Upgrade Your Life: The Lifehacker Guide to Working Smarter, Faster, Better

by Gina Trapani

Whether you?re a Mac or Windows user, there are tricks here for you in this helpful resource. You?ll feast on this buffet of new shortcuts to make technology your ally instead of your adversary, so you can spend more time getting things done and less time fiddling with your computer. You?ll learn valuable ways to upgrade your life so that you can work?and live?more efficiently, such empty your e-mail inbox, search the Web in three keystrokes, securely save Web site passwords, automatically back up your files, and many more.

Genres: Self Help, Business, Reference, Productivity, Psychology, Personal Development, How To

480 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2008

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book won't be a revelation to anyone who follows the Lifehacker blog (or keeps familiar with personal computers in general), and it's also dated. Might be worth browsing since it offers some good ideas in a single location.

[Elaine Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to take back to the library w/out finishing, or even reading more than a few of the hacks. But I liked what I did read, & would be tempted to pick up a copy for my own reference. Plus it got me reinspired about keeping my email tidy.

[Richard Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was the naz when I read this several years ago. Lots of tips on digital life. Hopefully it has been updated since, because it would get out of date quickly.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of computer stuff, and since it is 8 years old, naturally a lot of it is outdated. Some good chapters about time management/how to get things done. Wish it was less tech related...

[Wellington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lifehacker is about Tech tricks, tips and downloads for getting things done. If you use a computer, you're bound to find something helpful in this book. They use the hacker as a term for someone who finds easier ways to do things.

The book works for both the novice and the uber-geek. The book recommends a lot of open-source, shareware, or free downloads that will make your life easier. Or you could just read the hacks on shortcuts on existing applications that you already have. Let the computer do the mundane and repetitive things in your life. Let it be a tool in your life - not a time sink. Let it be a source of inspiration and not mainly frustration.

Though the book does focus mainly on computer/technology. I find the subset on choices on lifestyle much more helpful. How many times have been late because you couldn't find your keys? Maybe you just want to figure out a way to prepare a nutritious lunch for work each day. Or realize years later you still haven't started writing the next great American novel because you kept procrastinating?

This is the book for you!

Now, lifehacker (http://www.lifehacker.com) does have a website which can overwhelm you with tips on saving time/money and I hope you do check it out. The book just whets your appetite. I docked the book a star because I read about most of these hacks already. But you probably haven't.

[Risa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is awesome! I learned how to do a lot of cool tricks to make so many little tasks in my life easier- one of the most handy being consolidating all of my email addresses into one gmail account. Downside: when somethig doesn't work right, this book doesn't tell you HOW to fix stuff you may have messed up, but luckily most Google stuff has awesome onlin help.

Lifehacker has online pages for each chapter (starting here: http://lifehackerbook.com/) which are an amzing compliment to the book. I totally suggest this for anyone who wants to work faster and GTD so you can spend mroe time on Ebay looking for vintage bicycle parts.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would not want a life upgrade? This book offers a balanced focus between useful software tools and personal skills that really can make a difference In a connected world. The ideas are organized into several broad categories, each intended to deal with a common problem area, compiled from a large collection available through the associated lifehacker.com website.

Since the book is now two years old, some of the technical hacks don't reflect current software. This is unavoidable for any book in this field, but the ideas are good. Updates and more ideas are available on the website.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found many of the ideas in this book very useful, although some of the links and programs discussed are now outdated in the edition I read (such as references to the no longer existing Google Notebook). Overall though, it was very useful in maximizing my time and efforts. Now I just have to keep at it ;)

Also, having read Getting Things Done as well, I really liked some of the tips the Lifehacker book suggests you use for more easily implementing the principles in Getting Things Done. A lot less time and paper consuming!

[Gary]

Of course, if you're really looking for a book filled with life hacks for living better, we'd be remiss not to mention our own book, written by former Lifehacker editors Adam Pash and Gina Trapani. Lifehacker is all about using technology to help you work more efficiently. From controlling your email to organizing your data and automating repetetive tasks, this book has all sorts of tips, tricks, and guides for using technology as best you can—without getting distracted by cat pictures. You can read more about the book (with links to many of the posts the book was adapted from) here.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I *LOVE* this book. I live most of my life on my computer, and this book really helped me find more time and find ways around some the issues that I have with my computer. I'm really, really pleased with the suggestions.

There are some clear biases that don't work for me: focus on Firefox and PCs, but there's a lot of cross-platform and specifically Mac things too.

Definitely a book worth reading and, more importantly, using.

[Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lifehacker is a very useful site--too useful in the sense that there's too much content. Bad probelm to have, I know. Anyway, this is a collection of some of their top time management/productivity tips. Not everything is applicable to everyone (and some tips actually seem more time-consuming). But I did incorporate their suggestion about keeping my inbox empty and it has already paid dividends. So, thanks for that, book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some neat ideas about using "hacks" (technology and tech tricks) to streamline your life. My one concern in getting the book (only available interlibrary loan in my location) was that, in technology terms, it had some age on it (published 2008). I was able to use a surprising amount of things anyway (partly because my home laptop still runs Vista, Lord help me!). I just discovered that a new edition of the book is due out any time now--hopefully the library will buy it this time!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of the hacks presented have appeared on Lifehacker over the years. I had actually already adopted a fair few of them, but found more I want to experiment with.

Most of the hacks are geared toward Windows and Mac, with some focused strictly on cross-platform tools, and they're leveled to help you find those hacks that are within your comfort zone (or strike you as worth the risk of growing a little).

[Petra Willemse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong - my life could use an upgrade! However, most of this book is made up of stuff I knew already or stuff I could have learned by looking on the internet. Since it is somewhat outdated now too, looking at lifehacker's website is going to be more informative than reading this book. If you want a basic how to guide to some work skills, especially for beginner/low intermediate computer users, than check this out. Otherwise, google it.

[Dr X · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I haven't ever spent much time thinking about how to do what I do more efficiently, but this book made me perceive everything in this light (making me annoy everyone around me). All I can say is that this book has made me happy by making me do what I do more easily. Better than a self-help book by far.

[Jim]

I added Gina's Lifehacker.con blogfeed to Gina's author page. Receive RSS feeds in your goodread's home page by clicking the fan button on her goodreads authors page. Very cool.

I encourage other readers to link your favorite authors blog RSS feeds to their goodreads page. It's easy to do. I have done about 10 so far.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of tips and tricks from the founding editor of lifehacker.com. Covers things like managing e-mail effectively, controlling your schedule and managing your data. Some things are pretty minor, but there are quite a few nice tricks to be learned. I'm sure I'll be keeping it around as a useful reference.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the title, "Upgrade Your Life," I thought that this would be more wide-reaching, but it concentrates completely on computer and tech-based tips. I definitely got five or six good things to try, but I don't need to buy this one.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were TONS of useful things in this book and they were explained in a clear way so I could tell what they would do for me and how to set them up/implement them. It did become clear to me in reading this book that I need to make the transition from IE to Firefox as my web browser.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of tech-savvy tips for improving your organizational skills. Some didn't make sense for the way I work, but there were a surprising number of gems that actually were helpful. Recommended for anyone who wants to get more use out of their computer or the Internet.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accumulated tips from one of my favorite websites, lifehacker.com, this book provides many ways to improve, automate, and streamline many of the things you use computers for. Updated in 2008, some of the things are already a bit out of date, but you'll still find plenty to try out.

[Carina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this one for the efficiency and improvement tips. Common frustrations like emailing effectively and taming your inbox are included, but also ways to make your dumb phone smart by texting to get google maps directions and other handy money savers.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lifehacker is a great resource for tech related productivity. Favorite sections include Chapter 9: Work Smarter on Your Smart Phone and Chapter 1: Control your Email. The website is also a good reference for a variety of other non tech hacks as well.

[Neil Wigner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book, newer editions keep the material up to date. Great overview of tips in all categories and I picked up more than I expected to from the book. Will read and re-read and implement many new ideas from the book!!

[Beverlee Couillard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to read to get your life in order. I'm very easy distracted: Too Many Interests. However, I have put into practice several of his thoughts for my office. Very practical book to keep handy.

[bookreader]

A technology/time-management mashup filled with dozens of concrete, easy-to-implement hacks that should make all but the most tech-savvy reader at least 25% more productive. If you spend any (meaning too much) time in front of a computer, this book is an essential read.

[Shaun Bevill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some great tips on simplifying your digital life.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of top tips!

[Liliana Bachelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

truly useful approaches to technology, part 2

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of many good computer-related tips! I could see owning of copy of my own to refer back to various chapters.