Browser: Firefox

Because of the useful options already provided by Firefox, its popularity is growing. There are numerous free downloadable extensions and add-ons available on the web for Firefox. Here are just a few add-ons that keep my productivity levels high:

PDF Download – Lets you convert any (unsecured) Web page into a high-quality PDF that’s great for archiving, printing and sharing.

Firebug – Firebug integrates with Firefox to put a wealth of development tools at your fingertips while you browse. You can edit, debug, and monitor CSS, HTML, and JavaScript live in any web page.

Read It Later – Save pages of interest to read when you have the time.

Word Processing: Google Docs

I use Google Docs for word processing. Sure, it doesn’t offer every feature that MS Word does, but it contains almost every necessary feature, function and utility to make it the best online word processor. You can export files in all the necessary formats — .doc, .txt, .rtf, .odt, .pdf and more! — and the online storage is easy to organize, safe and secure, and conveniently tied to your Gmail account.

Online Storage: Dropbox OR YouSendIt

For small files, it’s easiest to just .zip them and email them. For big stuff, you’ve either got to go with one of the many free upload websites (YouSendIt) or get your own upload space (Dropbox). Both allow you to send files up to 2GB. Even the most frugal of online workers can find ample space to store work-in-progress designs, documents and other important files. This also reduces the risks and costs with secure managed file transfer that seem like hours when trying to send via FTP.

Presentations: Prezi

Powerpoint and Keynote are great tools. But with Prezi is a browser-based application. Instead of putting every mindless detail on a separate slide, Prezi allows users to lay out your presentations on a single plane and move through them at their speed, in their own order, and if required, change the presentation on the fly.

Calendar and Scheduling: Google Calendar

This one’s nice and simple, with features that will keep you remembering dates and appointments. Simply set your schedule in the simple interface, decide whether or not you want SMS reminders, and leave it for the week. Check out some features we highlighted using our Google Calendar.

These tools are all part of my office suite. Once you implement all or even just a few of these tools, I hope you will see a dramatically increase in your productivity and make your work easier than ever. Would love to hear what applications or platforms keep you productive.

In addition to using Google Calendar, we are prolific users of Google Docs (or “G docs”). G docs are part of the Google Apps suite. We maintain G docs for all sorts of things – ranging from what to order for lunch to proposal writing.

G docs are great for:

• Meeting notes & Agendas
• Proposal drafts – or any document that requires collaboration
• Spreadsheets
• Ideation or brainstorming documents
• Contact lists

We like G docs because:

• They are easy to use. They are very similar to Microsoft Word and you only need an Internet connection to access them (vs having to pull documents from a server or Share Point).
• They allow real-time collaboration. During meetings you can update notes or you can co-author items with another writer in real time.
• They reduce email. You can share documents without having to constantly send attachments and keep track of which one is most up-to-date.
• They track revisions. You can see who edited what – and when they did it. And if you don’t like their changes, you can revert to a previous version in just a click.
• They can be archived. When a project is complete, you can export G docs in a variety of common file formats (like Word, PDF or text) and archive the document with the project.
• They are free. This is the most amazing part (and it makes me look like a hero on my boss’ eyes).

Google Gears allows for offline access of the documents (but not spreadsheets). So, you can edit the document offline and when you log back on, the edits synch up. We also back-up G docs using a Google Download Script.

If you’re interested in seeing other applications for Google Docs – check this out:

You can use Google Docs to share and manage your NCAA basketball pool.  Other user examples include the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Red Sox fans.

As a team research effort, we tested multiple calendar solutions including an exchange server, Mozilla, Now Calendar, and Hyperoffice. We finally landed on a free solution: Google Calendar.

Pros

• Free
• Calendar sharing
• It’s a Google product – so it’s generally reliable and always being improved. Our staff is also familiar with Google and its “suite” of online products, like Google Docs and Google Sites.
• Explorer, Firefox, and Safari compatible

Cons

• Support is limited to FAQs, discussion boards and blogs. I have been able to find answers to all of our questions, but it takes time to read the boards or post questions and wait for answers.
• It is not Microsoft Outlook. I may have come over to the Mac world, but I still miss Microsoft Outlook

For Bing it gives us one place to see what everyone is up to, so we can better plan our days. I liked the calendar so much that I have incorporated it into volunteer organizations that I am involved in.

Anyone else using Google Calendar?  If so, how do you like it?