Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners » Zoho

Do everything online…for free!

Rick — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:43:34 +0000

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), [...]

Business and Education Save Money by Moving to the Cloud

Rick — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 04:50:38 +0000

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, [...]

Yet another reason to ditch Microsoft Office for web based apps

Rick — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:35:06 +0000

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 [...]

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

Rick — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:26:43 +0000

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.

Email of the Week – 005

Rick — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:00:12 +0000

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 [...]

NYTimes gets in on Web 2.0 and Zoho

Rick — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:57:45 +0000

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. Related posts:New Zoho Writer 2.0Yet another reason to ditch Microsoft Office for web based appsZoho [...]

New Zoho Writer 2.0

Rick — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 06:37:04 +0000

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. Related posts:Zoho Writer – Video TipZoho Sheet – Video TipA tech company’s [...]

5 Reasons why YOU should be moving to the cloud

Rick — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:56:56 +0000

Over the past two or there years, 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. These computers provide security via the password and user name that you choose. Five reason come immediately to mind on why you should start moving your data and computing power to the cloud.

1. Although more powerful than ever before, computers have become more unreliable than ever.

In particular, Windows computers require more expertise to keep them safe, updated, and problem free than at any time in the short history of home computers. Macintosh and Linux operating systems certainly require less technical expertise from the security standpoint, but still rely on desktop applications to create, save and edit data. Web based (cloud) applications provide plenty of power and flexibility for the vast majority of computer users while also presenting a simpler interface.

2. You already spend 90% of your time in the cloud already.

Non-business computer users spend the majority of their computer time

A tech company’s perspective of the American economy situation

Rick — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:04:49 +0000

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!

Rick — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:42:54 +0000

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.