How many of you here have been using project management software yourself?  Don’t you think that project management software has become essential for our daily routine so that our entire team can be better aligned in terms of our time coordination with one another?  Basically, a project management software allows us to monitor the tasks that we have completed and hence we can monitor our progress of the multiple projects that we are working on.  Not only is it useful to work as a team, it is also possible to use it as an individual.

Before I continue with my review, let me just put in a basic introduction found in AceProject website:

AceProject is a project management tool that helps organizations get organized using a collaborative approach. Each project can be configured with its own structure, allowing you to manage different types of projects in accordance with your needs. Furthermore, project templates can be defined and reused when creating new projects.

Professionals from various industries have substantially improved their projects efficiency since they chose AceProject. Architects, IT specialists, contractors, software developers and engineers are among our customers.

Now, let’s get started.

I went ahead and signed up a free account with AceProject.  (In fact, I believe the free account might be useful for most of you to get started.  It’s until you are becoming a more powerful user, you will then look into getting the paid version.  But please take note that the free accounts will be deleted automatically after 30 days of inactivity.) 

My first impression

I logged into my personalised account located at http://charleslau.aceproject.com, and see some sample data being entered within already.  As I browsed around the site, I can see how practical AceProject can be when working on a project.  It allows me to manage a lot of aspects related to project management like project cost, expenses, timesheet, task management, documents and more.

AceProject is fast, and it doesn’t feel slow like most of the Web 2.0 products out there which can even be buggy after a few clicks.  You can even customize the look and feel, put your logo and change colors to fit your brand.

Easy access on your mobile device

It is important that a project management software is also accessible on my mobile device.  Most of my time, I am outside of my house.  I need the software which allows me to access on the road.  And it turned out that AceProject has worked out the mobile version.  According to AceProject, the mobile version of AceProject is a new implementation, and it is compatible with all mobile devices and also all desktop browsers like IE, Safari, Chrome and Firefox.

Since I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab, I tried accessing the mobile version at http://charleslau.aceproject.com/m/.  You can see how it looks like in the screenshot above.  It looks really neat and clear for all the tasks.  This will be useful for me to manage my web projects with my team as they are all located around the world.

Other features of AceProject

AceProject empowers you to structure projects with the following parameters:

• User Assignment: Several users can be assigned to a project, with specific access rights in each project.
• Task Groups and Types: A project can be divided in phases or modules, for easier management. Task groups or types are useful to categorize tasks, in accordance with your needs.
• Task Statuses: Tasks within a project are likely to go through many statuses, from the beginning until completion. Task statuses can be created in accordance with your needs, using “Waiting”, “In Progress” and “Completed” types.
• Task Priorities: The level of urgency of each task might influence the project’s completion. Task priorities are useful to identify which tasks should be prioritized. A task priority can be “Low”, “Normal”, “Urgent”, etc.
• Project Costs: A financial budget as well as the number of hours required can be defined for each project.
• Marked Projects: Marking a project lets you identify projects that require more attention than others (e.g. urgent, critical or overdue projects).

For more details of using AceProject, please go to PC Advisor on How to set up a project plan using AceProject.

Where else can AceProject be used?

It has become trendy that people are producing software-as-a-service (also known as SaaS) on the Internet.  Same goes for AceProject.  But AceProject went one step ahead by allowing the users to buy the software and host AceProject software themselves in their own intranet.  Here’s the link to find out more about the two AceProject packages.

Depending on your personal needs, I would personally recommend to use SaaS to save all the hassle.  But if you really need the software in your intranet, you will need to set up all the server settings and everything else yourself.  Some may really need to go to that extreme, I think it is better for you to focus on your business while leaving the rest to the experts.

Conclusion

I have used a couple of project management software myself.  I have installed the free ones on my server to use before.  There are a couple of tweakings that need attention on, and they are really taking my time before I can get down into business.  On the other hand, I am embracing the software-as-a-service way of using the software simply because I don’t have to download the software and host it myself.  Everything is ready once I have signed up an account!  And this is a decent business for AceProject since I don’t have to worry about why certain things are not working (if there is), so that I can focus on my business.  I just need to write in to AceProject and they will do the rest.   It is not possible for a hosting company to provide similar support to you if you are hosting the software yourself.  Furthermore, the free version of AceProject has all the features inside and is sufficient enough for you to play for probably at least three months till you need more space for more projects and files.

 Actually, there is nothing to lose… Why not just try a free account and find out for yourself?  (AceProject main website)

Start organizing your projects by signing up for a free account with AceProject now!

I don’t know if you have faced the same problem as myself.   I just find it frustrating when I want to get certain information and it is not there for me.  And when I forgot about this piece of information, I really hope it will surface when I need such information.  You know?  Sometimes, we really don’t know what we don’t know…

In search of the best way of organizing my information and files

I tried all sorts of ways.

• I made the usual way of organizing my folders (just like what most of you do).  
• I also tried to use the PostIt notes to organize my information.  In the end, both are just getting more and more messy with my information and files.
• I tried having one Microsoft Word file, and index all my information properly.  In the end, I don’t open that file.
• I tried putting in all  my to-do list in TXT file.  In the end, it is also not opened.
• I tried to use iGoogle desktop to organize my information.  But it is just not as robust as I needed it to be.

I need a better way!

Wiki is the way to go!

I believe there are still many of you who don’t know the meaning of Wiki.  I’ll just put in a video of leelefever’s Explanations in Plain English to explain Wiki to you here.

Ok, I don’t need anybody to edit my information.  All I need is just a place for me to edit my own things.

Ok here are the things that I need for my information organization:

1. One-stop place to access my information and files.
2. Easy to use.
3. They are stored in my portable hard disk so that I can start using  it with any computer.
4. I don’t need to store them on the Internet because of security issue, and the files can be really big when I need them.
5. It allows versioning of my files and information so that I can revert to my old version whenever I need to.
6. And when I delete them, it allows me to “undelete” instantly!

The Wiki Solution

Ok here’s the exact solution I have used.

1. I installed Mowes on my portable hard disk.
2. I installed MediaWiki (The exact software used by Wikipedia).
3. I did some configurations such as configuring the file size upload, the allowable file extension, file grabbing through URL, and many others).
4. I’m done!

Next, this is what I do with it at the very initial stage:

1. I plug in my portable hard drive via the USB port.
2. I run the Mowes software.
3. I open up my Internet browser, and go to “http://localhost/wiki”
4. Immediately, I have my Wiki up and running!
5. I put in all my information that I need.
6. I upload my files and organize them in a meaningful way.

Usage

1. Now, I will update my Wiki whenever I need to.
2. I can access all my files and information more efficiently.
3. I will click the link in my wiki to open a certain Powerpoint file, and edit it.  When I am done, I will upload a new version of it.  So, I have kept different versions of my work!
4. I used Wiki to help me download certain files that I need in the background, while working.

Conclusion

Ok, I think this blog post is getting really lengthy.  I am going to stop here now.  Basically,  I have a portable Wiki in my hard disk that I can use.  In fact, I also installed WordPress in it as well just for the fun of it.

I personally find that Wiki is the best way to organize my information and all my files. 

What’s the weakness?  Definitely there is… So far as I know, Mowes is basically suitable for Windows only.  Hence, Mac and Linux users may not be able to enjoy them.  And there is also difficulty in accessing the files directly if you need to because they are in the Wiki’s own way of indexing the files.

A product from my good old friend

Ultimate Blogging Theme is built by Carl Ocab.  Carl Ocab is my good friend whom I have been reviewing all the websites in his famous 13-year-old kid blogger’s blog.  It was really fun and experiencing to review a lot of websites in his blog.  Just ask Google how many websites I have reviewed in his blog.

Before I got to know about Unique Blogging Theme

I have been looking for a good website facelift for a very long time.  I engaged a web designer to help me work on my new blogging project last year (which is going to launch this year), and had spent almost $2000 on it.  He was so good, I actually thought of asking him to design for my current blog here.

When Carl told me that he is going to launch his new blogging theme, I was so excited because he is going to use the same formula he used in his own blog and put them all inside this new product.

Introduction to Ultimate Blogging Theme

This is a blogging theme, which is suitable for anyone who is using WordPress for his blogging needs.  WordPress is a very user-friendly blogging program which has a lot of flexibility to tweak its user-interface.  It is also used as a content management system in many websites out there today!

If you take a very good look at his Ultimate Blogging Theme, it is actually the same copy that he used in his own blog!  I know that this theme contains a lot of efforts from Carl.  I remember talking to him while he is so busy working on it!  He just wants to make the best out of it.  I also realize that he has been patching the blog theme along the way, making this blogging theme more relevant to use in today’s world.

Here are some of the features of using this blog theme:

1. You can create the famous three square boxes on top and below easily.
2. You can put in the advertisements easily at the sidebar, and also at the various optimized areas.
3. You can increase your RSS subscribers with the prompt at the bottom of every post.
4. You can show related posts in your landing pages.
5. You can choose different flavors of the theme!

Best of all, it is really very easy to use.  All the things have been done for you already, what’s more do you want to create in your very first blog?

What does this Ultimate Blogging Theme mean to you as a potential buyer?

Yes I know that Carl’s blog has been optimized with the keyword “make money online”.  He is making money online, but that has nothing to do with me!  What’s amazing to me a lot is that the same blogging theme also helps me to make some more money as my click-through rates in the advertisements have increased.  This is what I care more about! haha!

I think it’s very crucial for anyone who wants to have a killer theme which can help them in their blogging career.  And if budget is your concern, Carl’s Ultimate Blogging Theme can be of great consideration.  Just compare his price of $97, versus my recent purchase of almost $2000.  For myself, having to spend that kind of money on my new project, I wouldn’t want to burn another big hole in my pocket for now in my own blog.  Yet, I cannot compromise in my own blog!  Just think about it…

So what are you waiting for?

I can’t see any risk for taking up Carl’s product.  He’s a nice guy who is offering a 100% money back guarantee for 1 year!  Simply email him to tell him why you want to refund, and he will return you every single cent that you have paid!

Find out more about Ultimate Blogging Theme for your WordPress today!

Here’s the information of tracking me on my way home from my girlfriend’s house. GPSed link

I was trying it out for fun to see how it can track and update my twitter followers. So, I started my WirelessIRC program (It is not just an IRC program, it also has twitter ability. We’ll talk about that probably next time.). And I tried to see what my GPSed program is trying to update on my twitter account. So this is one of the twitter message it has updated. I tried to tell my Twitter followers what this is first because I don’t want this GPSed program to send unwanted messages unnecessarily. Hence, I posted this message.

I realize that this program is always showing the same URL to the followers. Hence, it doesn’t really need to post every 1 minute. Probably every 5 to 10 minutes is good enough since the journey takes about half an hour. 3 to 6 updates is probably good enough to tell everybody where I am.

And by the way, a very good Sunday morning to all of you!

I noticed that whenever i type in HTML comments, it’ll disappear when i switch to preview or design. This is bad because i am trying to make use of Adsense which is using HTML comments.

What i like most about the new version of wavelog is that i can now choose my blog accordingly. I don’t have to key in the settings of my other blogs whenever i’m blogging on other domains. It allows me to add different providers to choose from.

I’m glad that i can now choose my post categories as well. Previously, i am not allowed to choose a category and that really sucks when all my postings are defaulted to a certain category.

Yes, we can now even edit our posts! Our previous posts can now be seen and edit if necessary. That gives us the necessary tools to check back and do any amendments if there’s any mistake.

Also, our post title was previously only allow us to see once. This leaves me with no choice to change previously. Now, i can change to suit the contents and to see my post title is correct.

Tagging is also another new feature which is important to us to use. It’s now in as well.

Adding of our own image, audio and video is also easy. We can even embed our YouTube video easily today.

Ok, that’s all for my initial review with Wavelog. We’ll see how this program is faring over the period again.

This is a short video review of the Web Audio Plus which I am going to give away for all people who bought me a beer.

This is to reward everybody who is giving me a chance to work for them, paying me any amount to review their sites or just to buy me a drink. I just wish to thank everyone of you for your support… Whenever I receive an alert from paypal, I will email you the detail manually of how to download the file. It’s been great blogging online! Keep doing it and see you online all the way as a full time business!

But if you wish to buy this software or other relevant web tools, it is available for sale at Web Audio Plus website (aff).

Introducing to the ability of Gmail to check the betrayer!
This betrayer has sold your email to another company! You might not be able to catch the company who spammed you… But you can catch the betrayer! How about that? It’s so much better… Of course there’s also a loophole around… Check out this site to see how Gmail finds out who spams you… Though according to that blogger, this feature has already been there for quite a while… It is worthed to mention it since there are so many websites out there now wanting your email to give you a gift or something…

Have you read his blog already? Quite a smart way of checking the email, right?
Ok let me modify what he’s saying in that blog, and add in something to make a better filter…

When you have a gmail filtering name, simply do a permanent forward your actual email to that email…

charles@charleslau.com -> charles+website@gmail.com
news@charleslau.com -> charles+news@gmail.com

So, you will know which email is used for which web subscription… And that should keep you tracking…

Well, I found another good idea about setting up a freeware website that is powered by adsense and donations, while we don’t have to maintain our regular posts! Think about it…

While I am still recovering my past programs after a Windows reinstall, I found this software particularly useful and that I would want to recommend it to everybody out there since it is free. Sometimes, it is so irritating to be unable to edit or delete some files required and we couldn’t find that particular process that’s controlling it!

Have a quick video review of my presentation of this great software!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXU1aIjbR5o[/youtube]

In this software review, we will start to see that we can have total control of how to manipulate the files that we wish to. Windows always “push” the problem to us when it comes to sharing violation… It looks as though Windows is doing a good job of its security… But it is actually making things difficult for us to stop our work, and start finding that “bugger” who is using the file! Unlocker is a smart software that detects immediately which process is using that file, and it gives us full control of how we want to deal with the process or its file.

1. We can delete, rename, move or copy this file. (Normal procedure we get to do with Windows Explorer.)
2. We can unlock that process which manipulates this file. (It means to separate the process from controlling that file.)
3. We can kill that process which manipulates this file… (It means to end/close the program or process.)

One important note I would want to mention is that when we are unlocking the process, that process is still thinking that it is manipulating the file, while we might have just deleted it away! And when the program has ended, the file is not saved and it’s gone… It is possibly stored in some temporary folder…

Just Another Idea To Increase Activity In the Blog
Now, there is yet another idea of increasing those comments on your blog.
I happened to see this post from Chris Pirillo talking about his uninterested blog plugin where they provide a way to get the readers involved in comments passively… They called it the “click comments”. A way where the readers just have to click their emotions about the blog, and the software will write the comments for them.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnqBvSb0OlI[/youtube]

About ClickComments
Warning: This is just a plugin which only adds interactivity in your blog. It doesn’t add a new comment in your blog. I was puzzled by how it is going to work actually. But if you see a clickcomments plugin which I have just installed, you are just clicking on what you do think about how I am writing. And you will also instantly see the number of people who felt the same as you. It gives me a great insight about my own blog and whether I am doing fine with what I am blogging while you are still in anonymous.

Percentage of People Commenting In A Typical Blog
It may sound so ugly to do such an automated reply but it seems like a good idea to activate that other 95% of your readers who are not commenting… In almost any blog that you see, it is stated by the plugin people that typically only 5% of the total readers in that blog give comments. I do agree with that myself too! It could be even lesser. Just imagine the most liveliest blog I know (John Chow) who claims to have 200,000 unique visitors but only up to 500 users give comments? It is possibly less than that… And almost all of his posts have repeated commentators in it. That’s even less than 5%… I wonder if John does put in that plugin, is it going to make his blog even more livelier? Or maybe he wouldn’t install because his comments are simply flooding his database already! There is no need for such a plugin at all?

No RSS Support Yet
One very bad thing I saw in the ClickComments blog’s comments is that they don’t seem to support RSS subscribers to click their comments yet… While it is impossible to give a comment in the blog already, a click to give their voice in the comments sound like a logical approach to use this plugin since they are all reading from the RSS readers. Yo, ClickComments people, are you hearing this? Maybe we can find a way to work around to support RSS…

What this plugin is useful at

• If your blog is more towards writing about something and involves replying, I would not advise you to install this plugin.
• But if your blog only needs a reply such as “Cool Stuff”, “Inspired Me”, “Entertaining”, “Write More”, “Creative”, “Insightful”, “Touched My Heart” or “Great Find” (I find Christian’s blog is very suitable since he only needs such relaxing interactivity in it, and not those critics mainly like mine.), I think such plugin is cool in that situation.
• Sometimes, you just wish to know you are right on track without the need to give their identity.

What this plugin might not be useful at

• If you have a seasoned blog with a fair amount of comments, you might not think about it anyway.
• If you have a blog which talks about news and commenting on news, you might not want to see “Touched My Heart” comment… It has successfully been converted into a spam instead…
• If you are doing some contests in your blog, you might not want an anonymous comment which is not useful.
• If you wrote an article which is involving a discussion, you might not want to see just such a comment, and would rather leave it 0 comment.

I gonna give it a try
Just like any business, when your blog is still small and growing you can still try out new things with the “privilege” of making mistakes. Sometimes, who knows something might work? What usually works for one person, might not work for another… And what usually don’t work for one person, might work for another…

Anyway, this blog is all about myself and to try new things to learn and to benefit everyone of us. You will know the results instantly by the comments in my blog.

I just wish to know from my readers if I am improving in my blog career..

Let me do a short demo of this program here.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj8lw4SmUeg[/youtube]

In the meanwhile, enjoy the unrelated videos below which I have demonstrated.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhgXjmf9krg[/youtube]

[metacafe]http://www.metacafe.com/watch/746372/how_to_pull_a_van_uphill_with_only_a_rope/[/metacafe]