The Slanket is one of those things that makes you say, why didn't I think of that? Invented by a college student who was tired of letting cold air under his sleeping bag when he wanted to channel surf, the Slanket is simple. It is a fleece blanket with sleeves, so you can stay warm and toasty and still be able to work the TV remote, read, surf the net, what ever you would like to do from the toasty comfort of your favorite blanket but can't because your hands are stuck under the sheets. Available now for about $50, the Slanket seems like the perfect companion for the cold winter months.

Product Page
gadgets, blanket, sleeves, Slanket

While I was working on today's "Google Docs & Spreadsheets first look" post, I noticed something was not quite right. Seems in the push to "graduate" Docs & Spreadsheets from Google Labs, they forgot to add Google to the built in spell checker's dictionary. While an innocent flub (that should be simple to fix), it is still amusing none the less. For what ever reason only the second use of the word Google seemed to trigger an error with the spell check (all other instances were fine), making it an even more interesting "bug". Well for what its worth (and that is probably very little), here for your viewing pleasure is Google thinking its own name is misspelled:
Internet, Google, strange, funny

Overall the Docs & Spreadsheets have a nice cohesive feel and an intuitive interface. While I have to admit that I have never used Writely or Spreadsheets prior to today, I have to say I am enjoying using it. I especially like the fact that the word processor allows you to view previous versions of the document you are working on (both in the viewer and as an RSS feed) as well as that it offers the ability to collaboratively create documents and multiple publishing options. Spreadsheets on the other hand does not offer the same "finished" feel of the word processor. Don't get me wrong though, it is quite usable but the lack of the revisioning system present in the Docs interface seems like a major omission on Google's part (especially since you can collaboratively edit spreadsheets).  While Docs & Spreadsheets is a nice package, I just don't see it replacing a traditional office suite, at least not yet. It does however compliment one very well (especially since it handles importing and exporting from most major office formats). I can see it being incredibly useful as a tool for students working on a group project or as a way for travelers to quickly edit or review documents while on the road without the need to have a computer with an office suite installed (for example if their laptop crashed or was stolen).

Google Docs & Spreadsheets
computers, Internet, office, Google, Docs & Spreadseets

We have all had days where you can't seem to get anything done. Whether it's a matter of "A.D.D." or you just "don't feel like working", its something we all face. Author Jerry Oltion has published a list of 50 strategies he uses for "making himself work". While the list is geared toward authors (it was written for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) you can easily apply all of these tips to almost any task. Here are some of my favorites:

• Write to music. Put two or three CDs in the player and stay at the keyboard until they're done. Crank it up. Boogie a little. That's not just background noise; that's the sound of you working.
• Set a timer for a short period of time (15 minutes or so) and stay at the keyboard--no matter what--until it dings. Then do it again. Only allow yourself to get up after the timer dings, and always set the timer again if you stay at the keyboard. This will hold you in place long enough for the first impulse toward work-avoidance to pass, and you'll often discover yourself eager to keep going when your time's up.
• Paper your study walls with Playboy foldouts (or whatever else is likely to keep you in the room).
• Turn off the talk radio... ...Even if you think you need it for background noise, substitute some other noise that doesn't engage the language center of your brain. That's for writing, not for listening, when you're at the keyboard.

There are lots of great tips here that will help keep you on task - one way or another.

50 Strategies For Making Yourself Work [via Lifehacker]
productivity, strategies