[techiferous]

Here's a trick that works for me:

I've noticed that creative ideas often pop in at random times when I'm doing something unrelated to the idea. So I created a little script that, upon hitting the F10 key, opens a dialog. I type in my thought and it writes it to a file called jot.txt. At the end of the day, I review jot.txt and act on the ideas. This allows me to capture interesting ideas when they happen without losing my current train of thought.

If you're interested in adapting this script for your own use, I've published the script here: http://techiferous.com/2009/12/streamlining-your-workflow-wi...

[vsync]

I use remember-mode in conjunction with org-mode for the same thing. Random notes go in my personal file or the file for the client/project they relate to. Then periodically I review the "notes" section and work it into the doc better.

[seancron]

I use something similar to that. I run Guake so that I always have quick access to a terminal. I have an alias set up called "idea" so that it opens a file called ideas.txt in Vim.

As a side effect of opening the file up, rather than entering it in a dialog, it refreshes my memory each time I add a new idea.