Hongkiat https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/author/eoinwiley/ Tech and Design Tips Wed, 31 May 2023 07:58:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.5 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/cropped-hkdc-avatar-32x32.png Eoin Wiley, Author at Hongkiat https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/author/eoinwiley/ 32 32 5 Affordable CRM Tools to Try (2023) https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/affortable-crm-tools/ Tue, 30 May 2023 13:01:33 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=67266 Explore affordable CRM tools: Zendesk, Zoho, Salesforce, Insightly, Vtiger. Find the best fit for your business needs without breaking the bank.

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In the ever-evolving digital landscape, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools have become a cornerstone for businesses aiming to streamline their operations and foster stronger customer relationships.With a myriad of options available, finding a cost-effective solution that aligns with your business needs can be a daunting task. In this article, we delve into the world of CRM tools, focusing on the five cheapest yet effective solutions that can transform your business operations without breaking the bank.

Each of these tools brings unique features and benefits to the table, catering to different business needs. Whether you’re a small business owner looking for a basic setup or a large enterprise seeking advanced functionalities, we hope this guide will help you navigate your options and make an informed decision.

Key Takeaways

#1 Zendesk Zendesk offers a free 14-day trial. Price starts at $19 per user per month. Qualified startups may use it for free, for 6 months.
#2 Salesforce Salesforce offers a free trial for 30 days. Price starts at $25 per user per month.
#3 Zoho CRM Zoho CRM offers a free plan for up to 3 users. They also offer a 15-day free trial for their paid plans. Paid plans starts at $24 per user per month.
#4 Insightly CRM Insightly offers a free 14-day trial. Price starts at $29 per user per month.
#5 Vtiger CRM Its "Vtiger Free Cloud CRM" is free forever. Vtiger offers a 15-day free trial. Paid plan starts at $30 per user per month.

1. Zendesk

Zendesk CRM

Zendesk is recognized for its easy data visualization and is considered one of the best cheap CRM software systems. Here are some details about its features and pricing:

Features:
  • Data Visualization: Zendesk’s Team Plan is equipped with plenty of data and reporting tools, including preset and custom dashboards, as well as deal, lead, and recurring revenue reports. This makes it easy for businesses to visualize and understand their data.
  • Contact Management: It offers efficient contact management features including data import and export.
  • Marketing Tools: It houses useful marketing tools such as an email design editor, automated workflow, and visitor tracking.
  • AI-Powered Sales Assistant: Freshsales’ AI-powered sales assistant, Freddy AI, provides valuable insights into your contact list.
Pricing:
  • Zendesk offers a program where eligible startups can use their services for free, for a period of six months.
  • The Team Plan is priced at $19 per user per month.
  • It offers no user limit and 2GB of file storage per person.

While Zendesk’s Team Plan offers a range of features, it lacks some functionalities, such as marketing features and customer service tools.

Learn more about Zendesk

2. Salesforce

Salesforce CRM

Salesforce is a global leader in CRM software and is often used by medium and enterprise businesses. It offers a comprehensive suite of customer relationship tools, excellent integration, and unrivaled customization.

Features:
  • Comprehensive Functionality: Salesforce offers all-in-one functionality, with advanced customizable features, user-friendly design, and outstanding reporting tools.
  • Integration: Salesforce Sales Cloud, the main CRM core, can be integrated with Marketing Cloud for email automation or with Einstein Analytics for AI-powered business intelligence.
  • Advanced Customization: Salesforce offers advanced customization, including workflow approval and automation, which can automate standard business processes. Sales teams can designate the members of the team to work on individual deals.
  • Reporting and Prediction: Enterprise plans and above include advanced reporting and prediction, app development, full sandbox, sophisticated process automations, and external system integrations via web services APIs.
Pricing:
  • Salesforce pricing starts from $25 per user per month.
  • It’s worth noting that Salesforce can get expensive on the upper tiers as it is billed per each individual user.

While there is no free tier, Salesforce offers a 30-day free trial that is available without a credit card and does not require any software download.

Learn more about Salesforce

3. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is a standout tool in the extensive suite of SaaS business software offered by Zoho. It’s recognized for its comprehensive feature set that rivals even large-scale CRM systems like Salesforce.

Features:
  • AI-Powered Analytics: Zoho CRM includes Zia, an AI-powered analytics engine for spotting sales trends and anomalies. This can provide valuable insights for your business.
  • Customizable Interface: With Canvas, a drag-and-drop interface editor, you can customize the CRM to suit your specific needs and preferences.
  • Integration: If you’re already using other products in the Zoho portfolio, integrating Zoho CRM into your workflow can be seamless and straightforward.
  • Gamification Features: Zoho CRM includes integrated gamification features, which can help motivate your sales team and boost performance.
Pricing:
  • Zoho CRM is priced at $24 per user per month, billed annually.

Zoho CRM has a lot of cool features, but it might take some time to learn how to use them all. Keep in mind that the more sophisticated tools are only available if you go for the pricier packages.

Learn more about Zoho CRM

4. Insightly

Insightly CRM

Insightly CRM is a tool designed to help companies connect with prospects and customers, reduce manual work, streamline business activity, and ultimately, grow revenue and profitability.

Features:
  • Create Stronger Pipeline: Insightly CRM helps you build a strong customer relationship pipeline.
  • Sell from Anywhere: It allows you to sell from anywhere, on any device, providing flexibility and mobility.
  • Real-Time Sales Insights: Insightly provides real-time sales insights to help you make informed decisions.
  • Seamless Project Delivery: It ensures seamless project delivery with its efficient project management features.
  • Integrations: Insightly CRM integrates with the applications you use every day, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
  • Model and Automate Business Processes: It allows you to model and automate your business processes, reducing manual work and increasing efficiency.
Pricing:

Insightly offers different plans with varying features. The record limit ranges from 100,000 to unlimited, file storage from 10GB to unlimited, and records per import from 25,000 to 50,000. Mass email (emails per day) ranges from 2,500 to 10,000.

Here are its paid plans:

  • Plus: $29 per user per month
  • Professional: $40 per user per month
  • Enterprise: $99 per user per month

For specific pricing details, visit their official website.

Learn more about Insightly

5. Vtiger

Vtiger CRM

Vtiger CRM is a comprehensive CRM tool that combines contact management, calendaring, email marketing, internal chat integration, and marketing automation in a single platform.

Features:
  • Contact Management: Vtiger CRM offers features like contact and organization management, profile scoring, engagement score, touchpoints/contacts activity view, custom lists, tagging, and best time to contact.
  • Sales Process Management: It includes campaigns, deals, deal revenue line items, invoices, playbooks, leads, multiple pipelines, multiple currencies, quotes, round-robin lead assignment, sentiment tracking, sales pipeline, sales forecasting, sales quotas, and sales insights.
  • Support Management: It provides cases, work orders, internal tickets, knowledge base, email to case (ticket), round-robin case assignment, organization matching with email domain, assets, service contracts, and customer portal.
  • Marketing Automation: Vtiger CRM provides email campaigns, auto-responder campaigns, automatic email personalization, campaign scheduling, tracking opens, clicks, and bounces, subscriber list, list segmentation, and email opt-out.
  • Integrations: It integrates with Google Calendar, Google Contacts, Google Drive, Dropbox, One Drive, Digital Document Signing, Payment Systems, Shopping Cart, QuickBooks, Office 365, Xero, Mailchimp, Google Meet, MS Teams Meeting, MS Teams Channel & Bot Tab, Zoom Meet, Tally, and Exchange Connector.
Pricing:
  • Free: This tier, also known as Vtiger Free Cloud CRM is free and allows up to 10 users with a maximum of 3000 records. It includes basic features like contact management, task and calendar management, email functionality, and sales process management.
  • All-in-one Professional: This tier is priced at $30 per user per month (annual billing) or $42 per user per month (monthly billing). It offers unlimited users and records, and includes additional features like advanced contact management, sales insights, support insights, and marketing automation.
  • All-in-one Enterprise: This tier is priced at $42 per user per month (annual billing) or $58 per user per month (monthly billing). It offers unlimited users and records, and includes all features of the Professional tier, plus additional features like advanced sales insights, advanced support insights, and advanced marketing automation.

Learn more about Vtiger

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right CRM tool is a crucial decision for any business. It’s not just about finding the cheapest option, but also about finding a tool that offers the right features to support your business growth. Zendesk, Zoho, Salesforce, Insightly, and Vtiger each offer unique features and pricing structures that cater to different needs and budgets.

Whether you’re looking for advanced customization, AI-powered analytics, or seamless project management, there’s a budget-friendly CRM tool out there for you.

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Smartsheet vs. Google Sheets: A Comparative Analysis https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/google-sheets-vs-smartsheet/ Mon, 29 May 2023 13:01:13 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=67256 Smartsheet or Google Sheets? Check out our comprehensive comparison to find the best data management solution for your business needs.

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In today’s data-driven world, the importance of efficient and effective data management tools cannot be overstated. Two such tools that have gained significant popularity among businesses and individuals alike are Google Sheets and Smartsheet. Both offer a unique set of features, and while they may seem similar at first glance, they cater to different needs and use cases.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of these two platforms, highlighting their features, strengths, and potential applications. Whether you’re a project manager seeking better workflow control, a data analyst in need of powerful computational capabilities, or simply someone looking to make sense of personal data, this comparison will help you understand which tool might be the right fit for you.

How to Automatically Update Smartsheet from Google Sheets

How to Automatically Update Smartsheet from Google Sheets

In this tutorial, we will demonstrate how to automatically add a row to a Smartsheet spreadsheet every time... Read more

Google Sheets

Google Sheets

In the realm of cloud-based spreadsheet tools, Google Sheets has established itself as a major player. Known for its real-time collaboration capabilities and deep integration within the Google Workspace ecosystem, this tool goes far beyond basic data entry and calculation.

Read also: 5 Best Alternatives to Google Sheets

Here are some Google Sheets features you should know:

  • Spreadsheet Basics – Google Sheets provides fundamental spreadsheet functionalities including data entry, cell formatting, and mathematical calculations through built-in formulas.
  • Real-Time Collaboration – Multiple users can work on the same Google Sheet simultaneously, seeing each other’s changes in real time. This is a key feature for teams working collaboratively on data analysis or content creation.
  • Google Sheets collaboration
  • Commenting and Revision History – Users can add comments to specific cells for others to see and respond to. Google Sheets also keeps a complete history of changes made to the document, allowing users to see who made changes and to revert back to previous versions if necessary.
  • Formulas and Functions – Google Sheets supports a wide variety of formulas and functions, from basic mathematical operations to more complex functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX, MATCH, and array formulas.
  • Google Sheets functions
  • Data Analysis Tools – Google Sheets includes tools for data sorting, filtering, and validation. It also supports pivot tables, which are powerful for summarizing and analyzing large data sets.
  • Google Sheets data analysis
  • Data Visualization – Users can create a variety of charts and graphs in Google Sheets, including line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, scatter plots, bar codes, and more. There are also options to customize the appearance of these visualizations.
  • Google Sheets data visualization
  • Scripting and Automation – With Google Apps Script, users can write scripts to automate tasks, create custom functions, and build web applications. For example, a script could automatically send emails based on the contents of a spreadsheet.
  • Integration with Google Workspace – Google Sheets integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace tools, such as Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Forms. This integration allows for easy sharing and collaboration across these tools.
  • Add-ons and Extensions – Google Sheets supports a variety of add-ons and extensions, which can provide additional functionality such as mail merge, advanced data analysis, and integration with other software.
  • Import and Export Capabilities – Google Sheets can import and export in a variety of formats, including Excel (.xlsx), OpenDocument (.ods), CSV, and PDF. This flexibility makes it easy to work with data from different sources and to share your work with others.

Smartsheet

Smartsheet

Delving into the world of Smartsheet, we explore a tool that goes beyond traditional spreadsheet functions, positioning itself as a comprehensive project management and collaboration solution.

Let’s check out some of its unique features to understand why it stands out in the realm of data management and project execution.

  • Project Management – Smartsheet offers a range of project management tools, including Gantt charts, dependencies, sub-tasks, and critical path visibility. These features help manage complex projects and track progress effectively.
  • Smartsheet project management
  • Collaboration – Like Google Sheets, Smartsheet offers real-time collaboration. Multiple team members can work on the same sheet simultaneously. Features like comments, proofing, and row sharing enhance collaboration further.
  • Smartsheet collaboration
  • Grid View – This is a traditional spreadsheet-style view, which can be used for tasks such as budgeting, project planning, and task tracking.
  • Smartsheet grid view
  • Card View – This provides a visual, card-based view of tasks, which can be beneficial for workflows like agile project management, sales pipeline tracking, and customer relationship management (CRM).
  • Gantt View – Gantt charts are used to visualize a project schedule. Tasks can be linked together to show dependencies.
  • Smartsheet gantt view
  • Calendar View – This view allows users to see any set of tasks that have start and end dates on a calendar.
  • Smartsheet calendar view
  • Forms – Smartsheet forms are a way to collect and capture data that automatically populates in a sheet. These can be used for surveys, data collection, and more.
  • Smartsheet form
  • Automation & Workflows – Smartsheet allows for automated workflows, such as automated update requests, approval requests, and alerts. This can save time and reduce manual work. For example, see How to Automatically Update Smartsheet from Google Sheets.
  • Smartsheet automation
  • Reporting & Dashboards – Smartsheet offers powerful reporting capabilities, allowing users to create summary reports across multiple sheets. Dashboards provide real-time visibility into work status, so everyone knows what’s happening.
  • Integration – Smartsheet can integrate with a variety of other tools, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and more, allowing for a seamless work experience.
  • Security & Administration – With features like user management, group management, and access controls, administrators can manage and secure data effectively.
  • Mobile Access – Smartsheet has a mobile app for iOS and Android, enabling users to access their sheets, reports, and dashboards on the go.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Google Sheets and Smartsheet offer robust features that can significantly enhance your data management and collaborative workflows.

Google Sheets shines as a powerful, free-to-use tool for data manipulation and analysis, particularly for those already within the Google Workspace ecosystem.

On the other hand, Smartsheet stands out as a comprehensive project management solution, with advanced features like Gantt charts, automation, and robust reporting capabilities. Ultimately, the choice between Google Sheets and Smartsheet will depend on your specific needs, budget, and the nature of your projects. Regardless of which tool you choose, both are capable of transforming the way you work with data and collaborate with your team.

Remember, the digital tools landscape is ever-evolving, so it’s crucial to stay updated on the latest features and improvements these platforms introduce. Happy data handling!

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How to Automatically Update Smartsheet from Google Sheets https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/autoupdate-smartsheet-google-sheets/ Tue, 23 May 2023 13:01:52 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=67082 Step-by-step guide on how to automate data updates from Google Sheets to Smartsheet for easy sharing and use.

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In this tutorial, we will demonstrate how to automatically add a row to a Smartsheet spreadsheet every time a new row is added to a Google spreadsheet. This can be particularly useful when you need to share a spreadsheet with multiple users who are utilizing different services, such as Google Sheets and Smartsheet.

The main objective of this tutorial is to ensure seamless collaboration between users of different spreadsheet platforms. By automatically updating the Smartsheet spreadsheet whenever a new row is added to the Google spreadsheet, users can easily access and work on the same data set, regardless of their preferred platform. This not only simplifies the sharing process but also ensures that everyone stays on the same page and can collaborate effectively.

How Does This Work?

When new roles of data are added to a Google Sheet:

data add Google Sheets

It will automatically be updated and added to Smartsheet.

data reflected Smartsheet

This integration allows users to focus on keeping their data up-to-date in Google Sheets, without having to worry about double data entry in Smartsheet. As a result, the data in Smartsheet will always be current and accurate, without any additional effort required from the user.

What You’ll Need:

To begin integrating between Google Sheets and Smartsheets, we will be using Zapier. If you do not already have an account with these platforms, you can sign up (for free) by clicking the corresponding buttons below.

Get free Smartsheet account. Get free Zapier account.

Once you have successfully signed up or if you already have an account, log in to your Zapier, Google Sheets, and Smartsheets accounts.

What We’re Going to Do

For this tutorial, we will be using a Google Sheets spreadsheet that consists of several columns: First Name, Last Name, Job Title, Age, and Nationality.

Google Sheets Cols

The goal is to ensure that when a new row of data is added to this spreadsheet, it will automatically be reflected in Smartsheet without the need for manual data entry.

Let’s do it!

1. Create Spreadsheets in Smartsheet and Google Sheets

Start by creating a new sheet in both Google Sheets and Smartsheet. Ensure they have identical columns, labeled as “First Name“, “Last Name“, “Title“, “Age“, and “Nationality“.

Get free Smartsheet account.

Give each spreadsheet a name. For example, name the Google Sheets spreadsheet “Interviewee Information (GS)” and the Smartsheet spreadsheet “Interviewee Information (SS)“.

Google Sheets with Cols Smartsheet with Cols

Enter an example row of data in Google Sheets.

Google Sheets row 1

2. Create Integrations with Zapier

First, we’ll link Zapier to Google Sheets.

Linking Zapier with Google Sheets.
  1. Log in to your Zapier account.
  2. Click this link to add the "Google Sheets-Smartsheet integration template" to your Zapier.
  3. Click on the first row of “1. New Spreadsheet Row in Google Sheets” and then click “Sign in.
  4. Zapier sign in Google Shhets

  5. Click “Continue.
  6. Google Sheets continue

  7. Now, you need to tell Zapier which spreadsheet to use. Click the dropdown box under “Spreadsheet” and select “Interviewee Information (GS).
  8. sleect Google Sheets spreadsheet

  9. Next, tell Zapier which sheet within “Interviewee Information (GS)” to use. In the dropdown box for “Worksheet,” choose “Sheet1” and click “Continue.
  10. Google Sheets worksheet

  11. Click “Test” and then “Trigger test” to check if the connection between Zapier and the spreadsheet is working.
  12. Google Sheets test trigger

  13. If successful, you will see the sample data you entered earlier. Click “Continue“.
  14. Google Sheets test success

Next, we will link Zapier to Smartsheet.

Linking Zapier with Smartsheet.
  1. First, click “Sign in” under “2. Add Row to Sheet in Smartsheet” to connect Zapier to your Smartsheet account. Then click “Continue“.
  2. Choose the “Interviewee Information (SS)” sheet from the “Action” dropdown menu.
  3. Choose sheet in Smartsheet

  4. Decide whether you want new data to be added to the top or bottom of the row. Select “To Top” or “To Bottom” from the dropdown menu.
  5. Smartsheet new data appearance

  6. Click “Refresh fields” to match the columns between the two spreadsheets. Make sure the information for “First Name“, “Last Name“, “Title“, “Age“, and “Nationality” is entered correctly. Then, click “Continue“.
  7. Smartsheet matching data

  8. Click “Test action” to check if everything is synced properly. If you see a “SUCCESS” message, it means the columns are synced correctly.
  9. Smartsheet test success

  10. Finally, click “Publish” to finish the process.
  11. publish Smartsheet

3. Testing the Automation

Now that both spreadsheets in Google Sheets and Smartsheets are integrated, you can easily transfer and manage your data.

To transfer existing data from your Google Sheet to Smartsheet, simply click on the “Transfer existing data” button. This will ensure that any data already present in your Google Sheet is copied over to Smartsheet.

transfer existing data

Or, you can start populating or entering data in Google Sheets….

Google Sheets add data

…and it will be automatically reflected in Smartsheet.

Smartsheet data reflected

Data won’t show up in Smartsheet right away

Please note that the data will not be instantly reflected on Smartsheet when using Zapier.

Under the “Free” and “Starter” plans, the update time is 15 minutes, which means that Zapier checks for new data and updates your Zap every 15 minutes.

Zapier plans

If you require a faster update time, you may want to consider upgrading to the “Professional” or “Team” plans, where the update time is reduced to 2 minutes and 1 minute, respectively. This will help ensure that your Smartsheet data is updated more frequently and accurately.

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5 Best CRM with WhatsApp Integration https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/crm-whatsapp-integration/ Tue, 16 May 2023 13:01:21 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=67003 Discover top 5 CRM tools with seamless WhatsApp integration for efficient customer service and outreach.

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In the era of seamless connectivity, businesses are constantly looking for ways to integrate their communication channels for more efficient customer interaction. One platform that has transformed the way businesses communicate is WhatsApp, with its global reach and user-friendly interface.

Integrating this powerful messaging app with your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool can greatly enhance your customer service and outreach. But which CRM platforms offer the best WhatsApp integration?

In this post, we’ll guide you through the top 5 CRM tools that seamlessly connect with WhatsApp, enabling you to manage customer interactions more effectively and leverage the power of unified communication. Let’s explore these solutions to help you make a more informed choice.

Salesforce

Salesforce WhatsApp inetegration

Salesforce has, since 2022, introduced a new way to enhance customer engagement, accelerate sales, and improve customer support outcomes through its “Marketing Cloud” and “Service” tools.

By integrating with WhatsApp, businesses can now harness the power of messaging to sell, market, and support their customers directly within a conversation. This integration allows brands to connect with customers in a quick, straightforward, and personalized manner, making it easier to address inquiries, offer assistance, and promote and sell products.

A key feature of this integration is the ability to deliver customized and conversational customer service using real-time data. This enables businesses to impress and satisfy their customers by providing tailored experiences that meet their unique needs. Moreover, this integration helps businesses scale operations efficiently through automation. By utilizing AI-powered chatbots, companies can quickly resolve issues, automate common inquiries, and streamline business processes.

Furthermore, integrating WhatsApp with Salesforce simplifies operations by consolidating digital channels and voice onto a single platform. This unification ensures that businesses can manage all customer interactions, whether through messaging, voice calls, or other digital channels, in a more organized and efficient manner.

Also read: how to create a WhatsApp Channel in Salesforce Service Cloud.

Visit Salesforce

Zendesk

Zendesk WhatApp integration

Zendesk provides a comprehensive customer support solution through its Zendesk Agent Workspace, which enables users to integrate WhatsApp social messaging channels into the platform. This allows agents to efficiently work across various Zendesk channels within a single ticket interface, addressing customer issues using the most suitable channels without being restricted to the initial contact channel.

By activating this feature, administrators enable agents to manage Support, Messaging, Chat, and Talk conversations within the same ticket. This eliminates the need for agents to switch between different dashboards to view and track customer issues. Instead, they have a complete, customer-centric view of their work, empowering them to deliver faster, better, and more personalized service. Moreover, when configured, agents can receive and respond to social messages and web messages, further enhancing their ability to effectively address customer concerns.

Also read: How to add WhatsApp channels to Zendesk Agent Workspace

Visit Zendesk

Hubspot

HubSpot WhatsApp integration

Hubspot’s CRM platform integrates seamlessly with WhatsApp Business accounts, providing a user-friendly and efficient way to engage with customers. This connection allows for effortless communication, conversation monitoring, and relationship building with customers. Businesses can send welcome messages, automate abandoned cart reminders, and even send targeted messages based on customer purchases.

One of the key benefits of integrating Hubspot with WhatsApp is the ability to manage all your WhatsApp messages in a shared inbox. This streamlines communication, making it easier for businesses to stay organized and responsive. Hubspot’s platform also helps target customers with automated messages, ensuring they stay engaged and informed. By delivering tailored content, businesses can nurture leads and improve customer satisfaction.

Moreover, Hubspot enables you to view all WhatsApp conversations within the CRM platform. This visibility provides valuable insights into customer interactions with your brand, allowing for data-driven decisions to enhance your marketing strategy.

Learn more about Hubspot + WhatsApp Integration.

Visit Hubspot

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM WhatsApp integration

Integrating WhatsApp Business with Zoho CRM greatly enhances customer interactions and streamlines communication. By connecting these two platforms, businesses can send messages directly from their CRM account, leading to improved customer engagement and more efficient interactions.

To achieve this integration, businesses need a Facebook Business Manager account, a verified WhatsApp business, and a registered phone number to access the WhatsApp Business API. Zoho’s marketplace offers various extensions that can further enhance the capabilities of the WhatsApp-Zoho CRM integration.

One such extension is Ultra WABA, which allows users to send WhatsApp messages to multiple contacts at once using Zoho CRM filters. This feature saves time and effort when reaching out to a large number of customers.

Another useful extension is “WhatsApp API integration for Zoho CRM by WATI.io” This extension enables businesses to set up Zoho CRM workflows to send automated WhatsApp messages based on specific criteria. This automation ensures that important messages are sent promptly and consistently, ultimately improving overall communication efficiency.

Read also: How to integrate WhatsApp Business with Zoho CRM.

Visit Zoho CRM

Freshsales

Freshsales WhatsApp integration

Last but not least, we have Freshsales. Created by Freshworks, it is an advanced sales CRM designed to assist sellers in closing deals more efficiently and swiftly. One of its notable features is Freshchat, which allows businesses to deliver outstanding customer service through WhatsApp.

By integrating with your preferred third-party tools, Freshsales enables you to manage messages from multiple WhatsApp numbers, collaborate with your team remotely, and access comprehensive customer information.

With Freshsales, you can also easily create and implement complex decision trees on WhatsApp using their no-code bot builder. This helps your team concentrate on more significant tasks as the bots handle repetitive questions by providing instant and precise responses.

Also, Freshsales can automatically send timely notifications using template messages, which can contain images, videos, and documents to offer more context and improve communication.

However, the WhatsApp Business integration is only available on the Pro and Enterprise plans.

Learn more about Freshsales’ integration with WhatsApp.

Visit Freshsales

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10 Tools to Remove Image Background Online – Best of https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/remove-image-background-online/ Wed, 10 May 2023 13:01:31 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=66902 Discover top 10 AI-powered tools for effortless online image background removal. Save time and achieve professional results with this guide.

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Are you still manually removing image backgrounds using Photoshop or other photo editing tools? Well, you shouldn’t be, at least not anymore. In this blog post, we have compiled a list of the 10 best online tools to remove image backgrounds effortlessly.

These image background-removing tools, with the assistance of AI, are designed to make your life easier, save you time, and help you achieve professional-looking results.

Whether you are a graphic designer, a social media manager, or just someone looking to enhance your images, these online tools will undoubtedly come in handy. Let’s check them out.

How to Remove Objects From the Background in Photoshop

How to Remove Objects From the Background in Photoshop

During graphic designing, there often comes a time when you find an image really suitable for your project... Read more

One more thing…

We tested all the image background removal tools featured on a specific list.

To conduct the test, we used the following two images: one with a simple background (an ice cream cone with a single color background) and another with a more complicated background (a portrait of a girl in a red dress).

Image 1
Image 1

Each tool was tested using both images to evaluate their performance. To see the results of how each tool performed, you can click on “Image 1” and “Image 2” under the “See results for:” section at the end of the description for each item.

1. HitPaw Online Background Remover

HitPaw Online Background Remover

HitPaw Online Background Remover allows users to edit images after removing the background. It offers various functionalities, such as adding different color backgrounds, using pre-designed background templates, or even incorporating photos into the design. Users can also resize the image to meet their needs, ensuring a perfect end result.

A key feature of this tool is the ability to preview the image outcome after the background removal. This allows users to make any necessary adjustments before finalizing their design. However, it is important to note that downloading the edited image requires a paid plan.

The paid plan offers competitive pricing, starting at just $2.57 per day. Subscribing to the paid plan unlocks additional benefits, such as watermark removal, batch processing for multiple images, and unlimited access to high-definition exports.

See results for: Image 1 Image 2

Remove image background with HitPaw

2. Fotor’s Bg Remover

Fotor's Bg Remover

With “Bg Remover,” you can remove the background from an image and replace it with a different color or a new photo to enhance its appearance. This feature allows you to create visually appealing and customized images tailored to your specific needs.

To ensure the background removal process is successful and meets your expectations, a convenient “compare” button is provided. This feature allows you to quickly view a side-by-side comparison of the original image and the edited version with the background removed.

One of the great features of this tool is its ability to handle multiple image uploads simultaneously. This batch upload functionality saves time and effort by allowing you to process several images at once, streamlining your workflow and increasing efficiency.

If you wish to download a preview version of the edited image, you can do so without signing in. This preview version will be available in a 500×500 resolution. However, if you require a high-definition version of the image in 2000×2000 resolution, signing in is necessary.

The good news is that signing up for an account is completely free, allowing you to access high-quality edited images at no additional cost.

See results for: Image 1 Image 2

Remove image background with Fotor

3. Zyro’s AI Background Remover

Zyro's AI Background Remover

The simplicity of Zyro’s AI Background Remover is one of its most appealing features, as it does not include any complicated functions or additional features. It is designed to provide users with a hassle-free experience when removing the background from an image.

All you need to do is drag and drop the image into the designated area, and the tool will handle the rest. Once the background has been successfully removed, you can easily download the final result by clicking the “Download Image” button. The entire process is straightforward and user-friendly.

See results for: Image 1 Image 2

Remove image background with Zyro

4. VanceAI Background Remover

VanceAI Background Remover

VanceAI’s Background Remover is an easy-to-use tool. To start, drag your chosen image onto the page and click the “Start to process” button. Shortly after, the processed image with the background removed will appear on the right side of the screen.

With a free account, users receive 3 credits to try out the tool. Downloading a processed image costs 2 credits. To learn more about how credits work, visit this page.

See results for: Image 1 Image 2

Remove image background with VanceAI

5. AVC.AI

AVC.AI

To remove an image background with Avc.AI, first, sign up for a free account. The free account provides you with 12 credits, and each background removal costs 1 credit. Once your account is set up, upload the image you want to edit, choose the “RemoveBG” option, and click the “Start Processing” button.

In addition to background removal, this tool offers features such as noise removal, image upscaling, and colorization. You can select any or all of these options before clicking the “Start Processing” button to customize your image processing experience.

After processing, download the high-quality image by clicking the “Download in high quality” button. Note that processed photos will remain in your account for 72 hours before being deleted from the server.

See results for: Image 1 Image 2

Remove image background with AVC.AI

6. Claid.AI

Claid.AI

To use Claid.AI’s image background removal tool, you must first sign up for an account. Upon successful registration, you will receive 50 credits to explore the tool’s features and capabilities.

One of the main advantages of this tool is its AI-powered technology, which allows for seamless background removal and additional customization options. After removing the background, you can easily resize the image, add a solid background color, or choose from a variety of pre-designed templates.

Furthermore, the AI component lets users enter descriptions or prompts, which the system uses to generate a custom background tailored to their specific needs. Once you have made your selections, simply click “Generate” to obtain the finished result.

See results for: Image 1 Image 2

Remove image background with Claid.AI

7. Cutout.pro

Cutout.pro

To remove the background using Cutout.pro, simply drag and drop an image or paste the URL of any online image. The tool will efficiently process the image, displaying the original and resulting images side by side for easy comparison.

One unique feature of this tool is the ability to add a custom background color to the processed image, allowing users to personalize their images according to their preferences.

Downloading the processed image is free and does not require signing up for an account. However, the free version of the image is limited to a size of 500×500 pixels.

For users who require a high-definition version of the processed image, a 2000×2000 resolution is available. To access this feature, you must sign up for an account and use one credit.

A free account includes five free credits to get started. For more information on the credit system and its pricing, click here.

See results for: Image 1 Image 2

Remove image background with Cutout.pro

8. DeepImage

DeepImage

To use DeepImage for background removal, you must first sign up for an account. Once registered, you can easily upload images by either dragging and dropping them or importing them from Google Drive. The tool offers various image editing features, including background removal, upscaling, enhancing facial details, sharpening, and noise reduction.

Please note that processed images with removed backgrounds will have a watermark. To remove this watermark, you need to subscribe to one of the available paid plans.

See results for: Image 1 Image 2

Remove image background with DeepImage

9. Erase.bg

Erase.bg

Erase.bg can process images up to 5000×500 pixels. To use it, simply drag and drop a single image. Once the processing is complete, you’ll be directed to a results page showing a comparison of the original image and the version with the background removed.

A magnifier tool is provided to help you examine the results more closely. If you’re satisfied with the outcome, click on “Download Original Size” to obtain the processed image.

Erase.bg is free to use, and there’s no need to sign up for an account.

See results for: Image 1 Image 2

Remove image background with Erase.bg

10. Removal.ai

Removal.ai

With Remove.ai, once the image is uploaded, you will see a side-by-side comparison in two tabs, displaying the before and after results. This helps you easily visualize the enhancements made to your image.

You can download a free preview image with dimensions of 800×800 pixels without signing up for an account. However, if you want a high-quality image measuring 2000×2000 pixels, you need to create an account.

By signing up for a free account, you can download one high-resolution image for free.

See results for: Image 1 Image 2

Remove image background with Removal.ai

The post 10 Tools to Remove Image Background Online – Best of appeared first on Hongkiat.

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5 Best Auto-Clicking Apps for Mac https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/mac-auto-clickers/ Tue, 09 May 2023 13:01:32 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=66818 Uncover the best auto-clicking apps for Mac. Save time, improve efficiency, and enhance your gaming experience.

The post 5 Best Auto-Clicking Apps for Mac appeared first on Hongkiat.

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As a Mac user, you might frequently encounter repetitive tasks that consume valuable time and energy. Auto clickers, which are apps designed to automate mouse clicks, can be game-changers in such situations. These tools can significantly save time when it comes to repetitive clicking tasks.

With a wide range of auto clickers available for Mac (some functioning well, while others are buggy), it can be challenging to identify the best one that suits your needs. That’s why we have compiled a list of the top auto clickers for Mac to help you make an informed decision.

Whether you are a gamer looking to automate in-game actions, a software tester needing to perform repetitive tasks, or a professional seeking to improve productivity, a reliable auto clicker can be quite useful. This article will guide you through the best (and free) auto clickers available for Mac.

1. Auto Clicker for Mac

Auto Clicker for Mac

Created by Murgaa.com, this Auto Clicker offers various methods to start and stop the automatic clicking of the mouse cursor. Based on your preferences and requirements, you can choose from the available options to start and stop this Mac Auto Clicker’s clicking functionality.

Murgaa also offers an alternative auto clicker that enables you to save the mouse location within the script, which we will discuss in the next item.

  • Developer: Murgaa.com
  • Platform: Mac
  • Price: Free trial of 6 months, USD 6.54/6 months/Mac after that.

Download Auto Clicker

2. Mac Auto Mouse Click

Mac Auto Mouse Click

Similar to the previous app, the Mac Auto Mouse Click app is also developed by Murgaa.com. However, it allows users to pre-program specific locations for the mouse cursor, enabling it to move to those locations later and perform more complex auto-clicking tasks.

The app provides two ways to run the mouse-clicking script. You can either press the “start button” within the app itself or set up a keyboard shortcut for automating mouse clicks.

To use the app effectively, follow these simple steps: First, move your cursor to the desired location on the screen. Next, press the assigned hotkey to record the cursor’s position. After that, configure the click behavior for the recorded location. Continue this process for each additional location you’d like to set up.

You can try this software for free, but to continue using it for up to 6 months on a single Mac, you’ll need to pay USD 9.87 after the trial period ends.

  • Developer: Murgaa.com
  • Platform: Mac
  • Price: Free trial of 6 months, USD 9.87/6 months/Mac after that.

Download Mac Auto Mouse Click

3. Fast Clicker

Fast Clicker

If you find the first two options too complex, you’ll be pleased to learn that Mugaa.com offers a more straightforward version of its Mac auto-clicking app.

The Fast Clicker app features a user-friendly and compact graphical user interface (GUI) that can be effortlessly repositioned during the recording process. To utilize this application, follow the steps below:

  • Create a shortcut key to initiate the auto-clicking process.
  • Set a delay time range for the clicking.
  • Move your mouse cursor to the desired location for clicking.
  • Initiate the auto-clicking by pressing the shortcut key you created.

By default, the app will automatically click the selected area 100 times; however, you can modify this setting if necessary. Similar to the previous app, you can try this software for free. To continue using it for up to 6 months on a single Mac, you will need to pay USD 6.54 when the trial ends.

  • Developer: Murgaa.com
  • Platform: Mac
  • Price: Free trial of 6 months, USD 6.54/6 months/Mac after that.

Download Fast Clicker

4. Autoclick

Autoclick

Autoclick is a free and user-friendly auto-clicker app for Mac, developed by Mahdi Bchatina. It functions similarly to the Fast Clicker app we discussed earlier.

To use Autoclick, simply assign a hotkey, navigate to the desired location for the auto-clicking to take place, and activate the auto-clicker by pressing the assigned hotkey again.

  • Developer: Mahdi Bchatina
  • Platform: Mac
  • Price: Free

Download Autoclick

5. Auto Clicker

Auto Clicker by 1Clicker

Next up, we have Auto Clicker by 1Clicker. It is a free auto-clicking app designed to automate your mouse-clicking tasks with increased accuracy. This versatile tool can simulate left and right clicks, single, double, or even triple clicks, allowing you to focus on more important tasks instead of repetitive and monotonous clicking.

The app features a Recording Script Control List that enables you to record a series of clicks using the application. It presents a list of recorded clicks in chronological order, and you can utilize the coordinate calculator to identify multiple key points. Once the points are set, simply click “Start” to execute the clicks in sequence. You can save this list as a FAC file and reload it later to perform the same actions.

Additionally, you can customize the time duration between clicks, and set intervals between clicks and configure the program to stop after a specified number of clicks or time period. This user-friendly tool simplifies your clicking tasks while ensuring optimal efficiency.

  • Developer: 1Clicker
  • Platform: Windows, Mac
  • Price: Free

Download Auto Clicker

Bonus: DwellClick

DwellClick

Here is another one just in case none of the above meets your need. Developed by Pilotmoon Software, DwellClick was initially launched in 2010 and subsequently became a free application in 2016.

To utilize this app at no cost, you need to visit the official website and obtain a license key, which will grant you free access indefinitely.

  • Developer: Pilotmoon Software
  • Platform: Mac
  • Price: Free

Download DwellClick

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How to Use ChatGPT in Google Docs https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/chatgpt-google-doc/ Mon, 08 May 2023 13:01:28 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=66813 Discover how to integrate ChatGPT into Google Docs for seamless collaboration and enhanced productivity. Click to learn the step-by-step process.

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ChatGPT is a revolutionary tool that can greatly enhance your text generation, content summarization, and grammar correction capabilities.

While you may be familiar with using prompts on chat.openai.com to interact with ChatGPT, did you know that you can also seamlessly integrate this within a Google Doc? In this post, we will explore how to leverage the power of ChatGPT within Google Docs to optimize your workflow and increase productivity.

using ChatGPT in Google Docs

Getting Started

Currently, OpenAI does not provide an official ChatGPT extension for Google Docs. Nevertheless, you can still harness the potential of GPT technology in Google Docs by using third-party applications that interface with OpenAI’s GPT API.

One such extension is “GPT for Sheets and Docs”. Setting up this extension to function with your Google Docs is not too technical and can be accomplished easily.

To get started, you will need the following:

1. Obtain an OpenAI API Key

First, you will need an OpenAI API key. If you don’t have one already, here’s how to get it:

  1. Visit https://platform.openai.com/account/api-keys and click on “Sign up.”
  2. Open AI sign up

  3. After logging in, click on “API keys.”
  4. Open AI API Keys

  5. Click on “+ Create a new secret key,” provide a name, and click “Create secret key.”
  6. Create new secret key

  7. You will receive a secret key. Click “Copy” and paste it somewhere for future use.
  8. Copy secret key

Note: It is crucial that you keep a safe copy of your API key since it is irretrievable if misplaced. Also, avoid sharing your API keys with external parties, as this could limit your access to OpenAI’s GPT API if exploited by harmful third parties.

2. Install GPT for Sheets and Docs Extension

  1. Open a blank Google Docs in Google Chrome.
  2. On the top navigation, go to Extensions > Add-ons > Get Add-ons.
  3. Get Addons

  4. The “Google Workspace Marketplace” page should appear. Enter “GPT for Sheets and Docs” in the search bar at the top and press Enter to search.
  5. search GPT for Sheets and Docs

  6. Click on the extension as seen in the screenshot below, then click either “Install” or “Individual Install” to install the extension.
  7. Install Addon

  8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the entire installation process.

3. Set up GPT for Sheets and Docs

Once you have installed “GPT for Sheets and Docs,” let’s go through the setup process and learn how to use it.

  1. Go to Extensions > GPT for Sheets and Docs > Set API Key.
  2. Set API Key

  3. Enter your OpenAI API Key, then click “Save API key.”
  4. Save API key

  5. Go to Extensions > GPT for Sheets and Docs > Launch.
  6. Launch extension

Now you can use GPT in Google Docs with ease.

Note: You only need to set it up once, and there’s no need to repeat the setup for every document.

4. How to Use GPT for Sheets and Docs

Now that everything is set up, let’s see how to use the “GPT for Sheets and Docs” extension in your Google Docs.

I have a sample text with grammar and English errors that I found online and pasted into a Google Docs.

Content with mistakes

To use GPT to correct grammar and spelling mistakes, follow these steps:

  1. Highlight the text.
  2. Under “Selection action:“, choose “Fix grammar and spelling” and click Submit.
  3. highlight content

That’s it! A corrected version of the text will appear below, as shown in the screenshot below.

corrected content

Conclusion

This is just the tip of the iceberg of what this Chrome extension is capable of. It can also create various types of text, such as taglines, advertisements, product details, email content, outlines, blog posts, and speeches.

Additionally, it can work with text by extracting or cleaning data, altering the style or tone, adjusting the length, and translating.

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How to Integrate Google Passkey for Your Google Accounts https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/integrate-google-passkeys/ Thu, 04 May 2023 15:01:48 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=66821 Understand security keys, and Google's new passkey, and learn how to integrate it with your Google account.

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Google recently announced that they will be introducing Google Passkey, a new security feature to replace the current built-in security key.

This will allow you to create a passkey, simplifying the process of signing in to your Google account. In this article, we will explore how to integrate Google Passkey with your Google account.

Google Passkey
Google Passkey / Google

What is a Security Key?

Security keys are small physical devices that can be used to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts, and in this case, your Google account. They work by generating a unique code that is required in addition to your usual password when logging in to your account.

What the security key does is, you simply plug it into your computer or connect it via Bluetooth to your mobile device, and then enter your username and password as usual. The key then generates a unique code that is sent to the server and compared to the expected code. If the codes match, you are granted access to your account.

The security key is a great way to protect your online accounts from hackers and other malicious actors, as they are much harder to hack or replicate than passwords or other forms of authentication.

What is a Passkey?

Passkeys, on the other hand, serve as a convenient and safe substitute for passwords. By using a passkey, you can access your Google Account through your fingerprint, facial recognition, or the device’s screen lock, such as a PIN, depending on what your device supports.

These passkeys offer the most robust defense against risks such as phishing. After setting up a passkey, you can effortlessly log in to your Google Account.

What Does This Mean for Me?

Passkeys significantly simplify the process of signing in to your account. To provide some context, here is a comparison of the steps required to log in to your Google account using a security key, such as the YubiKey 5 NFC, and a Google Passkey.

Using a Security Key:
  1. Enter your username.
  2. Enter your password.
  3. Plug in the security key.
  4. Press the button on the security key.
  5. You are now signed in to your account.
Using a Passkey:
  1. Enter your username.
  2. Verify your identity using facial recognition or fingerprint authentication on your phone.
  3. You are now signed in to your account.

How to Set Up Google Passkeys

You can set up Google Passkeys either on a desktop browser or a mobile phone browser. The latter option is easier and more direct. This guide will demonstrate how to accomplish this task on both platforms.

Setting Up Google Passkeys on Desktop
  1. To begin, navigate to g.co/passkey and sign in using your Google account credentials.
  2. On the following page, you will see a list of your existing security keys, if any. To create a new passkey, click “Create a passkey” and then click “Continue.”
  3. Create a passkey
  4. This action will generate a passkey for google.com on your current device. Click “Continue” once more to proceed.
  5. continue to create passkey
  6. Depending on the browser you are using, you may receive a prompt stating that the browser needs to verify your identity on google.com. Enter your device’s password and click “OK” to continue.
  7. click ok to continue
  8. When you see this screen, it indicates that the passkey has been set up.
  9. passkey created

You will also notice a new section called “PASSKEYS” added, displaying information about your device.

passkey you created
Setting Up Google Passkeys on Mobile Device
  1. Open a browser on your mobile device and sign in to your Google account.
  2. mobile sign in
  3. Once signed in, you will be prompted with a screen asking if you want to set up a passkey. Click “Continue” in your browser. If you are using an iOS device, ensure that “iCloud Keychain” is enabled. To enable it, go to Settings > iCloud > Passwords & Keychain, and turn it on.
  4. Create mobile passkey
  5. Next, tap “Continue” when prompted by your mobile device.
  6. Continue on mobile
  7. Finally, click “Continue” once more, and your setup is complete.
  8. passkey created

Now what?

Once completed, you can effortlessly sign in to your Google account (Gmail or other services) on mobile devices. Simply enter your email address, and then verify your identity using either facial recognition or fingerprint authentication. There’s no need to enter a password or go through a second step of verification.

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5 Best AI-Powered Team Management Tools (2023) https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/ai-powered-team-management-tools/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:01:26 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=66594 Discover the top 5 AI-powered team management tools to streamline tasks and improve collaboration. Boost your team's productivity today.

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Managing an effective team is crucial for the success of an organization, regardless of whether it’s big or small. With the world gradually shifting towards remote working (working from home) and the ever-increasing demand for faster and more efficient workflows, companies are scrambling in exploring more innovative ways to boost collaboration and productivity. One such (obvious) way is through leveraging AI features of team management tools.

These tools are designed to provide a range of features, including automated task prioritization and real-time progress tracking, which can help teams stay focused and organized as they work towards achieving their objectives.

In this blog post, we’ll be highlighting the top 5 AI-powered team management tools available on the market and how they can help your team work smarter, not harder. Let’s dive in.

1. Wrike

Wrike

Let’s start with Wrike, which we’ve previously discussed in one of our articles. Wrike’s Work Intelligence is a technology that helps businesses work more efficiently by automating routine tasks, improving communication, and simplifying workflows.

It equipped users with the ability to prioritize the most important work by automatically sorting tasks based on urgency. This means you, as the user, always have a to-do list focusing on your most important work.

Another benefit of Wrike’s Work Intelligence is its ability to identify patterns and risks that may impact your projects. By analyzing data and providing AI insights, Wrike can help you prevent delays, optimize resources, and complete projects on time.

The tool also allows you to create your own digital assistant by using voice commands to delegate tasks and manage projects. You can give Wrike commands using your mobile phone without opening the app first, saving you time and streamlining your work.

And finally, Wrike’s AI can help you generate subtasks quickly and easily. By analyzing your project plan or meeting notes, it can create a parent task and break it down into actionable steps with subtasks. This feature can take your ideas from rough notes to successful completion in just seconds.

PROS

  • Offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.
  • Provides a range of customization options to fit the needs of various teams and projects.
  • Integrates with a variety of tools, including Google Drive, Slack, and Salesforce.
  • Offers robust collaboration features, including task assignments and file sharing.
  • Provides real-time updates on project progress, keeping everyone informed.

CONS

  • Some users report that the pricing can be high for certain plans.
  • Certain features may not be intuitive or require a bit of a learning curve.
  • Some users report that the mobile app can be glitchy and difficult to use.
  • Customer support can sometimes be slow to respond.
  • Some users report that reporting features could be more comprehensive.

Learn more about Wrike

2. SmartSheet

SmartSheet

Next up, we have Smartsheet. It is a cloud-based project management platform that provides various tools to manage tasks, allow team collaboration, and provide reporting to help businesses manage and automate their work processes.

Aside from that, it also allows teams to create and customize their own project workflows, assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress in real-time.

According to this article, Smartsheet has recently been using AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E to help customers eliminate manual tasks and be more efficient and creative. Also not long ago, the company acquired Converse.AI, a UK-based pioneer in the field of intelligent bots for business automation.

PROS

  • Customizable and adaptable to various business needs.
  • Enables real-time collaboration among team members from different locations.
  • Integrates with other tools, such as Salesforce and Google Drive, making it versatile.
  • Allows easy tracking of project progress, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
  • Provides detailed reporting on project status, team performance, and more.

CONS

  • May have a steep learning curve for some users.
  • Automation capabilities may not be as robust as some users would like.
  • Pricing can be high for small businesses or teams.
  • Can be complex to set up and use effectively due to its many features and customization options.
  • The mobile app may not be as fully featured as the desktop version, limiting its usefulness for remote workers.

Learn more about SmartSheet

3. ClickUp

ClickUp

ClickUp, the project management tool, has recently announced its new AI tool – ClickUp AI – which aims to help users save time and become more productive. ClickUp AI includes various functions such as content creation, idea generation, and writing assistance.

With the content creation function, users can quickly generate email messages, and blog posts and overcome writer’s block in seconds. The AI tool is designed to streamline the content creation process, allowing users to create quality content in less time.

The idea generation function serves as a brainstorming partner for users, helping them generate as many blog post ideas as they need. The AI tool can also help elevate users’ writing skills by providing suggestions and assistance in creating clear, concise, and compelling content. Additionally, the tool can instantly extract action items and insights from meeting notes, saving users the time and effort of reading through lengthy summaries.

At present, ClickUp AI has not been made publicly available. Interested users can join the waiting list by submitting their email addresses to be notified when the tool is released.

PROS

  • Offers a wide range of features, including task management, project management, and time tracking.
  • Provides a customizable dashboard and layout to fit the needs of individual users and teams.
  • Integrates with a variety of tools, including Google Drive, Slack, and Trello.
  • Offers robust collaboration features, including real-time comments and file sharing.
  • Provides a clean and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.

CONS

  • Some users report that the learning curve can be steep.
  • Certain features can be difficult to find or require multiple clicks to access.
  • Some users report that customer support can be slow to respond.
  • Certain features may not be as customizable as some users would like.
  • Pricing can be high for certain plans, especially for larger teams.

Learn more about ClickUp

4. Ayanza

Ayanza

Ayanza is a tool for businesses to manage their projects and tasks, and collaborate with their teams. It can assist businesses in creating goals, tracking progress, collaborating with team members, and planning strategies, among other things.

To enhance the effectiveness of this system, Ayanza employs generative AI in areas such as content writing and brainstorming among team members. Ayanza is accessible via web and mobile apps, but it does not currently support desktop apps for Mac and Windows.

Learn more about Ayanza

5. Notion

Notion

Last but not least, we have Notion AI, a new expansion by Notion with the aim to enhance writing, editing, and overall productivity. It offers a couple of useful features to help users work faster and more efficiently.

For example, it has the ability to summarize notes for both individuals and team members, eliminating the need to switch between note-taking apps and AI tools. Additionally, it can also analyze meeting notes to generate the next steps in real-time, making it easier to stay on track and productive.

Another feature of Notion AI is its capability to improve writing skills. It fixes spelling and grammar mistakes and translates given content into multiple languages, i.e, Japanese, Spanish, and German. It also allows users to edit their content’s voice and tone, enabling them to sound like anyone they want. Moreover, Notion AI can also help make the content shorter or longer, depending on the user’s needs.

Notion AI is accessible to all users and can be activated through simple prompts such as pressing the space bar, highlighting text, and selecting “Ask AI.”

PROS

  • Offers a highly customizable workspace that can be tailored to the needs of individuals and teams.
  • Provides a variety of templates, including for project management and note-taking, to jumpstart work.
  • Integrates with a variety of tools, including Google Drive, Trello, and Slack.
  • Offers robust collaboration features, including real-time comments and version history.
  • Provides a clean and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.

CONS

  • Some users report that the learning curve can be steep.
  • Certain features, such as databases, can be complex to set up and use effectively.
  • Some users report that the mobile app can be glitchy and difficult to use.
  • Pricing can be high for certain plans, especially for larger teams.
  • Certain features, such as database queries and exporting options, may not be as comprehensive as some users would like.

Learn more about Notion

The post 5 Best AI-Powered Team Management Tools (2023) appeared first on Hongkiat.

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How to Beautify HTML Files (in Bulk) on Mac https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/beautify-htmls-bulk-mac/ Wed, 19 Apr 2023 10:01:13 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=66394 Learn how to easily beautify HTML files in bulk on your Mac to improve their visual appeal and readability and streamline your workflow.

The post How to Beautify HTML Files (in Bulk) on Mac appeared first on Hongkiat.

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If you are a web developer or designer, you may find yourself working with a large number of HTML files. While these files may contain valuable content, they can sometimes be difficult to read or edit due to formatting issues. Beautifying your HTML files, or making them properly formatted, allows them easier to read, modify and debug. However, manually beautifying a large number of HTML files can be a time-consuming task.

tidy vs untidy html codes

Fortunately, with a little bit of scripting knowledge, you can automate the process of beautifying HTML files using a Bash script on your Mac. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a Bash script that will allow you to beautify your HTML files in batches.

By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully-functional Bash script that you can use to quickly and easily beautify multiple HTML files at once, saving you time and effort.

Here’s how an unformatted, or untidy HTML file looks like:

<!DOCTYPE html><html><head><title>Example Website</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css"></head><body>
<div class="header"><h1>Welcome to our Website</h1><nav><ul><li>
<a href="index.html">Home</a></li><li><a href="about.html">About Us</a></li><li><a href="contact.html">Contact Us</a></li></ul></nav></div><div class="content"><h2>About Us</h2> 	<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed vitae ultrices mauris. Sed finibus mauris et tortor malesuada, at elementum nunc lacinia. Donec euismod elit nec arcu vulputate eleifend. Duis euismod mauris at nisl consequat, sit amet pretium dolor luctus. Etiam lobortis, ex vitae consectetur congue, magna odio dignissim ante, eu tristique sapien turpis id odio. Nam dignissim tellus et ligula dignissim, a sollicitudin magna posuere. Nulla facilisi. Donec et metus volutpat, feugiat quam non, dictum libero. Curabitur auctor, libero sit amet interdum facilisis, ante sapien eleifend turpis, at congue ex mi id velit.</p></div>
<div class="footer"><p>© 2023 Example Website</p></div></body></html>

And here’s how it would look like after being formatted:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <meta name="generator" content="HTML Tidy for HTML5 for Apple macOS version 5.8.0">
  <title>Example Website</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
</head>
<body>
  <div class="header">
    <h1>Welcome to our Website</h1>
    <nav>
      <ul>
        <li>
          <a href="index.html">Home</a>
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="about.html">About Us</a>
        </li>
        <li>
          <a href="contact.html">Contact Us</a>
        </li>
      </ul>
    </nav>
  </div>
  <div class="content">
    <h2>About Us</h2>
    <p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed vitae ultrices mauris. Sed finibus mauris et tortor malesuada, at elementum nunc lacinia. Donec euismod elit nec arcu vulputate eleifend. Duis euismod mauris at nisl consequat, sit amet pretium dolor luctus. Etiam lobortis, ex vitae consectetur congue, magna odio dignissim ante, eu tristique sapien turpis id odio. Nam dignissim tellus et ligula dignissim, a sollicitudin magna posuere. Nulla facilisi. Donec et metus volutpat, feugiat quam non, dictum libero. Curabitur auctor, libero sit amet interdum facilisis, ante sapien eleifend turpis, at congue ex mi id velit.</p>
  </div>
  <div class="footer">
    <p>© 2023 Example Website</p>
  </div>
</body>
</html>

The following is the bash script you will need.

#!/bin/bash

# Check if `tidy` command-line tool is installed
if ! command -v tidy &> /dev/null
then
    echo "Error: tidy is not installed. Please install tidy using 'brew install tidy' command." >&2
    exit 1
fi

# Check if input folder argument is provided
if [ $# -eq 0 ]
then
    echo "Error: No input folder provided. Please provide an input folder as an argument." >&2
    exit 1
fi

# Check if input folder exists
if [ ! -d "$1" ]
then
    echo "Error: Folder '$1' does not exist." >&2
    exit 1
fi

# Loop through HTML files in the input folder and beautify them
find "$1" -type f -name "*.html" -print0 | while read -d $'\0' file
do
    # Beautify HTML code and replace the original file
    tidy -indent -wrap 0 -quiet -m -i "$file"
done

# Exit with success status
exit 0

Download beautify_html.sh

What the Bash Script Does

This script is written in the Bash scripting language and it automates the process of beautifying HTML files in bulk on a Mac.

The script checks if the ‘tidy’ command-line tool is installed and if an input folder argument is provided. If the input folder exists, the script then loops through all HTML files in the input folder, and beautifies them using the ‘tidy’ command-line tool. The original HTML files are replaced with the beautified versions.

If ‘tidy’ is not installed or the input folder does not exist, the script will output an error message and exit with an error status. If everything runs successfully, the script exits with a success status.

How to Use This Script

Here is an easy-to-follow guide for using the script to beautify either a single HTML file or multiple files in bulk.

  1. Open a text editor on your Mac, such as TextEdit or Sublime Text.
  2. Copy and paste the script into a new file.
  3. Save the file with a name, such as “beautify_html.sh“, and make sure the file extension is “.sh“.
  4. Open the Terminal app on your Mac.
  5. Navigate to the directory where the script file is saved using the “cd” command.
  6. Type chmod +x beautify_html.sh and press Enter to make the script executable.
  7. Type ./beautify_html.sh /path/to/input/folder and press Enter to run the script, replacing /path/to/input/folder with the actual path to the folder containing your HTML files.
  8. Wait for the script to finish running. It will loop through all HTML files in the input folder and beautify them using the ‘tidy‘ command-line tool.
  9. Once the script has finished running, your HTML files should be beautified and saved as the original files.

The post How to Beautify HTML Files (in Bulk) on Mac appeared first on Hongkiat.

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How Wrike’s AI Features Can Revolutionize Project Management https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/wrike-ai-project-management/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 10:01:48 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=66592 Artificial intelligence (AI) is a popular term in many industries, including project management. AI-powered tools are changing the way teams work together and finish tasks. One of these tools is called Wrike. It’s an online software for project management that provides many features to make teamwork easier and more efficient. This article will explain how…

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is a popular term in many industries, including project management. AI-powered tools are changing the way teams work together and finish tasks.

One of these tools is called Wrike. It’s an online software for project management that provides many features to make teamwork easier and more efficient.

This article will explain how Wrike’s AI-powered features can help your team work better and faster, leading to better outcomes for your projects.

Wrike's interface

Boosting Project Management with 3 of Wrike’s AI-Powered Features

Wrike offers several AI-powered features that can help streamline project management and improve team collaboration. Here are the 3 main ones.

Work Intelligence

Wrike’s Work Intelligence is a technology that uses machine learning to help you finish your tasks. It can automatically tell you what to do next, like assigning tasks to team members based on how busy they are, what’s important, and what’s due soon. It can even take care of boring and repetitive tasks so that you and your team can focus on more exciting work.

Ai-created tasks

This feature is helpful because it saves you time and reduces mistakes. For example, it can assign tasks to team members and prioritize them based on deadlines and importance. This means that you and your team can concentrate on the tasks that need your creativity and expertise. As a result, your work will be of higher quality.

Smart Replies

Wrike’s Smart Replies, on the other hand, allows you to suggest what you can write when you receive common requests from your team, like when someone asks you to approve a task or change a due date. It provides pre-written responses that you can quickly edit and send, which saves you time.

smart replies

It ensures that everyone on your team communicates in the same way, which is important for avoiding confusion and misunderstandings. You don’t have to worry about accidentally writing something that could be interpreted differently by someone else.

Project Risk Prediction

Wrike’s Project Risk Prediction uses machine learning to predict when a project will be finished. It does this by looking at how your team has performed on similar projects in the past and how much work has already been done on the current project.

This helps project managers figure out potential problems before they become big issues. It also helps the team set more realistic timelines for getting things done.

Wrike's project risk prediction

This feature is great for making sure that projects are completed on time. By predicting when a project will be finished, project managers can take action to avoid delays and make sure everything gets done on schedule.

Real-world examples of Wrike’s AI-powered features in action

Let’s check out some real examples of how Wrike’s AI-powered features make a difference in project management.

Work Intelligence

A healthcare company’s marketing team was struggling with their workload because they had too many repetitive tasks. These tasks took up too much of their time, leaving them with very little time for creative work.

To solve this problem, they began using Wrike’s Work Intelligence to automate things like scheduling social media posts and sending email newsletters. By automating these tasks, the team could focus on more important work, which resulted in better quality work and faster delivery times.

Smart Replies

A team that develops software was getting many requests for fixing bugs and adding features. To manage these requests more efficiently, they started using Wrike’s Smart Replies.

With this feature, they could quickly respond to requests using pre-written messages that they could customize as needed. This helped the team save time and ensure that all requests were addressed quickly and consistently.

Project Risk Prediction

A construction company was working on a big project that involved multiple phases and teams. They were struggling to track how much work was done and when the project would be finished. They began using Wrike’s Prediction feature to estimate when the project would be completed based on how they had done in the past and how far they had gotten. The project manager could then predict issues that might come up and adjust the timeline as needed. The result was a successful project delivery.

Conclusion

To sum it up, Wrike’s AI-powered features provide a range of benefits to project management, including streamlining workflows, improving team collaboration, and predicting project outcomes.

And finally, if you’re interested in learning more about how Wrike’s AI-powered features can benefit your team’s project management, there are several resources available to you.

  • Wrike’s website: Wrike’s website offers a wealth of information about their product, including details about their AI-powered features. You can also sign up for a free trial to see how thing works in action.
  • Wrike’s blog: Wrike’s blog offers a variety of articles and resources about project management, team collaboration, and productivity. Many of these articles cover topics related to Wrike’s AI-powered features.
  • Wrike’s customer stories: Wrike features several customer stories on their website, showcasing how teams have used Wrike to improve their project management and achieve better outcomes.
  • Online communities: Wrike hosts a community on their website. It is where users and get advice on how to use the platform to its full potential.

By utilizing these additional resources, you can better understand how Wrike’s AI-powered features can benefit your team’s project management and achieve greater success.

Learn more about Wrike

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Top 5 Online Tools to Remove Video Watermarks https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/free-tools-remove-video-watermarks/ Mon, 17 Apr 2023 13:01:08 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=66568 Video watermarks are a common technique used by content creators to protect their work from unauthorized usage. However, in some cases, these watermarks can be a hurdle if you want to use a video for personal purposes. Fortunately, there are numerous free online tools available that can help you remove watermarks from videos quickly and…

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Video watermarks are a common technique used by content creators to protect their work from unauthorized usage. However, in some cases, these watermarks can be a hurdle if you want to use a video for personal purposes. Fortunately, there are numerous free online tools available that can help you remove watermarks from videos quickly and easily.

Before we proceed, we would like to add a disclaimer that we do not encourage the removal of video watermarks from videos that do not belong to you or that you do not have permission to use. It is essential to respect the intellectual property rights of content creators and avoid using their work without proper attribution or consent. With that said, if you have the necessary authorization to remove a watermark from a video, we can guide you through ten free online tools that you can use to accomplish this task.

These tools are user-friendly and require no specialized skills or knowledge. Whether you’re a content creator, marketer, or a curious user, let’s explore these ten free online tools to remove video watermarks.

1. HitPaw Online AI Watermark Remover

HitPaw Online AI Watermark Remover

First on the list is HitPaw’s AI Watermark Remover. Eliminating unwanted watermarks from videos and images is a breeze with HitPaw.

This tool is very user-friendly and can work on various types of content such as vlogs, movies, short videos, blogs, and YouTube channels. It is not just limited to videos, as photos can also be edited using this tool. Say goodbye to logos, photo stamps, texts, and watermarks with ease.

However, it is important to note that your video should have a duration of at least 3 seconds to ensure the tool works effectively.

PROS

  • The tool has a user-friendly interface.
  • It effectively removes video watermarks.

CONS

  • Sign in is required to use the tool.
  • The imported video file must be at least 3 seconds long.
  • The exported video file will have a Hitpaw logo stamp if you are using a free account.

2. Media.io’s Watermark Remover

Media.io's Watermark Remover

Next up is a watermark remover from Medio.io. Just to clarify, while the tool’s name is Media.io, but when you click on the “Remove Watermark From Video” button, it will take you to AniErase. Don’t worry, AniErase is still capable of removing watermarks from your video.

To use it, simply drag your video into the tool and select the area where the watermark is located. Then, click the “Remove object now” button and the watermark will be removed.

PROS

  • User-friendly and intuitive interface.
  • Efficiently removes watermarks from videos.

CONS

  • Sign-up and login are mandatory.
  • The free account has limited usage for removing watermarks from videos.

3. Apowersoft Online Video Watermark Remover

Apowersoft Online Video Watermark Remover

This online tool by Apowersoft can help you remove watermarks from your photos and videos for free. It comes with a simple and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. Moreover, it promises to maintain the quality of your video after editing. You can try it out anytime without any complications.

Input/Output: MP4, MOV, WMV, WEBM, 3GP, AVI, ASF, M4V, MPEG, MPG

PROS

  • Supports a variety of video formats
  • Simple and intuitive interface
  • No login required to use the tool

CONS

  • Limited functionality, only removes watermark.

4. 123APPS’s Watermark Remover

123APPS's Watermark Remover

This tool can effectively remove unwanted logos, texts, and photo stamps from your videos. It is designed to be user-friendly and doesn’t require any login process.

Input/Output: MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV and others

PROS

  • Effectively removes video watermarks.
  • Offers additional video editing features.
  • No sign up or login required.

CONS

  • May display intrusive pop-up ads.

5. BeeCut’s Online Watermark Remover

BeeCut's Online Watermark Remover

Beecut is a tool that lets you remove watermarks from your videos, and you can also remove watermarks from your images on its main page. It’s very easy to use. All you need to do is upload your video, use the provided tool to highlight the logo, and then click the erase button. That’s it!

Input/Output: MP4, MOV, WMV, WEBM, 3GP, AVI, ASF, M4V, MPEG, MPG

PROS

  • Efficiently removes watermarks from videos.
  • Completely free to use, no sign up or sign in required.

CONS

  • Limited to removing watermarks only, without additional video editing features.

Bonus: PickFrom’s Blur Video Online

PickFrom's Blur Video Online

This tool doesn’t entirely remove watermarks from videos; instead, it provides an option to blur them out so that the logo becomes less noticeable. The blurring technique is quite effective, and it helps to maintain the overall quality of the video.

This way, you can use the video without any distracting logos. It’s a great tool if you want to share or use a video for a project, without having to worry about the watermark.

Input: All video formats.

Output: MP4.

PROS

  • User-friendly interface for ease of use.
  • No need to sign up or log in, making it hassle-free and accessible for everyone.

CONS

  • The tool does not actually remove the watermark, but rather provides the option to blur it.

Bonus: Veed.io’s Video Watermark Remover

Veed.io's Video Watermark Remover

While Veed.io’s video editor does not have a specific tool to remove watermarks from videos, there are still ways to achieve this goal using its various video editing features. For example, you can crop the watermark out of the frame or cover it with another logo or stickers. This requires some creativity and a bit of trial and error, but with some effort, you can still get the job done with Veed.io’s powerful video editing capabilities.

PROS

  • Packed with a multitude of video editing features.
  • All features are free to use, with no login required.

CONS

  • No direct tool to remove video watermark.

Bonus: VideoWatermarkRemover.com

VideoWatermarkRemover.com

This tool can be bookmarked as a backup option if you can’t remove the watermark from your video using other tools. It can do the job of removing watermarks, but there are some drawbacks. For example, its website may not always work smoothly, and it doesn’t allow you to preview your uploaded video. Additionally, there is a captcha screen that you need to pass through to get to the final output. Overall, it’s a tool that you can try out as a last resort.

PROS

  • Great as a backup or alternative.

CONS

  • No indication or preview of uploaded video before processing.
  • Requires an annoying captcha verification before displaying the output.

Conclusion

In conclusion, removing watermarks from videos can be a daunting task, but thankfully, a variety of free tools are available to make the process easier. Each tool has its strengths and limitations, so it’s essential to find the one that best suits your needs. Some tools, like Beecut, are ideal for quick and straightforward watermark removal, while others, like HitPaw Watermark Remover, offer more advanced editing features.

Whatever your requirements, there is sure to be a tool on this list that will help you remove watermarks from your videos quickly and easily.

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How to Batch Compress Files on Mac (Automate with a Bash Script) https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/batch-zip-files-mac/ Wed, 12 Apr 2023 10:01:17 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=66392 If you frequently need to zip large numbers of files on your Mac, you may have found the process to be time-consuming and repetitive. While the Archive Utility built into Mac OS can be used to zip files in batches, it can still be a manual process. However, with a little bit of scripting knowledge,…

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If you frequently need to zip large numbers of files on your Mac, you may have found the process to be time-consuming and repetitive. While the Archive Utility built into Mac OS can be used to zip files in batches, it can still be a manual process. However, with a little bit of scripting knowledge, you can automate the process of batch-zipping files using a Bash script.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a Bash script that will allow you to zip files in batches of any number you choose, on your Mac. Whether you are working with hundreds or thousands of files, this script will help you save time and avoid the monotony of zipping files manually. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully-functional Bash script that you can use to batch zip files in any quantity you need, with just a few simple commands.

batch zip files in mac

For example, let’s say you have 100 files in a particular folder. You can use this script to compress the files into groups of 10, resulting in 10 compressed files in total. Alternatively, you can compress the files into groups of 5, resulting in 20 compressed files in total, and so on.

#!/bin/bash

# Set the directory path to the folder containing the files to be compressed
DIR_PATH="/path/to/folder"

# Set the name prefix of the output archive files
ARCHIVE_PREFIX="archive"

# Set the maximum number of files per batch
MAX_FILES=20

# Change directory to the specified path
cd "$DIR_PATH"

# Get a list of all files in the directory
files=( * )

# Calculate the number of batches of files
num_batches=$(( (${#files[@]} + $MAX_FILES - 1) / $MAX_FILES ))

# Loop through each batch of files
for (( i=0; i<$num_batches; i++ )); do
    # Set the start and end indices of the batch
    start=$(( $i * $MAX_FILES ))
    end=$(( ($i + 1) * $MAX_FILES - 1 ))
    
    # Check if the end index exceeds the number of files
    if (( $end >= ${#files[@]} )); then
        end=$(( ${#files[@]} - 1 ))
    fi
    
    # Create a compressed archive file for the batch of files
    archive_name="${ARCHIVE_PREFIX}_${i}.tar.gz"
    tar -cvzf "$archive_name" "${files[@]:$start:$MAX_FILES}"
done

Download script.

What This Script Does?

The above script is a bash script that compresses multiple files into batch archives.

It first sets the path to the folder (DIR_PATH="/path/to/folder") containing the files to be compressed, the name prefix of the output archive files (ARCHIVE_PREFIX="archive"), and the maximum number of files per batch (MAX_FILES=20).

It then changes the current directory to the specified path and gets a list of all files in that directory. The script then calculates the number of batches of files and loops through each batch.

For each batch, it sets the start and end indices of the batch, checks if the end index exceeds the number of files, and then creates a compressed archive file for the batch of files using the ‘tar’ command.

The resulting compressed archives are named using the prefix specified and numbered sequentially.

How to Use the Script?

Step 1.

To batch zip files on your Mac, first create a new folder and place all the files you want to compress inside that folder.

For example, you could create a folder called ‘zipme’ on your Desktop and place all the relevant files inside that folder. Once you have done this, you can find the path to the folder by navigating to it in Finder and then right-clicking and selecting ‘Get Info‘.

Alternatively, you can use the pwd command in Terminal to display the current directory and then append the folder name to the end of the path. And in our case, path to zipme/ is: /Users/hongkiat/Desktop/zipme, so we will do the following:

edit:

DIR_PATH="/path/to/folder"

to becoming:

DIR_PATH="/Users/hongkiat/Desktop/zipme"
Step 2.

Copy and paste the code above into a new file on your Mac using a text editor like TextEdit or Atom. Save the file with a .sh extension (e.g. batch_zip.sh) and make it executable by running the following command in Terminal:

chmod +x /path/to/batch_zip.sh
Step 3.

Then, to run the script, open Terminal and navigate to the directory where the script is saved. Type the following command and press Enter:

./batch_zip.sh

Note: If running ./batch_zip.sh doesn’t work, try using sudo ./batch_zip.sh instead. Keep in mind that “sudo” requires authorization by entering the password for the current Mac username.

Once executed, all the files inside the specified folder will be compressed into batches of up to 20 files each, and an archive file will be created for each batch with the specified prefix and an incremental number.

The post How to Batch Compress Files on Mac (Automate with a Bash Script) appeared first on Hongkiat.

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How to Write Good ChatGPT Prompts https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/write-good-chatgpt-prompts/ Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:01:55 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=66399 If you’ve ever interacted with a language model like ChatGPT, you know how fascinating and useful it can be. These models use sophisticated algorithms and vast amounts of data to generate human-like responses to our questions and prompts. But have you ever wondered how to write a good prompt that will elicit a high-quality response…

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If you’ve ever interacted with a language model like ChatGPT, you know how fascinating and useful it can be. These models use sophisticated algorithms and vast amounts of data to generate human-like responses to our questions and prompts.

But have you ever wondered how to write a good prompt that will elicit a high-quality response from ChatGPT? In this post, we’ll cover a range of topics related to writing effective prompts for ChatGPT.

ChatGPT prompts

We’ll start by discussing the importance of clarity and specificity in your prompts, and how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to vague or unhelpful responses. We’ll also explore some best practices for framing your questions or prompts in a way that encourages ChatGPT to generate the type of response you’re looking for.

Whether you’re using ChatGPT for research, entertainment, or simply to satisfy your curiosity, the tips and strategies we’ll cover in this post will help you get the most out of your interactions with this remarkable technology.

Importance of Clarity and Specificity in Prompts

When it comes to writing prompts for ChatGPT, clarity and specificity are essential for ensuring that the generated responses are relevant and useful.

If your prompt is too vague or general, ChatGPT may struggle to understand what you’re asking for, leading to responses that are unhelpful or irrelevant.

For example, instead of asking a generic question like:

What can you tell me about dogs?

It’s better to be more specific and provide more context. A more effective prompt might be:

Can you give me some information about the history and evolution of domestic dogs?“.

This prompt is more specific and provides clear context, which can help ChatGPT generate a more relevant and informative response.

Similarly, when asking questions that require a specific answer, it’s important to be clear and precise.

For example, instead of asking:

What is the capital of France?

It’s better to ask:

What is the capital city of France?“.

This clarifies that you’re looking for a specific type of answer (a city name), rather than a more general response.

In summary, writing clear and specific prompts for ChatGPT can greatly improve the relevance and quality of the generated responses. By taking the time to craft thoughtful and specific prompts, you can make the most of this powerful technology and unlock its full potential.

Avoiding Mistakes in Prompts for Clear Responses

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing prompts for ChatGPT:

1. Avoid Overly Broad or Vague Prompts

Writing prompts that are too general or open-ended can lead to responses that are unhelpful or off-topic. Instead, focus on specific, well-defined prompts that provide clear context and direction for ChatGPT.

2. Be Mindful of Language and Tone

The language and tone you use in your prompts can have a big impact on the responses you receive. Avoid using ambiguous language, slang, or complex terminology that ChatGPT may not be able to understand. Use clear and simple language that ChatGPT can easily interpret and respond to.

3. Ask Clear and Specific Questions

Avoid asking multi-part questions or questions that are unclear or ambiguous. Instead, ask one clear and specific question at a time, and be sure to provide enough context so that ChatGPT can understand what you’re asking for.

4. Avoid Biased or Leading Prompts

Be mindful of any biases or assumptions that may be present in your prompts, as they can influence the responses you receive from ChatGPT. Avoid using leading language or asking questions that imply a particular answer.

5. Consider the Scope and Complexity of Your Prompt

ChatGPT is capable of generating responses on a wide range of topics and complexity levels, but it’s important to keep in mind the limitations of the technology. Avoid asking questions that are too complex or require too much background knowledge, as ChatGPT may struggle to provide a useful response.

By avoiding these common mistakes and focusing on clear, specific, and well-defined prompts, you can greatly increase the likelihood of receiving high-quality and relevant responses from ChatGPT.

Best Practices for Framing Prompts

1. Use Clear and Specific Language

The language you use in your prompts can greatly affect the quality of the responses you receive. Use clear, concise, and specific language that provides ChatGPT with a clear idea of what you’re asking for.

Example:

Instead of asking “What’s the weather like?“, ask “What is the current temperature and weather conditions in New York City?

2. Use Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions encourage ChatGPT to generate a more detailed and informative response. Instead of asking a yes/no question, ask an open-ended question that encourages ChatGPT to provide more information.

Example:

Instead of asking “Do you like pizza?“, ask “What are your favorite toppings on pizza?

3. Provide Context

Providing context for your prompt can help ChatGPT understand the question better and generate a more relevant response. Include relevant information such as background, location, or time period to help ChatGPT better understand the prompt.

Example:

Instead of asking “What is the population of Paris?“, ask “What is the current population of Paris, France as of 2023?

4. Break Down Complex Questions into Smaller Parts

If you have a complex question that requires a lot of information, break it down into smaller parts. This can help ChatGPT better understand the question and generate a more relevant response.

Example:

Instead of asking “What are the best ways to improve your overall health?“, break it down into smaller parts such as “What are the best exercises to improve cardiovascular health?” and “What are some healthy dietary habits to maintain overall health?

5. Avoid Ambiguous or Vague Language

Ambiguous or vague language can confuse ChatGPT and result in unhelpful responses. Use clear and specific language to avoid misunderstandings.

Example:

Instead of asking “What do you think of the new book?“, ask “What are your thoughts on the plot and character development in the new book ‘XYZ’ by ABC author?

6. Avoid Leading Questions

Leading questions can bias ChatGPT and influence the responses you receive. Avoid asking leading questions and try to keep your prompts as neutral as possible.

Example:

Instead of asking “Don’t you think that XYZ is the best restaurant in town?“, ask “What are some of your favorite restaurants in town and why do you enjoy them?

By following these best practices for framing questions or prompts, you can encourage ChatGPT to generate more relevant and informative responses.

With practice, you can learn how to craft effective prompts that elicit the types of responses you’re looking for, making your interactions with ChatGPT more useful and enjoyable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing effective prompts for ChatGPT can greatly enhance your interactions with the language model and enable you to receive more relevant and informative responses.

By using clear and specific language, asking open-ended questions, providing context, breaking down complex questions, avoiding ambiguous or vague language, and avoiding leading questions, you can improve the quality of your prompts and ensure that you receive the type of response you’re looking for.

With practice and attention to these best practices, you can become adept at crafting effective prompts that elicit insightful and helpful responses from ChatGPT. Remember, the key to success is to be clear, specific, and thoughtful in your prompts and to keep in mind the capabilities and limitations of the technology.

The post How to Write Good ChatGPT Prompts appeared first on Hongkiat.

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Streamline Your Team Communication with Zulip: A Review https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/zulip-team-collab-app-review/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:01:59 +0000 https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/?p=65539 Zulip is an open-source team chat platform created to provide teams with a more efficient and organized way to communicate. It offers a range of unique features that set it apart from other team chat applications, making it an excellent choice for organizations of all sizes. In this article, we will take a closer look…

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Zulip is an open-source team chat platform created to provide teams with a more efficient and organized way to communicate. It offers a range of unique features that set it apart from other team chat applications, making it an excellent choice for organizations of all sizes.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Zulip’s features, as well as its pros and cons, to help you determine whether it’s the right team chat platform for your organization.

Zulip's UI

Zulip’s Features:

Threaded Conversations

Zulip’s unique threading model is perhaps its most notable feature. Rather than organizing conversations by channels or groups, Zulip organizes conversations by topics. This means that users can easily follow specific threads of discussion rather than being overwhelmed by a single, long-running conversation.

Zulip's threaded conversations

This feature is especially useful for teams that need to manage multiple projects or ongoing discussions simultaneously. It also makes it easier for new team members to get up to speed on previous conversations, as they can quickly search for and find specific topics.

Learn more about Zulip’s threaded conversations.

Integrations

Zulip offers integrations with a range of popular tools and services, including GitHub, Jira, and Asana. This means that teams can receive notifications and updates from these tools directly within Zulip, making it easier to stay up-to-date on project progress and collaborate more effectively.

Zulip's integrations

In addition, Zulip supports a range of third-party integrations, including Zapier and IFTTT, which can be used to automate tasks and streamline workflows.

Customizable Notifications

Zulip allows users to customize their notifications based on their individual needs and preferences. This means that users can choose to receive notifications for specific topics or conversations or set up custom notification rules based on keywords, mentions, or other criteria.

Zulip's custom notifications

This feature is especially useful for teams that need to stay up-to-date on specific projects or tasks while minimizing distractions from other conversations or notifications.

Multi-Platform Support

Zulip is available as a web application and also has desktop and mobile apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. This means that users can access their conversations and notifications from any device, making it easy to stay connected and collaborate on the go.

Pros:

Efficient and Organized Communication: Zulip’s threading model helps to keep conversations organized and easy to follow. This means that team members can focus on specific topics or projects without being overwhelmed by unrelated conversations or distractions.

Customizable Notifications: Zulip’s customizable notifications allow users to stay up-to-date on important conversations and topics while minimizing distractions from other conversations or notifications.

Integrations: Zulip’s integrations with popular tools and services make it easy to collaborate and stay up-to-date on project progress without switching between different applications or platforms.

Multi-Platform Support: Zulip’s availability on multiple platforms makes it easy for teams to stay connected and collaborate from any device, whether they’re in the office or on the go.

Cons:

Learning Curve: Zulip’s unique threading model may take some time for new users to get used to, especially if they’re used to other team chat applications that organize conversations by channels or groups.

Limited Customization: While Zulip’s notifications can be customized to some extent, there are limits to how much users can customize their notifications and interface.

Limited User Base: Zulip’s user base is relatively small compared to other team chat applications, which may limit its usefulness for teams that need to collaborate with external partners or clients.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Zulip is an excellent team chat platform that offers a range of unique features designed to make team communication more efficient and organized. Its threading model, customizable notifications, integrations, and multi-platform support make it an ideal choice for teams of all sizes, especially those that need to manage multiple projects or ongoing discussions simultaneously.

While there may be a learning curve for new users and limited customization options, the benefits of using Zulip far outweigh any potential drawbacks. Additionally, Zulip’s open-source nature means that its source code is freely available and can be modified to meet the specific needs of individual organizations. Overall, Zulip is an excellent choice for teams that want to streamline communication and improve collaboration, making it a valuable addition to any organization’s toolkit.

Visit Zulip.com

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