Time-saving shortcuts for common web tasks

If you've been using the Internet for a while, you have probably developed certain habits in how you do things.

Take a look at some of these shortcuts. They won't save enough time for you to read War and Peace, but a few seconds here and there does make you more efficient.


COPY, PASTE AND SAVE BITS OF TEXT FROM THE WEB

The old way: Drag your mouse to highlight text. Copy text and paste text to a new document in your word processor. Save document. Hope that you remember the filename you assigned it and where you saved it.

The new way: Drag your mouse to highlight text. Use one of the instant web clipboards to copy and save in one step.

Tools:
Google Notebook
Clipmarks


FILLING IN WEB FORMS

The old way: Type your name, address, email, etc. in the form whenever you order something or subscribe to something online. If your password is needed, you guess or look it up.

The new way: Use an automatic form filler that saves your data in a private file on your computer.

Tools:
Roboform
Firefox extensions (search for form filler)
Internet Explorer add ons (search for form filler)


READING NEWS AND BLOGS:

The old way: Visit one news or blog site after another. Check to see if there is any new content.

The new way: Use an RSS reader (RSS = "really simple syndication") to see all your favorite blog updates and news feeds in one single window. If there is new content, it is automatically displayed.

Tools
Google Reader
Bloglines


SEARCH ENGINE SEARCHING

The old way: Type google.com (or other search engine) into your URL box. Wait for the page to load. Type in your search terms and hit enter to get search results.

The new way: Use the search box built into your browser. Firefox, Safari, and the latest version of Internet Explorer have a search box in the upper right corner of the browser window. You can even add more search tools.

Or, download and install your favorite search engine's add-on toolbar, which sits at the top of your browser window at all times. In addition to giving you a box to enter your search terms, the toolbars can be customized to block popups, display security warnings, and have links to your favorite websites

Tools:
Google toolbar
Yahoo toolbar
Dogpile toolbar


ACCESS TO REFERENCE TOOLS, CALCULATOR, WEATHER REPORTS, FLIGHT INFO

The old way: Go to a search engine. Search for dictionaries, encyclopedias, weather, maps, etc. and click to visit the website. Enter your information and get the result.

The new way:

Download and customize a search engine toolbar (see above)
Or, use "widgets" or "gadgets" that you download to your desktop. These are mini-applications that connect you to online services, giving you direct access to calculators, news feeds, work time recorders, sticky notes, stock prices, games and more.

Tools:
Widgets are already installed in Mac operating systems, and in Windows Vista. There are hundreds more at the Apple and Microsoft websites.

You can also use Yahoo Widgets or Google Desktop Gadgets.


Pauline
teachmeinternet.com