Technical Tips for Improving Productivity

In a previous article I showed how you can be more focused to increase your productivity. However, another aspect of increasing productivity is using labour saving tips and tricks. There are many people who spend several hours a day on the computer, but will always maintain an attitude “I don’t know anything about computers”

It’s like spending several hours a day driving, but never reading a manual before starting. If you spend a few hours learning to drive before starting, you will crash less often and get to your destination more quickly. It is the same with the internet. Each week try to add a few things that increase productivity. Don’t forget to bookmark them (or add in a blog post like this) Some of the following may be fairly basic tips, so this post is aimed more at beginners. I will add more technical tips later.

1. Change Attitude.

Don’t be frightened of learning and using tips, none of these are complicated, none require a knowledge of C++ programming. Even my mother could do all the following (well at least the one about turning on the computer)

2. Use Mozilla Firefox.

Many of these tips are for use with Mozilla. It is really easy to download. It will take less than 5 minutes. It has more features, and provides safer internet browsing. There is NO risk involved: Click Here: Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar

3. Use Tabs.

If you download Mozilla you have several websites in the same browser. Just click ctrl T or apple T and a new tab opens. It’s really easy to use and can help to look at several sites at once.

4. Use Bookmarks.

This is a way of saving your favourite web pages for future reference. A Good bookmarking strategy is vital for organisation. I like to use Bookmark Toolbar folders. To add a bookmark click on “Bookmarks” and add Bookmark. - Told you it wasn’t complicated Do use folders. I have mail, websites, economics, banking e.t.c. to add a new folder click on Bookmarks. There is an option to add New Folder.

5. Open All Tabs

For Firefox only. If you organise your bookmarks into relevant folders you will see there is an option to open All bookmarks in tabs. This means that if you click on “open all in tabs” everything in the folder will be opened. Therefore, when I want to check my email, I click on open all in tabs. All 5 email adresses are opened at once. I can then check them all without having to find the address.

• see: open all tabs at problogger

6. RSS

RSS stands for Really simple syndication. Despite the title involving “really simple” many people are put off using it - because they haven’t used it before. (Like myself, who only started a couple of months ago) Once you have started using it though, you will find it indispensible.

• How to use RSS

7. Inline spell checker.

The latest Mozilla firefox has an inline spell checker, this is one of the most useful features of firefox.
8. The best help is the one that you find yourself.

Don’t be frightened to experiment and try features. You won’t break the computer (well it’s highly unlikely anyway :))

there are many more technical things that can help increase productivity. I will add to them as I use them.
BTW thanks to John - who gave me a quick Apple tutorial. The fact I have now forgotten everything is not his fault.