5 Reasons why YOU should be moving to the cloud

I have written many articles about Web 2.0 or cloud computing. Cloud computing means that you work with programs and/or data that are not installed or saved on your computer. Instead, the programs and/or data live on an Internet connected computer (server) somewhere else in the world. Among other things, these computers/services provide: Security via the password and user name that you choose. Access to the service from any...

Zoho Creator (database) – Video Tip

This is my last installment in my Zoho.com tour, but far from the full capabilities of Zoho. So far I’ve introduced you to Zoho Writer (word processing application) and Zoho Sheet (spreadsheet application). For Part III in my series, I’m giving you a quick tour and demonstration/instruction on how to create a database with Zoho. Zoho has two database applications; one called Creator and the other called Database...

3 Reasons NOT to upgrade to Microsoft Office 2010 ...

Microsoft will release Office 2010 in the next few weeks. The upgrade price will likely cost around $130 for the home edition which includes Word, Excel and Powerpoint. The professional versions cost as much as $500 depending on what package you get. After almost fifteen years of using Microsoft Office and watching others use Microsoft Office, I can say without hesitation that it is a waste of hard earned money for most...

How to fix a row or column in any spreadsheet R...

I don’t use spreadsheets too often, but I do help folks learn how to use them somewhat frequently. Many long-time spreadsheet users overlook this simple technique to fix a row(s) and/or column(s). Why would you want to fix a row or column? The video demonstrates the why behind this tip quite well, but by learning to fix a row or column, you can scroll through a long spreadsheet without losing track of the row or column...

Students and online apps

My high school daughter ran from the house today in a panic because she was running late and didn’t have to time to print something she needed for school. She uses a MacBook and OpenOffice, but had already shut the computer off and was out the door. Interestingly enough, she uses and is sold on the utility and effectiveness of online apps as well. She uses both Google Docs and Zoho (which she likes better) regularly...

Do everything online…for free!

Some people believe that I drink too much Web 2.0 Kool Aid. That’s ok though because I love drinking it! Web 2.0 refers to computing on the web versus your desktop. Instead of installing an application and then starting it from your desktop, you head to a web site instead. If you use HotMail (MSN email), Yahoo email, Gmail, or access your email via your provider’s web site, then you too are utilizing Web 2.0...

Business and Education Save Money by Moving to the...

Since joining Twitter last spring, I made it a point to follow industry leaders and pundits that post interesting and breaking tech news and information. Two of my favorites are GoogleAtWork and Zoho. After nearly 15 years in the computer help and training business, I firmly believe in the mission of these two organizations…cloud computing. Quickly, cloud computing involves using your browser for your document creation...

Yet another reason to ditch Microsoft Office for w...

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...

You are ignoring Web 2.0 – 12 articles to ca...

Over the past few years, I have written and talked much about Web 2.0 or as it is sometimes known, cloud computing. You have ignored those articles and haven’t visited or tried the Web 2.0 offerings that are changing the way we use computers. Today, I’m going to give you a second change to get up to speed, because I will be writing more and more about Web 2.0 in the coming months, and I want you along for the...

Email of the Week – 005

QUESTION Name:  Patrick From:   GJ OS:      Windows XP ———————- 5-1-09 Rick, on Thursday you posed the question: Does OS matter anymore?  You listed the generic tasks you do in your browser. In March 2008, Adam Cochran was specific: I use Zoho.com for my document creation, NVU for my web editor, Firefox as my browser, Gimp and Picasa for photos and Thunderbird for my Mac and...

NYTimes gets in on Web 2.0 and Zoho

I’ve been writing about and using Zoho.com’s useful and robust online office programs for years (search the site for Zoho), and now finally they are getting some national media attention as well. Digital Domain – Web-Based Competition for Microsoft Word – NYTimes.com.

New Zoho Writer 2.0

Zoho.com released a new, faster version of their superb online word processor this week. You can read about it at the following link, or if you are a Zoho user already, give it a try! Zoho Writer 2.0 launches with fresh look | Zoho Blogs.

A tech company’s perspective of the American...

As you know, Zoho is my favorite Web 2.0 company. Their CEO, Sridhar Vembu maintains a blog and wrote an interesting article about the bailout, Wall Street and other interesting aspects of our economy from his vantage point. Click the Zoho logo or here to read his article. ...

Adobe Reader 9 update – DON’T DO IT!

Adobe released version 9 of their PDF (Portable Document Format) Reader program. Once the king and almost sole PDF reader on the market, it, like so many other mainstream programs, has become bloated beyond recognition. This software bloat slows down the performance of even the fastest computers, and for this reason, I firmly stand against software bloat. I added Adobe Reader to my do not use list almost two years ago....

Zoho now supports Yahoo or Google accounts

If you haven’t had a chance yet to try out the Zoho.com online productivity applications and you have a Yahoo or Google account or email address, you can now use that account information to sign-in to any of the Zoho.com applications. This new feature from Zoho gives literally millions of computer users the opportunity to see what online applications are all about without going through any new sign-up process. You can...