I finally made the switch from my paid password manager program, eWallet (which I loved, but which doesn’t offer a Linux version), to a nice freebie program, which I find quite palatable.

I keep up with far too many username/password combinations, logons and critical (but sensitive) information in my work-a-day world to try to remember them all. Unlike many people, I don’t keep all passwords the same — that’s too risky.

Granted, I had to copy all the information from the old program to the new one (which was a royal pain and took me a couple hours), but now I have all my information on a new program that will work on Windows, Linux, or even on a flash drive! (more…)

After much struggling, and much guilt about how far behind I’m falling in all my work, I finally got Kubuntu working. To be fair, much of the time was spent converting over my data and getting all my programs working. Some time was spent (ok, A LOT of time) trying to determine if I could find programs in Linux that would replace all my essential programs. The answer to that question is now a firm “maybe” — and I’m hopeful.

But this is how my life was on Friday… (more…)

Ok, I’ve been trying to sail without a tailwind of late. So much to do, but so many things that I try to do require me to go and do three other things first. For instance, when my Windows OS died, I figured this was a great opportunity for me to begin learning about Linux.

When I got a system up and running, I was amazed at how easy it was. I have 80% of my mission critical stuff working on Linux now. But that 20% that isn’t working is about to drive me batty. (more…)

Today, you should take a moment to consider pumping up your creativity. If you are a writer, or if you have always wanted to be a writer, I have the resources you need. If you are just stuck for a way to begin your next blog, I have a present for you. If you are bored and would just like to be amused, these will work for that too! (more…)

I’ve been looking for a Linux alternative to my current, beloved, timer program. Although I’ve not found what I’m looking for there, I have found a couple of fantastic resource lists that I’d like to share. They are lists of 100 software options for the “mission critical” stuff all remote professionals need. Lots of options here, and I’m seriously considering a couple of the web based versions to meet my needs rather than locating Linux friendly programs for everything.

I have always hesitated to have my mission critical stuff on web-based apps — but I’m beginning to embrace it. I’m using Basecamp now and I must say that I like it, I’m also poking around at Highrise, so I’m probably going to investigate othersimilar online options as well. I’m just not quite ready to turn over my timer and my accounting to an online web app. Not quite yet. I’m too much of a control freak for that — I want my data on my computer!

But if you are seeking a better way to do anything as a freelancer or as an outsourcing provider of any type — full-time or part-time — these resources may be just what you need… (more…)

Just picked up this story from CNet on the PowerPod, and ecologically friendly tiny house aimed at the high-end minimialist client. With a pricetag of $100,000.00, it’s not economical for many folks, but I must say I like some of the features, in particular the roof line and the passive/active solar options.

Be sure to look at all the photos (inside and out) when you read the story.

I’m going to veer recklessly off course from my typical blog entries today. It’s been a difficult week, so overlook me…

I’ve always been drawn to decorated band rings. I like fanciful engravings on basic bands. (Think Victorian and Edwardian era stuff – laurel leaves, ivy and acorns.)

I like the idea of decorating the plain, of giving the simple more depth. I like functional art. Whatever that makes me, so be it. I like symbolism and the meanings conveyed in natural items and decorative invocation of the symbolic power of those items.

In the same way, I want to live in a simple house and eat from my over-done, fanciful, renaissance-styled sterling flatwear. I know that may sound contradictory, but I think that we should have the beauty we want in the things we need, rather than having art knick-knacks or examples that can only be admired and never touched, held, enjoyed and used. Museums are wonderful places, and I love them, but I wouldn’t want to live in one. I prefer my home and my life to incorporate the beautiful into the everyday. (more…)

I’ll be glad when I can say (with a great deal of pomp and circumstance), “I don’t DO windows!” For now, I’m struggling with a damaged operating system that is giving me fits. I’ve not been writing in my blog, I’ve not been getting all my work done. Nope, I’ve been trying to limp along Windows on my Tablet PC (my primary machine) until I could either reinstall the entire OS, or until I could get a Linux box up and running. I tried a repair install last week to get me by. It didn’t. (more…)

My sister told me this weekend that her thesis professor had recently returned from a trip overseas. I can’t recall where he visited. I do remember what she told us about his bot fly “bite” that resulted.

Ok, I’d never heard of a bot fly. I could have gone my whole life without ever hearing about one. They are, probably, the nastiest things I’ve ever seen. Of course, being MY family, we all had to look them up on the web and see what they were. Big mistake… HUGE.

(more…)

My father got an iPhone from my mother this year for his birthday (Happy B’day, Pops!)  I can’t believe my non-geeky mother bought this piece of equipment. What’s even more unbelievable is that she likes it too and (methinks) wants one of her own! This, gentle reader, is the power of the iPhone… to convert to technology the unconvertable (namely, my mother).

So, Pops is spending the wee hours of the morning finding all the cool stuff online and on the phone itself. I’ve found a few cool new things for him that I’ll share with my readers here… (more…)

This year is slip-sliding toward the finish line and I’m always amazed that every year dissolves so quickly. I’m equally amazed that each year gets faster — or my memory is getting faulty and it only SEEMS faster than the previous year.

I would be depressed, as I usually am when this hits me, but I’m planning a wonderful vacation in December and that’s keeping me on track. With something as fantastic as a cruise in the near future, it’s so much easier to focus on getting things ready to go!

So, while everyone else is stressing out about the holidays, I’m taking my family on a ship and literally sailing away. I expect this to be the most enjoyable, most hassle-free holiday in years — and I can’t wait! (more…)

Ok, I don’t usually praise chocolate… at least not in public. I usually praise it quietly, at home, when no one is looking. After all, everyone knows that chocolate eaten alone doesn’t contain any calories — so that’s how I prefer to ingest mine. My love affair with chocolate is a private thing. Until recently… (more…)

I’ve only recently discovered “Oblique Strategy Cards” — now available in a fifth edition. Apparently I’m a little slow sometimes, but I LOVE the concept.

They are, according to the creators:

Observations on the principles underlying what we were doing. Sometimes they were recognized in retrospect (intellect catching up with intuition), sometimes they were identified as they were happening, sometimes they were formulated.

They can be used as a pack (a set of possibilities being continuously reviewed in the mind) or by drawing a single card from the shuffled pack when a dilemma occurs in a working situation. In this case,the card is trusted even if its appropriateness is quite unclear. They are not final, as new ideas will present themselves, and others will become self-evident. (more…)

The simplification bug has hit me again. It’s like a constant thing in my life … sometimes just a dull ache, other times (like now) it’s a sharp, painfully compelling urge. For those of you who have delivered a child (or who have assisted with this process) it’s like the overwhelming urge to push at the end of the labor portion of bringing a new life into the world. It’s hard to explain and impossible to deny.

So, I’ve been looking… ok DROOLING… over at Levenger.com again. I also find myself looking up a slew of postings over on DIYPlanner (I just love that site!).

You see, whenever I decide to simplify, I find a way to convince myself that buying something really cool to help me accomplish that simplification is the ticket. I’m not saying buying a “clutter busting” book or a “how to organize your life” magazine or a great organizational tool isn’t helpful, but the absurdity of buying to eliminate clutter isn’t lost on me. (more…)

If you are a remote services provider, a virtual assistant or a freelancer, you may be interested in cutting corners on software costs — so long as you keep the best, most effective tools in your “virtual” shed.

I recently joined a panel of other remote consultants and virtual assistants for a RemoteProfessionals.com teleconference on starting to work with real estate professionals. During this free “how-to” seminar, I also distributed a handout listing what I consider to be the “Essential Open-Source Products” for those in this business.

If you would like your own copy of this PDF… (more…)

Today, I’d like to share a couple great sites sites that are cool in their own right and are cool because of the entertaining product descriptions and the unexpected resources that spring spontaneously from them via comment fields.

So if you want to branch out from the product overload of Amazon and eBay, try on these single-shot sites! (more…)