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Zoho Creator (database) – Video Tip

This 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 and Reports. I focused on the Creator application in my video tour.

Database programs offer the most flexibility and ease of use for collecting data on any subject from a book collection, to a club member address list, to tracking expenses for your home or business. Once you learn a few techniques with database design and creation, I’m willing to bet you will leave the lowly spreadsheet behind for gathering this type of data.

Zoho’s database application provides, in my opinion, unparalleled ease of use AND power for both the beginner database user and the advanced user. I strongly encourage anyone ever remotely interested in database collection or anyone who hasn’t been able to find the perfect data collection program to give Zoho Creator a try after watching my short video below.

Some of Zoho’s database features include:

  • Convert spreadsheet data to database
  • Online, anywhere access
  • Easily build powerful database collection forms with drag and drop
  • Sophisticated form elements including drop down lists, radio buttons, check boxes, date pickers and more
  • Embed collection forms in your web page or blog
  • Query data
  • Export data to multiple formats
  • Use a powerful scripting language to enhance your database
  • and much more.

Watch the short video below to see how far online applications from Zoho.com can take you.

3 Reasons NOT to upgrade or buy to Microsoft Office & 5 Alternatives

Microsoft has primarily moved to a subscription model for its Office suite…costing you recurring fees. After 25+ 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 people. Don’t be pressured or swayed into purchasing it.  Here’s why: 3 Reasons NOT to upgrade… Read More »3 Reasons NOT to upgrade or buy to Microsoft Office & 5 Alternatives

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 after I introduced her to them a few years ago. But this time around, she had her info on her hard drive. Had she uploaded or created the document in Zoho or Google Docs, she could have gone to school happily, sat down at any computer, logged into her account and printed the document.

Needless to say, I think she will be uploading more of her documents to Zoho or Google Docs.

I mentioned online appsRead More »Students and online apps

You are ignoring Web 2.0 – 12 articles to catch you up

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 ride!

Listed below is your HelpMeRick.com reading assignment for the day.

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.

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.

Zoho now supports Yahoo or Google accounts

Zoho.com 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.

Zoho Spreadsheet Update

My favorite online application suite, Zoho, just got a little more powerful today for spreadsheet users. The Zoho spreadsheet, known as Zoho Sheet, added two huge features today; Macros and Pivot Tables.

Power spreadsheet users use these two features often and will appreciate Zoho Sheet’s new found power. For an overview, watch this video from Zoho:

CNET Web 2.0 Awards


CNET Web 2.0 Awards
Get used to me writing more articles about Web 2.0 applications…applications that run in your web browser. I’ve written many already, but today I’m writing about the  CNET people’s choice awards for best Web 2.0 applications in ten categories ranging from productivity to entertainment. This is CNET’s second year compiling the awards. This year almost 2 million votes were cast for over 300 Web 2.0 applications.

Many of my own favorites won awards including Zoho, Netflix, LogMeIn, Wikipedia, Gmail, Woot, Firefox, and Pandora. Click over to the article and read about some of these amazing applications.

Computing power is truly leaving the desktop and moving to the Internet. I personally think web computing makes perfect sense for a majority of computer users. Let me know what you think of Web 2.0 or what online applications are your favorites by leaving a comment below!