Real time chat translator; babelwith.me

Think MSN across languages..

This systems which is in Alpha (very early stages of release) looks like an instant messaging system. I was unable to test it with many languages as I would then need people speaking those language to have an online conversation with me! However, it seems to manage the translation as you type.

I am thinking this application could be excellent for communication in health care settings where the patient / carer may not speak good English. Using a system like this would enable the health care professional to communicate with the patient, even while sitting face to face in a consultation. If anyone tests it out in this setting do let me know. Currently translators are used which often means appointments are delayed and this is also an expensive process. While this may not replace all of that, this system could go a long way to helping those who just need a bit of language help in the communication.

If you are so inclined (probably not for health care situations) you can share the conversation on Twitter or Facebook very easily using their tools.

Online charting using Chartle

Chartle is a very simple way of creating and publishing and interactive online chart.  Useful foro embedding into your website or blog.

Their sales pitch has a note about how many charts are available in printed publications and then how much less are available online.  Something to think about I guess...

Turn process maps into online wizards: gStepOne

If you have a set of procedures that you would like to take someone through, online, then this application by gStepone http://www.gStepOne.com helps you do this. You are taken through the steps of linking any online information, like documents, videos, photos, form etc in a way that takes someone step by step through the process. For example, this could be for ordering a product, doing an expense claim, booking a meeting.

I'm always on the lookout for innovative ways to change how we do business and especially ways that combine know-what with know-how. Imagine if clinical guidelines could be set up using a system like this, where individual patients could have their treatment customised. Of course this would need to be set up on proprietary systems rather than on the Internet. gStepOne - if you're listening there is a market for this.

In the meantime, for non-proprietary procedures and processes this tool can be very useful.

How to send your RSS feed directly to Twitter

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/ is the place to be. It is where people turn to get up-to-date information, breaking news and generally hang out. Twitter search is gaining in strength and popularity http://search.twitter.com/ From Twitter, someone can't subscribe directly to your RSS feed from your website or blog. So how can you set this up so what you write on your blog automatically gets sent to your twitter account?

There are a number of "feed" products online that will do this for you.

I use Twitterfeed http://www.twitterfeed.com/. What I like about this is it is easy to use and I can set up multiple feeds. If you make a mistake or get stuck, the help features are good. I got muddled for a while on exactly where to find the address of the feed I wanted to send to Twitter. This helped me through the process. You can configure how often you want the updates to happen and how many updates at a time.

While Twitterfeed is probably the market leader, there are some new systems coming online all the time. Feednest http://www.feednest.com/ is one. Or you can try Pingvine http://www.pingvine.com/ or Tweetmyfeed http://www.tweetmyfeed.net

Google analytics helps me identify business strategies

Watching how your own website is used can become a bit addictive. I'm interested not in how it is being used right now, or in historical information. Now I've been using it for some months it is clear to me that spotting the trends is important. For example, when the map overlay shows a flurry of interest from one country or city then I can expect to get a call from there, or it may be just the place I need to aim some marketing at. Similarly, finding out which pages are most accessed hints at what value people are placing on different parts of it.

Google Analytics takes only 10 minutes to set up. You do need to be the owner of the webiste (or ask your IT department to help). It is really not complicated http://www.google.com/analytics/

Do you know how your website is being used? Do you know how you would use the information to inform your strategy?

Create charts online, then share

ChartTool offers you a number of types of charts, including meter and bubble which are not on the common "Excel" list of options. You can create your chart online using your own data and then share the results. A useful thing to do is to link these to your website - great if you are keeping track of your improvement efforts and want to find a way to share your results.

http://www.onlinecharttool.com/

Tracking computer use for personal productivity

ManicTime have created a personal time management software application. Dead cool it measures what you are doing on your computer, with what software and over what time (including idle time..). You get all sorts of easy to read and useful graphs.

If you're wondering whether your time on your computer is valuable and if you want to find out what you actually do rather than what you think you do - then try this out http://www.manictime.com/