Useful utilities

Evernote is software for note taking, archiving, and organizing your information and your life. It’s one of the most powerful tools I can imagine. I can type a note, save a picture, make a shopping list, create an audio note, scan a document.

And then, I can find it when I need it! Evernote’s search is so powerful it will blow you away.

Evernote runs in any web browser and on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices. That means I can make a note or save a web page when I’m working on my desktop computer and it’s available on my phone. When I’m in my car I can say, “OK Google, make a note” and dictate to Evernote.

I save lots of technical notes and ideas I need for work, but I use it for everything! What size furnace filter do I need? I have a picture of it. I saw a bike helmet I wanted for the Great Cycle Challenge (https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/CateEales), and saved the webpage with the Evernote web clipper.

This is life-changing software. If you’re an organized person, you’ll love it. If you’re not an organized person, you’ll love it even more, and organized people will love you! Check it out here: https://evernote.com/. Steve Dotto made some great Evernote videos. Here’s a good one to start with: 

Evernote comes in free and paid versions. Free is enough for most people!

Alternatives:

• Microsoft OneNote https://www.onenote.com/
• Google Keep https://www.google.com/keep/

Secure cloud storage. Put stuff in your Dropbox. Access it on your other computers, your smartphone, or from any web browser. Keep it private or share it. Dropbox is a great way to share photos and other files too large for email.

You can share screen shots with Dropbox, even if you’re only sharing them with yourself. When I work on my column on my laptop and take a screen shot, I have Dropbox upload it automatically. Then when I return to my desk, it’s already there waiting for me.

Check Dropbox here: https://www.dropbox.com/. If you sign up with my referral link, we both get some extra free space: https://db.tt/q6qnaXq. Like Evernote, Dropbox has free and paid versions.

Alternatives:

• Microsoft OneDrive https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-ca/
• Google Drive https://drive.google.com/
• Box.com https://www.box.com/

When you copy something in Windows, Windows holds it in memory until you copy something else. A clipboard manager extends that functionality by “remembering” the last couple of hundred things you’ve copied and making them available to you for pasting in a reasonably organized way. Yankee-Clipper 3 is a minimalist clipboard manager that I have been using since --- I kid you not --- Windows 95. And although the website says it needs to run on a 32-bit system I have no issues running it on 64-bit systems.

Not everyone needs a clipboard manager, but if you need one give this one a look: http://www.intelexual.com/products/yc3/. 

Alternatives:

• Ditto http://ditto-cp.sourceforge.net/
• Shapeshifter http://flamefusion.net/software/shapeshifter-clipboard-manager
• ClipX http://bluemars.org/clipx/

 

What do you find useful every day? Let me know and I’ll share! Send email to [email protected].

 

Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your home or business computer get along!

Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna (http://computercarekelowna.com/) a mobile service helping home users and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and suggestions. Send email to [email protected].

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This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.