January 2019 Summaries

Trello's search functionality may seem limited at first, but it offers a range of power and precision tools, including keyboard shortcuts, search operators, filtering, and saving searches. Users can refine their searches using operators such as `@` to find cards assigned to specific members, `board:` to narrow down searches within a specific board, and `label:` to search by label or color. Additionally, users can filter cards to view only those that match certain criteria, such as labels or due dates, and save frequently used searches for quick access. With these features, Trello's search functionality becomes more powerful and easier to use, allowing users to quickly find the information they need within their boards.

You can automatically sync photos from your phone or camera with your computer by enabling the "Enable camera uploads" option in the Dropbox app's Preferences window, allowing you to organize and share them from one place. Additionally, Dropbox can also automatically upload screenshots to a designated folder in your Dropbox account. For mobile devices, installing the Dropbox app on your phone or tablet and enabling automatic uploads through the settings allows you to access your device's photos from anywhere. Furthermore, with Zapier integration, it is possible to connect over 1,000 apps to Dropbox, such as Gmail, Instagram, and Evernote, allowing for automatic file uploads and organization.

Dropbox allows users to choose which files they want to sync across their devices, rather than syncing everything by default. To do this, users can access the Preferences window and select the Selective Sync option, allowing them to uncheck specific files or folders that should not be synced. This feature is tied to individual computers, meaning each device has its own set of synced files, but it also allows for flexibility in managing which files sync across multiple devices. By using selective syncing, users can conserve bandwidth and hard drive space, while still being able to access their files through the web or mobile version of Dropbox.

slack offers two options to set up autoreplies: the Status feature, which lets everyone know what you're up to, and Slackbot, which can automatically respond to specific words or phrases with a pre-set message. The Slackbot option is useful for responding to common questions or setting up an out-of-office autoresponder. Both features allow users to quickly set up autoreplies without having to manually change their status when they're on vacation. Additionally, there's also the possibility of using Zapier to build more complex autoreplies and automate Slack status updates with Google Calendar.

Dropbox notifications can be overwhelming, but they can be managed to suit individual preferences. On a computer, users can customize notifications by clicking on the gear icon in the notification settings window and selecting the types of notifications to turn off, such as new files synced. Mobile users can also manage notifications through the app's settings menu, while iPhone and iPad users are limited to disabling or enabling notifications for shared folder invitations and new shared links. Additionally, email notifications can be customized by visiting the Dropbox notification settings in a browser and selecting which alerts to receive.

In the realm of email security, the use of end-to-end encryption is a crucial feature to look for in a secure email service. This technology scrambles the content of an email so that it cannot be read without the decryption key, which is unique to each user's account. End-to-end encryption puts control in the hands of the user, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept and read emails. Other essential security features include two-factor authentication, which adds a layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond just a password, open source software, which allows users to review the code and ensure its security, and metadata handling, which strips out sensitive information from email headers. Secure email services like ProtonMail, Posteo, Tutanota, Kolab Now, Mailfence, and mailbox.org offer advanced security features such as perfect forward secrecy, two-factor authentication, and end-to-end encryption to protect user data. When choosing a secure email service, it's essential to consider factors such as the level of control over encryption keys, compatibility with different devices, and the reputation of the provider. Ultimately, using a secure email service is crucial for protecting sensitive information in an increasingly digital world.

Chris Bailey, author of The Productivity Project and Hyperfocus, argues that productivity is not about getting more done, but rather about doing what we intend to do with intention and focus. He emphasizes the importance of taking breaks, disconnecting from technology, and using tools like meditation and distraction blockers to increase productivity. Bailey believes that people often get caught up in trying to manage their time more efficiently, but this can lead to overlooking the things that truly affect our productivity, such as our mood and habits. He suggests setting clear intentions daily, weekly, and yearly, and reviewing them regularly to ensure progress towards goals. Additionally, Bailey recommends using few apps and focusing on simple tools like a "to-do" list or a note-taking app to stay organized. By adopting these strategies, individuals can become more productive and intentional with their time.

Can't quite remember that one piece of information you're confident someone told you on Slack? Try searching for it. One of Slack's key selling points is memory, the ability to look through every conversation your team has ever had. You wanting access to that history is core to the entire business strategy. Getting started with search in Slack can be simple: click the search bar or use a keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+F on PC or CMD+F on Mac. By default, Slack filters your search to include only the channel you're currently looking at, but this restriction can be removed by clearing out the search panel. You can refine your search using the filters in the right-hand sidebar and various operators such as from:, in:, to:, before:, after:, during:, has:star, has:pin, has:link, and has: followed by an emoji's code. Quotation marks can be used to search for a specific phrase, while an asterisk (*) after a partial word will show all words that include that part, and a minus sign (-) in front of a word can exclude results that include it.

The text discusses the importance of adopting automation habits in organizations, highlighting that most businesses are thinking about automation in the wrong way by focusing on "who will do it?" instead of "how will it get done?". Successful business process automation starts with developing and adopting good habits, such as asking the right questions and identifying opportunities to automate small, repetitive tasks. The author shares examples of how automation can be applied in various areas, including lead generation, referral generation, and creating common dashboards across departments. By adopting a habit of asking "how will this work get done?", organizations can identify automation opportunities and create more productive processes, ultimately eliminating bad habits and amplifying good ones.