Sam Harrelson

Sam's Personal Stream of Life

Web Clip Tool for Backpack

Snip 2 Backpack is a Backpack Bookmarklet that lets you snip text from a webpage and send it directly to your Backpack page as a note. First, create your bookmarklet by typing your Backpack page's email address. Then drag your new bookmarklet to your bookmarks bar. Here's what the end result looks like:
via productblog.37signals.com

Love this idea... basically a web clipper for Backpack.

As I wrote about last week, I've made the switch from Evernote to Backpack for my workflow inbox/aggregator/containment field/processor.

One of the features of Evernote that I missed when I made this switch is Evernote's fantastic web clipping tool. However, this closes the gap a little bit.

I say a little bit b/c this clipping tool is text only. That solves a good deal of my problems, but I'd still like to see the clipper be able to grab images as well.

BTW, I'm still in love with Backpack's Journal feature.

Great Use of Backpack with Pages for Each Day.

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"I have a page set up for each day of the workweek, and I evenly distribute the action tasks for all of my marketing tactics throughout the week.

On a given day, I simply click on that day’s page and get to work on the tasks, which are within a handy checklist (see image above along the left).

Each Monday, I un-check all the lists on every page, which helps me to stay accountable to my plans and goals for my business. I can clearly see what got done and what did not get done over the previous week. After un-checking the items, I’m ready to begin another week."

via productblog.37signals.com

I love this implementation of workflow in Backpack.

Personally, I'm using Backpack in the GTD style (main INBOX for dumping everything then sub-folders pertaining to specific contexts or actions that need to be taken).

However, it would be very cool to do a blend of my GTD style with the daily pages style and incorporate individual classes (since I'll be teaching 4-5 individual classes).

Clearly, I love todo lists more than actually acting upon them :)

From Evernote Back to Backpack

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I've been a longtime Evernote member going back to March '08 (and then a paying Premium member since June '08 shortly after they opened that functionality), but I just can't figure out the best way to integrate the service into my workflow.  I've certainly tried because I do see so much potential in the product.

However, since I've been trying to do most everything using only web apps and my iPhone, I've had a tougher time using Evernote. The Mac desktop client is beautiful and easy to use. The Windows desktop client less so. But it's the web interface that just isn't working for me (and that is the most important one at this point since I can't install the desktop client on my locked-down school Macbook).

So, I'm going back to Backpack (in the old days, I would have used my affiliate link for the program there with a little disclosure) for workflow management. The web interface is fantastic (and familiar), I can easily email in material, create seperate pages, feel secure, integrate easily with GMail, Google Calendar and be completely web-based. 

However, the killer app Backpack has going for it is the Journal feature:

I'm using it for product management, status updates to myself and as a "private twitter" etc. It's like the anti-social bookmarketing site Pinboard for micro-messaging.

The problem that has plagued Backpack (and the whole suite of 37Signals products such as Basecamp and Highrise) is the lack of iPhone apps or integration.  That's been solved by a nifty app called Satchel.  Yes, it costs $10, but it's well worth the price. Satchel is speedy, works "offline" (whatever that means anymore), and intuitive. I can also easily update my Journal through Satchel. Plus, there are hacks and apps for getting Backpack to work well as a web app (like GMail) on the iPhone if preferred.

So, between Backpack's web apps and Satchel, I'm very happy (and productive).

I'll explain more on today's Thinking.FM podcast episode.