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Microsoft

Zune no big woop

I didn't get home until late last night so I am writing two articles tonight. Even though I am home even later than I was last night.

Yesterday while I was at Target and Best Buy I had a chance to look at the new Microsoft Zune MP3 player. I was not impressed. As I played with the device I had to wonder if I was even supposed to be impressed. I mean it comes in three colors – white, black and brown. No electronic device has come in brown since the 70s and that was because the 60s used up all of the colored inks and everything in the 70s had to be brown.

I am not a huge fan of the iPod, but at least it's elegant. The Zune is a nogahide (fake vinyl leather that they make couches and coats out of) iPod. It tried to be sleek and elegant but it comes out looking like the fancy Kia next to a Mercedes.

Google – more than just a great search

Why is Google's stock always so high? How can a company be worth so much if all they do is help people find web sites? Where do they make their money?

Before you dismiss Google as just a search engine or over-priced stock, take a look at the hidden features they offer.

Google offers so many services for free that many experts have theorized that Google may one day replace libraries, phone companies, operating systems, Internet browsers, phone books, calendars and reminders, email, television and even paper.

Open Office 2.0 — FREE Alternative to Microsoft Office

In today's meetings, we downloaded, installed, and worked with Open Office. The FREE altnernative to Microsoft Office. To read why the software is free, read this information from their web site .

OpenOffice programs are completely compatible with Microsoft Office programs and allows you to read, edit, and create Office documents without owning the Microsoft Office suite. Here is a list of the programs and their functions in Open Office:

Open Office icons

Gadgets yield more gadgets

I have helped several people buy new computers lately. I don't sell computers or any other hardware so I am more of a personal shopper than a salesman when it comes to guiding people through their purchase.

I think it's funny how gadgets always seem to yield more gadgets. Here is a short flowchart of how this process works.

1. A client calls and says that they need a new computer. They ask my advice on what they should get for just basic stuff like email and word processing. "I don't need anything fancy."

2. I suggest a basic system that will handle all of their needs and a little more.

Using your solitaire skills (Drag & Drop) – Video Tip

Believe it or not, Microsoft put Solitaire in Windows to help new computer users get comfortable with the mouse and its functions. After years of playing solitaire, this tip will help you put the skills to use. I like to call this technique the "ol' 8 or hearts on the 9 of clubs trick." In computer talk, what you are doing when you move one card to another in solitaire is the "drag & drop."

Drag & drop ( " the ol' 8 or hearts on the 9 of clubs trick") is an extremely helpful and time saving skill to use in other computer activities. One of my favorite places to use it is moving files (pictures, documents, etc) from one location to another. For example, if you open a CD or memory card full of pictures up in one window and open another folder on your computer (like My Pictures) in another window, you can then drag files from one window to another.

Block Internet Explorer 7

Internet Explorer 7 finally became final last week and is starting to be deployed as a Windows Update. While I believe that IE 7 is a huge step in the right direction, the changes in the look and feel of the browser will throw many for a loop. Even after working with IE 7 for the past five or so months as it made its way through the beta stages of development, I don't think it holds a candle next to the Firefox browser . If you aren't afraid to learn the new nuances of IE 7 and don't want to change to Firefox, I say go for the upgrade. However, if you are perfectly comfortable where you are right now with Internet Explorer 6, then you might want to download and install this tool , made available through Microsoft, that prevents the automatic installation of the new Internet Explorer 7.

You can’t transfer programs – only data

I have setup as many new computers over the past couple of months as I have the entire five years I've been an on-site computer guy. I have become very good at backing up data and moving from the old computer to the new system.

Before I setup the new computer I explain that I can easily transfer data files from one computer to another, but I can't transfer programs.

Typically, this doesn't appear to be a problem. That is, until I have setup the new system and moved the data. "Where's my Microsoft Word?" or "How do I get into my AutoCAD?" are examples common questions I get after the work has been done.

Windows Vista Search

Vista SearchThis is the third or fourth installment of my peek at Windows Vista which I have been beta testing for about a month now. Although, I don't think there is any Earth shattering changes in the function of Vista, one feature stands out as being well integrated. That feature is Windows Search. Microsoft did not get a chance to totally revamp the way we save and retrieve files as they had hoped with Vista, but they did integrate the Search function in every aspect of the operating system. And I do mean every aspect. All program and operating system windows have a search box in the upper right hand corner. Even the revamped Start menu has a Search box integrated into it.

Windows Vista…Day 14

Windows Vista Score

I've been using Windows Vista for a couple of weeks now and although I have found some redeeming qualities about the upgrade, I'm still not sold on it by a long shot. One confusing issue for me is the massive amount of computing power that will be required to run the software. And that's not just me and thousands of others saying that, Microsoft will tell you straight up how crappy your computer is with their "Windows Experience Index" score. The score breaks down how your processor, memory, graphics card, and hard drive all handle the massive Vista system by assigning each a score.

Solution for computer that can’t change desktop wallpaper / background

This solution WILL fix your problem, but don’t run away afterwards and forget about us.

HelpMeRick.com contains hundreds of tips (and video tips) that YOU can use as a reference for yourself and
especially as a reference to send links to your friends/family so you don’t have to write out or explain the steps yourself!