Web Application: RPM?

If you’ve read my blog you’ve probably noticed I’m big into goal setting and achievement. I’ve tried many time/life management software programs and none have really worked for me. Probably the best piece of software for the desktop is Plan Plus by Franklin Covey. I was going to write about turning the Covey software into a Web application, even through his time management system doesn’t work well for me. But after some research I found that there was, in fact, a version created for the Web. In lieu of talking about Plan Plus, I am instead going to discuss the Rapid Planning Method (RPM) from the Anthony Robbins Companies. 

Anthony Robbins (Yes, the big guy with the teeth from the infomercials) has probably created the best time/life management system on the planet. Although, the introduction to his system is much more complex than Coveys, but is well worth the effort to learn. Recorded on 16 CD’s (in the audio program Time of Your Life), Anthony Robbins guides you step by step through his RPM system. To provide a tool for users, he originally created a paper planner to go with it. Later, he also put out at least two versions of a software program that most users, including this blogger, found useless. Users couldn’t believe that such a powerful system of life management wouldn’t translate into a powerful software program to assist the user in the management of their life. 

Currently, the software has been discontinued, though if you still use paper planners they’re still available from the company website. Talk on the company message board seems to indicate that software for both desktop and mobile apps are in production, but most RPM users are not holding their breath.

This brings us to the idea of turning the RPM desktop planner into a Web application. A Web application could be a remedy to any memory or size constraints that would also provide a steady stream of income for the company, since a Web site like this would be subscription based. 

With a Website like this, the user could plan their whole life in one location and access it from anywhere (as long as they had an Internet connection). Also, just like the software program was supposed to do, the user would be able to plan out their year and then move the goal and action item(s) to the correct month, week, and day, that the user scheduled for it to be worked on (saving a ton of retyping), something the software program was never able to accomplish. Additionally, on the daily plan, especially if JavaScript were utilized, the user would be able to take a goal for the day with its action items under it and move the entire block, depending on what order they wanted to accomplish their goals, without the need to rewrite. 

jQuery

JavaScript and HTML can get very complicated, especially to beginners who are trying to create Webpages. Enter jQuery. As it says on jquery.com, “jQuery is a fast and concise JavaScript Library that simplifies HTML document traversing, event handling, animating, and Ajax interactions for rapid web development. jQuery is designed to change the way that you write JavaScript.” And it does!

jQuery made it very easy for me to create a paragraph that I or visitors can drag anywhere we want in the blog. My paragraph is set up so that once you navigate away from the page or reload, the paragraph goes back to its original location. There is so much you can do with jQuery that you’ll need to set aside some time to really get used to the coding, but once you do, you’ll find that it’s a very powerful tool.

Luckily for me, this is an intro class and I was able to have a teacher show me step by step how to create a basic draggable paragraph. Since I understand the process now, (and I already have the coding added to the default HTML) I should have no problem at least adding that basic feature to my blog when it’s appropriate. You can check out my draggable paragraph here.

Draggable Elements

this paragraph is draggable

This one is not

Launch Party

I wanted to let everyone know that I made a story sale. My short story "The Language of Ice" is included in the  Extinct Doesn't Mean Forever anthology, put out by Dare to Dream Press.

Everyone is welcome to go to the Launch Party  (this will be held at the editors blog) where you'll have a chance to win a copy of the anthology and possibly other prizes. Stop on by between the hours of 8a.m. EST March 23rd 2011 to 8.am. EST March 24th 2011. Launch Party

Introduction to JavaScript

This week we worked with JavaScript for the first time. This was also my first time working with JavaScript. JavaScript allows for interactive functionality, something that can’t be done with HTML coding. As you can probably tell from my interactive Website idea post, JavaScript works very well with math calculation Websites. This year I’ve used sites like this a lot for my Introduction to Statistics class. JavaScript also works well for time stamping, where time and date need to change depending on, well, the current time date when the site has been accessed.

Learning HTML or JavaScript is like learning another language, because it is—it’s a computer language. I’ve found that the lessons in this class are made more efficient by the use of videos that have been created by the professor (I wish other classes like Statistics would follow suit). We’re able to follow along and learn by example. This makes learning the basics of these languages much easier. Once we’re complete, we have a template that we can examine and learn from. It gives us a great framework and foundation.

We also mixed HTML and JavaScript, working with the strengths of each language. I particularly liked being able to create a pop-up button that could display a welcome message and the name of the website visitor.

Check out my Javascript page here.

Interactive Website Idea

This week one of our assignments is to come up with an interactive website idea that we haven't seen on the internet. Here it is: 


I’ve been taking statistics this year and have used some interactive Web pages to make some calculations. The problem is, everything I use is spread out over many different websites. I would love to see an interactive Web page or complete website that included all calculations for statistics in an easy and accessible format. 

Ideally, a site like this would include statistical calculators that would be easier to use than the physical calculators currently available. Needing to learn statistics while also learning how to use one of these complicated calculators is a little much—especially when the class is accelerated. I’m also utilizing a program called CrunchIT, but even that program doesn’t provide everything I need. A Web site like this could be set up so that a student could go step by step through a calculation, making it easier to learn. The student could enter in the numbers they have available and the Web site would not only do the calculation but show and explained why the program came to that conclusion. 

Another concept would be to have pages set up so that the student could go through a complete calculations or an abridged version more in line for passing a statistics for social scientist class. 

After completing the homework for this class this week, it appears that JavaScript would be the ideal programming language to set up this type of page. 

Creating Goal Lists

Every year starting in December and culminating on New Years Eve, I set my goals for the coming year. Then I keep track of everything I’m accomplishing so that at the end of the year I can see all the progress I’ve made.  It’s amazing how much you can accomplish during a year, but if you don’t keep track of it you won’t feel a “sense of accomplishment.”

If you want to do the same thing, the first thing you need to do is write down all the categories in your life.  In my professional life that’s stuff like: freelance writer, martial arts instructor, and Amazon seller. In my personal life I list things like: Family life, health, financial, spiritual/emotional, etc.

Then write down a mission or vision statement that declares what you want in your life and how you want to live.

Next, create at least a list of goals for each area of life that you’d like to work on for the upcoming year. Then write down what you’re going to do this month, this week, and this day to accomplish them.  Basically, you want to know your endgame (the goal you want to accomplish) and then take steps everyday toward its accomplishment. 

If you’re interested in looking at a sample, you can find a link to my completed goal list for 2010 here. 

Forms and JotForm

This week in Exploring the Internet we had to go to www.jotform.com and create a feedback form. Jotforms was very easy to use. Basically, all you have to do is drop and drag the elements you want and then type in the information you want to display.  The great thing about this application is you don’t need to know HTML coding to use this service. When you’re done you can grab the coding and paste it on your page.  The basic services are free but you can also pay to upgrade to a professional or premium service.

Then we worked on creating a from from scratch. To do that we used HTML tags. Once you know which HTML tags to use, it’s fairly easy. The only problem comes when you want to enter a long string of data. If you want a drop down menu with all the months, the days of the week, and years, you have to do each by hand, one at a time.  This can get very tedious, especially when entering the years. This is when a drag and drop service like Jotform comes in handy.

We had to use the forms on our collogues Web pages to give them some feedback. I've had a few forms in my email box. Most seem to like my website. I was told it was clean and organized. The only constructive criticism was to change the font on my h2 titles to more define the letters. Thanks all!

Web App idea...

For this week we were supposed to create an idea for a Web application. Here's a Web app I’d like to see:

I would love to see a complete plot to print writer’s web application. There are a lot of great software solutions for writers but all of them have drawbacks and you end up needing a lot of programs to do everything.

First you need a word processor of some type. Word, Open Office, and Google Docs all do this very well. Next it can be helpful to have a place to put all your research. Evernote, Scrivener, and others are good for this. Then being able to look at your work in outline form (especially a novel) and move things around is done very well by Scrivener and well, at least to some extent, by others. Searching market listings can be accomplished by going to Duotrope and other engines. Then using Excel, Duotrope, or others you can track submissions. You get the picture.

What if a complete writing solution were created. You’d be able to do all this in the cloud without having to switch back and forth from application to application. And there would be no compatibility issues.

You’d be able to research your story and keep links, photos, or anything else that would help you later in your writing. Imagine then writing in Doc or RTF format while also having the flexibility of moving around scenes with ease.  After you edit and format your work (with help provided if needed) you’d be able to research markets, automatically update your formatting per guidelines from the publisher, and then submit directly from the application. For a small fee, the company would actually mail out hardcopies of stories, manuscripts, or samples if needed.  And if you were more interested in indie self-publishing, you could do all the work of preparing your book right in the application. This would be my idea of a fantastic web solution. 

UJAM

If you’ve ever wanted to use Apple’s Garage Band but didn’t have a Mac, you can get much of the same functionality from UJAM. Actually, I think you can get more functionality from UJAM. UJAM allows you to either record live instruments and mix them or, even if you have no musical skill, create music either by what they call       rejamming (where you use prerecorded tracks) or by singing the tune that’s in your head and allowing UJAM to turn it into a full string orchestra or rock band.  This last feature is pretty amazing.

Along with writing stories and novels, I’ve written many song lyrics, but I don’t have the chops to play my own music. I used to play drums in a band in the 80’s but what I really need is someone to play guitar and bass. With UJAM I can sing the song, have UJAM turn it into a backing track, and fix my notes and vocals. I almost wish I didn’t find this web app because I’m going to spend a lot of time using it, time that could be spent more productively. But it will be fun!

You can sign in using your facebook account and be up and running in just a few minutes. Then you can share your music with your facebook friends. I won’t be sharing my test vocals but if I’m able to make something that sounds semi-decent you can bet I’ll be posting it on facebook.

After going through all the tutorials, I found that UJAM is in a Beta stage (they’re calling it Alpha). For now you can use the program for free. They’re hoping for feedback and waiting for Adobe to fix some things in Flash. Once that happens, and they’re ready to go live,  you’ll still be able to use basic functions for free, but if you want premium functionality you’ll have to pay for a subscription.

If you have music in your head, and want to let it out, I can think of no better way to do it (aside from having real music ability) than by using UJAM.

Try out UJAM here