How to Waste Less Time on the Internet

I've heard Dave Ramsey say that one of the reasons people are often irresponsible with their finances is because they don't know where they stand.

This principle is also applicable to your use of the internet. It's easy to spend "just a few more minutes" surfing if you don't know how much time you've already blown that week.

I've recently discovered a tool called Mee Timer for use as a plug-in on the Firefox web browser. Mee Timer simply tracks how you use your time on the web. It also keeps a running total at the bottom of your screen of how much time you've spent on the web. If you want to get fancy, then there are other functions available (like the ability to 'label' a site as 'procrastination', 'work', 'communication', 'search', etc. Once you've labeled a site as 'procrastination', you can also choose to automatically 'block' yourself from the site).

Of course, it's easy to ignore all of these self-imposed restrictions and just blow right past the warning signs, but if you have any level of discipline, these little tricks may be just enough to keep you focused in a moment of boredom.

How To Receive Updates From this Blog

If you would like to receive updates from this blog, or any other blogs, but do not regularly check the Internet, then you may want to consider one of the following two options.

The first is to sign up through email. You can do this by simply entering your email address in the box on the top right side of the home page of this blog.

The second option is to use a news reader service. A "reader" is simply a program that collects news updates for you (much like an email program collects emails). The benefit of using a reader is that you can have news/updates delivered to one location, without having to take the time to check a number of websites. It is like having the mail delivered to your door instead of making separate trips to the electric company, water company and phone company to pick up your bills.

How To Use a Reader
To get started with a reader, first select the type of reader you want to use. There are a number of readers available. I use Google reader (because I also use the Google email service, called Gmail). It is fairly easy to use and gives a variety of options for organizing the information in your reader. Bloglines is also a popular reader service, as well as Yahoo.

This is simplified on this site because you can subscribe to these feed readers by simply clicking on the link on my blog that says “Subscribe to OneManTrying” and offers the option of “Posts” or “All Comments.” Click on the “Posts” button and select one of the services. The reader service will then walk you through the set up process.

Fonolo

If you've ever wanted to SCREAM while wading through the never-ending process of pressing buttons when calling some "customer first" company, then this post is for you. (Note: This is one of the reasons we fly southwest. You always get a live person when calling.)