My Top 5 Productivity Programs (and then some)

I do love me some productivity software! Being rather scatterbrained, organizing is a crucial mind-tweak for me, even if I’m not very good at it.

I have faith that somewhere around the next Lifehacker post is *THE* perfect organizational system. A blend of unbending structure and flexibility, it will have bright colors, lots of pockets, dividers, and stickers, along with automated help on what goes in those pockets and dividers. It will also be completely integrated with Quicken, my email and weblogs, nifty gadgets like Twitter, and read my mind. And my spouse’s mind. And maybe it could automatically let the dog out, before she barks.

While I’m waiting to discover that application, here’s what I actually use:

1. ListPro (from Illium software) ListPro is a task list, shopping list, a music database, a PIM, pretty much anything you want it to be. There are a few functions here I’ve surprisingly not found in similar software: the ability to cut/paste complete lists to/from text files, to mark a task done, but leave it visible, nested folders and lists, and being able to include hyperlinks to webpages and/or files. It’s seriously cool, seriously customizable. It’s a bargain at $19.99 (29.99 if you want it on your PC and Palm/Smartphone). And, yes, there is a free demo version.
2. EWallet (also from Illium) This is the worlds greatest password and information manager. Well… honestly? I’ve never actually tried another password manager; this one has always done everything I asked it to: encrypted info, nested categories, pre-formated/custom templates, nifty Web2.0 icons, and it even lets me import logos and images if I feel inspired. Like Listpro, it’s 19.99, (29.99 for PC+mobile) but Illium usually has price breaks for multiple programs, and there is a 30 day free demo. By the way, their support team rocks.
   
3. Windows Live Writer (Microsoft) Desktop Blogging Software. Ok, so I’ve only been using this a week, but already its nearly indispensible. It makes writing and formatting posts much simpler than the (still excellent) Wordpress interface, and I don’t have to worry about my connection burping when I hit “publish”…. Live Writer does a better job of tracking my drafts, recent posts, etc, and does really great things to images. Yes, it’s from Microsoft, and yes, it’s still in beta, but this it beats out similar programs hands down. Currently free.
4. Quicken Home & Business 2007(Intuit) You already know this is money management software. But having finally upgraded from the 1998 version (after testing and tossing out MSMoney) I’m pretty dang happy with having all financial related records in one place, including a really good bill calendar, debt reduction software, emergency records. I’m thinking of trying to hack it to keep up with inventory, without buying any addons.
5. Evernote: My current note-taking program of choice. It’s handy, includes the ability to include images, and has a simple webclip feature with automatic referencing that I use a lot. I’ve yet to really master the categories/templates, but its got them, by gawd! If you want the ability to synch with other devices, the use of a tablet, and handwriting recognition, you can get the full version for 39.95, or be cheap (like me) and go with the freeware version.

And a few honorable mentions:

• Scholar’s Aide A formal research/bibliographical tool, I once nearly wrote a book with this - and my failure had nothing to do with SA, promise! Check out the 30-day demo, the free-forever lite version, and the student discount.
• Jet Task Another Task Management/ToDo list program, I really wanted JetTask one to work for me, because it’s all Web2.O pretty - but it’s more task/appointment/project oriented than my life allows for. I loved that it generated such pretty efficiency reports. It’s 19.99 after the 30 day trial.
• Notebook2000 I loved this simple note keeping program. It isn’t pretty, fancy, or complicated, it just sits quietly in the task bar, free of bloatware features. I still miss it. Did I mention it’s free?

Personal interest note: I found at least 10 new features of the above programs as I went through them to make this post. And people tell me that blogging is a waste of time!

How about you…. have any personal favorites? Something I’ve missed? Let me know!