Ever since college I have used a quick format for simple transient task lists, like “stuff to do today”, or a simple way of tracking progress on a bug fix. All it requires is a text editor (or text edit field). Basically you just make a list of the tasks, one per line or just add an extra line between items if they take up more than one editor line. It’s best to keep it short though. The real trick is in the coded bullets prefixing each item. I will start out with an example:

/   post about my task shorthand
?   discover meaning of life
-   do laundry
    -   find laundry detergent
x   bathe
!   feed the cat

As you can see in the example, sub-tasks are indented under their parent task. The legend for the bullet types is as follows:

? - there are questions about this item or more information is required.
- - this is just a standard task item
! - this is an important task item
/ - this item is pending other items or external activities
x - this item is done

It’s a simple system that works well for small short-lived lists of tasks. I thought I would share… maybe someone else will find it useful too.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tags: Thoughts

You may have noticed that I have added some advertising to this site. I had originally looked into putting AdSense ads on the site; however, after first rejecting me and then finally accepting me, I found that their ads are very ugly and their management tools are pretty sub-par. So I took a look at Amazon’s Affiliate program. The ads from Amazon are much more attractive and refined so they don’t really bring down the look of the page. Also, their management and creation tools are flexible and easy to use.

I have never really liked advertising in general and felt for a long time that I would never use it on any of my sites; however, financial pressure can sometimes influence such opinions. The ads I have implements are out-of-the-way, on the lower-end of the side bar and down in the footer so as not to detract from the site content. I will also use product links in posts when I refer to a book or something.

Lastly, I do get money when you purchase something through one of the links/ads on this site. Actually, I would get Amazon gift certificates… so, it’s really win-win for them.

Thank you in advance for any purchases you make through my affiliations.

If you represent a company and would like to advertise on this site, please feel free to contact me, though be advised that I will be very picky about what ads I would accept.

If you have any comments and/or complaints, you are free to email me at ““.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tags: Thoughts