Let me make one distinction first: saving time is different from capturing time. By capturing time, I’m talking about preserving the moments that seem to escape us.
Harnessing today’s technology, which is, incidentally, begging us to use it, is one surefire way to bottle up some time. Smartphone apps, for example, have been a way of life for a while now, and they continue to get better. I tend to be tech averse, but have embraced a few that have made capturing time a lot easier, and fun.
1. Simplenote
This no frills note-taking app allows you to take notes on anything. It’s just a blank canvas and your thoughts. You can apply labels and tags to sort various topics. Simplenote has become an essential tool to record my sons’ milestones, including their current obsessions, quirks, and sayings. When they do something so cute that I can’t let slip by me, Simplenote is a great place to jot it down. I have a file for each under the tag muchachos (boys en español!).
While Snapchat reigns as the Millennial social media platform of the moment, it does function well as repository for photos and videos for we GenX’ers not on Facebook.
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2. Snapchat
While Snapchat reigns as the Millennial social media platform of the moment, it does function well as repository for photos and videos for we GenX’ers not on Facebook. The main use of Snapchat is to send photos to your followers that disappear after viewing (translation: a quick way to share a photo or video with someone without the file taking up physical space on their phone). The snaps you take with your phone can be saved to the Snapchat app into “Memories,” where you can also designate the snaps you save as “My Eyes Only.”
3. Instagram
Call it a mini-Facebook or a permanent Snapchat, Instagram does the job of creating a timeline of all the photos you take and share with your followers. I used to use it all the time, but I tend to like those apps that are, for my eyes only.
Before too long, you’ll start getting notices on your phone that your cloud is full and will not back up your photos and videos, and, if you’re not vigilant about deleting photos you don’t want, it’s best you back them up somewhere.
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4. As for all those photos…
Before too long, you’ll start getting notices on your phone that your cloud is full and will not back up your photos and videos, and, if you’re not vigilant about deleting photos you don’t want, it’s best you back them up somewhere. At home, both of our phones are tied to the Google Photos app, which stores images from your phone to Google’s cloud. We also bit the bullet and paid for Dropbox, which is another cloud service where you can store photos, videos, documents, etc. for a fee. Our basic plan starts at $99 a year. Worth when the full cloud message pops upon your wife’s phone (she’s the paparazzo, not moi!)
5. As for all those videos…
Google “How to make a private YouTube channel,” and you’ll see a video for how to make a private YouTube channel. Once you’re set up, and have uploaded your videos, you can share them privately with up to 50 other users.
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Photo credit: Robert Couse-Baker.