If you're wondering about the new version of Microsoft Office, here are a couple of good articles. The first describes the improvements of the 2010 version vs. the 2007 version, and the second gives three reasons why you should upgrade.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/195542/dissecting_microsoft_office_2010.html
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/346683/three_reasons_make_move_office_2010/
Tepato Systems is not endorsing Microsoft, however we do use their products.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Fun Free Tools to Personalize Your Desktop
In honor of our lovely spring, here are some fun, free tools that you can use to personalize your computer.
To download free images to use for your wallpaper or screensavers, including a nice tool to manage them, go to Webshots. The tool also includes a handy calendar that you can display on your desktop.
Webshots - http://www.webshots.com
This site has a variety of very cool free fonts. Some of them are from movies or TV shows, such as the Flinstones and Star Wars.
Free Fonts - http://www.typenow.net/themed.htm
This tool gives you some helpful options that can be used in Windows Explorer. It allows you to color code your folders, among other things.
Folder Marker - http://www.foldermarker.com
And finally, this one is actually useful for work-related use. If you are ever copying/pasting a series of items, this tool allows you to copy them all at once, then paste them based on a list. The normal copy/paste function can only save one item at a time.
Ditto - http://ditto-cp.sourceforge.net
To download free images to use for your wallpaper or screensavers, including a nice tool to manage them, go to Webshots. The tool also includes a handy calendar that you can display on your desktop.
Webshots - http://www.webshots.com
This site has a variety of very cool free fonts. Some of them are from movies or TV shows, such as the Flinstones and Star Wars.
Free Fonts - http://www.typenow.net/themed.htm
This tool gives you some helpful options that can be used in Windows Explorer. It allows you to color code your folders, among other things.
Folder Marker - http://www.foldermarker.com
And finally, this one is actually useful for work-related use. If you are ever copying/pasting a series of items, this tool allows you to copy them all at once, then paste them based on a list. The normal copy/paste function can only save one item at a time.
Ditto - http://ditto-cp.sourceforge.net
Friday, March 12, 2010
How to Save an Office File in the “Old” Version
If you have Microsoft Office 2007 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.) and your friends still have the 2003 version, they can’t open your files. You’ll notice that the file name now ends in “.docx” or “.xlsx” or “.pptx”, with an “x” on the end.
It’s easy to save a 2007 file into the 2003 version. (Example shown in Microsoft Word, but it works the same in all Office applications.)
Follow these steps:
Click the Windows logo in the top right corner
Select “Save As” from the list
Select “Word 97-2003” from the list
Choose the location where you’d like to save the file, and give it a name (as you normally would).
You’re done! Your file is now the “old” version which can be opened by someone with any version between Office 97 and Office 2003.
How to Convert Office 2007 Files Automatically
Another option is to download and install a free tool that will automatically convert Office 2007 documents to the old version for you (when you open them).
To convert Office 2007 files for free to a format that you can open, use the link below. The online version of the tool is free, and there's also a desktop version that is available for purchase for $19.95.
This same site offers a variety of other conversion tools, including one to convert a variety of file types into PDF files.
Oconvert Tool - http://oconvert.com/
It’s easy to save a 2007 file into the 2003 version. (Example shown in Microsoft Word, but it works the same in all Office applications.)
Follow these steps:
Click the Windows logo in the top right corner
Select “Save As” from the list
Select “Word 97-2003” from the list
Choose the location where you’d like to save the file, and give it a name (as you normally would).
You’re done! Your file is now the “old” version which can be opened by someone with any version between Office 97 and Office 2003.
How to Convert Office 2007 Files Automatically
Another option is to download and install a free tool that will automatically convert Office 2007 documents to the old version for you (when you open them).
To convert Office 2007 files for free to a format that you can open, use the link below. The online version of the tool is free, and there's also a desktop version that is available for purchase for $19.95.
This same site offers a variety of other conversion tools, including one to convert a variety of file types into PDF files.
Oconvert Tool - http://oconvert.com/
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Keyboard Shortcuts
All of these keyboard shortcuts can be used in any Microsoft Office application, and some may also be used when surfing the Internet.
Here are the shortcuts that I use the most:
CTL+C - copy selected text
CTL+X - cut selected text
CTL+V - paste selected text
CTL+ALT+V - paste special (really useful in Excel)
CTL+Z - undo
CTL+Y - redo
CTL+A - select all (text in a document, cells in a spreadsheet, whatever)
CTL+Home - go to top of document
CTL+End - go to end of document
CTL+S - save
ALT + TAB - switch to a different window
Print Screen - to get a screenshot (works best if you have software like SnagIt)
CTL+ALT+Del - open task manager
If you have a favorite, post a comment to share it.
Here are the shortcuts that I use the most:
CTL+C - copy selected text
CTL+X - cut selected text
CTL+V - paste selected text
CTL+ALT+V - paste special (really useful in Excel)
CTL+Z - undo
CTL+Y - redo
CTL+A - select all (text in a document, cells in a spreadsheet, whatever)
CTL+Home - go to top of document
CTL+End - go to end of document
CTL+S - save
ALT + TAB - switch to a different window
Print Screen - to get a screenshot (works best if you have software like SnagIt)
CTL+ALT+Del - open task manager
If you have a favorite, post a comment to share it.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Password Tool - This is AWESOME!
How many passwords do you have online? I probably have over 100, between my website clients and all of my personal stuff. It's too much to remember, and I never can keep all of my bookmarks consistent between different PCs.
Check out this nifty and inexpensive tool:
http://www.roboform.com
I have the "to go" version, which works on a flash drive. So now no matter where I am, or whose computer I'm borrowing, all of my passwords (and bookmarks) are available on my flash drive.
Roboform saves your password, along with the link to the site where it's used. You can use 1 click to go to the site, login and press enter. All of your password data is encrypted under a single master password. It can also generate random passwords for you, so that you can stop using your dog's name as the password for everything you do (especially important if you are doing banking online or shopping). You can even set up "identities" which will fill in your name, address and credit card information on a page when you click a button. It's a huge timesaver if you shop online frequently.
It is one of the most useful things I've got in my computer "toolbox" and it only costs about $20! Check it out sometime and let me know how much you love it... there's even a free trial available.
Check out this nifty and inexpensive tool:
http://www.roboform.com
I have the "to go" version, which works on a flash drive. So now no matter where I am, or whose computer I'm borrowing, all of my passwords (and bookmarks) are available on my flash drive.
Roboform saves your password, along with the link to the site where it's used. You can use 1 click to go to the site, login and press enter. All of your password data is encrypted under a single master password. It can also generate random passwords for you, so that you can stop using your dog's name as the password for everything you do (especially important if you are doing banking online or shopping). You can even set up "identities" which will fill in your name, address and credit card information on a page when you click a button. It's a huge timesaver if you shop online frequently.
It is one of the most useful things I've got in my computer "toolbox" and it only costs about $20! Check it out sometime and let me know how much you love it... there's even a free trial available.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Do you backup your important files?
A useful software tool for Windows XP users
If you have important data on your computer, whether it is of a personal or professional nature, you need to do regular backups of it. Think about how painful it would be for you if you lost that data and you'll quickly realize how important your backups are.
I recently heard about a nifty little software utility that is available FREE from Microsoft. It's called SyncToy, and you must have Windows XP (with service pack 2 installed) to use it. SyncToy can be used to easily do backups of many kinds, whether it's between your hard drive and a flash drive, or from a memory stick, or whatever. Even if you use an external hard drive for backups, this tool can help you. It can be customized to do several different types of backups based on a one- way or two-way comparison of your files.
Check out SyncToy and let me know if it helps you. I've found it extremely useful and very easy to get set up for the first time. It has greatly reduced my backup worries and it's much faster than doing a full copy of all the folders and files every time.
Download SyncToy here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en
If you have important data on your computer, whether it is of a personal or professional nature, you need to do regular backups of it. Think about how painful it would be for you if you lost that data and you'll quickly realize how important your backups are.
I recently heard about a nifty little software utility that is available FREE from Microsoft. It's called SyncToy, and you must have Windows XP (with service pack 2 installed) to use it. SyncToy can be used to easily do backups of many kinds, whether it's between your hard drive and a flash drive, or from a memory stick, or whatever. Even if you use an external hard drive for backups, this tool can help you. It can be customized to do several different types of backups based on a one- way or two-way comparison of your files.
Check out SyncToy and let me know if it helps you. I've found it extremely useful and very easy to get set up for the first time. It has greatly reduced my backup worries and it's much faster than doing a full copy of all the folders and files every time.
Download SyncToy here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en
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