There are dozens of ways to boost your productivity, and we tell you plenty. But have you ever just looked at that and said “Gee, I just don’t have time to do that” or you just don’t want to use some new alpha beta whatchamacallit. Lucky for you, there are some simple everyday things you can do to make doing whatever easier and faster.
1. Sort Bookmarks - This might take a little time if you already have a lot of bookmarks, but it will help you find the site you want faster.
2. Save Passwords - If you have your own computer (not shared) then tell your browser to remember your passwords. Not typing in your username and password can save you a lot of time.
3. Use a RSS Reader - Stop visiting 20 different sites just to read your favorite blogs and the news. Use something like Google Reader (online) or a NewsGator product (iPhone, Mac, PC, Online.) Check out MakeUseOf Poll asking readers for their favorite RSS Reader.
4. Backup / Sync Your Bookmarks - If you have any more than one computer (work and home) then you know it’s hard to keep the bookmarks on both the same (find a site, copy the address, and send yourself an e-mail). An easy way around this is to simply sync your bookmarks with an add-on for your browser. For Firefox, there’s Foxmarks and Weave, and for IE users there’s Chipmarks.
5. Use GreaseMonkey - GreaseMonkey (What is Greasemonkey?) is a small Firefox add-on that lets you run userscripts that do various things on various sites, many of which can help a lot. OK, I’ll admit this makes you reboot your browser and you install a Firefox extension, but all of the userscripts don’t restart your browser.
6. Stealth Kiwi - If you’re not big on self control, let Stealth Kiwi do it for you. It blocks all “recreational” websites, but allows you to take a 10 minute break every hour. (GreaseMonkey)
7. Google Inline MP3 Player - So you found the MP3 of what you need (lecture, song, speech, etc.) but you don’t need to download it or you just want to make sure it is what you think it is. Google Inline MP3 Player automatically uses Google’s flash player to play the MP3 file inline. (GreaseMonkey)
8. AutoPagerize - Search. Scroll to the bottom. Click next. Repeat. Wouldn’t it be much faster to just have all of your search results on one auto expanding page? Luckily there’s AutoPagerize which does just that. (GreaseMonkey)
9. Organize Your Desktop - Alphabetize, or sort manually, but put your desktop icons in some order so you can find your application without looking all over the screen.
10. Keep Your Start Menu Organized - Keep your start menu organized (Linux does this for you, and Macs have the dock) by manually making folders and moving files to fit your needs or just use Tidy Start Menu or SMOz (both for windows). MakeUseOf also has a nice piece on Start Menu Alternatives for Windows.
11. Use An Application Launcher - Application launchers make launching applications a lot faster and easier than hunting down that elusive icon. Simply type fir hit enter and poof! You have opened Firefox. If you have a Mac the best option is QuickSilver, for Linux users there is the excellent Do, and for Windows users there is Launchy and Enso. Yes, I know you have to download and install something, but trust me it is well worth it.
12. Be Able to Manage All Open Windows - If you have open 15 different windows and your task bar / dock is overflowing, don’t be afraid to extend it a bit (as in pulling your task bar up for a second row or shirking the dock) to see all of your open windows.
13. Use an Online Calendar - Services like Google Calendar and localendar are great not only for keeping you organized, but sharing your schedule and collaborating. They can be used for a public calendar or collaborating with co-workers or family members.
14. Use an E-Mail Client - If you have any more than one e-mail address, use an e-mail client to keep everything together. There are dozens, including Mozilla Thunderbird (incl. lots of excellent addons) or the online Zenbe. Both keep your address book and e-mail in one place.
These are just a few of the many methods to boost your productivity without installing a bunch of software and using 42 different websites to check your email. How about you? How do you boost your online productivity? Can you add anything to this list?
(By) Check out Ben’s blog at www.tic-tech-toe.com
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- MakeUseOf Directory : Read about up-to 5 truly useful web apps on a daily basis.
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