Local first then smart plugins

It’s been two years since I adjusted my laptop’s white space to a look similar to that spawned by IA Writer. More importantly, I’ve kept my focus on writing–both on my keyboard devices and on my phone.

Thinking clearer with visual dashboards

I am trying to visualise my work more precisely by auditing my routines several times a week. The main focal point is a colour-coded productivity doughnut

Otter in my thinking hand

I do a lot of thinking while talking to myself and I think that’s good. Today I have my Otter in my hand. I’ve been trying to tame my Otter. It behaves like a polite observer when it’s in my hand or in my shirt pocket.

Leveraging my digital critic

I use several flavours of AI as my pocket crit. Today, Gemini is helping me synthesize a few important points. I’m microblogging them from my Obsidian vault so it’s easier for colleagues to join the discussion.

Enjoying the Smart Connections dance on my phone

As a regular Obsidian user (on my phone, on my iPad Mini, and on my laptop), I enjoy the dancing screens that activate when I open Obsidian on my Samsung handset.

During Coffee with Claude Time

I keep my laptop off at night which means when I boot up in the morning, I’m greeted by Claude wanting to share my coffee.

Productivity through my knowledge graph

I teach university researchers how to achieve greater productivity through digitally transformed knowledge management. At the core of this effort sits the notes, lab reports, preliminary research findings, presentations, and peer-reviewed published work. To manage all these high quality nuggets of …

Teaching the ninth cohort of AI for Personal Productivity

Back in November 2023, Dermot Casey asked me what I was covering when he saw me delivering a post-graduate academic module in digital transformation. I told him about my syllabus and that it integrated ChatGPT in the hands-on workshops. We are running a distilled version of this training programme …

Using a framework with AI

Moving beyond simple chat interactions toward a structured framework is the key to mastering AI. I pulled three items from my Fabric Collection that emphasize this perspective.

360 Video Adventures

I’m continuing to think panoramically with my focus on making the post-production process smoother.

Thanking @educatefran for showing me @D2L and H5P

I should write a major testimonial to Frances O’Donnell, an Instructional Designer in County Donegal, who showed me the magic of smart imports with H5P.

Thinking panoramically

One of the most technically difficult items that I am learning to use is my DJI Osmo 360 camera. I realise it’s because I’m trying to think panoramically instead of just thinking in terms of line of sight.

Looking in the mirror through Claude

Learning wha Claude.ai thinks of me.

Google Claude Airtable Obsidian

During part of a two hour basic introductory session on Friday 17 April in Dublin, I’m sharing how I use Claude.ai with my Google Workspace, with my Airtables, and with Obsidian. I have dozens of prompts as text and as audio snippets that I use every day when allowing Claude to complete tasks …

Getting very reliant on Claude managing Google Workspace

he first part of 2026 has been a time for new connectors–not new connections (as in people) but new connectors between distinct elements of the technology that wires my life.

Experimenting with TechSmith Fuse from mobiles.

I’ve been using Camtasia for a decade but today is the first day to attempt using TechSmith Fuse to create, upload, and share video content.

Using Claude with Airtable

I’ve used dozens of Bases on Airtable while teaching university students in Ireland. During the past 18 months, my Airtable usage has percolated into discussions with other researchers across Europe. I’m delighted to see how I can cross-check my Airtable through a slash command and …

Exploring my first Taschenbegleiter

I am trying to reduce the footprint I use on public transport so I’ve downsized to an iPad Mini with 190 pages in a notebook and a pen. I want to carry all those items in one hand so my attention turned to Roterfaden.de and their Taschenbegleiter.

32 Claude Shortcut Prompts

If you’re like me and you use long weekends to improve proficiency with command lines, these 32 Claude shortcuts from Ruben Hassid might interest you.

Inspired by Jess Buckley's Note-Taking

I’m inspired every time I hear people describe how they capture ideas in real time. Jesse Buckley, star of the critically acclaimed Hamnet, explains to Stacey Wilson Hunt how she writes down things she hears and sees. And how when she performs, she’s able to draw on those thoughts …

Impressed with Google Personal Intelligence

I teach “AI for Personal Productivity” with the Irish Innovation Skillnet where we have hands-on exercises using Google Workspace. Cue discussions about privacy, security, and frameworks.

Sharing my Vibe Journaling with @educatefran.bsky.social

I have a set of hard cover notebooks containing ideas. I call it Vibe Journaling and I want to see if I can connect pages in the books with instructional designer Frances O’Donnell.

New Beginning with Home Note

I jumped into Nick Milo’s Ideaverse and got a new look with my primary Obsidian vault as well as a new Home Note for my daily flow. The most significant result is that I’ve reduced scrolling into the land of trolls and I’ve increased the depth of my reading.

My Three AI Takeaways from 2025 #RUNEUAI

I’ve tagged this post with #RUNEUAI because the biggest things I’ve learned about AI came directly from the 15 weeks I worked with 18 students and two instructors during my last teaching semester at university level. That collaboration opened a portal of discovery and sharing that was a …

Using Copilot on my Mobile Phone

Along with Larry G. Maguire and the Irish Innovation Skillnet, I’m delivering the tail end of a 12 hour training programme designed to increase personal productivity through the use of AI. Today we will use Copilot on handsets to see what the mobile version can do with two data sets.