (proper noun), you tell Jott who you want to jott (verb), you speak your message, and Jott transcribes it into text and sends your jott (common noun) to that person as an e-mail.
I’m not 100% comfortable with the quality of transcriptions. They’re pretty good - but there’s also a fair share of mistakes. That could be because I slur my words after a few drinks - but that’s beside the point. The point is that I don’t use it so much for other people as I do for myself.
Let’s say I’m driving to work and I have a great blog post idea (”Three Things Marketers Can Learn from the Macarena”) that I don’t want to forget. I simply call Jott (speed dial 6…which may tell you something about my social life) and speak my idea. When I get to work - it’s waiting in my inbox. There are other features as well (jott to twitter, to-do lists with reminders, etc) but I haven’t really gotten around to using them. For me, it’s just a quick way to record my thoughts when I’m on the road.
Mint.com
I didn’t think Mint would last - but I’m coming up to four months and still check it multiple times a week. It is, at the core, a financial visibility tool that pulls data from all of your accounts into one place. It’s great for me because between my company, my wifes business, and our personal affairs - we have a lot of accounts (checking, savings, credit cards, etc.) to keep an eye on.
Mint grabs all of our recent activity, categorizes each transaction, pops the results into handy charts (so I know how much I spent at Wendy’s vs. Arby’s), and fires off alerts about our financial status. That’s it. You can’t execute any financial transactions; it’s more or less read only.
Mint isn’t the place to manage your finances; it’s the place to track them. If most of your transactions are electronic or plastic, it’s a very simple (and free) tool for keeping a pulse on exactly where all your money goes.
The Wrap-up
I know these three services are good because the novelty has worn off and I still use them. They aren’t the end-all of applications, but they do work well and serve worthy purposes. If you have time, I’d check them out.
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Free. Useful (kind of). Web-based. : subscribe in a reader
