Some tools I think you should know if you don't already

Huh, didn't expect my first post to be this, but here we are..

Please share your own favorite tools in the comments and give suggestions - I will update sporadically!

(also let me know if there are versions of the things I suggest which you think are better)

Some are basic. Some are new & neat. Most also have an app. I use many of them on a weekly or even daily basis. Here we go!

Beeper (pc & app) - (OhMyGodILoveThisSoMuch) for messages

• Do you use FB Messenger, Whatsapp, Telegram, Signal?
• Beeper collects all your messaging apps. In one.
• On laptop it has the #HolyFunction of "unread" filter. It is a godsend for me not to forget people
  • Yes, you get a list of all your unread messages across all your platforms (that you've chosen to connect)
• You can even add Discord, Slack, Linkedin, X, & Instagram.

Calendly (pc & app) (or similar booking service)

Allows people to book a time in your schedule without having to go back and forth suggesting dates. Such a mental energy saver! (but beware of setting your availability well and make sure Calendly checks for conflict with your other events)

Other scheduling

• For group scheduling use fx https://www.when2meet.com/ or https://lettucemeet.com/
• Figuring out timezones: https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/
  • Also did you know you can add more timezones in Google Calendar? It's great if you need the same zones regularly!

Everything (pc) - search all your pc files instantly

super fast (as opposed to my windows search!) and simple to use

https://www.voidtools.com/ 

• Small installation file
• Clean and simple user interface
• Quick filename indexing
• Minimal resource usage
• Real-time updating

Focusmate (pc & app) - accountability calls with strangers

I know several EA's who use it.

Very simple, you jump on when it suits you, mark how much time you're working for, and it will match you with someone. You quickly say hi, what you're working on - and get to it. At the end you do a quick check-in with how it went - and boom, you were hopefully less useless!

There's also an EA co-working Discord: https://discord.gg/T5K4kJV8 

Justin Sung - My learning guru

He runs ICanStudy, which as far as I can tell is the best, most comprehensive and evidence-based learning system there exists.

He also runs a Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@JustinSung  Where he shares most of his knowledge. I highly recommend his stuff on mindmaps for notetaking

• Icanstudy costs 399$/year - which, ouch, but great value for the money
  • Really.
  • Great learning platform with progression/completion metrics, practice exercises, learning system diagnostics
  • And for someone who never learned to study properly, this has been immensely helpful because it integrates all the things I need

If you're at uni I highly recommend checking him out on Youtube and making the decision whether to try out his program (30 day money back)

Napkin.ai - visualizes your text

• AI program that can make diagrams out of whatever you write in it

My EA co-organizer just shared this with me, and it's what sparked me to actually start writing this - my very first - post (thanks @Johannes Rothe!)

It's pretty cool. I can see many uses of it already

Canva (pc & app) - for designing presentations, posters & much more

If you still use Powerpoint - don't. IMO Canva is /way better/ and you should at least try it out

• Also, NGO's can get free pro version - counts for national EA groups too!
  • There are a few EA Teams on there where you can get templates from
    • https://resources.eagroups.org/canva-and-social-media-templates 

For the EA design-style & graphics/logos:

• https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/topics/style-guide
• https://company-65404.frontify.com/d/hG9FgXLUpVOM/effective-altruism-style-guide
• https://sites.google.com/centreforeffectivealtruism.org/ea-groups-resources/running-a-group/graphic-templates https://sites.google.com/centreforeffectivealtruism.org/ea-groups-resources/running-a-group/graphics/available-graphics 

File sharing & converting

• ILovepdf - everything you need with pdf's. merging, splitting, converting. My favorite
• https://libgen.rocks/index.php - not quite legal but #OpenDigitalFTW you can find /a lot/ of books etc. here - it's where I got most of my university books

• https://wetransfer.com/ - for sending larger files (up to 2GB). Can be both as link or send to someone's mail

   

Libraries

Seriously. They are so rich with awesome stuff and so underutilized.

• Fx check your national library website for audiobooks and e-books! (one that might work for you is https://libbyapp.com/ if your library is linked to it)

• (Also did you know that you can ask librarians to help you do research or find sources/materials? They are trained in these things!)

   

Not a resource, but if you live in the Northern hemisphere for the love of God rationality take vitamin D in the dark seasons!

(especially if you have darker skin) Lots of research on it. look it up yourself; I'm lazy.

Clickup (pc & app) - my new favorite productivity app

I have been through a few productivity apps before (primarily Todoist) and recently came upon Clickup, which just does it better IMO.

• LOTS of customizability
  • Views: Kanban, Gant charts, dashboard, timeline, (team) workload, mindmap
    • all templates integrated
    • & you can have several for each list to switch between
  • BUILT IN AUTOMATIONS
    • I don't understand these things but I'm sure for some it's super juicy
    • Also some AI capabilities
  • Integration with your calendar
  • Can add docs/files directly in app
• Lots of automated statistics on your workflow that you can track (& customize!)
• Good team functions
• Great free plan (few/no limitations to project number & size)

Habitica (pc & app) - if you like gamification of your habits

• Cute/fun RPG character building setup
• Complete quests & fight bosses through habits & dailies
  • Tasks can also be added but no good system for them
• You can team up!

Waking up (pc & app) - Sam Harris' meditation app

I'm only sharing because you can get it for free if you want. I'm not much fan of that style of meditation myself, but much of the content is still good.

https://app.wakingup.com/scholarship 

Fighting phone over-use

• ScreenZen - (free) app timer/blocker
  • Helps me be more mindful of my use, run statistics, and have more meditative moments in the day!
  • You can choose apps, group them, set timers for how long to wait before they open, set limits to number of times they can be opened in a day
    • You can even block YT shorts separately from Youtube
  • Free & great customizability
• And /please/ - turn off notifications as much as you can!
  • from email, social media, group chats, etc.
    • I even have all message notifications off. I have to go check. But only one place #BCBeeper=Awesome

Hope any were helpful, much love!