PC World columnist, David Coursey, writes this week that the hassle of upgrading a Windows XP computer to Windows 7 isn’t worth the time and price. It pretty much mimics the exact advice I gave to Windows XP users when Vista came out 2 1/2 years ago.
Software developers build software for the future, so older computer simply cannot run the newer software as efficiently. Especially when talking about operating systems like Windows.
Bottom line: If you are Continue reading →
I ran across a question today that could not be explained verbally or in writing. It is so visual, that a video was warranted. The question was how to adjust or restore the default toolbars in Internet Explorer. Here’s a 49 second video demonstrating the skills you need to get this done. Take a look!
photo credit: CarbonNYC
Microsoft released an updated and completely re-tooled version of their computer security product. It is now called Microsoft Security Essentials. I have not had a chance to try it out yet (wasn’t accepted into the beta testing this summer), but through my reading it is getting much better scores than their awful Live OneCare products they sold for a couple of years.
Overall, it supposedly runs much faster than OneCare and protects Continue reading →
photo credit: thoth92
This news story has flown mostly under the radar of most computer users for weeks. In a nutshell, it’s a patent infringement suit brought upon Microsoft by a Canadian company called i4i. The suit alleges that Microsoft knowingly used proprietary technologies in Microsoft Word 2003 and 2007. Last week, a judge in Texas, ruled in favor of i4i and ordered Microsoft to remove Microsoft Word from being sold and fined them nearly $300 million. Microsoft, of course, immediately filed an appeal that will draw the case out even longer.
While the appeal is being considered, Microsoft Word can still be purchased, but for how long? This case builds yet another argument for home and business computer users to consider using online based business applications like Zoho.com or Google Docs. If you want desktop software, look to OpenOffice.org.
Read more on the suit between i4i and Microsoft in the article below:
NewsFactor Network | Appeal Seeks To Keep Microsoft Word on Store Shelves.
The biggest tech headlines this week belonged to the long awaited deal between Yahoo and Microsoft. It wasn’t a buy out/takeover like Microsoft attempted a few times the past couple of years, but a business deal this time. Yahoo agrees to use Microsoft’s search technology instead of their own and they will share ad revenues from the search related ads generated on Yahoo pages. The deal is for 10 years.
This business marriage will bring together two tech titans that will Continue reading →
In Part I of my “Creating Tables” tip, I discussed what a table was, how to create them, and some basics on how to customize them. In Part II of the tip, I discuss how to use reverse text, cell coloring, sorting, formulas and create a form all with tables.
Since many of us in the post-35 year old set learned how to type and create documents with a typewriter, we tend to try and use computer word processors like a typewriter. The two technologies couldn’t be further apart from each other and other than touch typing, we need to throw out almost all our knowledge of document creation from those days. Continue reading →
Another announcement from Microsoft this week centered around their upcoming release of Microsoft Office 10 and an online version of Microsoft Office that will compete with Zoho and Google Docs.
The scheduled release of the new software and web apps is the 1st 1/2 of 2010. A lot can happen between now and then, but it will heat up the online apps arena. Microsoft also stated that their online apps will work with Safari and Firefox…which surprised me and I won”t believe it until I see it.
Read more at PC World:
Microsoft Surprises with Free Office Apps – Business Center – PC World.
No time frame or number of stores planned were released in Microsoft’s press release this week, but Microsoft did say they planned to open their stores close to existing Apple stores. Ex-management staffers from WalMart and Sam’s Club will be heading up this new direction for Microsoft.
You can read more details at the Daily Tech web site:
DailyTech – Microsoft Retail Stores to Open Near Apple Stores.
photo credit: mihirvaze
Name: Norman B. Buckallew
From: Florien, La.,
OS: Windows XP
———————-
I have office 2003 standard addition installed on my computer. When I try use programs such as powerpoint it asks for a key word to install or activate it. I have lost the keywords that came with my computer. I have tried Belarc and it dosn’t give me it keyword for powerpoint or office 2003. Can you help.
Norman
Thanks for writing Norman. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to get those numbers, but I would start by Continue reading →
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