Smart Stuff. The world's smartest gadgets, inventions and ideas for work, office and home office.

Welcome to the Smart Stuff work section with some of the world's smartest gadgets, inventions and ideas for work and home office. Also browse the useful tips and tricks page for some clever and useful ideas.

Napping office furniture.
Just as we had uploaded the story on the scientific nap, we stumbled on this innovation. The Schlafgras (Sleeping grass) office furniture. It is a set of soft strands of polyurethane, that can be arranged in different ways to provide everyone the perfect napping environment. The size of the Schlafgras kan be varied by adding more modules, and the color can be chosen to match the rest of the interior of your office. The Schlafgras has been developed by Elena Haller, Julia Meisel, Martin Nowitzki and Hanni Schermaul. Maybe there is one coming to an office near you?

28 December 2005

Eight steps to the perfect nap.
Forget about napping out of lazyness. Quite the contrary. You should regard the nap as an investment with maximum dividends in the shortest possible time. A nap is good for your heart, you hormone balance, and cell repair, says Dr. Sara Mednick in the net edition of Men's Journal. An advanced nap regimen was also implemented during Lance Armstrong's training for the Tour de France, says coach Chris Carmichael, and in New York, power naps have become lucrative business, when the MetroNaps company offers cozy napping facilities for actors between shows and stressed out business people. But how do you achieve the perfect nap? Well, here is an eight step manual for a successful nap:

1. Forget what you have heard. You do not nap because you are lazy. You do it because you are an ambitious worker and want to to your best at all times. The nap will make you bright eyed and bushy tailed productive during the rest of the day.
2. Try to get your nap in the morning or right after lunch. In the afternoon you risk getting into a deeper sleep, and then you will wake up dizzy.
3. Do not eat or drink large amounts of caffeine or food rich in fat and/or sugar during thehours before your nap. They make it harder to sleep.
4. Instead, try to eat foods with a lot of calcium and protein. They will make it easier to sleep.
5. Find a quiet spot for your nap. A place where phones and passersby will not disturb you.
6. Try to darken your napping place. Or use one of those shades you get on planes on transatlantic or other long flights. Darkness stimulates melatonine, a sleep hormone.
7. Remember that your body temperature will drop when you sleep. Turn the temperature up, or use a blanket.
8. When you are comfortable and about to go to sleep, set your clock to the desired time.

We have really never had any trouble taking a nap. Our problem has been staying awake all day at times. But we are deeply satisfied now that it has been scientifically proven that napping is not only nice - it is actually good for you, too...

27 December 2005

How about your own CRM system.
This story is after a tip from reader "PcPro": This is a CRM (customer relations managment) machine that you plug into your PC to help keep tabs on who's calling and to show you all relevant data about the caller before you answer the phone. The system can give you name, address, notes from previous conversations, plus offers, orders, invoices etc. There's a lot of other stuff, too, but you'll have to read up on those yourself, we want to cut to the chase here. Here's what we think is the real deal with this thing... :-). Sure CRM is cool for businesses, but don't you think the possibilities with CRM in private life has been underrated? With one of these you could be in tyotal control of girlfriends, boyfriends, relatives, friends, and other people you have contact with. And it is totally within reach, since the software id free and the machine itself is just SEK 250:- (approx. USD 31:-) including VAT from Nim.

22 December 2005

Four way rubber bands found.
We have mentioned them alreday, but we had not actually seen them IRL. Now we have found the smart double rubber bands in a store we visit every once in a while. ~~The shop's name is Apparat, and it is run by Nadia Tolstoy and Fredrik Moselius, both graduates of Saint Martins in London~~. (Edit: The shop is closed and the owners have gone on to do other things.) The large variant of the rubber bands are SEK 5:- (about. 60 cents US) a piece. They are available in other colors, too, but we liked the yellow best. Apparat is one of our favourite stores, with their a b it unusual mix of design and home decoration stuff. Well worth a visit whenever you find yourself in the SOFO district in Stockholm.

3 December 2005

Workspace that actually saves space.
We keep claiming that space is the most valuable commodity in today's urban living. For when you have finally purchased your very own square feet, you start cluttering it with stuff. Sure, you need furniture and storage space, but what we mean is that with smart planning and design you can preserve a lot of the space you used your hard earned to buy. Here is one example. Many people need a work space at home. Even if you do not work at home, you will want a place for your computer to check your mail, surf the net and pay your bills. I these cases this wall cabinet can be just the thing. It comes from design firm Anthro, is called eNook and has a built in power strip and clips for lots of cables. Use it to store and charge your laptop, mp3 player, PSP, cellphone, camera, etc. This keeps all the stuff out of sight. As far as we know the eNook is only available for US power, but how hard can it be to convert one to EU standard? Available in different colors and fabrics at USD 399:-. Via Notcot.

7 November 2005

GENERAL FAIR USE NOTICE. These pages may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Smart Stuff is making this material available in an effort to advance the understanding of the workings, impact and direction of various global and national issues. We believe that this constitutes a "fair use" of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond "fair use", you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. The products, tips, tricks and ideas published on this website have not all been tried and tested by us, and you're using them entirely at your own risk. By reading these pages and using the Smart Stuff website you agree not to hold Smart Stuff HB or any of its publishers, shareholders, principals or emplyees responsible for any loss, injury or discomfort resulting from reading or using any of the products, tips, tricks and ideas published on this site. Although we work very hard to provide you with the most current and accurate information on our the siite, we can not and do not warrant that everything you see on this site is up-to-date, error-free or complete. While we may periodically add, modify or delete any of the information on the site, we do not make any commitment or assume any obligation or duty to do so, and you should assume that the information is current and up-to-date only as of the date it is posted to the site. Neither we nor any of the people involved in production of the site will be liable for any direct, incidental, consequential or punitive damages. © 2005-2012 Smart Stuff HB. Smartstuff.se has a Swedish publishing license and subsequent constitutional protection under the Freedom of Speech Act (Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen) Chapter 1. 9 §. Provider, Senior Editor and Art Director: Marie-Louise Hedman. Published by Smart Stuff HB. Version 2.3.

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Feed via Feedburner What are feeds? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	SMART STUFF \| ARCHIVE \| WORK \|..<.....3..4..5..6..7.....>.........................USEFUL TIPS AND TRICKS Welcome to the Smart Stuff work section with some of the world's smartest gadgets, inventions and ideas for work and home office. Also browse the useful tips and tricks page for some clever and useful ideas. Napping office furniture. Just as we had uploaded the story on the scientific nap, we stumbled on this innovation. The Schlafgras (Sleeping grass) office furniture. It is a set of soft strands of polyurethane, that can be arranged in different ways to provide everyone the perfect napping environment. The size of the Schlafgras kan be varied by adding more modules, and the color can be chosen to match the rest of the interior of your office. The Schlafgras has been developed by Elena Haller, Julia Meisel, Martin Nowitzki and Hanni Schermaul. Maybe there is one coming to an office near you? 28 December 2005 Eight steps to the perfect nap. Forget about napping out of lazyness. Quite the contrary. You should regard the nap as an investment with maximum dividends in the shortest possible time. A nap is good for your heart, you hormone balance, and cell repair, says Dr. Sara Mednick in the net edition of Men's Journal. An advanced nap regimen was also implemented during Lance Armstrong's training for the Tour de France, says coach Chris Carmichael, and in New York, power naps have become lucrative business, when the MetroNaps company offers cozy napping facilities for actors between shows and stressed out business people. But how do you achieve the perfect nap? Well, here is an eight step manual for a successful nap: 1. Forget what you have heard. You do not nap because you are lazy. You do it because you are an ambitious worker and want to to your best at all times. The nap will make you bright eyed and bushy tailed productive during the rest of the day. 2. Try to get your nap in the morning or right after lunch. In the afternoon you risk getting into a deeper sleep, and then you will wake up dizzy. 3. Do not eat or drink large amounts of caffeine or food rich in fat and/or sugar during thehours before your nap. They make it harder to sleep. 4. Instead, try to eat foods with a lot of calcium and protein. They will make it easier to sleep. 5. Find a quiet spot for your nap. A place where phones and passersby will not disturb you. 6. Try to darken your napping place. Or use one of those shades you get on planes on transatlantic or other long flights. Darkness stimulates melatonine, a sleep hormone. 7. Remember that your body temperature will drop when you sleep. Turn the temperature up, or use a blanket. 8. When you are comfortable and about to go to sleep, set your clock to the desired time. We have really never had any trouble taking a nap. Our problem has been staying awake all day at times. But we are deeply satisfied now that it has been scientifically proven that napping is not only nice - it is actually good for you, too... 27 December 2005 How about your own CRM system. This story is after a tip from reader "PcPro": This is a CRM (customer relations managment) machine that you plug into your PC to help keep tabs on who's calling and to show you all relevant data about the caller before you answer the phone. The system can give you name, address, notes from previous conversations, plus offers, orders, invoices etc. There's a lot of other stuff, too, but you'll have to read up on those yourself, we want to cut to the chase here. Here's what we think is the real deal with this thing... :-). Sure CRM is cool for businesses, but don't you think the possibilities with CRM in private life has been underrated? With one of these you could be in tyotal control of girlfriends, boyfriends, relatives, friends, and other people you have contact with. And it is totally within reach, since the software id free and the machine itself is just SEK 250:- (approx. USD 31:-) including VAT from Nim. 22 December 2005 Four way rubber bands found. We have mentioned them alreday, but we had not actually seen them IRL. Now we have found the smart double rubber bands in a store we visit every once in a while. ~~The shop's name is Apparat, and it is run by Nadia Tolstoy and Fredrik Moselius, both graduates of Saint Martins in London~~. (Edit: The shop is closed and the owners have gone on to do other things.) The large variant of the rubber bands are SEK 5:- (about. 60 cents US) a piece. They are available in other colors, too, but we liked the yellow best. Apparat is one of our favourite stores, with their a b it unusual mix of design and home decoration stuff. Well worth a visit whenever you find yourself in the SOFO district in Stockholm. 3 December 2005 Workspace that actually saves space. We keep claiming that space is the most valuable commodity in today's urban living. For when you have finally purchased your very own square feet, you start cluttering it with stuff. Sure, you need furniture and storage space, but what we mean is that with smart planning and design you can preserve a lot of the space you used your hard earned to buy. Here is one example. Many people need a work space at home. Even if you do not work at home, you will want a place for your computer to check your mail, surf the net and pay your bills. I these cases this wall cabinet can be just the thing. It comes from design firm Anthro, is called eNook and has a built in power strip and clips for lots of cables. Use it to store and charge your laptop, mp3 player, PSP, cellphone, camera, etc. This keeps all the stuff out of sight. As far as we know the eNook is only available for US power, but how hard can it be to convert one to EU standard? Available in different colors and fabrics at USD 399:-. 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If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond "fair use", you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. The products, tips, tricks and ideas published on this website have not all been tried and tested by us, and you're using them entirely at your own risk. By reading these pages and using the Smart Stuff website you agree not to hold Smart Stuff HB or any of its publishers, shareholders, principals or emplyees responsible for any loss, injury or discomfort resulting from reading or using any of the products, tips, tricks and ideas published on this site. Although we work very hard to provide you with the most current and accurate information on our the siite, we can not and do not warrant that everything you see on this site is up-to-date, error-free or complete. While we may periodically add, modify or delete any of the information on the site, we do not make any commitment or assume any obligation or duty to do so, and you should assume that the information is current and up-to-date only as of the date it is posted to the site. Neither we nor any of the people involved in production of the site will be liable for any direct, incidental, consequential or punitive damages. © 2005-2012 Smart Stuff HB. Smartstuff.se has a Swedish publishing license and subsequent constitutional protection under the Freedom of Speech Act (Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen) Chapter 1. 9 §. Provider, Senior Editor and Art Director: Marie-Louise Hedman. Published by Smart Stuff HB. Version 2.3.	This website is worth What is your website worth?