Streamline your internet workflow to save time
We increasingly work with online information and services. Streamlining internet interaction can save time and frustration.
Hot buttons
Hot buttons to useful websites can be added to the mac desktop with Quick Links (free). It allows you to hot-click to popular sites. You can leave the buttons on your desktop, in your dock, or even in a stack.
Site specific browsers
If there are sites you always keep open, like Gmail or Twitter, then it is probably worth looking at Fluid (free). Site specific browsers keep an independent window for the site of your choice. The advantage is that Fluid is independent to your usual browser, so if you get frequent crashes, it won’t be affected. You also get a separate dock icon.
Google Gears
For Google freaks, the beta of google gears for Safari has been released. This allows some of your online information to be stored and manipulated offline. It will work with google sites (like google docs) and some others, including Wordpress and Remember the Milk. There is a good tutorial on how to install Safari gears at Tidbits. Gears has been available for Firefox mac users for some time.
AIR applications
Adobe AIR is a platform for bringing webpages to your desktop. Although the program is independent, it will only be updated (and functional) if you have an internet connection. Tweetdeck is a well-known application in this area. Other useful applications include Google Analytics, time trackers and A comprehensive list can be found here.
What are your favourite hacks to streamline access to the internet? Please explain your techniques in the comments. Do you have a favourite AIR application? How is it different to a native application?
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This article has been linked to by Lifehacker Australia. Apparently, they like that we recommend Fluid. Read more here.