Online Shopping: Get Your Gifts Online This Year

If you are like me, you don't like shopping. Therefore, I try to buy online whenever possible. Even though there are times I want to touch and feel the item, ratings and reviews can replace this need.

As the holiday season approaches, you could take on the challenge of buying all your gifts online this year! Below are some great websites I use. If there are others that should make the list, feel free to leave a comment.

Software: Convert YouTube Videos

What is it?
A software program that allows you to convert YouTube videos to view later, convert video soundtracks to listen on an MP3 player, burn CDs and DVDs, extract music from audio CDs, and edit videos.

It's for you if...
You are a Microsoft Windows user. You want a tool to be able to save and play YouTube videos (later) or put them on to a portable device, e.g., PSP, iPod, iPhone etc. You want to be able to listen to video soundtracks (later). You want software to burn and rip CDs and DVDs. You want to extract music from audio CDs. You want some simple video editing tools.

What's cool about it?
It's free!

How do I get it?
Go to the link above and choose the Suite for all the tools or pick and choose the ones you want.

Tips/Extras
They are not the most comprehensive tools available but are worth having because of the price.
DISCLAIMER: remember to adhere to all copyright rules!!

Software: Computer to Computer Syncing & Online Backups

[Image - Copyright Dropbox]

What is it?
Software that enables you to access any of your files - documents, photos, videos, etc. - from any computer.

It's for you if...
You need a way to have the same files on your work and home computers. You want an online backup storage service. You want to be able to share files with friends and others. You want to access your files via a mobile phone such as an iPhone, Blackberry or Andriod device. 

What's cool about it?
You can work on a document at your office, open it on your home computer later, work on it there, and see the updated doc on either computer at any time.

Once set up, your files will be backed up automatically. If one of your computers crash or worse, is stolen, you will have instant access to your files from another computer.

This technology is a great example of how "cloud computing" (internet based computing - the term cloud is a metaphor for the internet) works with traditional computing to provide a great service. 

How do I get it?
Companies that provide these services are listed below. You can do a search for the "best online sync and storage service" or something similar. These companies come and go, therefore, my advice is to pick one that gets good reviews but also one that has been around for a while and has lots of users. Pricing and features vary - think about what you want - something simple or a service with lots of options; here's a link I found just by doing one search "best online sync and storage service".

Syncing and Online Backup Service Providers (a selection):

• Dropbox (looks good).
  
• SugarSync (looks good).
  
• Windows Live Sync (free - I believe - from Microsoft).
  
• MobileMe iDisk (part of MobileMe from Apple).
  
• Mozy (online backups only).
• ADrive (online backups only).
  

Tips/Extras
If you have a Mac and you only need a backup service then you are better off to use Time Capsule for backups.

Google Docs allows you to upload MS Word and Excel docs and you can access these from any computer via an internet browser later. It also allows you to share files. You can work on and share these files and even have other people watch as you edit the documents. This is one way to backup your files online. Once you put them there they don't sync to another computer but the beauty is that there is no software to install or maintain. Microsoft and Zoho offer similar products.

Except for their free offerings, you pay a monthly fee for the services. Even though there may be software to download these companies are primarily providing a service. They have servers which provide the computing and storage and software that provide the ongoing syncing capabilities and security. This is why they are referred to SaaS - Software as a Service - companies.

Productivity: GTD

What is it?
A personal productivity system developed by David Allen called "Getting Things Done." It is not a software product or website but a method for organization.

It's for you if:
You feel overwhelmed with the number of projects, emails or tasks that are 'on your plate.' You need a better structure for managing daily activities.

What's cool about it?
Stress-free living. His system is all about being in a positive productive state of mind. It's not just for business professionals; you can use it if you are a homemaker, construction worker, or you work in any other field. For that matter, you can use it if you don't work at all! I really like the integration of work and personal activities.

I started using this system a year ago. After a couple of false starts - I didn't fully implement the system - I have never felt more in control of what I have to do. It's not that I get every single task done exactly when I want or should, but the system gives you tools and techniques to capture every item you must or might want to do and store them in places that are easily accessible/viewable.

How do I get it?
The best way to start is to buy David Allen's previous book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity from Amazon.com or other book store. If you want to get a little bit fancier you could buy the "GTD System" which includes audio CD's with the book. I am not sure if this is needed but you can decide.

Tips/Extras
Check out the podcast "Getting Started with GTD." 

The key to his system is the Weekly Review....not doing it will certainly lead to a failed implementation. To make GTD work, you must be committed; trust me, its well worth it.

I find that sometimes we get caught up in the learning tools and websites of such a technology rather than spend the time implementing the system. My advice is to - initially - stay away from all the websites, etc. until you go through the book at least twice. I bought a software product called "Getting Things Done Outlook Add-In" from NetCentrics which is "plugs" in to Microsoft's Outlook. I recommend you use this or one of the products below. It may make sense to implement a paper-based system of GTD first and then move to a software program, depending on your comfort level with software.

• Getting Things Done Outlook Add-in & Other GTD Supporting Software
• Things (Mac users only - gets great reviews - iPhone app also)
• GTD for Gmail users (looks promising, felt it slowed my computer a little but it's a new product).
  

After you have read the book (twice!) I highly recommend you follow David Allen on Facebook and Twitter and check out the following supporting websites:

• GTD Times (blog)
  
• GTD Podcasts (audio recordings)
  
• GTD Connect (coaching, etc.)
  
• The David Allen Company  

Final words: I would be very surprised if you walked away from the book and not have it positively impact your life in at least one way. For it to transform your life - and it's very possible - it takes a lot of work and practice. For me, I find it very helpful to constantly 'expose myself to the system.' Every so often, I listen to the podcasts, read the GTD blog and check back with the book. You may need to sign up for coaching or to get support from the GTD Connect community. Decide on what level you want to achieve - amateur, intermediate or expert status and do what it takes. Good luck!

Easy Website Building: Weebly

What is it?
A website for building websites.

It's for you if:
You are looking for a way to easily build a website or blog.

What's cool about it?
Simplicity. Anyone can use it; it's designed for the not-so-tech-savvy. It has plenty of features to put a great site together whether it's for personal or small business use; your site will look very clean and professional when complete. One of its best features is the choice of design templates. These are the backgrounds to your site. No matter which one you pick your site will be easy to read and navigate.

How do I get it?
Go to www.weebly.com and sign up. You can sign for a free account which gives you (plenty) basic features or a Pro account which will give you additional features such as premium support, video player, 10 sites, and large sized file uploads (100 MB). More than likely, the basic free version will be fine for you, particularly, if you are just starting. For the Pro version you'll pay $5/month with a 6 month commitment, $4 for one year or $3/month for 2 years.

Tips/Extras
I think the pricing is very reasonable for such great software; I am all about paying a reasonable fee for software, especially if it gives me a great user experience, simple to use design and a good set of features (known in the software world as "feature-set").

When you build a website you must "publish" it to the web so that others can see it. You can publish your site for free using Weebly's service but the internet address will be http://yoursite.weebly.com. This is fine for most folks. If you want your own "domain name" such as www.yoursite.com, you must pay a fee per year. Weebly charges $50/year. They charge less with a 2, 5 or 10 year commitment. This is a lot more expensive than other services such as Google or GoDaddy but in the end the ease of use, feature-set and hassle-free website building is worth it.

If you are using a Mac, then you are probably better off using iWeb. You'll pay $99/year for Apple to host your site but it's included as part of your Annual Support. The only issue I find with iWeb is the lack of template choices. You can buy templates online and install them on your Mac to get around this issue - search in Google for iWeb templates.