Tag Archives: productivity

Toggl

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Toggl is a time-keeping app for logging one’s hours spent on projects (or anything, really).

A technical communicator may juggle a variety of roles as an independent consultant for multiple clients as well as a full-time student. You might need something to track your billable hours, as well as to record how much time you spend on schoolwork, so you can prioritize better and make time to have a life.

Similar apps that may be found on the Google play store include Timesheet, aTimeLogger, Time Tracker.  But I really love Toggl; I’m toggling right now.

Snagit

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Snagit is a screen capture and screen recording software.

How it is useful to technical communicators:

Snagit allows technical communicators to develop graphic content.  Snagit uses a scope view when taking a screen shot to help ensure the user has the exact image desired.

Users can also edit the image (crop, resize, dpi, etc.) within the application once the image is captured.

Where you can learn more about it: 

Snagit

Other software like it:

Gimp

MS Paint

Paint.net

Snipping Tool

Jing

oTranscribe

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oTranscribe helps users transcribe audio recordings into text by combining an audio player and word processor onto a single webpage.

How it is useful to technical communicators:

Transcribing audio files can be a time-consuming process, but oTranscribe makes it easier by enabling users to listen to audio files and type at the same time. Users no longer have to juggle multiple windows to switch from listening to word processing.

Where you can learn more about it:

oTranscribe website

Other software like it:

Alternatives to oTranscribe involve the simultaneous use of a word processing program like Microsoft Word and an audio player program such as Audacity or iTunes.

Confluence

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Confluence is a software that is used for group collaboration.  It helps groups working on common tasks reach their mutual goals.  Users have the ability to create, discuss, organize, and centralize their projects all on one common and easy to access platform.  Confluence is a paid software, although users have the option to try a free trial version.

How it is useful:

In the field of technical communication, there are many instances in which the technical communicator must work in a group or collaborate on a project.  Technical communicators may also have the opportunity to manage or lead projects.  During these occasions, having resources to collectively use as a group to store and edit content is essential.  A technical communicator is expected to know how to use a number of collaboration-oriented software, so having an understanding of Confluence will benefit the technical communicator.

Where to learn more about it:

To learn more about Confluence, visit the website at the following link:
https://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence
Try out a free trial in order to get hands-on experience with the software before buying it. To try out a free trial version, visit the following link:
https://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence/try

Similar Software:

Bitrix24 is similar in function to Confluence.  This is a more affordable software.  Users can download a free version, although it does not include all Bitrix24 features, or pay monthly in order to obtain the full version of this program.

Bitrix24 allows users to communicate and collaborate all in one location.  To access this software, visit the following website address:
https://www.bitrix24.com/