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Ask HN: The best app to keep a work diary

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Re: Ask HN: The best app to keep a work diary

#34
I prefer a combination of two methods:

Can't beat a regular pen and paper for quick recording of the micro-tasks you do to answer the question of "what did I do today, what advanced, what didn't and why?"

For things that need to be referenced or searchable, a timestamped flat-file that you synchronize is the way to go, especially useful inside of your git repo

Re: Ask HN: The best app to keep a work diary

#38
I know you're asking for an app, but I just would like to suggest a good ol fashioned diary. I use this method and really like it, you can sketch up abstract models of your ideas and implementations, not to mention jott down thoughts and algorithms easily enough. I really like the feel of a pen on real paper, I feel I even remember better (I know on what part of the page I wrote something, and can remember the dates, for some reason I dont have this kind of recall when typing - probably due to all the noise and multitasking) when I write things down by hand. I use this method and like it so much Id never consider going digital.

Re: Ask HN: The best app to keep a work diary

#39

I use plain old Notepad on Windows. "F5" inserts the date and time which I then edit a bit. I wrote a program to total the hours and such. I started keeping a log years ago because sometimes it seems like I can't remember what I had for lunch. :-) It a lifesaver when your boss wants to know what you did last week. Keeping a daily log comes in handy. A former colleague needed to know the details of a project I worked…

You can also use .LOG at the start of the file and every time you open it, Notepad will insert the current date/time.
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