I totally missed #MyTwitterAnniversary 🎉 last week.
Zoom prioritises refresh rate over resolution for camera streams, so presentations shared over a virtual camera are not as crisp as screen sharing
Zoom chooses to prioritize speed over image quality when streaming camera footage. This means that if you use a virtual camera in a Zoom meeting, the images are often less sharp than when you share your screen. Zoom ensures that the video runs smoothly, meaning the images move faster but are less sharp. This is done so that the video does not stutter when someone is speaking.
When you share your screen, image quality is more important. This is because you often share static images or text that need to be clearly readable. Therefore, Zoom makes the images sharper, even if they move less smoothly. This difference means that virtual cameras, which Zoom sees as regular cameras, are always less sharp. As a result, presentations via a virtual camera may appear less sharp than via screen sharing.
There are ways to improve image quality if you still want to use a virtual camera. Zoom has screen sharing features that you can use to enhance quality. For example, you can use the share “Content from a a 2nd camera” option and adjust the settings by choosing “Optimize Screen Share for Video Clip”. This can help find a better balance between speed and image quality, depending on what you need and what your computer can handle. Until you have a more powerful computer, it may be wise to avoid virtual cameras and instead use Zoom’s screen sharing options.
When the latest version of Overcast came out, I decided to try to change my podcast listening workflow and use the built-in queue.
On the home screen, Overcast shows new episodes and I can long press them to add them to the queue.
Though it worked alright, it was more work than my previous workflow, so I switched back to to using my previous list.
I simply have an ‘All podcast’ playlist which collects all unplayed episodes. In this list, I have my own podcasts selected as priority podcasts, so they we’ll always be on top of the list.
Besides that’ I always listen to the episodes in the list in strict chronological order.
My personal rule is that this list can contain a maximum of 5 episodes. If this threshold is passed, I will delete the least interesting episodes to get down to 5.
In the rare occasion my playlist is empty, I will browse through the list of podcasts which I have listened to in the past but to which I am not subscribed.
The days that I feel most tired usually end up being also the days in which I work more hours.
Somehow, feeling tired makes it more difficult to reach the point where I feel I have done ‘enough’.
Of course, this is exactly the opposite of what I should do.
Your own implementation is the correct way of doing GTD
David Allen, the creator of GTD, says there is no standard way to use his method. Although his books and workshops provide a lot of explanations, it is important for everyone to create their own system that suits their needs and preferences. The goal of GTD is to get tasks and responsibilities out of your head, so you have space for creative and productive thinking. This works best when the system you use fits you well and feels easy.
Adapting your GTD system means trying out what works for you. This may mean setting reminders for things that interest you or developing habits that help you feel better. The most important thing is that GTD is not about strictly following rules, but about creating a system that helps you clear your mind. Whether you use an app or a paper notebook, it’s about finding a way that helps you stay organized and focused.
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Tiredness + an addictive game (such as MTGA) = destroyed productivity
People who do not experience stress often have a lower level of cognitive ability
It may sound surprising, but research shows that while people without stress are less likely to have chronic illnesses and often feel better, they also perform worse on tests that measure memory and cognitive flexibility. It seems that a little stress can help keep our brains sharp. Stress acts as a kind of training for the brain, allowing us to use our cognitive skills better and more efficiently.
This does not mean that we should always be stressed to think well. It’s about finding the right balance. A little stress can help us be more productive and think better, but too much stress can lead to negative feelings and be bad for our health. People with stress also give and receive emotional support more often, which can lead to a richer social life. Therefore, it is important to find a level of stress that keeps us alert without harming our health.
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So this device measures breathing patterns and uses that to calculate focus levels.
The app contains 4 protocols to help reduce frustration, anxiety, burnout, procrastination and distraction.
I already have an Oura ring capable of measuring my breathing rate, so all I need is a software update to control focus modes.
Our (productivity) issues are not new. Read the great masters and find answers to current issues
Our productivity problems, such as information overload from emails and chat messages, may seem like a modern issue, but they are not new. As early as 1916, similar problems were discussed, showing that this has been an ongoing issue. Often, this is due to poor management of information and communication. Great thinkers have long ago devised solutions for these issues. By looking at their ideas, we can learn how to better handle our current problems.
Thinkers from the past, such as Aristotle and Seneca, and later figures like Peter Drucker, have written extensively about working efficiently, managing time well, and how we easily get distracted. They often emphasize the importance of focusing, setting priorities, and managing time effectively. These ideas are still useful and can help us better handle the constant stream of notifications and information. By following their advice, we can become more productive and find a better balance between work and leisure.
It is important to learn from the past and apply the wisdom of these thinkers to our modern work. This means not only studying their strategies but also adapting them to how we work today. By listening to these experts and learning from their insights, we can find ways to work more effectively and with greater satisfaction, despite the challenges of today’s technology.
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I still haven’t found the perfect work-from-home coffee break activity.
I’m looking for something which I can do while drinking my coffee, which will disconnect my mind from work and which can be completed in about 15–20 minutes.
I found that the activity should have a definite end point as I tried reading and gaming, which had the tendency to expend my break with at least an hour.