I think I have figured out some of the best tools and services to get the job done (and have some fun as well). Here is my ever changing list of getting things done:
COMMUNICATIONS:
Email: Google Apps for your own domain. Not many people know that you can use Gmail, Google Docs, Spreadsheet, etc. with your own domain. And you can do it for free. Get yourself a domain from Godaddy and then go toGoogle Apps and get dialed in in 30 minutes or so.
Skype: World is full of intant messengers, but really, Skype is the best. Just upload it to your computer here and you are all set to call from computer to computer, from your computer to normal phones and mobiles anywhere in the world with very low cost. You can can also do video calls and conference calls between your Skype connections, so Skype is really all in one tool for daily communications.
Google Voice: Don’t give your cell number to everybody, but rather set-up Google Voice account and you get phone number that you can give to anyone and calls goes through filtering where your known numbers gets redirected to your mobile, office or home number and unknown calls goes through system where you can choose, if you answer them or not. Excellent! Google Voice also has great and cheap call-out plan that enables you to call Europe with your cell phone with $0.15 per minute. Google Voice is currently only available in USA.
Twitter: You will only learn to appreciate Twitter once you use it with correct tools and you follow right people. Best desktop tool for Twitter is Tweetdeck. Free, fantastic tool that also has iPhone and iPad versions that are equally great.
Facebook: Needs no introduction. Like it or not, it is very powerful tool to stay in touch with people around you.
