Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.10, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Reduce keystrokes some useful productivity stuff ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://reducekeystrokes.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Blog](https://reducekeystrokes.com/blog/) - [My Productivity System](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2024/09/17/my-productivity-system/) - Inspired by David Pierce's 3 part productivity podcast series for the Vergecast here is my current productivity system. Category Tool Use Status Remarks Home Obsidian Notes Adopted In 2024, after being an Evernote user since the beginning and a long-term markdown user, I finally switched to Obsidian using Yarle. I use FolderSync to allow sync - [How to use Gerrit to store changes before releasing for review](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2024/08/30/how-to-use-gerrit-to-store-changes-before-releasing-for-review/) - Before Gerrit 2.15 drafts of reviews were allowed to be checked in. There are many reasons to want to do this, including: implementing only part of a change, but want to push your change to the server to run tests before requesting reviewer feedback getting some of your team to review the change before the - [Using quotes & symbols in Markdown to HTML conversion](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2019/02/15/using-quotes-symbols-in-markdown/) - I regularly use "quotes" in my markdown .md files as well as the occasional currency symbol, e,g, €. I use Pandoc, a universal document converter, to convert my files to html. Command line solution I started with a PowerShell solution in Explorer, the same can be done using cmd. Shift+right-click on a folder in the - [Switching Android Phones](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2017/12/15/switching-android-phones/) - This month I switched from a OnePlus X to a Moto G5S Plus. More and more apps have a backup and restore options via the cloud that really helps in transitioning. You can use List My Apps to get an HTML copy of the apps on your old phone for reference after doing your backups. - [Why should I use Markdown?](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2019/01/08/why-should-i-use-markdown/) - Markdown discovery In August 2018 a work colleague sent me some notes in the form of a .md file and corresponding PDF. I looked up fileinfo and learnt that this was Markdown. As a long time note taker in ASCII file the idea of formatting text simply so it could be later converted to HTML - [Sometimes old school is better than new school](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2018/12/07/sometimes-old-school-is-better-than-new-school/) - So at the train\bus station, one can no longer get a parking ticket from a machine. If your phone is set up with the App it can be convenient but if not it can be definitely a case of saying to yourself well old school was better. It's like having the tape desk to record - [Is there life after a smartphone?](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2018/08/24/is-there-life-after-a-smartphone/) - Four weeks ago, in July 2018, my smartphone was fatally water damaged when placed inside a supposedly waterproof drybag. Not having an available budget to replace I decided to see if I could survive without one. I've been a big Android user for many years. I used a lot of Apps, so it will be - [How to get Eclipse Oxygen working with Java 7](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2018/06/11/how-to-get-eclipse-oxygen-working-with-java-7/) - To use Eclipse (4.7 Oxygen, 28 June 2017) you will need to have Java 8 installed, JAVA_HOME pointed to its main folder (e.g. C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_45) and the PATH environment variable pointed to its bin sub folder (e.g. C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_45\bin). Your path may also contain "C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath", you may need to remove this \ delete the java - [Windows 7 & iPhone carbon footprint](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2009/10/22/windows-7-iphone-carbon-footprint/) - With Windows 7 out this week and people buying new computers in order to get it, it brings into focus the carbon footprint, as reported by the guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2009/oct/21/microsoft-windows-7-greenwash) Eric Williams of the United Nations University calculated five years ago, that most of the carbon footprint for a typical desktop computer comes not from running - [WHS Purchase](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/02/16/whs/) - After a lot of searching I settled on a home server - TranquilPC Harmony T7. It comes with 64 bit ready Dual Core Intel Atom D510 (2 x 1.66GHz) which does not require a fan and in Satin Black it looks smart. It comes pre-installed with Windows Home Server (WHS) PP1, 2 and 3 AVA - [Where do domain names come from?](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2018/03/01/where-do-domain-names-come-from/) - Why do some people collect domain names? Why did I collect domain names? Richard Roger in his weekly newspaper series tracking his latest startups details some of the techniques behind name selection, such as "pick two ordinary words, and stick them together". I've typical been inspired by somewhere I've been or something someone has said. - [How to record a radio snippet as a MP3](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2018/02/23/how-to-record-a-radio-snippet-as-a-mp3/) - In the 80s recording, something from the radio was so easy, you just lined up a cassette tape on your portable stereo. If the time did not suit you asked a family member to press record at a given time. These days, it should be easier than it is. Problem Outline So, you just heard - [Moving from Any.do to Trello](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2017/10/26/moving-from-any-do-to-trello/) - I have been using Any.do for some years now and written about it before. However, Any.do does not deal with my main use case well. I tend to build up long lists of ToDos and want an efficient way of managing them. Any.do does not have functionality for managing large lists on Android. Some missing features that would vastly improve - [Working with Jira 4.2 (f.k.a. GreenHopper)](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2011/09/30/jira-4-2/) - I'm working with Jira 4.2 and trying to make it work as a virtual scrum board. Date Issue 30 Sep 11 Q I have been trying to figure out how to further filter the Taskboard, say by multiple issue types and not showing bugs. I had thought a solution would be for Atlassian to - [ToDo Lists](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2011/03/13/todo-lists/) - Updated 12 October 2016 I am a list maker and have made them all my life going back to school days. In recent years I have tried to embrace the GTD (Getting Things Done) organisational method, whose basic philosophy is to make it easy to store, track and retrieve all information related to the things - [OnePlus X initial setup](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2015/12/04/oneplus-x-initial-setup/) - I needed to get a new work phone after both the battery and volume control cover of my Sony Xperia L broke. The main issue I had with that phone was the space for apps, I just ran out and was not able to have all the ones I wanted loaded. My requirements were an - [Upgrading squeezebox server on whs & Visual C++ dependency](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2011/11/27/upgrading-squeezebox-server-on-whs-visual-c-dependency/) - I was upgrading my squeezebox server 7.6 on my windows home server via the whs console | Settings | Add-ins. To install v7.7 first I had to uninstall 7.6, no problem. When I tried to install v7.7, which has been renamed Logitech Server, it said it needed the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable Package - [Investigating automating Android backup](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2014/10/20/investigating-automating-android-backup/) - I had to send my phone in for repair again, so once again I was looking at backing it up over the weekend. I have the HTC Sync\Backup app installed but it does not seem to offer that much in terms of app backup. I looked at Titanium Backup as previously mentioned but baulked due - [JQL & Subqueries](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2014/11/06/jql-subqueries/) - Atlassian have not added subQuery support to the Jira query language (JQL) but you can do it via saved filters. When you save a filter you will notice it has a filterid in the url and you give it a name. You can't reference the filterid in JQL without plugins but out of the box - [Backing up & restoring when moving between Android phones](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2014/08/29/backing-up-restoring-when-moving-between-android-phones/) - This year I have upgraded from a Samsung S3 to a HTC One (M7) and also had a HTC One replacement due to a bluetooth problem. In both those cases I managed the backup process myself. Having gone though this experience I think next time I will invest in the likes of Titanium Backup. All - [Coding: path to enlightenment](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2014/07/04/coding-path-to-enlightenment/) - I used to code full-time for a living - these days I am a ScrumMaster. I wrote this post in an email to a friend on 16 November 2006 and always meant to blog it! At the time I had been coding in Delphi for years and was just getting into Java via an Applet.I'm - [Food Diary App](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2014/06/25/food-diary-app/) - I am planning on visiting a nutritionist and want to keep a food diary in advance to get my money's worth from the visit. I decided the handiest way of keeping one is using my android phone.I did a search and found a lifehacker post about the Five Best Food and Nutrition Tracking Tools. Lifehacker - [Tweaking my personal technology stack](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2013/11/22/tweaking-my-personal-technology-stack/) - Like lots of people I am interested in technology and love finding out about new ways to hack my current technology stack. This stack is tweaked constantly, I was just thinking I'd find it interesting to look at last week and see how my stack got updated. Orange SqueezeI have some Squeezebox kit as part - [Git Tip: unstaging](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/23/git-tip-unstaging/) - Q In Git you have your working tree and your repository but the necessary in-between state is the staging area. Files get staged by doing a git add. What's the opposite of a git add, i.e. how can I "unstage" a file? A Updated 25 August 2011. Embarrassingly, I just saw the comments now over - [IDEA GWT Sample Application & SmartGWT](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2009/02/03/idea-gwt-sample-application-smartgwt/) - Assumes: Have IDEA v8 & GWT installedv8 of IDEA comes with a GWT Plugin. To check you installed the plugin have a look on the Web/Java EE Technologies Plugins page of the Plugin wizard (File|Configure plugins)Run the new project wizard and select to create a new project from scratch, 'GWT' The last page of the - [Martin Fowler on the meaning of life](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2009/08/26/martin-fowler-on-the-meaning-of-life/) - [Playing BBC streams in Winamp (Windows)](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2009/06/04/playing-bbc-streams-in-winamp-windows/) - This post updated 23 March 2010Install WinampInstall Tara plugin. Ensure "Process audio though Winamp" is unchecked in Preferences | Plug-ins | Input | Tara Audio Video Plugin. [Test: Is this still needed?]Install Real AlternativeIf your primary sound driver changes, e.g. you plug your laptop into and external sound card, I have found that you may - [Regular expression & new lines](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2009/08/25/regular-expression-new-lines/) - Windows line breaks are LF (\r) followed by a CR (\n), so to match a line break in windows use the regular expression \r\n. If you have a line break, $ will match before the line break, and ^ after it.You can match a CR (\r) not followed by LF (\n) with \r(?!\n).UNIX uses an - [Eclipse tip - import xml code formatting rules](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/02/eclipse-tip-import-xml-code-formatting-rules/) - QI got sent eclipse code formatting rules by xml. How can I use this?AIn Eclipse (Galileo 3.5.1) open Windows | Preferences | Java | Code Style | Formatter & do an import selecting the xml file - [Git tip: windows home directory](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/03/git-tip-windows-home-directory/) - QWorking with Git on Windows and wanting to connect to Github, one needs to install msysgit. The github help for Generating SSH keys, says thar one needs to copy the keys to ~/.ssh. What do I do in windows?AThis look like notation relevant to Unix but I learned from this iwebthereforeiam post that the slash - [Eclipse tip: creating getters and setters](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/04/eclipse-tip-creating-getters-and-setters/) - QI have to create a standard Java bean class but don't fancy having to type all those nasty getters and setters. Is there any code generator I can use?AEnter all the private properties in the class and then right click and select Source | Generate Getters and Setters... - [Git tip: checkout from github via cygwin](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/05/git-tip-checkout-from-github-via-cygwin/) - QIn trying to checkout a repository from github using cygwin (unix like command line interface for windows), according to the github help is do a ssh git@github.com. However, I got a "Permission denied (publickey)".AThe missing ingredient for me was that cygwin uses the HOME environment variable and this was not set on my machine. I - [Eclipse Tip: Loading Maven repository](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/06/eclipse-tip-loading-maven-repository/) - QI cloned a Maven repository from github, How do I open this in Eclipse?AIssue a mvn eclipse:eclipse command in the cloned project root (where the pom.xml resides), which creates the default eclipses directories/files. This project can then be opened in Eclipse. Note, as the .pom file changes (by other developers) you may need to regenerate - [Eclipse tip: editing class header](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/08/eclipse-tip-editing-class-header/) - QHow can I change the class header in Eclipse to add a company copyright blurb?AThe menu option Window | Preferences | Java | Code Style | Code Templates | Code | New java file shows:${filecomment}${package_declaration}${typecomment}${type_declaration}The text that gets substituted for ${filecomment} can be edited via Window | Preferences | Java | Code Style | Code - [Eclipse tip: switch/change tab](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/24/eclipse-tip-switchchange-tab/) - QI have looked at a lot of the Eclipse keyboard shortcut cheat sheet lists but I can't find a shortcut to change tab in the editor?AUse ctrl+e to pop up a list of the open tabs which you can scroll though to change focus. Alternatively, you can use ctrl+page-up / ctrl+page-down to navigate to the - [Using Beeminder for motivation to get things done](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2012/07/27/beeminder/) - I know I often struggle with todo lists and being able to see the wood from the trees in order to get a specific project done, as opposed to lots of little bits of stuff. Recently I read about Beeminder in the Irish Times and I have been giving it a spin. You setup a - [Eclipse tip: use external merge tool (winmerge)](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/12/10/eclipse-tip-use-external-merge-tool-winmerge/) - QI have looked at a lot of the Eclipse keyboard shortcut cheat sheet lists but I can't find a shortcut to change tab in the editor?AUse ctrl+e to pop up a list of the open tabs which you can scroll though to change focus. Alternatively, you can use ctrl+page-up / ctrl+page-down to navigate to the - [Cygwin tip: copying text](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/22/cygwin-tip-copying-text/) - QHow can I copy text in a cygwin window?AIn the system menu, select properties and then Options | Edit Options | QuickEdit mode. You can then highlight text in the window and press enter to copy it to the clipboard. - [Eclipse tip: code completion shortcut](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/21/eclipse-tip-code-completion-shortcut/) - QIn Eclipse, ctrl+spacebar is not bringing up code completion?ACheck for any shortcut collisions. On my machine I discovered that Dexpot's task switcher default shortcut is the same, it can be changed in configuration. I use Dexpot for Virtual Desktopping and it is a vital component of my toolkit. - [Git tip: add to comments](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/03/30/git-tip-add-to-comments/) - QI have done a git commit but want to append to the comments I have added.AIn the root of your repository directory you will find a .git folder. In there there is a file "COMMIT_EDITMSG" which contains the comments for the current commit. To bring up the default editor (VIM, unless you have your custom - [Groovy tip: initialise ArrayList](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2010/06/24/groovy-tip-initialise-arraylist/) - QI have an ArrayList of known length, each element containing a comma separated string, some list members may be empty, the list starts empty and is built up. But the list elements start null, is there a way to initialise them?Adef myArrayList = (0..99).collect { '' } - [Syncing with WHS](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2011/09/24/syncing-with-whs/) - I wanted to sync some directories on my machine to a shared folder on my server which runs Window Home Server. I used my backup s/w of choice, Cobian backup. A large percentage of files did not copy with errors like "The specified network name is no longer available" / "The network path was not - [JIRA](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2011/10/08/jira/) - I'm using JIRA with GreenHopper and make extensive use of the dashboard. Date Issue 08 Oct 11 Q I would like to be able to share a search with one particular user and not a whole group, it turns out that this has been a feature request since 2004 :-( 04 Oct11 Q One can - [Winmerge & StarTeam](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2007/05/01/winmerge-starteam/) - I’ve found WinMerge to be a lot better comparison tool than StarTeam’s inbuilt one, it can easily be integrated to StarTeam. - [Desired Thunderbird functionality](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2012/10/12/desired-thunderbird-functionality/) - These are functionality I would like to have and have not found in any version to date or extension. Date Issue Aug 11 After a search the folders included in the search results are listed on the left. But it's not possible to find where a particular folder is in a hierarchy. Feb 10 Write - [WordPress full installation](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2011/03/12/wordpress-full-installation/) - Date Issue 03 Oct 11 Q The way I organise my blog I update posts regularly wand want the post recently edited to rise to the top. A Select Automatic as blog publish date in the Post Options under post editor - this will force the post to be published as on current date. 03 - [Desired Firefox functionality](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2008/08/27/desired-firefox-functionality/) - These are features I would like to have and have not found in any version or extension to date. Outstanding Date Issue Sep 08 When I open a source code file (java or otherwise) in my code repository online (like cvsdude) I would like the code to be syntax coloured. Jun 06 In the bookmarks - [Tracking my progress as I use blogger.com](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2011/10/03/tracking-my-progress-as-i-use-blogger-com/) - Date Issue 03 Oct 11 Q The way I organise my blog I update posts regularly wand want the post recently edited to rise to the top. A Select Automatic as blog publish date in the Post Options under post editor - this will force the post to be published as on current date. 03 - [Add mp3 to an .avi file to post on YouTube](https://reducekeystrokes.com/2009/07/17/add-mp3-to-an-avi-file-to-post-on-youtube/) - Download avidemux, run avidemux & open .avi file In avidemux select Audio | Main Track... & select External mp3 as the video source Select the (output) format on the main screen and save file giving it the correct extension I could not get the shift to work to start the mp3 from a certain spot ## Pages - [Software](https://reducekeystrokes.com/software/) - Freeware currently used (2018) A lot of people are using apps now, be it on your phone or the web. The phone apps I use can be found on the Android tab, here are some WebApps. WebApp Software Comments Trello I have blogged about how I have moved to Trello for ToDo lists and use - [Bookmarklets](https://reducekeystrokes.com/bookmarklets/) - Bookmarklets are basically little pieces of javascript, stored as a bookmarked URL that can be used on a page. Drag the link in the left column to your bookmarks toolbar (Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+B to toogle toolbar; Firefox: View | Toolbar | Bookmarks Toolbar) to add to your toolbar for quick access. I keep them under a - [Shortcuts](https://reducekeystrokes.com/shortcuts/) - What Keyboard shortcuts My Machine Find the shortcut to put your machine to sleep My home (Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro) Fn+F4 (not working!) My work (HP EliteBook 850 G5) Fn+F3 (does not work for this model!) Alternative in Windows 10 to put to sleep is WinKey + x + u + s Yoga: Mutes/unmutes the - [Android](https://reducekeystrokes.com/android/) - My current installed android apps Exported 4 Nov 2019 A HIIT Interval Timer Add Quick Event * Adverts.ie Aladdin Amaze Amazon Shopping Apcoa Connect Ireland App Manager Audible BorrowBox Library Calculator CamScanner * Caping carddecks Clipper+ * Clozemaster Connect Dark Sky Decibel X Deezer Dictionary * DoneDeal Doodle Drive Duo Endomondo Evernote ezPDF Reader * - [WebApps](https://reducekeystrokes.com/webapps/) - Here are some web apps I find really handy: Productivity Print Friendly - strips away all the unnecessary stuff that will cost you valuable toner. Browser extensions available. Alternativeto.net - A great site that gives you options for software you are considering changing is.gd - Compress that URL address Shorten any amazon url by finding - [DQSD](https://reducekeystrokes.com/dqsd/) - What's new DQSD was my most used productivity tool up until circa 2010. Even back then people seemed to use goggle rather than bookmarks but for any websites you search frequently / login too, but dqsd is a must in my book. Back then if I used a computer without it my productivity decreased, simple - [Email](https://reducekeystrokes.com/email/) - Using mail rules and tags I always hear people say stuff like I was only gone for 4 days and I came back to 300 emails in my inbox. There is not an inbox which would not benefit from using message filtering/tagging. Some people have said they do not sort mail into folders any more - [Chrome](https://reducekeystrokes.com/chrome/) - Chrome is a brilliant browser. For a time I found it faster that Firefox but now I use both a lot, Firefox seems to take less resources with multiple tabs open so I use it on my older home machine. Generated: Mon, 17 Dec 2017 Exentions EnabledApplication Launcher for Drive (by Google)CardCounter for TrelloCopy FixerCopy - [Old Utilities](https://reducekeystrokes.com/old-utilities/) - Here are a couple of old utilities I put together in the naughties. Esounder Do you like to assign a cool sound to your email notification but then don't want this booming across your speakers when you are playing music. ESounder allows you to set a default email arrival sound which you can toggle onand - [Mozilla](https://reducekeystrokes.com/mozilla/) - What's new Firefox extensions Thunderbird extensions Firefox & Thunderbird extensions Desired Firefox functionality Desired Thunderbird functionality If you are still surfing with IE it's like riding a bike with your hands tied behind your back. Firefox will change the way you surf. A handy feature is clicking Ctrl+Enter when you have typed something in the address bar and it - [Sitemap](https://reducekeystrokes.com/sitemap/) ## Categories - [Video](https://reducekeystrokes.com/category/video/) - [ToDo](https://reducekeystrokes.com/category/todo/) - [Productivity](https://reducekeystrokes.com/category/productivity/) - [Polishing Box](https://reducekeystrokes.com/category/polishing-box/) - [Code Inquisitor](https://reducekeystrokes.com/category/code-inquisitor/) - [General](https://reducekeystrokes.com/category/general/) ## Tags - [thunderbird](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/thunderbird/) - [firefox](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/firefox/) - [Wordpress](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/wordpress/) - [starteam](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/starteam/) - [winmerge](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/winmerge/) - [JIRA](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/jira/) - [whs](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/whs/) - [git](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/git/) - [eclipse](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/eclipse/) - [cygwin](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/cygwin/) - [maven](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/maven/) - [regex](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/regex/) - [winamp](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/winamp/) - [GWT](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/gwt/) - [IDEA](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/idea/) - [C++](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/c/) - [robycopy](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/robycopy/) - [bbc](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/bbc/) - [android](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/android-2/) - [coding](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/coding/) - [jql](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/jql/) - [java](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/java/) - [groovy](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/groovy/) - [blogger](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/blogger/) - [squeezebox](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/squeezebox/) - [beeminder](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/beeminder/) - [pocket](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/pocket/) - [oneplusx](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/oneplusx/) - [swipe](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/swipe/) - [swiftkey](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/swiftkey/) - [any.do](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/any-do/) - [trello](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/trello/) - [moto](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/moto/) - [tasker](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/tasker/) - [howto](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/howto/) - [domains](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/domains/) - [waterdamage](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/waterdamage/) - [smartphone](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/smartphone/) - [Markdown](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/markdown/) - [pandoc](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/pandoc/) - [editpad](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/editpad/) - [productivity](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/productivity/) - [Gerrit](https://reducekeystrokes.com/tag/gerrit/)