Internet

I don't know how much time you spend on the Internet. You might be a serious blogger or social media lover or maybe you barely use the Internet. There are some people who need just the bare bones news report (like Drudge Report) and some people like frills and personalizations.
When I got this MacBook Pro, I used Safari, an Internet browser. I didn't think anything of it. It was the browser the computer came with! A more technologically advanced friend of mine recommended Google Chrome and I begrudgingly obliged. I had all my favorites and bookmarks set up in Safari!

What I didn't know what that the savvy Internet people could move those bookmarks to a new browser for me. Hey-oh! Google Chrome became my new home. I have a Gmail account and the browser is kind of meant for Google users. Everything is smoother and sleeker and more can be done to customize your web surfing (is it still called that?) experience. I am not a computer genius. I just like things the way I want them to be and Chrome has lots of options.

There are themes to adjust how your browser looks. The best thing about Chrome is the extensions. The one I love the very mostest is called StayFocused. You tell it what sites you want to be blocked from and then give a time limit, what days the limit should exist, and between what hours. It's amazing. I have been way more productive in the time I have had it. I know I only have a certain amount of time for goofing (ala Facebook) and that's it. When time runs out, it's done. I will say setting up the limits was not the most user friendly thing ever. The whole time I was picking options I was like "Gee, I hope that's what I actually want," because it's not totally clear. Now that I've adjusted the settings how I want them, I have been much more productive with Internet time. And who doesn't love that?

If you're using Safari or (gasp/shudder) Internet Explorer, please upgrade. Learning a new browser is more difficult at first but Chrome is a free download and is more efficient. I used to be one of those "all browsers take you to the same Internet" kind of people, but it's a similar situation as automobiles. Yes, a jalopy can get you to work but it will be uncomfortable, slow, stinky, and a pain. Why not upgrade to a shiny sports car when the upgrade is free? Not a perfect example but I hope you get my meaning. If you're already driving the sports car (aka using Chrome) and you love it too much, consider your extension options and think about StayFocused.