What's New on the Horizon

A Couple Of Blogs Of Interest

2009-03-02T16:54:00.001-08:00

I have discovered a couple of new blogs of interest. I was guided to them via Net@Night with Leo Laporte and Amber MacArthur. These blogs are LifeHacker.com and SmarterWare.org. Both have a great deal of interesting content. Check them out.

Microsoft Clipart, Photo’s and Sound’s

2009-02-22T07:43:00.001-08:00

I have been telling users for a long time that if you were working with a licensed copy of a Microsoft product that Microsoft provides clipart for use with you documents or projects that you were working on. Clipart and pictures enhance and bring to life your document or project.

I have been saying that there were around 6,000 pieces of clipart and photos that you could choose from. Well today I have been enlightened – that number is more than 150,000 free images and sounds. Images including clipart and photo’s. That is an audacious number.

This information came to me via a Microsoft Office Insider Newsletter. These newsletters are good reading and have plenty of “How To Article’s” and “Tips” to make your presentations (and a Word document or Excel spreadsheet is a presentation) better.

Maybe you need a little more “attention getting” help, well it could be right here.

Windows 7 & New Install

2009-02-15T06:49:00.001-08:00

After crashing on a regular basis (everyday) I reformatted the drive and did a complete install of Windows 7 from the ground up and it has worked now for a week without an issue.

I waited a few days after the install to add Office 2007 and that was followed in a few days by Google’s Chrome. So far everything is working very well. As said earlier it is fast. I will be adding OneNote as well as Mesh and Windows Live Workspace sometime this following week.

One interesting experience is installing then uploading Outlook. I have yet to figure out the best way to get everything on board without having two personal folders (PST). I know this was a real issue with Office 2003.

One warning is that I cannot find an easy way to make a backup of data in Windows 7 that I feel confident will be discovered by Windows Vista if I have to go back. I have downloaded the Norton 360 3.0 Beta for security and it wants to do a backup however not sure that version 2.0 would be able to read it. At present I am doing file by file copy. CMS Bounce Back does not appear to work with Windows 7 at least at this time.

Competition for Adobe?

2009-02-07T07:28:00.001-08:00

Following a lead from TechCrunch this morning I found Aviary, a start up that, their own words you can; “Edit images, create mind-blowing effects, design logos, find colors, collaborate, and more. All you need is a web browser. Try it now for free!”. The link, http://aviary.com/home will take you there to see. If you would like to read the TechCrunch review it is here at http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/06/aviary-encroaches-on-adobe-illustrator-with-raven-the-first-vector-graphics-editor-for-the-web/.

If you have an interest Engadget has posted a link with pictures of the new Kindle 2 from Amazon. I have wanted a Kindle but have held off however this is beginning to look like it is time to get into the e-book reading devices. Check it out: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/06/amazon-kindle-2-launching-on-monday-well-be-there-live/

One additional link from Engadget is one to their Daily Roundup: here’s what you might have missed. It is interesting and worth a look if you have interest.

Backups

2009-02-01T07:55:00.001-08:00

I have just had a another good lesson in making backups – what to do and what not to do. Over the years I have used BouncBack (CMS Products)software for doing personal backups and it has always been great so there was no reason for me to verify the backup – wrong. I will admit that I use the express version as this is my personal (albeit small business) system.

At the moment I am in this email conversation with Tech Support and they tell me that BB creates a key file for BB however it creates a file that can be accessed with Windows Explorer, in my case it did not and I lost a few years of data that I had archived via Outlook and some other data that was also included in that backup.

Well, I know myself and I know that I am known for going a bit overboard (having lost items in the past) and yesterday I found a file by file copy that I had made of the “Users” file prior to installing Windows 7 and everything that I am missing is in there. It was a normal thing that I do without thinking and I kept saying to myself “you know better than this so keep looking”. Perseverance paid off, I have everything including my 3 years tracking of gasoline purchases.

Build good habits and they will support you in the end.

Windows 7 Tips

2009-01-29T08:47:00.001-08:00

Here is a bumper list of Windows 7 secrets from Tim Sneath at Microsoft. I just discovered this however it has been out for awhile. As I said recently I wanted my Quick Launch toolbar back and that is one of Tim’s secrets. This link courtesy of Paul Thurrott. You might also take a look at other things on Tim Sneath’s blog as it appears to have other Windows 7 information.

Now if it would just find my sound card.

Update Windows 7

2009-01-27T17:45:00.001-08:00

OK all things are good. Even Will is enjoying Windows 7 in all it’s glory. If you attempt to add Windows 7 you best do it soon and do not do the “upgrade”. The trial Beta is going to close very shortly. It was extended but not forever. I am told that you can use VM Ware to install Windows 7 on a virtual machine however, as I discovered, you can not use Microsoft’s Virtual PC to do it. The only issue that I am having is that it will not find my sound card. Windows 7 doesn’t even recognize that I have one. This is the only disturbing thing.

Now a family update. We purchased a Wii and We love it. I just lost (2 out of 3) to my wife in bowling but I am learning and look out. This is fun and the Wii Fit looks good – at least for my wife. I may not be able to handle the Wii Fit as I have to watch my exertion, I am saving myself for the wine list.

Windows 7 Saga

2009-01-24T05:55:00.001-08:00

Here is the current update on my upgrade installation of Windows 7 – it crashed repeatedly. This appeared to occur after an auto update from Microsoft however I cannot say that for sure. It had been working and about the only real problem that I had was lack of sound. Sometime this week it started crashing after I walked away for it for a few minutes I would return to find a sign in screen and upon signing in I would see a window that said Windows had recovered from a hard/severe whatever and was looking for a solution to the problem (I have paraphrased what the message said as I do not recall the precise words).

Last night I did a clean install using the current partitions and it only took about 20 minutes (give or take a few) and was up and running fine. As of this morning it is cranking away. I will admit that it is much faster than Vista (or even XP). I opened Internet Explorer and “boom” it was there. I went to Google and downloaded Google Chrome and installed it in a matter of a few minutes – very fast. Still no sound so today I am going out to Creative Sound Blaster and see. I am hoping that this will work as I do like what I see and should have done a clean install to begin with.

The justification for not wanting to do the clean install was to avoid the problem of having to re-install all the software, MS Office, Adobe Creative Suites, all the Live tools, Mesh, and then re-synch the files that I have in Mesh. Outlook is a major issue because of the email addresses that I have to reconfigure.

I know that I am always told to do clean installs however I “use” these tools to learn so that I can teach/advise/consult and often state that I live within my computer so a clean install or a reformat is a couple of day issue for me. I am glad that I have this tablet PC to keep using (it also has all the software on it).

Now to finish my Saturday morning coffee here at Starbucks as I think I am going to have help my wife reboot the bedroom, I mean re-paint the bedroom today. ENJOY!!

Windows 7 Beta

2009-01-19T07:23:00.001-08:00

OK so Andrew told me he didn’t think that the Windows 7 Beta would load up in the Microsoft Virtual PC and he was right. I finally (after making the appropriate backups) upgraded Windows Vista to Windows 7 Beta.

It did take two attempts and success! I woke up this morning and the install was asking for the key that was provided by Microsoft in the download. GREAT, I am up and running on Windows 7. Now to test it out.

It is faster than Vista although it looks a lot the same and since it is based on Vista that is not a bad thing. At the moment I did find that Microsoft software did load up faster (Word, Excel, etc) and that Adobe software took it’s own time – which is not unusual. I have Adobe Creative Suite CS3 and it is always slow opening.

At the moment the only issue I am having is that the OS did not find my sound card (no sound card installed it told me) and that the most recent version of CMS BounceBack software is not recognized and will not work. Fortunately it will work in Vista and if I have to use the restore feature it will be if I have to go back to Vista.

Having said all of the above please understand that I did this to see what Windows 7 would be like not because I was displeased with Windows Vista. I am using Windows Vista on 3 computers (well one is my wife’s) and “we” are happy with it. I have this desire to see what the future is going to hold for us. I am an intense user and a “guide” to others so I feel like I have to know – and that is as good as it gets.

Audible.com

2009-01-18T07:55:00.001-08:00

I just finished “Team Of Rivals” by Doris Kerns Goodwin and although it was the abridged version from Audible and it was fantastic. As I listened to it I was often reminded of times growing up listening to the stories being told on radio. I remember the war reports in the first half of the 40’s and then “Boston Blackie”, “The Green Hornet” and “The Shadow”, not to mention “The Lone Ranger” (an early Curious Voyager). While listening to “Team Of Rivals” there was so many times that I did not want to get out of the car when arriving at whatever my destination was – including the driveway. I have to admit that NPR now has a great rival with Audible at Amazon (the “A’s” have it).

Get a trial membership at Audible by going to www.audible.com/twit2 and check out Leo Laporte at TWiT and learn more. A FREE plug for Leo and you can download and listen to TWiT from iTunes.

I am finding the “smart phone” thing really interesting. First I would never use a phone for email or messaging of any sort. Now I have a phone with a Qwerty keyboard so that I can send text messages (SMS) to my son, wife or anyone and I have thoughts about how good it could be for having “real” instant messaging. I see some advantages for business to having that “instant” contact to change meeting times, locations or updating information on the run (“We just closed the loan, now move on it.”). With the ability to install Micro Blogging software on your local server for your own internal use this has a great deal of possibilities for instant mobile messaging. There is an interesting report at SCRIBD and the link to the report is at http://www.scribd.com/doc/6221649/Enterprise-Micro-Sharing-Tools. I have to thank Pistachio Consulting for the link.

Windows 7

2009-01-12T06:53:00.001-08:00

I did it, downloaded Windows 7 and Virtual PC 2007 at the same time. I installed the Virtual PC 2007 last night and will install Windows 7 later in the week. This should be interesting and I will post more as I go along.

Chip I may need some help along the way.

Windows 7 With Extended Download Date

2009-01-11T07:56:00.001-08:00

Just got through reading Steve Clayton: geek in disguise blog and from this blog post it would appear that Microsoft has extended not only the time we have to download the public Beta of Windows 7 but has also dropped the limitation of 2.5 million downloads – we can all get it.

You can follow the link to the blog and on it there is a link to where one can go to download Windows 7. Here is a permallink to the post: http://blogs.msdn.com/stevecla01/archive/2009/01/11/windows-7-2-5m-download-limit-removed.aspx

Have a GREAT WEEK!!

Crunchie Winners'

2009-01-10T10:05:00.001-08:00

2nd Annual Crunchies Winners have been announced and you can find them at TechCrunch (imagine that). I found it amazing that the Best Technology Innovation/Achievement category was won by Mesh – I agree with this as I am beginning to rely on this tool in my array of great web tools. Along with this the Best Application or Service was won by Google Reader which I would have a difficult time being without.

Evernote won the Best Mobile Startup and I think that was a good choice. I have my personal commitments to OneNote however Evernote is a very valuable tool for note taking and organization while surfing and one also in my toolbox.

There are others that I am going to have to look into. Check out the list.

Palm

2009-01-10T09:01:00.001-08:00

CES is over and from what I have been able to read Palm could very well be returning to prominence with the new Palm Pre. You can check out a nice preview at MobileCrunch. Link here http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/01/09/palm-pre-hands-on-the-movie/. It might be a bit pricey however I will have to see the final “in store” promotion.

I could be very interested in this if it is provided by Verizon since I am kind of locked in there; phone and Air Card (which works well from most anywhere including Starbucks where I am today).

I have to also admit that I am getting into the Google Chrome browser. I have always tried the new “things” that come down the road so that I can comment to others my thoughts (for whatever they are worth). I started to run into a small problem with IE8 when going to Google so I went to Chrome and I the problems disappeared. The problem also occurred within my company using one of their computer’s and IE6 so I download Chrome in the office and away goes the problem. Personally, at the office I think it is something they have “switched” in their install so i would not blame that on Internet Explorer.

Speaking of “New Things” I was not successful in acquiring Windows 7 yesterday as I had to work. I guess Microsoft had issues with being overwhelmed with desire for the OS also. With only 2.5 million downloads being made available I suspect that I will miss out on this. It was going to be my primary reason for adding a Virtual Server to my desktop so that I could see how both would work but alas not enough credentials I guess. I will keep trying.

It’s The New Year & New Things

2009-01-03T07:46:00.001-08:00

In the past I have gone on about Mesh and Live at Microsoft however yesterday I found something new that I think is, or can be, awesome in addition to these services, FedEx Office Print Online. Perhaps you have already known about this but it is new to me. A disclaimer: I do not own stock in FedEx, it’s stores and neither does my family.

What use to be Kinko’s and then FedEx Kinko’s is now FedEx Office and they offer FedEx Office Print Online. It only took a few minutes to download the print driver and one re-boot (what doesn’t). After that the FedEx Print Driver just becomes like any other print driver. You can get to the offices location from the main FedEx website as there is a tab for Office/Print Services on the main page.

After you determine what you want to print you select the FedEx Print Driver (as you would any other print driver) and then proceed as if you were going to print on your local or network printer. The only big difference is that you have to pick it up at a FedEx Office store. I have to admit it worked very efficiently the very first time I tried it, only one caveat. I tried to just print one page and since the cost was only 59 cents I had to print 2 pages as they have a $1.00 minimum. I did not consider this to be very bad at all.

I wrote Google some time ago and suggested that they set something up like this with Google Doc’s and perhaps Microsoft would consider it with Live as this would be a great feature for the “road warrior” or frequent Starbucks user.

Finding a FedEx Office to print to was easy. As you process the print job it asks and let’s you search by zip to find a location. Now here you are in a strange city, you can get the zip code from the barista but not sure which location is closest, use the GPS in your phone. WOW, what a concept! You have just made a sales call (or whatever) and need to get right back to the customer with a confirmation – you got it.

In talking with the person in the FedEx Office in the store on Kolb Ave in Cincinnati I discovered that software is not a problem as what they get is a PDF and that is what they print. The documents that I sent were Office 2007 native files and they had no problem.

One interesting thing is that when I installed the driver it also appeared in my Microsoft Word 2007 software as an option and added a FedEx Kinko’s tab. I guess everything hasn’t yet changed to FedEx Office.

I did forget one thing, the driver download and install is FREE and works in Windows 2000, Windows XP as well as Windows Vista. What more could you want?

Happy New Year and become a kid again and love to learn. May 2009 be great to everyone. One last thought; All Leaders Are Readers! Now are you just holding a spot for someone else or are you a true leader.

Windows Live & Sky Drive

2008-12-12T13:29:00.001-08:00

I know I have not been present for awhile however today (after listening to last weeks Windows Weekly with Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott) I went out to check on my “LIVE” web site and yes it is changing.

Windows LIVE found at http://home.live.com is a place to go and get connected or at least it would appear. I go there to get to my Spaces and to access Sky Drive which is now up to 25 GB of storage space – and still FREE. I really think one needs to check this out.

Some Notes for December 2, 2008

2008-12-02T15:11:00.001-08:00

In the past in this blog I have talked about "I Want Sandy" as a 'reminder' service that one could use that had many advantages. There is a note at the top of their web site that it is going off line permanently on December 8th. I also received word from Pownce that it is also shutting down however Pownce, it's developers and the technology is moving to Six Apart so not sure what the future will hold.

There will be a Window's Vista Service Pack 2 (as well as a Window's Server 2008 SP2)and should be available December 4th as a Customer Preview Program. I grabbed this from the Windows Vista Team Blog. You can check it out.

On another note; I picked up the Dec 2008/Jan 2009 copy of Fast Company tonight and it has a rather interesting article regarding Cisco and John Chambers. It is a rather good management/leadership read. There are other things in Fast Company that I like and I find it worth the time - very much so.

Enjoy

First Entry With Zoundry Raven

2008-11-29T07:03:00.001-08:00

This is the first post using Zoundry Raven which I just downloaded. It looks like it is going to be a good writer. I picked up the link from Paul Thurrott's blog and I am testing it out. I will have to add a picture to see how it works. I do have some issues using Windows Live Writer with Blogger and posting pictures.

I have also had paragraph issues with Windows Live Writer and cannot figure out why. We shall see if this works any better.

I have inserted an image, used paragraphs however I do not yet see how to have this tool reflect what the blog dimensions are so that I can see how it will lay out prior to publishing.

The Future & Learning

2008-11-09T07:16:00.001-08:00

As we watch all the changes today it is apparent that one needs to spend time each day learning something new. Reading 30 minutes a day in your specific work area and that could include shipping and receiving, building maintenance, and leadership. Things are changing faster than ever and not staying up is going to hurt everyone.

Now we have all heard this before, many times in our lives. From parents, teachers, and well intended employers however even the educated are getting left behind because of this fear of or un-willingness to accept the change that is coming down the road.

As we all know the Personal Computer (PC) in 1977 – 1985 (or 1990 even) was a fad and that the Internet was a waste of time and as I read magazines and newspapers today they all reference links to somewhere on the web – up in the Cloud if you will. If you have the knowledge and are not trying to turn on the lights for someone else you are not returning to society the benefits that you have gained. I think that is what I like about teaching. I know, I talk too much but maybe someone will get the point that this is what is going on.

Now for a couple of links; Check out ReadWriteWeb. Very interesting site regarding “new technologies” as well as other technology items. If you are into news aggregating then check out Social|Median. It has just been opened to public Beta and might be just what you are looking for to put together YOUR news. I heard a discussion with Jason Goldberg on Floss Weekly. Jason is one of the founders and CEO. You can check out Jason’s Personal “News Feed” here.

Have a GREAT WEEK!! Spread the word.

Let me add one thing. Microsoft is releasing a product named SmallBasic. It is aimed at bringing fun into programming for both young and old. Check it out. You can download it from the link.

Windows Vista Magazine

2008-11-03T06:28:00.001-08:00

You might want to check out the latest Windows Vista – The Official Magazine. It is the Winter 2008 volume and is packed full of interesting things regarding Windows Vista. It is well worth the read. Note: on the website they are still showing the Fall Edition, look for the one that says “44 AMAZING TECH GIFTS” at the top.

There are web tips, some items on speeding up your PC and then there is a High Tech Gift Guide. There is also a small introduction to Windows Live Mesh. Past post’s have also said to look into Windows Live – that is also my suggestion.

This has always been a fairly good magazine. Find out what you can do to grow more.

PDC & Windows 7 Plus Future Office

2008-10-28T17:40:00.001-07:00

I would suggest that you check out Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows and read the articles on the left side about both Windows 7 and Office 14 (or what it is referred to). I think you will see where Microsoft is trying to stake it’s claim on the Cloud.

Microsoft will be providing light weight versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote up in the Cloud. Paul does say in his write up (which includes pictures) that

“..sign up for Office Live Workspace. Microsoft tells me that it will allow any Workspace customers to access the tech preview when it becomes available later this calendar year.”

Get it - Office Live is GOOD right now and worth looking into if only on a Personal use. Mesh will be an active part of all of this. If you haven’t you need to check out Microsoft’s Mesh.

Now, after all the hoop la, a good part of this is not coming until 2009 – 2010. More information can be found at Mary Jo Foley’s blog as well as at the Technologizer blog by Harry McCracken. Mary Jo was there at PDC and her write up and information is always not notch. Her article is Microsoft to “Webify Office (Sort Of).

Here is Press Pass Information for Journalists direct from Microsoft, http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/Features/2008/oct08/10-28PDCOffice.mspx – check it out.

Last but not least is Steve Clayton at Microsoft who blogs and works in the Software + Services area. I enjoy his writing – tech or no.

OK time to go prepare for tomorrow and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 day 2. I love this life. Where else can I play with this “stuff”, teach this “stuff” and then try to pass along information with blogging?

Who would believe that a Netscape Beta user could become a Microsoft “Fan Boy”. What a LIFE!

Live Services & Mesh Are Up Tomorrow @PDC

2008-10-27T11:08:00.001-07:00

OK so today was not everything that I had hoped for. Windows Azure as a platform in the Cloud. You can follow PDC tomorrow (and watch the developments live) at PDC.

There is also an ongoing blog that I referred to in the past and that link is at Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows/pdc. Look down the right side of the page for the conversations from the bloggers that were asked to participate.

As the title says; tomorrow is Live Services which is supposed to include new information on Mesh. Today was for developers and tomorrow’s announcements are to be aimed at the consumer (user).

PDC Has Started & Here Comes The Cloud

2008-10-27T09:15:00.001-07:00

Ray Ozzie has just introduced Windows Azure – the NEW Windows Cloud Computing system. More later.

Economist Magazine & Cloud Computing

2008-10-26T07:56:00.001-07:00

In Reading The Eponymous Pickle this morning Franz Dill linked to an article in The Economist regarding Cloud Computing that I thought was very good. The article is “Corporate IT - Let it Rise”, you can follow it here.

Good reading.

PDC Is Upon Us

2008-10-26T07:09:00.001-07:00

While the PDC (Professional Developers Conference) “officically” starts tomorrow however it actually began last night and today there are many things happening. You can get information at http://www.microsoftpdc.com/ and follow along with the conference as it develops.

After reading some of the notes I see that there are going to be 7 bloggers that have been invited to participate in an “All Star Blogging” event and they are: Ed Bott, Mary Jo Foley, Kip Kniskern, Rafael Rivera, Paul Thurrott, Tom Warren, and Long Zheng. The article says that this “will include the latest on Windows Strata Cloud Computing, Live Mesh and of course Windows 7”.

My only wish (at the moment) is that I were there to witness the conference. A great deal of it may be over my head however you do not learn by not stretching. I try to tell that to all in my classes. If you do not know if something will work with your software, back it up and then try it. You only have experience to gain and good or bad it will lead to learning. Some of the best experience I have had was from some of the great mistakes I have made, unfortunately I cannot seem to impart that wisdom to others.

Yes I am looking forward to what comes out of this PDC and I am seriously hoping that I will not be let down as I am expecting big things. My friends are somewhat concerned that I have suddenly become a Microsoft supporter because of my background (early Netscape user – read Beta) but I see them going places that we need to experience. I don’t care if Google is pushing them or they are driving Google, in either case we win.

I have to admit though that I have been a Microsoft Word user since around 1983 and stayed with them through the Word Perfect attack – and MS Word won that one also. I just wish sometimes that they were a bit more flamboyant and exciting in their approach.