This book is for people who want to do work more efficiently, who want do more things, and want to work smarter not harder. The subtitle summarizes the contents of the book—88 tech tricks to turbocharge your day. This book contains useful tips, tricks, shortcuts and workarounds that will help you become more productive and efficient. All you need is a computer, access to the Internet and a little adventurous spirit. Knowledge of the working of computer and various technologies is not a must for most of the hacks but will prove useful when trying out the advanced hacks.
The author—Gina Trapani—is an independent web programmer and is the founding editor of Lifehacker.com, the software and productivity blog, updated several times a day with time and effort saving tips, tricks and ideas.
This book is the outcome of a study conducted in 2004 by journalist Danny O’Brien, who interviewed several highly successful and productive people whose continuous output seemed unaffected by the constant disruptions of modern technology. O’Brien identified the common traits shared by these people and tricks—life hacks—they employed.
According to the author a life hack is a clever shortcut or a lesser-known, faster way to complete a task and lifehackers are redefining personal productivity by tweaking, modding, mashing up, and repurposing web apps, desktop software, and common everyday objects. This book presents 88 of the best life hacks from the Lifehacker.com web site archives.
This book is divided into 10 chapters—Free up mental RAM, Firewall your attention, Automate repetitive tasks, Streamline common tasks, Get your data to go, Control your e-mail, Organize your stuff, Kickstart your productivity, Master the Web, and Tune your computer.
Each of these chapters contains hacks and tips that will make your life easier and more productive. For example some of the hacks in the book are:
- Take Great Notes
- Filter Low-Priority Email Messages
- Clear Your Desktop
- Automatically Back Up Your Files
- Search the Web in 3 Keystrokes
- Speed Up Web Pages on a Slow Internet Connection
- Turn Your Cell Phone into a Modem
- Use GMail as an Internet Hard Drive
- Highlight Messages Sent Directly to You
- Encrypt Private Email
- Control Your Workday
- Schedule Think Time
- Google Like a Pro
- Tune Your Computer
- Save Your PC from Malware
Each hack starts with the level (Easy, Medium, Advanced) supported platforms and cost of implementing the hack. This is followed by an introduction, things you will need and step-by-step instruction with screenshots. This kind of organization and presentation improves the usability and makes the task of implementing the task very easy.
The book has an excellent companion Web site, which provide more details about each hack. I recommend this book, its companion web site and the Lifehacker.com site for all who want to do more the smart way. It is a book that will help you tame the technology and make it work for you.
Book Details:
- Editor: Gina Trapani
- Publisher: Wiley
- Year: 2007
- ISBN: 0470050659
- Cover & Page Count: Paperback, 336 Pages
You can order online at Amazon.