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#ProdChat – 10-05-16 – Automating Desktop and Mobile Productivity

#ProdChat – 10-05-16 – Automating Desktop and Mobile Productivity

On October 5, 2016, #ProdChat discussed the topic, Automating Desktop and Mobile Productivity. Watch the slideshow to see what the productivity enthusiasts on #ProdChat had to say about “Automating Desktop and Mobile Productivity.” Enjoy!

Questions:

  1. Do you believe automation helps your current desktop and mobile productivity?
  2. What broad areas/categories of your life do you currently have automated?
  3. What kinds of desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) automation can you do? What tools do you use? (Be sure to identify operating system compatibility.)
  4. What kinds of Web- and browser-based automations can you do? What tools do you use? (Please note browser, where appropriate.)
  5. What kinds of mobile (iOS, Android, etc.) automation can you do? What tools do you use? (Please note mobile OS compatibility.)
  6. What are some good principles to keep in mind when choosing whether to automate or not?
  7. What will you try to automate in your desktop or mobile productivity system after today’s #ProdChat?

Raw transcript:

User Tweet Time
rsidneysmith Welcome to #ProdChat, the weekly chat for productivity enthusiasts! https://t.co/C40vBaCeQb https://t.co/YDa40p4BBk Wed Oct 05 23:59:00 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck Good evening, Frank! How’re you today? #prodchat Wed Oct 05 23:59:16 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @mark_BCP @halduauthor @tomgrissom Sure thing! Happy to do so! #prodchat Wed Oct 05 23:59:34 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks Let the #prodchat begin! Wed Oct 05 23:59:41 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @ArtGelwicks Hey there, Art! How’re you today? #prodchat Wed Oct 05 23:59:52 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Today on #ProdChat we’re discussing “Automating Desktop and Mobile #Productivity.” Join us! https://t.co/f3h64UtSeL Thu Oct 06 00:00:02 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks @rsidneysmith Doing well. You? #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:00:24 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @ArtGelwicks Glad to hear! I’m well…just said goodbye to visiting family…glad they visited, sad to see them go! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:00:57 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith So, let’s start! In a tweet, introduce yourself. #prodchat https://t.co/61Fr8zNxkU Thu Oct 06 00:01:00 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck Glad to hear, good sir! I’m excited about this #ProdChat on automation! 🙂 Thu Oct 06 00:01:39 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks Founder of @theideapump, productivity strategist, and technology geek #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:01:53 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck This should be a good one. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:02:11 +0000 2016
JKatzaman Itzhak Perlman just played the National Anthem, so it must be time for #ProdChat. Thu Oct 06 00:02:13 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Intro: I’m Ray Sidney-Smith, @Evernote Certified Consultant. Productivity/Technology/Management Trainer/Speaker. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:02:37 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck Frank Buck. I write and speak on organization and time management. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:03:00 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @JKatzaman Good day, Jim! I certainly can’t complain with that being the #prodchat theme song! 🙂 Thu Oct 06 00:03:16 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Please add #prodchat to tweets. Questions will come as Q1, Q2, Q3. Answer A1, A2, A3, for readability! https://t.co/OMo0uSHwuf Thu Oct 06 00:04:00 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith What’s a #productivity success you’ve had this or last week? #prodchat https://t.co/JveOySOzqc Thu Oct 06 00:05:00 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith My #productivity success is that I’ve started my end of year reflection (2 weeks) here in October and it’s going really well! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:05:47 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks Finished a rapid productivity tool build today and now moving into more strategy work. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:06:50 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck Just found out I will have an article published nationally in the Association for Middle Level Education journal. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:07:29 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @ArtGelwicks Sounds pretty exciting, Art! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:07:35 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Q1: Do you believe automation helps your current desktop and mobile productivity? #prodchat https://t.co/SM4gyBhY8W Thu Oct 06 00:08:01 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck Congratulations, Frank! That’s awesome! Feel free to share it in the #prodchat stream when it comes out! Thu Oct 06 00:08:14 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks A1: Automation applied correctly can be a huge benefit to my processes. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:08:31 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A1 I think automation is one if they more advantages of a different digital productivity system. @IFTTT makes a huge difference. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:10:01 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A1: Absolutely. I depend on a variety of automation. As long as I have a way to monitor them, they are a great advantage. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:10:07 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A1a: I know they can hurt my #productivity if the automation fails, and it takes me more time to correct the consequences. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:11:25 +0000 2016
JKatzaman A1 I use calendar automation to beat me over the head about appointments. Not too much beyond that. #ProdChat Thu Oct 06 00:11:26 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A1 Automation is a huge time saver for me. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:11:43 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A1b: However, because I’ve been careful about what I’ve automated, that’s rarely happened to me. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:11:44 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks A1: Most of my automation is related to social media and publishing #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:11:50 +0000 2016
mark_BCP A1: Technology or automation implemented & applied correctly is wonderful to improve productivity & processes…when it works #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:12:51 +0000 2016
mark_BCP A1b) …but, also, so long as the users buy in, to its utilization. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:13:54 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A1b: I’m really all about automations where the user has to do little input to make the workflow. Less moving parts to go awry. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:14:56 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A1 Automation requires more thought on the fact that no end, but saves time thereafter. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:15:24 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Q2: What broad areas/categories of your life do you currently have automated? #prodchat https://t.co/ZfF5vhngE2 Thu Oct 06 00:16:00 +0000 2016
mark_BCP @rsidneysmith IHMO, you’ve still got to get the users to adopt its use, & then use it properly with proper training. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:16:22 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks A2: Social media publishing and content distribution. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:16:29 +0000 2016
wcmckeedotcom A1: I believe it helps as it means less to do. #ProdChat https://t.co/EeNqH6sf3t Thu Oct 06 00:17:35 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @mark_BCP True. I agree. But for vast majority of clients, more they interact with the automation in progress, more failures. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:17:45 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @mark_BCP So, you need buy-in and then train them to create good automations with little in-process inputs. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:18:26 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A2 The most common evidence of automation in my workflow is repeating tasks/appointments. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:18:29 +0000 2016
wcmckeedotcom A2: social media, blog post generated. #prodchat https://t.co/5bTO78RZOe Thu Oct 06 00:19:06 +0000 2016
mark_BCP @rsidneysmith In my experience, human interference can increase issues with automation, but it can also fail all on its own. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:19:07 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A2: Work calendaring/scheduling, automating Social Media syndication, creating templates, notifying people about project progress. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:19:43 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @mark_BCP Yes, good monitoring/tracking skills (or having the technology notify you) is imperative. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:20:22 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A2 Missed calls being sent to my tasks list is a little automation that helps every day. #prodchat @IFTTT Thu Oct 06 00:20:51 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @mark_BCP When I’m coding/running any software, I want it to report all failure logs to me. Same goes for automation. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:21:03 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck Nice! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:21:17 +0000 2016
mark_BCP @rsidneysmith Depends on if ur talking about automating manufacturing product lines or things like controling household utilities #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:21:46 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @mark_BCP I’m talking about individual productivity, no industrial equipment. 😉 #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:22:13 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A2 Scheduling blog posts is a great automation. Write the post when it’s convenient and have it post when I want it. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:22:44 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A2 Scheduling blog posts is a great automation. Write the post when it’s convenient and have it post when I want it. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:22:44 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @mark_BCP Today’s #prodchat is covering desktop and mobile #productivity, not business/industrial productivity technologies. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:22:46 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Q3: What kinds of desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) automation can you do? What tools do you use? #prodchat https://t.co/wFOgkL8T6n Thu Oct 06 00:24:00 +0000 2016
mark_BCP @rsidneysmith Sorry…got side-tracked. Same comment that automation or technology is great…until it fails. #prodchat 🙂 Thu Oct 06 00:24:06 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck That’s a great example of an automation anyone can try! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:24:30 +0000 2016
JKatzaman A2 I’ve started to use TweetDeck to schedule tweets when I’m not online. #ProdChat Thu Oct 06 00:24:41 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A2 I consistently use @Hootsuite to schedule tweets and Instagram posts for the future. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:24:42 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @mark_BCP Not a problem! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:25:12 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks A2: Buffer and IFTTT are my primary tools. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:25:57 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A3 Looking back at my examples so far, all of them apply to desktop automation. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:26:18 +0000 2016
JKatzaman A3 I can’t think of any desktop automation, so I guess I don’t use it. #ProdChat Thu Oct 06 00:26:19 +0000 2016
wcmckeedotcom A3: I only use linux. Tools are Python scripts #prodchat https://t.co/YakrWlFhYA Thu Oct 06 00:26:49 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A3: I use WinAutomation on WinOS and Alfred 2 / Hazel on Mac. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:29:12 +0000 2016
mark_BCP @wcmckeedotcom Linux has been a g8 product since inception. In 2000, after Pentium processorss available, used 80386 for firewall #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:29:26 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Join us for the next #productivity book club’s live discussion! https://t.co/wQRfxI2YHl #prodchat https://t.co/n6W3rvTdb2 Thu Oct 06 00:30:01 +0000 2016
prodbookgrp Join us for the next #productivity book club’s live discussion! https://t.co/n14akGjZH4 #prodchat https://t.co/H9gV1dYiF7 Thu Oct 06 00:30:01 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck As a @hootsuite Brand Ambassador, that makes me quite happy! 😉 #HootAMB #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:30:14 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck @rsidneysmith Actually following this chat in @hootsuite #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:31:43 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Q4: What kinds of Web- and browser-based automations can you do? What tools do you use? (Please note browser.)… https://t.co/Q4qeJsqJM8 Thu Oct 06 00:32:00 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A3: I also use quite a lot of templates on my desktop…especially those built into MS Word. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:32:30 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks A4: Using IFTTT I route posts and research from Feedly to OneNote for tracking #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:32:38 +0000 2016
CurationSuite RT @rsidneysmith: Join us for the next #productivity book club’s live discussion! https://t.co/wQRfxI2YHl #prodchat https://t.co/n6W3rvTdb2 Thu Oct 06 00:33:27 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A4 I use Chrome, and like the way extensions installed on one computer follow that browser everywhere. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:34:20 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks Is Hootsuite being used for blog sharing on schedule? I know Buffer does that well, but how about the owl? #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:35:51 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck RT @rsidneysmith: Join us for the next #productivity book club’s live discussion! https://t.co/wQRfxI2YHl #prodchat https://t.co/n6W3rvTdb2 Thu Oct 06 00:36:23 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A4: My go-to Web automation software are @IFTTT and @Zapier. I also use iMacros when those two can’t do what I want! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:37:34 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A4a: I’ve just learned of a few more browser automation software and I’m looking into those soon. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:38:00 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck @ArtGelwicks I use @hootsuite to send tweets with links to my blog posts. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:38:00 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @ArtGelwicks Absolutely. I use it for most of my post scheduling. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:38:35 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck I use AutoTextExpander, TabSnooze, OneTab Chrome extensions. Love that they sync! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:39:41 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks Does Hootsuite support Facebook Groups? #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:39:56 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Q5: What kinds of mobile (iOS, Android, etc.) automation can you do? What tools do you use? (Please note mobile OS… https://t.co/z1SxZ0TVXg Thu Oct 06 00:40:00 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A4b: I have so many @IFTTT recipes, I can’t list them here; there is so much possibility! Can’t wait for Google Home to arrive! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:41:01 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @ArtGelwicks Yup, @hootsuite supports Facebook Groups! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:41:53 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck @rsidneysmith Yes, Auto Text Expander Anderson for Chrome. Can’t forget @evernote web clipper. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:42:19 +0000 2016
JKatzaman A5 I’ll bet I have Android automation and don’t know it, just like I didn’t know I had Notebook. #ProdChat Thu Oct 06 00:42:22 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A5: I am using @WorkflowHQ on iOS and Tasker on @Android. @IFTTT is also super useful on mobile with the DO buttons! Great stuff! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:45:54 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A5: I really like all the geofenced options, so that things are logged or triggered upon leaving or entering an area. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:47:19 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Q6: What are some good principles to keep in mind when choosing whether to automate or not? #prodchat https://t.co/seJIvm7mm8 Thu Oct 06 00:48:00 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck I have counseled friends on how to create automated phone calls so they can get out of bad dates! 😛 #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:49:16 +0000 2016
ArtGelwicks Have to peel off and be productive folks…have a good night! Great chat as usual! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:49:18 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @ArtGelwicks Thanks for stopping by, Art! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:49:29 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A6 The biggest temptation to avoid is spending more time in the maintenance of an automation than it saves. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:50:03 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A6: I think you should think through the entire automation before investing in it. What is the 360 degree automation lifecycle? #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:50:06 +0000 2016
JKatzaman A6 Don’t go overboard with automation. You want to retain your personality and engagement, not become just another bot. #ProdChat Thu Oct 06 00:50:09 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A6: Make sure the automation will work properly. Some automation will only work 1/2 the time. Not good enough to trust it. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:50:53 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck @rsidneysmith True! 99% makes me nervous. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:52:09 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck Depending on the need of that automation, it can make me nervous too! Which means I need to always monitor it. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:52:46 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck Speaking of automation, what tool is everyone using to follow this chat? #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:53:31 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck I use @TweetDeck @hootsuite and @TweetChat (but that’s because I’m hosting!). #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:54:17 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck Tweetchat on my tablet has only been showing me my own tweets. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:54:29 +0000 2016
JKatzaman @rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck That’s interesting automation when you have to automatically check it. #ProdChat Thu Oct 06 00:54:38 +0000 2016
mark_BCP @DrFrankBuck Using tchat.io …it’s the only one that has worked consistently. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:54:57 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @JKatzaman @DrFrankBuck Automation isn’t about set-it-and-forget-it. So monitoring tempers the desire to think of it as a panacea. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:55:39 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Q7: What will you try to automate in your desktop or mobile productivity system after today’s #ProdChat? https://t.co/3Rzszyyimo Thu Oct 06 00:56:00 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck @mark_BCP Thanks! Will check it out. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:56:04 +0000 2016
mark_BCP @DrFrankBuck You’re welcome. I tried several others until someone told me of this one & it has been pretty consistent, since. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:57:07 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith @DrFrankBuck That’s odd. Tweet at the developer…he’s pretty responsive. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:57:15 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck A7 Certainly going to try the suggestion I just got for a Tweetchat substitute! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:57:52 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith A7: I’m going to look into more ways to automate @hootsuite, @evernote and Tasker on @Android. Plus Web browser automations! #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:57:52 +0000 2016
JKatzaman A7 I’d have to sit down with someone in the know to see what I do that could be more automated. #ProdChat Thu Oct 06 00:58:10 +0000 2016
mark_BCP A7: If I ever get my blog going, automating tweets to point to it, sounds like a very good idea to me! 🙂 #prodchat Thu Oct 06 00:58:20 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Next #ProdChat: October 12 – “Evernote Tips and Tricks.” Have a great week, all! https://t.co/nNtwm9Lr5I Thu Oct 06 00:59:00 +0000 2016
prodchat Next #ProdChat: October 12 – “Evernote Tips and Tricks.” Have a great week, all! https://t.co/4fUcs558Oj Thu Oct 06 00:59:01 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck @mark_BCP When you get the blog going, be sure toilet us know the URL. #prodchat Thu Oct 06 01:00:22 +0000 2016
rsidneysmith Thanks, #productivity enthusiasts! #prodchat Join us next week! https://t.co/YjuF3QQuQ6 Thu Oct 06 01:01:01 +0000 2016
DrFrankBuck Can’t wait! @evernote #prodchat Thu Oct 06 01:01:12 +0000 2016
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