Digital diva: Techno tools for moms

By Ann Douglas

The latest generation of online tools and computer software products have something to offer every mom. Whether you're looking for products to organize your life, solve the "what's for dinner" dilemma, or turn the kids' baby photos into something really spectacular, the solutions you're seeking are only a few mouse clicks away. Here are a few techno tools that are definitely worth knowing about and most of them are free or budget-friendly.

D*I*Y Planner Hipster PDA Edition 3.0

www.diyplanner.com/templates/official/hpda
D*I*Y Planner Hipster PDA Edition 3.0 is a series of approximately one hundred productivity forms that can be printed out on to index cards (or labels that can be stuck on to index cards). If you've never found a printed organizer or electronic organizer that works with your life, you may want to give this customizable system a whirl. Simply view the various card templates available in the pre-designed package (there are more than 100 to choose from) and figure out which ones will work best for you: e.g., some calendar templates combined with some project planning templates combined with some record-keeping templates, and so on. You can even print templates that will allow you to work on your novel or sitcom script while the kids are momentarily entertained on the slide at the park. You carry what you need in your purse, bundled together with an elastic band or giant clip. It's that simple. Note: A traditional binder-style version of the same product is available for the index-card phobic. Free.

Google Calendar

www.google.com/calendar/
Find it difficult to keep track of your work schedule, your partner's work schedule, and your childcare provider's holiday schedule? Here's a quick and easy solution (and a way to stop those middle-of-the-night "are my childcare bases covered?") panic attacks. Set up a Google Calendar for yourself and have your husband and your childcare provider set up their own as well. Then link everyone's schedules. Voila! Any gaps will become immediately obvious. Free.

Campfire.com

www.campfirenow.com
So you've offered to organize this year's family reunion. That means emailing or phoning cousins, aunts, and uncles from across the country to try to coordinate schedules. It's become a scheduling nightmare. And there's no way you're going to schedule a teleconference call with the way some people in your family yammer on: you'd be broke! Luckily for you, there's a cheap web-based solution (free, if you go for the no-frills version): Campfire. Campfire allows you to set up chat rooms for two to 60 people, keep transcripts of those chats, and swap files. You may be so impressed that you'll be tempted to hold the family reunion online. Free or $12 and up, depending on the plan you select.

Remember the Milk

www.rememberthemilk.com
A paper to do list is no longer cutting it for you. You're getting tired of writing and rewriting your list-or pulling the remnants of what used to be your list out of the washing machine. You need Remember The Milk-an online organizational tool that allows you to create as many "to do" lists as your mom universe requires (and to have those "to do" list items sent to your computer's calendar program or e-mailed to yourself). The best feature of all is the ease at which you can delegate tasks to other Remember the Milk users, so be sure to sign your nearest and dearest up at the same time you get with the Remember the Milk program yourself. Free.

Mealsmatter.org

www.mealsmatter.org
If you find yourself hit with the same fervent wish every day at about 5 p.m. (that your Fairy Godmother will survey the contents of your cupboards, fridge, and freezer and figure out how to turn them into the yummiest-and healthiest-meal possible), you'll want to know about Mealsmatter.org-your digital Fairy Godmother. The online tools available at the site include a meal planner, a personalized pantry, a shopping list, a cookbook, fitness and nutrition planners, and more. (Note: You may also want to check out The Dietitians of Canada's Eating and Activity Tracker. See www.dietitians.ca.) Free.

Memory Mixer Digital Scrapbooking Software.

www.memorymixer.com
This last one is just for fun because, after all, all productivity and no play can make even most digitally-minded diva a dull girl. Memory Mixer allows you to create a multimedia memory scrapbook that blends photos, video, music, and memorabilia such as postcards, letters, ticket, children's artwork, and report cards. Your scrapbook can be output in CD, DVD, or paper format. For Windows and Mac OS X. $79.95.