Tag: Remote Work

  • TextExpander Year in Review 2024

    TextExpander Year in Review 2024

    I use TextExpander in my daily work to help avoid RTS* and CPT**. TextExpander is a tool that uses custom abbreviations to automatically insert words or phrases in the text I am typing.

    As an example, if I am to type my full name, I would just type ;znm and TextExpander would automatically replace it with Ajay Kumar Jain. Amazing. Isn’t it. Instead of typing 14 characters (including spaces) I can achieve the same thing by typing 4 characters. Thus saving 10 keystrokes, resulting in less stress on my fingers and additionally making my typing faster.

    I just received an email from them reminding me of my 2024 usage statistics. I saved 10 hours this year by expanding 628 snippets (abbreviations). Of these, 15 were inline searches, and 65 were snippets with fill-ins.

    Ajay's TextExpander Year in Review 2024
    Ajay's TextExpander Year in Review 2024

    TextExpander is a paid tool, and you can see it’s pricing here.

    *Radial tunnel syndrome (RTS) is a condition that causes pain and weakness in the forearm and wrist, and can make it difficult to grip and lift objects.

    **Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed.

  • Be Productive, Be Healthy, While Working Remotely

    Be Productive, Be Healthy, While Working Remotely

    A talk by Ajay and Suyogya during WordCamp Udaipur, 2019

    What is the WHO definition of health?

    Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The bibliographic citation for this definition is: “Preamble to the Constitution of WHO as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19 June–22 July 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of WHO, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. The definition has not been amended since 1948.”

    Source: WHO website

    A talk by Ajay and Suyogya during WordCamp Udaipur, 2019

    Remote jobs are becoming popular yet remain one of the most unexplored domains. Working remotely has its own merits and demerits that deserve an open dialogue. Some consider working remotely to be an easy task, while some think of it as a fun holiday. The minority of us who see it for what it is, a taxing job with the benefit of avoiding rush hour traffic, at times, fail to use the right tools to make the work fun and a learning experience.

    With the increase in the remote workforce, productivity and health are two major concerns we should be aware of. We need to learn the tricks of the trade to make the best use of working from home, especially in the Indian landscape. Working from home is a fairly new concept that will take time to emerge as a serious work option. Discussing these issues openly amongst family, friends, and colleagues can help us increase our productivity exponentially.

    Suyogya shared some of the tools he uses daily as a Happiness Engineer with Automattic Inc. and some productivity tips for a remote worker.

    Ajay presented his views culminating in physical, mental, and emotional health while working remotely. He also addressed how we often overlook our health, try to meet goals, and decrease productivity.

    Location: The Artist House, Near Ashoka Cinema (Max Store), Surajpole, Udaipur

    Date: 23 November 2019