Productivity Junkie
Hello. My name is Rob and I'm a productivity junkie.
Long ago I learned the value of keyboard shortcuts and other shorthand methods of getting things done (because I feel strangely compelled to do so, I offer you an obligatory GTD link) in a computing environment. I use those I know obsessively and am regularly looking for new ways to rock the keyboard. Evidently, I rely on these so much that I get antsy when working directly with others.
Tweaked by a recent session sitting with a colleague whose keyboard was tuned to an adult contemporary (read: 70's soft rock) productivity setting, I offer a list of productivity violations that appear to annoy me more than I expected:
- Not using Control+C and Control+V. Come ON. That is just SO obvious.
- Similarly, I offer you Control+X.
- And, for good measure, Control+Z. I wish I didn't know this one as well as I do. But I do.
- Using click-and-drag to select text. Control+Shift+Left/Right Arrow, please.
- Using click-and-drag to select all text. No, no, no.
- Opening Windows Explorer from the Start Menu. So yesterday.
- Three words (and a meaningful symbol to help visualize the process flow): File > New > Tab. Anyone got a paper bag?
- Opening the Windows System dialog from the Start Menu. The first time I used Windows+Pause/Break, I was hooked.
- Scrolling to the beginning or end of a line/document. Please make an effort to locate the Home and End keys. If you're unwilling or unable to use these keys, please trade places with another passenger. Mix in the Control key and it's...it's...magic.
- Hitting Delete or Backspace to explicitly clear selected text before typing new text. I'm amazed how often I see this. It's already selected. Just start typing.
This list is not comprehensive and is Windows-centric because the aforementioned shared session occurred at work where we're on Windows machines. For most of those I've mentioned, there's a direct analogy to Mac.
Anyone care to add to my list?
I hadn't seen Windows+break before. That is neat.
I will confess to using delete (ala #10) before typing. It takes less than a second and provides me with a certain peace of mind.
Funny about #10. All I see is the redundant (read: wasted) effort, not the peace of mind. That one's maybe a little...picky. I was probably looking to present a nice, even number. :-)
Nice list, I get very frustrated with others at work when I stand behind them while they do something simple. I have to stop myself from commandeering their keyboard ("I'm sorry ma'm, this thing is not designed for beginners"), only to put it down 4.5 seconds later having done what would take them 15 or more!
Why does it bug me so?
Nonetheless, how about when you want to copy a block of code, and the cursor is a few lines below and half a page across. Simple! Just do Home -> Up arrow a few times -> Shift + Down arrow for the lines you want -> (and here's the part ppl don't get) Ctrl-C and immediately Ctrl-V. Why? Because it places the cursor at the end of the selection instantly, allowing in most cases a single down arrow and then another Ctrl-V to achieve in 2 or 3 seconds what will take someone else 5 or 6.
Ok, now I realize that I'm being anal about this... still though, why not do it the quicker way?
Steven
And windows keys-R to open the Run dialog box. A quicker way to a command window. Unless of course you create the Ctrl-Alt-"Your Shortcut Key here" to it.
And Ctrl-Shift-Esc, the left-hand task manager!
And Windows Key-F for the search dialog.
That enough yet? :)
Steven
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