#Best Free Task Management Software

[optiostation]

Discover the Best Task Management App for Prioritizing Work

If you're overwhelmed by daily tasks and struggling to stay focused, it's time to find the right Task Management App for Prioritizing Work. A reliable app can help you organize, plan, and most importantly—prioritize what matters most.

Why Prioritization Matters

Effective task prioritization can significantly improve productivity and reduce stress. The right tool ensures you're working on high-impact activities first, rather than getting stuck in a cycle of low-priority tasks.

Top Services to Consider

Best Free Task Management Software Several free options provide excellent task tracking features. Look for tools that include drag-and-drop interfaces, customizable lists, and calendar views—all without a price tag.

Optio Prioritization Tool Mobile task management is key for people on the go. Many free apps offer sync across devices, deadline reminders, and collaboration tools to keep your team in the loop.

Free Task Management App The Free Task Management App stands out by focusing specifically on what needs your attention first. With built-in prioritization logic, Optio helps you rank tasks based on urgency and importance, helping you stay aligned with your goals.

Choosing the Right Task Management App for Prioritizing Work

When selecting the ideal tool, consider features like priority labels, smart suggestions, task scoring, and real-time collaboration. The best apps go beyond simple to-do lists—they help you make strategic decisions about your time.

[getdailyupdate]

Discover the best Free Task Management Software for Efficient Organization

Explore our curated list of the best free task management software tools that empower you to streamline your work, boost productivity, and stay organized without breaking the bank. Find the perfect solution for your needs and take control of your tasks easy.

[klapollo]

some basic tips for getting a job in this horrible market

hi all -- long story short, as many of you know, i just finished a three+ month job search after being laid off. here's what i learned:

Your resume should be your accomplishments, not your tasks. When I started searching, my bullet points in my resume were things like "used x software" or "wrote x content." Your resume should be you bragging. EX: "I used x software to turn around 100 deliverables a month," "I managed [x amount] sales associates and was named highest commission earner x months in a row." These don't have to be lifechanging things or massive projects -- any metric that demonstrates your capabilities well can do the job.

Make sure your resume is ATS optimized. Most jobs/companies use automated resume processing, and lots of great people get rejected this way. If you're getting rejection emails on Sunday morning or in the middle of the night, these are probably auto-rejections. ATS is the automatic system that sifts through resumes -- you can find free ATS-optimized templates online, I got min through resume.com. Do NOT use fancy graphics, headshots, any extraneous info. Use sites like jobscan to see if your resume is able to be parsed by an auto resume processor.

Use numbers. Make sure your resume has lots of numbers indicating your skills. "I helped my franchise achieve X% of revenue growth," "I drove x amount of deliveries daily." Any impressive numerical amounts are useful. If your company is tight-lipped about numbers, go to press releases. Ex: an app I did a considerable about of work for generated a lot of money that my company disclosed, so I put down that i contributed to that revenue via my work.

Have a template cover letter. Cover letters can give you an advantage, but they're tedious. Take note of what qualities are most sought-after in your field/ideal role, and write a generic cover letter that applies to most of them. When applying, do minor tweaks such as including the company name or any unique qualifications. Be careful about typos and leaving in old tweaks!

Use the free month of LinkedIn Premium if you're on there. I got some results from cold DMing recruiters for jobs I was interested in, and Premium lets you do that freely. Remember to cancel at the end of the month!

If you're looking for remote work, here are some boards I used: Remote.co, Otta, Remote Rocketship, Swooped, Best Writing (writing-focused)

[parowanormal]

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ computer specs explained - processors ˖ ݁݁ 𖥔.

shopping for a laptop (or determining what your laptop can do) can be confusing. even as a computer science major, it took me a long time to get familiar with all of it! in this series, i'm breaking down each term, number, and specification, so you can determine what's best for you.

if you have more specific questions, my askbox is open, or feel free to send me a DM. let's talk processors!

what does the processor do?

the processor (also called the CPU) is the brain of a computer. it executes all the instructions needed to run applications. your internet browser, video editing software, games, and messaging apps are all managed by your processor. the code that makes them run is sent to your processor piece by piece, and the processor executes all of them simultaneously. it's the most important part of your computer!

what do the numbers mean?

two things determine how well your processor will perform: number of cores and clock speed. these numbers are often thrown all together when talking about the processor: e.g., "AMD Ryzen 7 7730U 2.0GHz Processor". AMD is the brand, Ryzen 7 7730U is the specific model, and 2.0GHz is the clock speed.

the number of cores determines how many of those individual instructions the computer can run at once. in other words, it's how much "brain space" your processor has. more cores means your computer can run more complicated programs.

each core may have 1 or 2 threads, which divide the core into pieces to run smaller programs more efficiently. a complicated program may need multiple threads or multiple cores, but simple programs can fit onto a single thread of a single core.

the clock speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz), which you may recognize as a frequency measurement. without getting too much into how processors work, the clock speed indicates how quickly your computer can execute instructions. it has to do with how quickly electrical pulses are sent through the CPU.

most CPUs have at least 4 cores and a clock speed of around 2.0GHz. modern Intel brand processors have two types of core: higher clock speed "P-cores" (for performance), and lower clock speed "E-cores" (for efficiency). in this case, the important number of cores to look at are the P-cores; more E-cores will just mean your machine is better at multi-tasking.

rowan recommends...

...as much processor as you'll realistically use. don't spend a lot on a powerful processor if you only surf the web, and don't try to cut corners if you like to play games or use video editing software.

there are two major CPU manufacturers: Intel and AMD. i've only personally used Intel CPUs, but most people won't notice the difference between an Intel and an AMD. if you're choosing between two similarly priced processors, choose the one with a higher clock speed.

for surfing the web, word processors, and small apps like Discord or Spotify: an Intel i3/AMD Ryzen 3 is perfectly fine.

for simple programming, music production, or games like Minecraft or Stardew Valley: choose an Intel i5/AMD Ryzen 5 with a clock speed of at least 2.0GHz.

for video editing, rendering, 3D modeling, complex programming, or high-performance games: an Intel i7 or i9, or an AMD Ryzen 7, with as high of a clock speed as you can afford.

thanks for reading and good luck! again, if you have specific questions, feel free to ask a question or DM. :3

next in series: memory

[kyokosasagawa]

I started writing "4 srs" this month and I like how free and accessible writing is, so I'm recommending free software I've experimented with that might help people who want to get into the hobby!

“Specifically Created for Writing Stories”

-------------------------------

Manuskript – Story organizer / word processor. Has an outliner and index card function, along with distraction free mode. Lets you switch between different templates such as a non-fiction mode or a short story.

Bibisco – Novel writing software that includes writing goals, world-building, distraction free mode, and a timeline.

“I Just Want to Write”

---------------------------

LibreOffice – Microsoft 365 alternative, but free! LibreOffice Writer is what I wrote this tumblr post in before I posted it. Also if you copy & paste the text into the Rich Text Editor on AO3, it seems that it actually converts it properly. Nice! No need for scripts.

Note-Taking

-------------------------------

Zim Wiki - note taking application that is very, very lightweight (1.1mb). It functions with a tree structure, so I’d personally recommend it for world-building and character bios. There are built-in plugins that also turn it into a good software for task management (it even has a article on how to use it for GTD) and journalling. See also: CherryTree (2mb), which is a more outdated-looking app, but functions similarly.

Obsidian MD – The Big Boy. markdown note editor that has been adopted by personal knowledge management fans---if it doesn’t do something you want it to do, just look in the community plugins to see if someone has already done it. Some unique non-word processing related usages I’ve found is the ability to create a table of contents dashboard, a image gallery for images, embedding youtube videos and timestamping notes, so forth.

Logseq – A bullet point based markdown note editor that also has PDF annotations, Zotero integration, flashcard creation, and whiteboards. Best used for outlining projects due to the bullet point structure.

Joplin – A modern app comparable to Zim Wiki, it’s basically just a note-taking software that uses folders and tags to sort easier. Looks prettier than Zim Wiki and Cherry Tree

Notion – An online-only website that allows usage of different database types. Free for personal use. Note: I dislike the AI updates that have been making the app lag more. I prefer the others on this list.

Mind Maps

-------------------------------

Freeplane – So much goddamn features, including a ton of add-ons. Looks somewhat ugly, but it works for anyone willing to spend a while learning how to use it.

Mermaid – Text-based diagram creator. Can be used in apps like Joplin, Notion, and Obsidian.

Obsidian’s Canvas – A core plugin for Obsidian, it deserves its own mention in that it allows you to create embedded notes of the mindmap nodes. Thus, if you want to create a 20-page long note and have it minimized to the size of a penny on the mindmap, you could.

Other Things That Might Be Of Interest

Syncthing - A free software that allows you to sync between two or more computers. Have a desktop but also laze around on a laptop in bed, coming up with ideas?? This is your buddy if you don't want to use a online software.

[cyberstudious]

Hey! This is very random, but I saw that you work in cyber security right now. I work in data science, but I'm really interested in cyber security and considering making a switch. I was wondering what kind of cybersecurity work you do, and what has been the most helpful for you to learn what you need for your job!

Hi! Cybersecurity is a really broad field, and you can do a lot of different things depending on what your interests are.

My work is mostly focused around automating things for security, since my background is in programming. Automation is really helpful for speeding up boring, monotonous tasks that need to get done, but don't necessarily need a human involved. A good example is automated phishing analysis, since phishing reports are a big chunk of the cases that security analysts have to deal with, and an analyst usually follows the same few steps at the beginning. Rather than someone having to manually check the reputation of the sender domain, check the reputation of any links, and all of that every single time, we can build tools to automatically scan for things like that and then present the info to the analyst. The whole idea here is to automate the boring data retrieval stuff, since computers are good at that, and give the analyst more time for decision-making and analysis, since humans are good at that.

If you're coming from data science, you might be interested in detection engineering. Cybersecurity is essentially a data problem - we have a ton of logs from a ton of different sources (internal logs, threat intelligence feeds, etc.) - how do we sort through that data to highlight things that we want to pay attention to, and how can we correlate events from different sources? If you're into software development or want to stay more on the data science side, maybe you could also look into roles for software development at companies that have SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) products - these are essentially the big log repositories that organizations rely on for correlation and alerting.

As for starting to learn security, my general go-to recommendation is to start looking through the material for the Security+ certification. For better or worse, certifications are pretty big in security, much more so than other tech fields (to my knowledge). I'm a bit more hesitant to recommend the Security+ now, since CompTIA (the company that offers it) was bought by a private equity company last year. Everyone is kind of expecting the prices to go up and the quality to go down. (The Security+ exam costs $404 USD as of writing this, and I think I took mine for like $135ish with a student discount in 2022). However, the Security+ is still the most well-known and comprehensive entry-level certification that I'm aware of. You can (and should) study for it completely for free - check out Professor Messer's training videos on YouTube. There are also plenty of books out there if that's more of your thing. I'd say to treat the Security+ as a way to get a broad overview of security and figure out what you don't know. (It's certainly not a magic ticket to a job, no matter what those expensive bootcamps will tell you.)

If you aren't familiar with networking, it's worth checking out Professor Messer's Network+ training videos as well. You don't need to know everything on there, but having an understanding of ports, protocols, and network components and design is super useful. I hear a lot that the best security folks are often the ones who come from IT or networking or similar and have a really solid understanding of the fundamentals and then get into security. Don't neglect the basics!

One thing that I'll also add, based on conversations I've had with folks in my network… getting a job in cybersecurity is harder now than it used to be, at least in the US (where I am). There are a ton of very well-qualified people who have been laid off who are now competing with people trying to get into the field in the first place, and with the wrecking ball that Elon is taking to the federal government (and by extension, government contractors) right now… it's hard. There's still a need for skilled folks in cyber, but you're going to run into a lot of those "5 years of experience required for this entry-level job" kind of job postings.

On a slightly happier note, another thing you should do if you want to get into cyber is to stay up to date with what's happening in the industry! I have a masterpost that has a section with some of my favorite news sources. The SANS Stormcast is a good place to start - it's a 5 minute podcast every weekday morning that covers most of the big things. Black Hills Infosec also does a weekly news livestream on YouTube that's similar (but longer and with more banter). Also, a lot of infosec folks hang out on Mastodon & in the wider fediverse. Let me know if you want some recs for folks to follow over there.

The nice thing about cybersecurity (and computer-related fields in general, I find) is that there are a ton of free resources out there to help you learn. Sometimes it's harder to find the higher-quality ones, but let me know if there are any topics you're interested in & I'll see what I can find. I have a few posts in my cybersecurity tag on here that might help.

Thank you for your patience, I know you sent this in over a week ago lol but life has been busy. Feel free to send any follow-up questions if you have any!

[nanowrimo]

How to Find Hope for Completing Your Writing Goals

Every year, we’re lucky to have great sponsors for our nonprofit events. Campfire, a 2023 NaNoWriMo sponsor, is a writing and worldbuilding platform to help you create an immersive experience benefitting both authors and readers. Today, Campfire Community Manager Emory Glass shares some words on having hope when writing feels overwhelming:

It has been 3,265 days since I won NaNoWriMo. I was 16 and wrote 75,000 words. It was exhilarating and cathartic and everything I ever dreamt of.

Tomorrow it will be 3,266 days since I won NaNoWriMo. I look back on my projects thinking, “2,500 words a day is lightspeed. The words flowed so freely then, so quickly.” I want to be a writer–I am a writer. It is my identity, my purpose, my reason, yet I cannot bring myself to finish what I have begun.

The next day it will have been 3,267 days since I won NaNoWriMo. The words do not fly from my fingertips but crawl, sapped of energy, the page a grave for ink stains posing as letters. I talk to my characters often. My writer friends tell me I speak of them as if they were real people, but I cannot seem to lift the weight of their stories from my mind. Still, I have no platform, no audience, no one eagerly watching for the next installment.

The day after it will have been 3,268 days since I won NaNoWriMo. Two publications, no published novels, hundreds of thousands of words gathering dust. I am no writer, I am a collector of words. There must be something wrong with me. I have so much to tell, so much to share, so much to create, but here I am not telling, not sharing, not creating.

One day it will have been 3,269 days since I won NaNoWriMo. I will not have published a book, I will not have a new story, I will not have an audience or a platform or one–just one–person looking forward to what happens next.

But I will not give up.

"...and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." (Friedrich Nietzsche)

It's rather typical for a dark fantasy writer to peer into the void, but it quickly becomes an intoxication and an excuse to never move a muscle. Do not succumb. Push forward, even if you barely move an inch. If you wish to be a builder, you build. If you wish to be a fighter, you fight. If you wish to be a writer, you write.

Brute force seems barbaric. Should words not spill onto the page? It is said that art cannot be coerced or bent to one's own will; it comes easily, naturally, swiftly. The very best art is created in a creative frenzy, so they say, and the very best artists are recognized in memoriam.

But if you delay and evade and wither your ambition as you count the days since your last success, your oeuvre halts and is buried and perishes by your own hand. So if you, like me, too often find yourself peering into the void where the words have gone to fade away, cleave to the remedy for its gaze: hope. This is the heart of creation. Laudation and lucrativeness are but two measures of success. They will not themselves burst a dam of words within you and imbue every project with Midas' touch. Creative fever is not catching–you must seek it out.

Give yourself a reason to write even when you do not want to or it feels too Herculean a task. If you seek new horizons, a useful tool, or a supportive community to accompany you on this odyssey, enlist Campfire to help. Whether it behooves you to squeeze out words on your mobile device, stay focused offline with a desktop application, or keep inspiration at hand via browser-based work and Discord chats, it's the best place to bring your stories to life.

NaNoWriMo participants can save on Campfire’s writing software! Use the discount code LETSGONANO23 for 30% off your first year of an annual subscription to our Standard Plan. It’s free to create an account. Offer expires March 31, 2024.

Emory Glass is an avid artist, worldbuilder, and author with a passion for strong female characters in leading roles and meticulous attention to detail in lore. She loves tea, learning Scottish Gaelic, continuing her work on The Chroma Books, a series of interconnected stories, and running Inkblood Book Company for similarly enthusiastic dark fantasy writers. When not chasing down stories, Emory works as the Community Manager at Campfire.

Top photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash.

[shinelikethunder]

Hello there! I hope you don’t mind me just dropping into your asks like this, but by all means def feel free to just delete this if so, it is kind of a weird ask.

This is the anon from the computer blog asking about a private laptop for collage! After doing (a small amount of) research into Linux, one thing that’s super confusing to me, is… how does one know which distro to use? You mentioned in the replies of the post that you use Ubuntu Linux, which seems to be one of the more popular ones. Would you recommend — and if so, why? Is it good for privacy, do you think? The best? Does the user need to have a good deal of experience with computers to keep it running? (I’ve never used a laptop before but I don’t mind trying to learn stuff)

Also this is an EXTREMELY stupid question my apologies, but how….. exactly do you put Linux on a laptop? OP from my ask said to buy a laptop with no OS but is that something you can do? I’d think so, since 0P works with computer and stuff as their job, but Reddit says that it’s not really possible and that you should just “buy like a Windows laptop and scrap the software”??? Is that… correct? How did you install Linux on your laptop — did y ou have to remove software off it or did you, as OP says, manage to find a laptop with no OS?

Again, feel free to ignore if you don’t wanna put in the time/effort to reply to this, I absolutely don’t mind — it’s a lot of stuff I’m asking and you didn’t invite it all, so ofc feel free to delete the ask if you’d like!

ha, you've zeroed in on one of the big reasons Linux is kind of a contrarian choice for me to recommend: the wild proliferation of distros, many of them hideously complex to work with. luckily, the fact that most of them are niche offshoots created by and for overly-technical nerds makes the choice easier: you don't want those. you want one of the largest, best-supported, most popular ones, with a reputation for being beginner-friendly. the two biggies are Ubuntu and Linux Mint; i'd recommend focusing your research there.

this isn't JUST a popularity-contest thing: the more people use it, the more likely you are to find answers if you're having trouble or plugging a weird error message into google, and the greater the variety of software you'll find packaged for easy install in that distro. some combination of professional and broad-based community support means you'll find better documentation and tutorials, glitches will be rarer and get fixed faster, and the OS is less likely to be finicky about what hardware it'll play nice with. the newbie-friendly ones are designed to be a breeze to install and to not require technical fiddling to run them for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, media viewing, file management, and such.

info on installation, privacy, personal endorsement, etc under the cut. tl;dr: most computers can make you a magic Linux-installing USB stick, most Linuces are blessedly not part of the problem on privacy, Ubuntu i can firsthand recommend but Mint is probably also good.

almost all Linux distros can be assumed to be better for privacy than Windows or MacOS, because they are working from a baseline of Not Being One Of The Things Spying On You; some are managed by corporations (Ubuntu is one of them), but even those corporations have to cater to a notoriously cantankerous userbase, so most phoning-home with usage data tends to be easy to turn off and sponsored bullshit kept minimally intrusive. the one big exception i know of is Google's bastard stepchild ChromeOS, which you really don't want to be using, for a wide variety of reasons. do NOT let someone talk you into installing fucking Qubes or something on claims that it's the "most private" or "most secure" OS; that's total user-unfriendly overkill unless you have like a nation-state spy agency or something targeting you, specifically.

how to install Linux is also not a dumb question! back in the day, if you wanted to, say, upgrade a desktop computer from Windows 95 to Windows 98, you'd receive a physical CD-ROM disc whose contents were formatted to tell the computer "hey, i'm not a music CD or a random pile of backup data or a piece of software for the OS to run, i want you to run me as the OS next time you boot up," and then that startup version would walk you through the install.

nowadays almost anyone with a computer can create a USB stick that'll do the same thing: you download an Ubuntu installer and a program that can perform that kind of formatting, plug in the USB stick, tell the program to put the installer on it and make it bootable, and then once it's done, plug the USB stick into the computer you want to Linuxify and turn it on.

Ubuntu has an excellent tutorial for every step of the install process, and an option to do a temporary test install so you can poke around and see how you like it without pulling the trigger irreversibly: https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/install-ubuntu-desktop

having a way to create a bootable USB stick is one reason to just get a Windows computer and then let the Linux installer nuke everything (which i think is the most common workflow), but in a pinch you can also create the USB on a borrowed/shared computer and uninstall the formatter program when you're done. i don't have strong opinions on what kind of laptop to get, except "if you do go for Linux, be sure to research in advance whether the distro is known to play nice with your hardware." i'm partial to ThinkPads but that's just, like, my opinion, man. lots of distros' installers also make it dead simple to create a dual-boot setup where you can pick between Windows and Linux at every startup, which is useful if you know you might have to use Windows-only software for school or something. keep in mind, though, that this creates two little fiefdoms whose files and hard-disk space aren't shared at all, and it is not a beginner-friendly task to go in later and change how much storage each OS has access to.

i've been using the distro i'm most familiar with as my go-to example throughout, but i don't really have a strong opinion on Ubuntu vs Mint, simply because i haven't played around with Mint enough to form one. Ubuntu i'll happily recommend as a beginner-friendly version of Linux that's reasonably private by default. (i think there's like one install step where Canonical offers paid options, telemetry, connecting online accounts, etc, and then respects your "fuck off" and doesn't bug you about it again.) by reputation, Mint has a friendlier UI, especially for people who are used to Windows, and its built-in app library/"store" is slicker but offers a slightly more limited ecosystem of point-and-click installs.

(unlike Apple and Google, there are zero standard Linux distros that give a shit if you manually install software from outside the app store, it's just a notoriously finicky process that could take two clicks or could have you tearing your hair out at 3am. worth trying if the need arises, but not worth stressing over if you can't get it to work.)

basic software starter-pack recommendations for any laptop (all available on Windows and Mac too): Firefox with the uBlock Origin and container tab add-ons, VLC media player, LibreOffice for document editing. the closest thing to a dealbreaking pain in the ass about Linux these days (imo) is that all the image and video editing software i know of is kinda janky in some way, so if that's non-negotiable you may have to dual-boot... GIMP is the godawfully-clunky-but-powerful Photoshop knockoff, and i've heard decent things about Pinta as a mid-weight image editor roughly equivalent to Paint.net for Windows.

[stuarttechnologybob]

What does Automation Testing software do?

Automation Testing Services

Automation Testing and its software is a tool and useful resource that helps to test applications automatically without any major considerations to look into while testing. Instead of having testers manually check every feature or function, automation tools run pre-written test scripts to check if the software works as expected. These tools can simulate user actions, test various inputs, and quickly and accurately check the software's behavior.

The main goal of automation test software is to save time, reduce human error, and increase testing coverage. It is beneficial when you must run the same tests many times, like regression testing or continuous integration setups.

Key Functions of Automation Testing Software -

Automation testing software performs several tasks that help ensure software quality. It checks if the application meets business requirements, validates data processing, tests user interfaces, and monitors performance under different conditions.

These tools can work across multiple browsers, devices, and operating systems. They help catch bugs early in the development process, reducing the cost and time needed to fix them later.

Many automation tools also integrate with other systems like CI/CD pipelines, test management platforms, and reporting dashboards—making the whole testing and development process smoother.

Benefits of Using Automation Testing Software -

Automation test software helps companies speed up testing, increase accuracy, and launch products faster. It reduces the need for repetitive manual testing, freeing testers to focus on more complex tasks.

The software runs tests 24/7 if needed, offers detailed test reports, and allows quick feedback to developers. It also supports better collaboration between QA and development teams, helping improve overall product quality.

While automation helps a lot, it doesn't fully replace manual testing. QA professionals still need to plan tests, review results, and test complex scenarios that automation can't handle, as they both are essential for the process. Automation Test is best for repetitive and everyday tasks like checking login pages, payment forms, or user dashboards and analytics. It's also helpful in regression testing — where old features must be retested after  certain updates or common system upgrades.

Automation Testing software is a must-have tool and essential for modern software development operations as it gives completely transparent and reliable results if opting towards it as it saves time and the efforts of checking manually. It brings speed, reliability, and efficiency to the testing process. Trusted companies like Suma Soft, IBM, Cyntexa, and Cignex offer advanced automation testing solutions that support fast delivery, better performance, and improved software quality for businesses of all sizes.

[sujitchaulagainblogs]

How to Choose the Best CRM Software for Your Business

Choosing the right CRM software for your business is a big decision — and the right one can make a world of difference. Whether you’re running a small startup or managing a growing company, having an effective CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system helps you keep track of customers, boost sales, and improve overall productivity. Let’s walk through how you can choose the best CRM for your business without getting overwhelmed.

Why Your Business Needs a CRM

A CRM isn’t just a tool — it’s your business’s central hub for managing relationships. If you’re still relying on spreadsheets or scattered notes, you’re probably losing time (and leads). A good CRM helps you:

Keep customer data organized in one place

Track leads, sales, and follow-ups

Automate routine tasks

Get insights into sales performance

Improve customer service

The goal is simple: work smarter, not harder. And with an affordable CRM that fits your needs, you’ll see faster growth and smoother processes.

Define Your Business Goals

Before diving into features, figure out what you actually need. Ask yourself:

Are you trying to increase sales or improve customer service?

Do you need better lead tracking or marketing automation?

How big is your team, and how tech-savvy are they?

What’s your budget?

Knowing your goals upfront keeps you from wasting time on CRMs that might be packed with unnecessary features — or worse, missing key ones.

Must-Have Features to Look For

When comparing CRM options, focus on features that truly matter for your business. Here are some essentials:

Contact Management – Store customer details, interactions, and notes all in one place.

Lead Tracking – Follow leads through the sales funnel and never miss a follow-up.

Sales Pipeline Management – Visualize where your deals stand and what needs attention.

Automation – Save time by automating emails, reminders, and data entry.

Customization – Adjust fields, workflows, and dashboards to match your process.

Third-Party Integrations – Ensure your CRM connects with other software you rely on, like email marketing tools or accounting systems.

Reports & Analytics – Gain insights into sales, performance, and customer behavior.

User-Friendly Interface – If your team finds it clunky or confusing, they won’t use it.

Budget Matters — But Value Matters More

A CRM doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Plenty of affordable CRM options offer robust features without the hefty price tag. The key is balancing cost with value. Don’t just chase the cheapest option — pick a CRM that supports your business growth.

Take LeadHeed, for example. It’s an affordable CRM designed to give businesses the tools they need — like lead management, sales tracking, and automation — without stretching your budget. It’s a smart pick if you want to grow efficiently without overpaying for features you won’t use.

Test Before You Commit

Most CRMs offer a free trial — and you should absolutely use it. A CRM might look great on paper, but it’s a different story when you’re actually using it. During your trial period, focus on:

How easy it is to set up and start using

Whether it integrates with your existing tools

How fast you can access and update customer information

If your team finds it helpful (or frustrating)

A trial gives you a real feel for whether the CRM is a good fit — before you commit to a paid plan.

Think About Long-Term Growth

Your business might be small now, but what about next year? Choose a CRM that grows with you. Look for flexible pricing plans, scalable features, and the ability to add more users or advanced functions down the line.

It’s better to pick a CRM that can expand with your business than to go through the hassle of switching systems later.

Check Customer Support

Even the best software can hit a snag — and when that happens, you’ll want reliable support. Look for a CRM that offers responsive customer service, whether that’s live chat, email, or phone. A system is only as good as the help you get when you need it.

Read Reviews and Compare

Don’t just rely on the CRM’s website. Read reviews from other businesses — especially ones similar to yours. Sites like G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot offer honest insights into what works (and what doesn’t). Comparing multiple CRMs ensures you make a well-rounded decision.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the best CRM software for your business doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding your goals, focusing on essential features, and keeping scalability and budget in mind, you’ll find a CRM that fits like a glove.

If you’re looking for an affordable CRM Software that checks all the right boxes — without cutting corners — LeadHeed is worth exploring. It’s built to help businesses like yours manage leads, automate tasks, and gain valuable insights while staying within budget.

The right CRM can transform how you run your business. Take the time to find the one that supports your growth, keeps your team organized, and helps you deliver an even better experience to your customers.

[optiostation]

Apps for Managing Tasks to Save Your Time Productively

Find all the best free  task management apps - free of cost - to categorize your jobs, streamline tasks, and handle deadlines. From intuitively designed todo lists to intricate project tracking tools, these apps guarantee powerful features, all without setting a hole in your pocket. Ideal for teams, businesses and individuals looking at efficiency and saving time.

[ai-cyber]

Ubuntu is a popular open-source operating system based on the Linux kernel. It's known for its user-friendliness, stability, and security, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced users. Ubuntu can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

Key Features and Uses of Ubuntu:

Desktop Environment: Ubuntu offers a modern, intuitive desktop environment that is easy to navigate. It comes with a set of pre-installed applications for everyday tasks like web browsing, email, and office productivity.

Development: Ubuntu is widely used by developers due to its robust development tools, package management system, and support for programming languages like Python, Java, and C++.

Servers: Ubuntu Server is a popular choice for hosting websites, databases, and other server applications. It's known for its performance, security, and ease of use.

Cloud Computing: Ubuntu is a preferred operating system for cloud environments, supporting platforms like OpenStack and Kubernetes for managing cloud infrastructure.

Education: Ubuntu is used in educational institutions for teaching computer science and IT courses. It's free and has a vast repository of educational software.

Customization: Users can customize their Ubuntu installation to fit their specific needs, with a variety of desktop environments, themes, and software available.

Installing Ubuntu on Windows:

The image you shared shows that you are installing Ubuntu using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). This allows you to run Ubuntu natively on your Windows machine, giving you the best of both worlds.

Benefits of Ubuntu:

Free and Open-Source: Ubuntu is free to use and open-source, meaning anyone can contribute to its development.

Regular Updates: Ubuntu receives regular updates to ensure security and performance.

Large Community: Ubuntu has a large, active community that provides support and contributes to its development.

[anneadams]

5 Best Restaurant Management Software Reviews for 2025

Are you looking for the best restaurant management software?

In this tech-driven era, utilizing feature-rich restaurant management software is crucial for small businesses to stay ahead of their competitors. To keep pace with the constant technical advancements and ever-evolving customer preferences, most restaurant owners rely on restaurant management tools that not only streamline their restaurant operations but also help improve sales.

Managing day-to-day restaurant operations can be challenging. However, for many years, restaurants have been struggling with manual logs, lots of spreadsheets, and ordinary point-of-sale systems to keep things in order. This results in missed orders, poor task management, and lots of stress.

If you, too, are dealing with the same issue, this article will be very helpful for you, as we have shared 5 of the best restaurant management software reviews here to help you pick the right one for your business and modernize your restaurant management system.

What is restaurant management software?

Restaurant management software or a restaurant POS system is designed to automate all restaurant operations, order & delivery tracking, generating invoices, storing customer details, offering discounts, food menu management, restaurant reviews, and more. In simple words, it creates the foundation of your restaurant business. A good restaurant POS system will drive your sales and give you a lot of opportunities to grow your restaurant business.

If you still do not use a restaurant management system, let us tell you why your business needs it.

Why do you need restaurant management software?

Best Restaurant Management Software automates major restaurant operations, offering you a stress-free business management experience and happy customers.

Other benefits of using restaurant management software include:

Order management: Starting from accepting orders to processing them and tracking delivery, the entire process is automated with a restaurant management system.

Table booking management: You can easily manage table reservations, table availability, seating arrangements, and more to optimize space and increase revenue.

Handling customer data: When customers place orders with your POS system, it automatically saves crucial information that you can utilize to offer personalized experiences to them.

Improves user experience: With online ordering, payment security, a loyalty program, and systematic task management, your customers feel satisfied.

Data-driven marketing decision: A POS system offers useful data and reports on your sales and evaluates your overall restaurant performance to help you make data-driven decisions.

Menu management: Add a striking menu and easily add, edit, or delete food items from it.

Cost optimization: Proper menu management, loyalty program, and simplified order management help optimize costs.

Reduced errors: Tech-driven order, delivery, and customer data management reduce the chances of error and provide you with an accurate picture of your restaurant’s performance.

These are the basic advantages of using a restaurant management system. When you choose the best for you, your business will experience more benefits.

Selecting the best restaurant management software: features to look for

Best restaurant management software features

When you search for the best restaurant management software for your restaurant, you will find an overwhelming number of options that are sure to confuse you. So, how to pick the best one? The answer lies in the features of a restaurant POS system.

Find out the must-have features for a restaurant management system:

Security

Your restaurant POS system regularly deals with confidential customer information like their payment details, contact information, etc, and ensuring their security should be a priority to build trust and credibility. Ensure that the restaurant software you choose has end-to-end encryption and a secure payment system.

Speed

One of the most important factors of the best restaurant management software is its speed. It must be able to work efficiently during rush hours when the order flow usually doubles. If the system slows down or crashes, then it could pose a serious challenge to your operational efficiency and business reputation. While scrutinizing event management software, do not forget to check its speed and its ability to handle pressure.

Scalability

Scalability is extremely important for a restaurant management solution to stay aligned with the changes that take place. Whether it is about managing restaurants from different locations or adding new features, your software must be able to deliver that without affecting the performance.

Mobile Accessibility

Make sure that the restaurant POS system you choose offers you the flexibility to manage your restaurant operation through your mobile phone. Opening a desktop for minor works can be a hassle. Tracking orders, deliveries, customer data, table registration, and more through phones is extremely beneficial and convenient.

Table booking management

Table reservation is a crucial part of a restaurant, and that is why, while filtering restaurant management software, look for a restaurant management system that offers a table booking system.

Order and delivery management

A restaurant POS system is incomplete without an online ordering and delivery management system. Search for a restaurant menu software that provides you with 100% admin control over the orders and delivery management.

Technical support

Technical support ensures that everything runs smoothly. Opt for a restaurant management system that offers technical support when required. This is important because if you face any technical issues, they can solve them promptly.

Reporting and analytics

Reports and analytics help you measure the performance of your restaurant. It throws light on sales, employee performance, and customer preferences to help you make major decisions for growth.

5 Best Restaurant Management Software Reviews

We have picked the 5 best restaurant management software after evaluating them on the basis of the above-mentioned points and reviewed each of them to help you understand them better and choose the most suitable one for your business.

1. FoodMato

FoodMato is one of the best restaurant management software programs that you can rely on for your small, medium, or established restaurant business. It is an all-in-one restaurant POS system that covers everything from online ordering and delivery to menu management, marketing, and an easy-to-use mobile app to manage the entire system at your fingertips.

Key features of FoodMato

Restaurant website creation and branding.

Seamless order management and delivery tracking.

Stress-free restaurant reservation system.

Creation of food menu and its management.

Freedom to handle multiple restaurant operations from a centralized platform.

Reports and analytics on restaurant sales, orders, and overall performance.

Google Maps integration to display restaurant locations.

Loyalty program for customer retention.

Restaurant marketing with social media community management.

Restaurant review system to increase credibility.

Sincere and timely support.

Third-party integrations.

Restaurant gallery to showcase your restaurant’s ambiance.

The best part about FoodMato is that it covers all essential restaurant management features, and it can be customized as per individual business requirements.

Pros of FoodMato

Offers a comprehensive solution

Affordable pricing.

Prompt response from the support team.

Offers full control to the admin.

A wideegtecccg3grvfcrv array of features.

Amazing reviews.

The FoodMato team works according to unique business needs.

No technical knowledge is required.

Cons of FoodMato

Not many reviews are available as it is a newly launched software.

2. OpenTable

The second in our list is the OpenTable software, which is known for its excellent restaurant reservation system. The POS system offers a vast array of services to restaurants, including table reservations, table management, restaurant booking, inventory management, and more.

Key features of OpenTable

Organize private dining events with enhanced visibility.

Restaurant management with a mobile app.

Restaurant reservation system with tags, booking, and waiting list facilities.

Offers guest data security.

The online waiting list is for guests to avoid congestion at the restaurant front door.

Reports and analytics.

A restaurant direct messaging system to allow customers to directly interact with restaurant representatives before stepping in.

Pros of OpenTable

Vast features.

Superior table booking system.

CRM integrations for better guest management.

Positive reviews.

Cons of OpenTable

Users often complain about data synchronization issues.

The system may slow down during peak hours.

It may feel overwhelming for users due to excessive features.

3. Toast

Toast is another restaurant POS system that we have picked for our readers. It is easy to use, and it can be a good choice for those who are not tech-savvy. It offers multiple useful features that cover major restaurant operations like online ordering, payroll management, and more.

Key features of Toast

Simplified online ordering.

Convenient to use.

Various tools for employee scheduling and payroll management.

Insightful reports and analytics.

Easy integrations with third-party online ordering platforms.

Customizable.

Pros of Toast

User-friendly.

Packed with multiple features.

Integration with third-party delivery platforms for smooth restaurant management.

Cons of Toast

The absence of offline functionality makes the system completely unusable.

Difficulty in customizing the system.

4. PetPooja

PetPooja is a well-known restaurant POS software developed to streamline restaurant operations. It offers a wide range of restaurant management features, including online ordering, task management, easy attendee tracking, and task and payroll management.

Key features of PetPooja

User-friendly interface.

Online ordering and billing system.

Task management tool to improve productivity

Digital invoice generation system.

Real-time restaurant reports on sales, online orders, inventory consumption, staff management, and more.

Pros of PetPooja

Fast and reliable.

Easy to use.

Multiple useful features.

Offers real-time updates on Inventory, sales, and customer preferences.

Cons of PetPooja

The process of integrating the software with other platforms is complicated.

5. Restroworks

Last but not least, Restroworks works as a complete restaurant management platform with powerful inventory management features. It is mostly suitable for medium-sized restaurants. It easily integrates with payment processing tools to offer a smooth transaction experience to restaurant owners and customers.

Key features of Restroworks:

Helps manage kitchen inventories to decrease food prices.

Offers real-time updates on food stock to reduce food wastage.

Provides a clear picture of the upcoming day’s food consumption based on historical data.

Helps create recipes with proper ingredients and monitor costs to determine the price of a food item.

Pros of Restroworks

Customizable.

Offers a comprehensive restaurant management solution.

Easy inventory tracking.

Automatic sync with accounting tools.

Cons of Restroworks

It can be a bit complicated for small businesses.

Customer support response time is slow

Inventory tracking requires manual efforts.

What is the best restaurant management software?

Selecting the best restaurant management software from the above-mentioned tools completely depends on your restaurant’s requirements. We recommend FoodMato because it offers an A-to-Z solution to your restaurant business with a strong IT support team.

Wrapping up

Let us take a quick look at the 5 best restaurant management software that we have reviewed for you: FoodMato, Openable, Toast, PetPooja, and Restroworks. We have picked them on the basis of their features, reviews, support, user-friendliness, and their ability to streamline restaurant operations.

[megsiepoo]

Cult of the Lamb/Inscryption Crossover

Aka Hard-drive AU

The Lamb

The Lamb is a freelance software developer. They were hired by a mysterious organization called TOWW. They don't know anything about the organization besides the fact they pay well and they want a job done. The task? They are to investigate a floppy drive and hack into the code in order to discover any hidden secrets. It seems like an easy enough task until they discover the characters in-game are sentient and the things that are hidden on the disc might should stay that way.

Leshy

Leshy is the Scrybe of Beasts. A generally chaotic being, he likes to toy with the Lamb but mostly just wants them to play with him. He's very fond of games, however the Lamb learns that the game they are presented with is not the true game and there are other characters hidden within the cards. The Lamb beats Leshy in a game and manages to revert the game world back to its true state, revealing the other scrybes and unknowingly stepping closer to ending everything.

Heket

Heket is the Scrybe of Technology. She is a fearsome creature and is generally cruel and sarcastic, berating the Lamb as well as her fellow scrybes. Her cards are decent, not great not terrible, but the boss mechanic can present quite a challenge, especially if the Lamb has a powerful deck and is unable to defeat her before their cards change sides.

Kallamar

Kallamar is the Scrybe of Magic and is one of if not the most challenging bosses the Lamb faces. His decks are very rng based, moreso than with the other scrybes, which means it can take several attempts to defeat him and frequently leaves the Lamb frustrated anytime they have to deal with him. He's a coward and often warns the Lamb to close the game and go no further, begging them to turn back before they destroy everything.

Shamura

Shamura is the Scrybe of the Dead. A charismatic and cheerful being, they like to give riddles and have the Lamb perform puzzles in addition to the primary gameplay. They are one of the Lamb's favorite scrybes to visit, not just because they have the best cards, but they're also just very fun to be around and tend to give great advice. They can seem a bit flighty though, and while nice, they are not to be trifled with, making for an extremely challenging boss fight. They have the gift of prophecy, though the Lamb doesn't learn that till much later, and is working towards a hidden agenda that not even the other scrybes know about.

Narinder aka The Old Data

The Old Data is some code hidden deep within the game files. This is what TOWW has hired the Lamb to uncover. By converting the game back to its original format, the Lamb has made it easier for The Old Data to come through and influence the world, signs of his presence appearing in hidden corners of the map. If all of the scrybes are defeated, the game will break and The Old Data will become free, leading to disastrous consequences.

The Witnesses

This is a singular being that appears in a different form depending on which part of the map you're in, matching the scrybe that rules the area. They are a neutral being, incredibly aware of both the real world and the dangers of The Old Data, but understand how fickle the Lamb as a player is, offering warnings but not stopping them as they proceed.

Focalor

A minor npc the Lamb encounters in Shamura's domain, he was once a real world being just like the Lamb before dying and being reincarnated as an NPC within the game. While his code limits him and his abilities to interact within the game, he is still sentient. He was a developer at TOWW and originally discovered what was hidden within the game. He decided to alter the game into the format the Lamb originally sees, binding the scrybes onto playing cards and leaving Leshy in charge of things since he was the least likely to protest and cause problems. Though he didn't like Focalor's plan, he went along with it since he genuinely liked Focalor and really just likes having fun. Focalor also threatened to alter the game without getting Leshy's opinion on design and mechanics so might as well go along with it. He was sad that Focalor died but is glad that he's in the game. Shamura has a soft spot for Focalor, finding him charming albeit foolish, and Heket just likes making fun of him.

[specialized-billing]

Medical Billing Services in Florida: 2024 Guide to Boost Revenue

Florida’s healthcare providers encounter a perfect storm of difficulties with the hurricane season, aging patients, and the intricate rules of Medicaid. Clinics lost over $4.7 million a year due to billing mistakes in 2023 alone, which is enough to hire more than 50 nurses throughout the state. This guide explores how medical billing services in Florida mitigate these issues through expert knowledge and advanced technology to stop revenue loss and streamline profits.

What Are Medical Billing Services? (And Ohio’s Reasons For The Need)

They are the financial lifeline of a clinic. Medical billing services in Florida manage the coding of the diagnosis and the appeals for denied claims. In Florida, it is more than just a contracting firm; it is a matter of survival.

Why Florida?

Medicare Mayhem: One of the most bizarre situations in America is that 32% of people living in Florida use Medicare Advantage plans, each with its own billing rules.

Hurricane Headaches: Correctly coding claims is a difficult task. After Hurricane Ian, clinics reported using ICD-10 code Z04.1 (disaster-related care) for more than 3000 claims.

Legal Landmines: The “Balance Billing” law in Florida means that a single coding mistake could incur a loss of more than $10,000 in fines.

5 Ways Florida Medical Billing Services Boost Revenue

Slash Denial Rates

AI software, like Claim Genius, is helping Miami clinics decrease denial rates. Denials due to discrepancies such as telehealth visit Cand PT code mismatches are flagged. These tools help reduce denials by 40%.

Speed Up Payments

If correctly coded, the Staywell program of Florida Medicaid processes case management claims (HCPCS code T1015) 15 days earlier than the stipulated payment period.

Ensure Compliance

By outsourcing coding to AAPC-certified specialists, Sunset Medical Group mitigated $250,000 in anticipated AHCA fines.

Cut Costs

HealthFirst Clinic of Orlando saves $67k a year by contracting billing out to Specialized-Billing.com.

Disaster-Proof Billing

Fort Myers clinics adopted cloud-based systems for billing and were able to submit 95% of claims on time after Hurricane Ian.

How to Choose the Best Medical Billing Partner in Florida

Ask These Questions:

“What is the ‘1115 Waiver’ rule and do your coders know Florida Medicaid's version?”

“Are claims manageable during the oncoming hurricane?”

Avoid These Pitfalls:

Companies with no local client references, like Jacksonville or Tallahassee clinics,

No HIPAA-compliant data centers are located in Florida.

Case Study: Tampa Clinic Recovered $220k in 6 Months

The Problem:

A primary care clinic in Tampa encountered a 45% denial rate because the practice used incorrect Medicaid codes for chronic care management (CPT 99490).

The Solution:

Engaged Specialized-Billing.com for:

In-house coding audits.

Training workshops on Florida Medicaid’s “Episodes of Care” program.

The Result:

Denials were reduced to 20% within three months.

Revenue of $220k recovered, funding two additional exam rooms.

Future Trends in Florida Medical Billing

RevCycleAI denial prediction tools forecast Medicaid denials for submission and AI-driven denial predictions are now possible.

Telehealth Boom: New modifiers like 95 for real-time telehealth are mandated by Florida’s Senate Bill 1606.

Blockchain Security: Unity Health of Miami hospital network securely shares patient data across more than 10 hospitals using blockchain technology.

Conclusion

Nothing illustrates the ever-changing Florida billing landscape better than an unpredictable summer storm. However, the chaos can be transformed into seamless cash flow with the right medical billing partner. Specialized-Billing.com utilizes AI-driven technology with on-the-ground knowledge to ensure Florida clinics flourish, even during hurricane season.

Suffering from costly billing errors? Claim your free Florida billing audit at Specialized-Billing.com today.

[thumeshgihan]

The Future of ERP Integrations: How Low-Code and No-Code Platforms Are Changing the Game

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems’ primary goal has been to enhance business operations through streamlining critical processes such as finance or supply chain management. However, to be honest, the integration of the ERPs with other tools has not always been an easy task. It was really a nightmare for companies to integrate ERPs with the other tools. Time-consuming development cycles, huge IT costs, and some complex coding requirements totally turned ERP integrations into a mess for businesses. 

But, here are low-code and no-code platforms like Odoo ERP that are quite the game-changers in ERP integrations. These contemporary remedies have made it much easier, faster, and cheaper to connect ERPs with other business applications. Let me explain to you how they are altering the landscape. 

Breaking Down the Buzz: What Are Low-Code and No-Code Platforms? 

Low-code platforms enable users to develop applications by designing visually with less code. They include visual design immediate productivity capabilities that promise to fast-track work for a broad spectrum of users in the organization. 

No-code platforms take the automation level a little further allowing even average users like IT, ERP, engineers, business analysts, and business owners to create their systems the way they want without having to write a single line of code, and thus they can focus on tasks that matter. 

By doing this, businesses just simply change their budget from standard, long, and costly ERP integrations to the cloud. 

How Low-Code & No-Code Are Transforming ERP Integrations 

Speed Like Never Before - Traditional ERP integrations used to be a time-consuming process and often took weeks, sometimes even months. The use of low-code/no-code tools has become revolutionary and businesses can now develop integrations in just a few days or hours. At the same time, pre-built Connectors and Templates, and automation tools certainly make the life of developers easier. 

Reduced IT Dependency - In the past, ERP integrations necessitated the participation of IT teams or even external developers. Over time, the implementation of the low code/no code approach has increasingly led to newcomers getting involved. For instance, the business user can take up the role of the IT team, and as a result, the bottleneck is removed, and the tech teams do more strategic tasks. 

Cost Savings Galore - The cost of hiring developers for custom ERP integrations can be hefty. On the other hand, Low-code/no-code solutions indeed offer the benefit of not needing much real developer input. As a result, such systems can be set up and maintained by non-technical employees alone. 

Flexibility & Scalability - Companies are getting innovative and growing while software needs are also changing. With the help of low-code/no-code technologies, organizations can accomplish this by simply changing the integration on the go (so to speak). This way, there is no need to reinvent software every time there is a need for change. 

Enforced Security & Compliance - No-code/low-code transformational strategies that are inherently secured and compliant mean that ERP integrations will be fulfilled with the required regulations hassle-free for IT teams. 

Who’s Leading the Low-Code/No-Code Revolution? 

Several players are shaking up the ERP integration landscape. Platforms like Odoo, Zapier, Mendix, OutSystems, and Microsoft Power Automate are leading the charge, making ERP integrations accessible to businesses of all sizes. 

Is This the End of Traditional ERP Integrations? 

No, it's not. Traditional coding is still very much a necessity for complex and highly customized integrations. However, low-code and no-code platforms are help in most cases to save time, money, and energy. 

Odoo: A Top Low-Code ERP 

Odoo is one of the best low-code ERP platforms, offering flexibility, automation, and easy customization. With its modular design and drag-and-drop tools, businesses can streamline operations without deep coding expertise. 

Final Thoughts: The Future is Here 

The days of painful, drawn-out ERP integrations are fading. Low-code and no-code platforms like Odoo are making ERP connectivity easier than ever, allowing businesses to focus on growth rather than technical roadblocks. If your company hasn’t explored these tools yet, now’s the time to jump in! 

The future of ERP integrations is fast, flexible, and code-free—are you ready for the Odoo upgrade? 

Read more: Click Here