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- For tracking completed tasks (to report to your boss what you've done in the past few days, for example), you can use either TickTick or Notion (with database, board, and calendar views).
- In Notion, create a database with properties: date (task duration) and before (for revisiting finished tasks). Calendar view displays tasks based on date, showing task duration clearly. Remember: one task per card!
- TickTick excels at displaying tasks in calendar format, but its note-taking capabilities are limited (which is why I ultimately switched to Notion).
- For tracking your Mac activities, consider Qbserve. Note: this may raise privacy concerns.
- Keep learning every day, but the more important thing is to document what you've learned.
- Consider the most efficient way to take notes, the purpose of your documentation, and then choose the appropriate method.
- One simple rule: write for your future selfβcreate notes that you'll understand quickly and that help you recall information as efficiently as possible!
- Stick with tools and methods you're familiar with. Don't switch to new systems just because others think they're better, unless it's truly necessary.
- Password manager: use Bitwarden, it's free and supports cross-platform devices. I particularly like how it integrates deeply with mobile devices and automatically suggests passwords when you focus on input fields. You can also use it as an OTP Generator and store passkeys.
- Always enable two-factor authentication (2FA) β use Authy & Bitwarden (in case you donβt want to open your phone and use it directly in the browser).
- Avoid using passphrases!
- Regularly change your passwords.
- Use unique passwords for different accounts.
- Want to prevent browser extensions from reading data on all websites? Adjust their settings to activate only when needed. Go to Manage Extensions β Select an extension (excluding locally installed ones) β "Details" β "Site access" β choose "On click".
- If you don't want to take notes, use the Amazon Kindle App. It syncs your reading progress and highlighted text across all devices for free. You can use your own ebooks and the Send To Kindle app to deliver content to all your devices.
- If you want to take notes and sync annotations, use Flexcil. It requires a one-time payment that's reasonably priced, though you'll need to purchase the app separately for each device.
My personal setup: Notion, Galaxy Tab S10+ with Notein app, Kindle, Flexcil.
- For tablets with stylus support, choose either an Apple iPad (with GoodNotes) or Samsung Galaxy Tab with Notein (Samsung Notes is also good but has issues with accented characters like in Vietnamese). Avoid the Android version of GoodNotesβit's terrible!
- If you prefer an e-ink device similar to Kindle but for note-taking, try Remarkable. There are many other devices available, but I haven't tested them yet.
- Diary app: read A best journal app (spoil: Journey)
- Install these helpful browser extensions: Google Dictionary (by Google) β double-click any word to see its English definition and pronunciation; Google Translate β quickly view Vietnamese translations of selected text (though it has character limits).
- I use Brave Browser's "Translate selection to TiαΊΏng Viα»t" feature (right-click menu) which handles longer selections than the Google Translate extension.
- For comprehensive dictionaries, I recommend GoldenDict for computers (Mac, Windows, Linux) and Dict Box for mobile devices. Both are all-in-one dictionary solutions that are either free or inexpensive.
- ChatGPT serves as my English conversation partner for daily speaking practice. I prefer it over alternatives because it maintains context memory and responds quickly.
- I use BoldVoice to improve my pronunciation.
- For object removal in photos, the Samsung Gallery app's AI feature is the most effective option.
- Google Photos also has excellent AI features.
- I track my expenses by recording every purchase in Money Lover, which helps me monitor my monthly spending patterns.
- For better sleep: Thunderspace (white noise to help you fall asleep faster) and AutoSleep (for sleep tracking).
- For meditation: Balance.
- For fitness tracking: WorkOutDoors (tracks running/walking with offline maps on your watch, available as a one-time purchase).