Software developers tend to think that any problem can be solved with a computer program—and for the most part, I think we’re right.

I’ve known for a long time that I had a lot of stuff to read, and that I don’t read very fast, so I needed to find a way to increase my reading speed. I read some books on speed reading but that didn’t seem to help me a whole lot, especially with reading on the computer screen, which is where I do probably 90% of my reading. I knew that there was a number of speed reading programs available, but they didn’t meet my needs because they all have to be installed on one particular computer (I use several different computers). I needed a web based solution and none was available so I decided to write one myself. I’ve been using it for the past several weeks and I read faster than ever, with great comprehension, when I use this program. I usually read at about 600 words per minute when using Zap Reader, and at about 150 words per minute without it.

The program is still rough, but I’m ready to start getting other people’s comments on it and start adding some features that other people want, and not just what meets my needs. The program is called Zap Reader and I invite you to try it out and let me know what you think.

On the Zap Reader web site you will also find a blog and a forum that is devoted to that one application. I may be posting about Zap Reader occassionally on this site, but most of the posts will be at the Zap Reader Blog. If you want to stay up to date on Zap Reader news, you’ll want to subscribe to that feed.

Let me know what you think!

Update August 15, 2006: I changed the 400% in the title to 300%. James corrected my math in a comment on the Zap Reader Blog. Thanks James!

Technorati Tags: productivity, GTD, lifehacks, lifehack, Web2.0