Ask HN: How do you manage your day to day work logs?

#1

Post by borncrusader » Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 6:05 PM UTC

As a developer with a not so stellar memory, I feel confident to keep track of what I'm working on and the stuff that were discussed in meetings on a day to day basis as they serve as a record of things that can be revisited in the future for reference.

I've tried several solutions - Evernote, simple markdown, yaml, workflowy etc. but still haven't had a proper routine as I'm not entirely satisfied with any of the tools.

What do you folks use to track your work logs (if you do that)?

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your day to day work logs?

#2

Post by andreasgonewild » Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 6:21 PM UTC

I use a dedicated diary-feed in Snackis (https://github.com/andreas-gone-wild/snackis) to store my logs since a while back. Besides privacy, the ability to selectively share posts with other Snackis-users and support for threaded replies and automagic updates is what finally convinced me to give up Emacs orgmode for my own dog food.

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your day to day work logs?

#3

Post by mattbgates » Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 6:34 PM UTC

I created an app that makes it easy for you to save notes or jot down everything necessary, even allows for HTML and CSS designs. It is called MyPost ( https://mypost.io )

And yes, it was created in part because my memory sucks badly.

After you've created your post, you can save the link and associate it with your email address so you can return back to it later on. Save a bunch of posts and you can always view them later.

While I don't have a routine for day-to-day logs, I use it often to keep track of activities, write to-do lists, even use it to take quick notes, like if I'm working with a client and I write everything down... I create a new MyPost... they can keep track of it and even comment on things that are done or have yet to be done. All URLs are custom and you "own" that URL. I even wrote a post on all the things I thought of what people could do with it.

https://mypost.io/post/what-can-i-do-with-mypost

Simple to use. Find your use!

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your day to day work logs?

#4

Post by monknomo » Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 6:40 PM UTC

I use a notebook with a pen and something roughly corresponding to the bullet journal format. Portable, power outage safe, hard to steal remotely and easy-ish to slot into the legal process if required.

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your day to day work logs?

#5

Post by steve-howard » Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 6:50 PM UTC

monknomo wrote: post #4

I use a notebook with a pen and something roughly corresponding to the bullet journal format. Portable, power outage safe, hard to steal remotely and easy-ish to slot into the legal process if required.

I'll second this. I keep a fountain pen with my notebook because fountain pens make me want to write more.

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your day to day work logs?

#6

Post by shotgungg » Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 6:52 PM UTC

I list down how I manage my work logs here. I hope this article helps you

https://hackernoon.com/an-organized-chaos-5c844f8a9c82?sourc...

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your day to day work logs?

#7

Post by callesgg » Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 6:52 PM UTC

-Google tasks (for long standing things, to remind me that i should think about it from time to time)

-A note block with ramblings on.

-Ipad pro. (I recently tried to switch away from the note block but unfortunately it does not work as well as the old note block did)

-And i have recently set up a intricate system consisting of Post-it's on a wall. (will evaluate it as i go but so far it is good)

-Complete shit as fast as i get it so that i don't have to remember. (this i the one that really get stuff done)

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your day to day work logs?

#8

Post by lkesteloot » Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 6:57 PM UTC

I use a Google Doc. I insert each entry at the top, with the date and a bulleted list of things I did (each check-in, each meeting with notes, and anything else I discovered or decided). It's also a good place to jot down who I had lunch with (and things discussed), Meetups I went to, vacation days I took, etc. I keep this in an open tab and write stuff as it happens. I name the Doc after the year, like "Work Log 2017" and switch to a new doc January 1. It's been invaluable.

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your day to day work logs?

#9

Post by danesparza » Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 7:01 PM UTC

Onenote for detailed logs on a specific issue (bug/feature/research)

TFS for tracking effort in a sprint. And I no longer take notes -- our sprint planner takes notes in individual user stories.

Todoist for task management outside of TFS (and also for personal tasks)

Re: Ask HN: How do you manage your day to day work logs?

#10

Post by jbob2000 » Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 7:03 PM UTC

Pen and paper. Digital tools still aren't flexible enough to capture the full functionality of pen and paper.