Lemondrop

Computers are supposed to help you be more productive, but all those nommable puppy pictures can actually wind up sucking more time away. Fortunately, they can make it up to you by helping you get some key things done faster. Try these time-savers so you can get back to really important stuff, like stalking exes on Facebook and generally avoiding all human interaction.

1. Soup up your webmail. Setting a few preferences here and there will let you do more in less time. For example, aol.com has one box that will show you everything that's going on on your Facebook, AIM, Twitter, Bebo and Myspace.

If you're a Gmail user, check out their Labs options. They allow you to do nifty stuff like suggest recipients for emails -- easier than sorting through all your contacts. Offline Gmail makes your inbox accessible when you're not on the internet, so you don't have to be tethered to wireless.

2. Twitter your tasks. If you need a doctor, handyman, or bar suggestion, put it in your Twitter feed. No idea why, but people really do seem to respond to quick queries for advice. If you don't have a bunch of followers, use the search function to scan others' posts like a virtual yellow pages.

Click here for four more amazing time-savers.

3. Design your own e-mail filters. Spam filters only catch the first e-mail menace. You can whittle out the other riffraff by creating VIP lists of senders (e.g., your boyfriend, boss, best friend) and changing delivery settings (usually under "preferences") so that the good stuff gets forwarded to your cell or tells you it's there -- and the rest is stashed away.

Cut down on junky messages by setting up a filter to file messages where the primary recipient isn't you (lame stuff is often addressed to the sender; everyone is cc'd or bcc'd) or ones from frequent offenders (that distant cousin who's never met an e-mail hoax she hasn't forwarded) sent to a folder for you to peruse on your time.

Or set up an e-mail account strictly for coupons, discounts, newsletters and software updates that you only have to check once a week.

4. Outsource online stuff you don't wanna do. If you can't be bothered sort through the unwashed masses on dating sites, ask your friends to log on as you and pick out prospective guys they think you'd like. If they know you well enough, they might actually find a few gems you'd never consider. Or challenge a bargain-loving relative to scope the best plane fare for you. The thrill of finding the perfect deal will get them excited, even though they're not the one benefiting.

5. Obey your to-do list. Whether it's a desktop stickie or an alarm that reminds you to move on to your next project, having an audio/visual reminder to stay focused really helps you get more done. One cool free Web app, TwoGoals, cleverly helps you keep on task. All you do is type the two things you must do this moment into a text box, and they're saved in a cookie for later viewing or set as your browser home page.

6. Use canned responses. You might already use these commonly-used, ready-made phrases on your phone (E.g., "Sorry, running late. See you in 10"). But some e-mail clients also have the same functions. If yours doesn't, just make a document with phrases you can cut and paste instead of typing them out each time.

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