How to Use Technology to Save Time

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Answering Machines
Caller ID Phone
Fax Machines
Internet Service Providers
E-mail Accounts
Computers
Microsoft Office
Anti-virus Softwares

Step 1

Assess your computing needs and get a personal computer that meets your needs. You might need software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, desktop publishing, personal information management, accounting and virus protection.
Step 2

Organize a filing system on your computer, with descriptive document and folder titles. Review stored documents periodically and remove the ones you no longer need.
Step 3

Keep your e-mail messages short and direct. Send documents as attachments.
Step 4

Limit your e-mail volume by screening messages by subject header, giving out your address only when necessary and stopping spam (unsolicited junk mail). To do this, type "remove" as the subject header and send an e-mail to the "auto responder" address at the bottom of the spam you receive. Or see "Stop Unwanted E-mail," under Related eHows, for more information.
Step 5

Make the most of your telephone. Consider Caller ID (which displays the sources of incoming calls) to screen your calls, and a headset if you need to use your computer while you talk. Ask your phone company about services that route calls to your voice mailbox or another phone, such as your secretary's.
Step 6

Consider a cable modem, ISDN line or DSL connection for your phone, fax and computer. These connections are faster than modems.
Step 7

Designate one or two times in the day for returning e-mail and calls. Cut down on phone tag by leaving messages that include the best times to reach you.

Comments

Cottes said

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on 3/30/2009 I consider myself a PC power user. I also build my own PCs. My family and friends always rely on me when they need help with their PCs--plus it's my full time job:-)That's being said, I just want to send a message to all PC users, don't use your PC for the internet without virus protection and a firewall and ALWAYS update them as suggested.Excellent free protection:http://www.free-av.com/http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm

RobertRichford said

on 3/12/2009 Good article, We all need to organize our time. This is a good start with technology today.

Smith4795 said

on 2/21/2009 Well--no one ever said technology was the end-all solution. Remember when computers were touted as the end of the paper trail? That idea is now buried under a mountain of paper---about 30 million zillion trees later. Be sure to manage technology and do not let technology manage you!

lawrenctopper said

on 12/18/2008 Hello I read your article and I find its true that most people don't have enough time to sit and do all these things.We are in a vary busy world.