What Are Computer Productivity Tools?

Before computers were commonplace, people used Post-it notes and paper calendars for such things as messages and appointment reminders. Nowadays, most people rely on electronic sticky notes and calendar alerts. Computer productivity tools are software programs designed to make computer users more productive as they work. Typically simple and easy-to-use, productivity tools range from web browsing launchers to instant messaging shortcuts. Literally hundreds of productivity tools are available to computer users.

Instead of typing in each URL when you visit your favorite websites, you can compile them all into an add-on program to the Firefox web browser called SiteLauncher. Once installed, simply press Ctrl + Enter to access SiteLauncher, and then tap the letter you have assigned to each website.

EverNote is the ultimate computer tool for scrapbook fanatics who love to remember and document everything. This software allows you to grab screenshots, type notes or snap photos and then organize them all into notebooks that are easily accessible from any computer or mobile phone.

Fences, which is only compatible with Windows, allows users to manage and group icons on the desktop. This tool also allows users to instantly hide all desktop icons simply by double-clicking.

This application, another add-on to the Firefox web browser, checks websites for problems and bugs and easily fixes them so that your computer doesn't go haywire trying to access a site.

For those who blog, Windows Live Writer lets users publish text, video and photos to almost any blog service, including WordPress, LiveJournal and Blogger. This program also allows you to pull information straight from your Facebook, Twitter or MySpace pages.

For those who still store passwords on paper under the keyboard, Sticky Password helps electronically save, manage and encrypt passwords commonly input on the computer.