Why Change To Windows Vista: Part 3 of 4

Why Change To Windows Vista: Part 3 of 4 We are almost there, this is part 3 of 4. Actually it has somewhat more meat than Part 2, but once again starts trailing off towards the last few reasons covered by the Tennessee Mountain Man today. Computer man can't help but wonder if a third grader actually did prepare Microsoft's reasons to smile or upgrade to Vista. Enjoy. MS#51. "Because you live to play" The Tennessee Mountain Man actually wishes Microsoft had this one right for the average American. But, alas Americans play less than the citizenry of most other countries. Outsourced computer repair techs, unlike the money moguls at Microsoft, recognizes it now takes two people working not only full time but over time to feed and clothe the family. "Because we love to play", may have been more accurate; but living to play? Americans have long proven their propensity to live for work unfortunately. Remote helpdesk 1 is the proof in the pudding! Who has time for computer games? As to whether Windows Vista makes the games easier, faster, more fun....give me a break. MS#52. " Take control of game time" Kudos !! MS#53. "Because you can get more done when you work together" Microsoft's brain storming appears to have produced great and long followed general rules for success in any endeavor. "The house divided against itself cannot stand". Mutual cooperation on the job, in sports, or in family affairs goes a long way. As to inviting people to work with you on projects over the Internet, a company network, or an ad-hoc wireless network....We had been doing that for years... long before Windows XP was corrupted to come up with Windows Vista simply to enrich Microsoft coffers. MS#54. "Stay entertained wherever you go" Some of these remind old online computer repair geezers of some of the motel ads on TV. Come On!!!!!!!!!! Wow! Online helpdesk would have never thought of that little trick before Vista and without the help of Bill Gates! N E X T !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MS#55. "Because success tomorrow starts today" Amen!!!!! Today is the first day of the rest of your life, but P L E A S E get a life. Hopefully not after Microsoft's blueprint. The rest of this reason, like most of their reasoning, appears to be little more than someone "making work" or needing to fill newspaper space. Speaking of needing to get a life! MS#56. "Print what you see" Hogwash!!!! Unlike the rest of mankind, apparently Microsoft never heard of Windows 3 or the "print screen" command. MS#57. "Because you don't need a PC to watch your home movies" Really? Can you say Kodak? How about Polaroid? Well, don't! Outsourced it services still needs the online pc repair work. MS#58. "Fill your home with music" Yes, please! Music soothes the savage beast! Maybe Microsoft needs something besides elevator music, however. We used to do that with a radio which had a red light that burned when the radio was on. As a lad the Tennessee Mountain Man used to set for hours with an eye glued to that light watching radio shows. Those were the days!!! Dacomputerman knows all about that! That was all before WMP 11 and Microsoft's control over his entertainment choices. MS#59. "Make a masterpiece" "Blend your photos and home videos into a rich movie experience, complete with soundtrack, titles and credits, and creative transitions." So Microsoft can report you! You do know, they know what you had for dinner last evening and whether you skipped breakfast this morning, don't you? Listen....sounds like they are the phone with an artist formerly known as Prince now. MS#60. "Because you want your video memories to stay true to life" "Windows Movie Maker lets you retain high-definition quality as you capture, edit, and publish movies from your HD camcorder." The remote computer repair folks told me this is "déjà vu all over again". Dacomputerman thought he was just getting old and senile. Oh, and don't forget this little ditty: "Some product features are only available in certain editions of Windows Vista and may require advanced or additional hardware". MS#61. "Stand strong against hackers" "The easy-to-use Windows Firewall with Advanced Security provides advanced protection to help shield you and your PC from malicious attacks." Come on...come on! Stop laughing and get back to work. MS#62. "Because it remembers what you like to do—and helps you do it faster" Please refer to MS#59 above! Then go immediately to the Prefetch File located in C:\\Windows and dump it's contents. Do this daily and note the improvement in OS response time. MS#63. "Help is always available" By now most people have learned to avoid the helpdesk of major computer companies including Microsoft...maybe especially Microsoft and certainly especially if your first language is English. Fortunately also most people ignore the recommendation in this reasoning. Otherwise a lot of us would be out of business. MS#64. "Keep your files confidential" Can you say, déjà vu once again? Swamp land, anyone? anyone? how about a bridge? MS#65 "Send a fax on the spot" "Windows Fax and Scan makes sending and receiving faxes directly from your PC as simple as using e-mail. With fax templates linked to your address book, it's easy to retrieve a fax number, attach your documents, and just click to send." Kudos!!!!!! someone caught sleeping?! MS#66. "Because everyone goofs sometimes" Never heard of restore points before Vista ,huh? MS#67. "Because e-mail is your lifeline" "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword". MS#68. "Stay on top of your family's schedule" The old magnet on the refrigerator didn't work, I doubt this will. But maybe it will work better for you than for the old da computer man, MS#69. "Because you want the quality of your printouts to match the quality of your work" O.K. Kudos!!!!!!!! MS#70. "Your PC is ready when you are" So is your significant other!! Right. Just keep the aspirin handy...headaches do happen! And, don't miss the standard little caveat at the end of the reasoning. MS#71. "Keep your favorite things at your fingertips" Favorite things have nothing to do with computers or Windows Vista. Please excuse the computer man while he day dreams a bit. Favorite things...O.K. unmentionable. So move on to Meerschaum pipe, BCA smoking tobacco, Scotch, T Bone, Lobster....alright...alright...moving along. MS#72. "Get the latest news delivered right to your desktop" schhhhhhh! Please don't tell Microsoft that these news tickers have been around forever. MS#73. "Because your photos and home movies don't have to be stuck in your PC anymore" ho! hum!! MS#74. "Because your memories need a little mood music" How many times and ways can we say, déjà vu? MS#75. "Because you want professional-looking photos from your own printer" And, How many times can you take, déjà vu? If only Microsoft had considered that question!! tmm

Why Change To Windows Vista: Part 2 of 4

Why Change To Windows Vista: Part 2 of 4 Having caught his breath and dispatched the laugh monster (just in time for Halloween) the Tennessee Mountain Man is ready to resume his look at Microsoft's 100 Reasons Why we should be using Windows Vista. In Part 1 of Why Change To Windows Vista, Remote Helpdesk 1, examined Microsoft's reasons 1 through 25. Today we will cover reasons 26 - 50 so lets get started. MS#26. "Because you're a multitasker" While Scientific studies reveal the hidden costs of multitasking as technology increasingly tempts people to do more than one thing at a time Bill Gates and Microsoft keep pushing for more. If anyone were tempting Microsoft employees to use anything other than best practices there would be one of Microsoft's infamous law suits. Aren't all of us forced to multi task toooo much as it is? Back off Gates! MS#27. " Because your computer can keep up with you while you're on the go" Lik e the pager and the cell phone, the curse of the hand held, laptop, note book and other portables is that all technology, including our computers, have kept up with us too well...no uninterrupted vacations, dinners, shows, golf games, or romantic sessions. Get this contraption out of my bedroom! MS#28. "Enjoy your memories, larger than life" Sorry, The Tennessee Mountain Man finds nothing new here. MS#29. "Take the handwritten approach" O.K. Been around forever. Ever checked out at the store or used an ATM with a touch screen? How about Monday Night Football? Been there, done that. MS#30. "Restore your PC in an instant" Hello! I know I am not as smart as the Microsoft gurus but haven't that covered this already, in Part 1 maybe?! I guess that is why he is Bill Gates owning Microsoft and I own a remote helpdesk performing online computer repair services. In the army we taught by telling students what we were going to teach them, doing the teaching, and then reiterating what we had told them. But, we didn't try to cover it up calling it three different lectures. P.S. Don't miss their last caveat. MS#31. "Because your PC lets you know if something's wrong—and helps you fix it" Sorry, The Tennessee Mountain Man could find nothing new here either unless the user has been more lazy than most. It was all available with earlier, faster, less expensive, and less intrusive operating systems. Now the Tennessee Mountain Man is in danger of becoming repetitive, but Microsoft is not giving me anything to work with here. MS#32. "Streamline IT management across your business" Oh!!!!! So!!!!!!! It is actually just an upgrade Microsoft Server 2003 with all the patches and fixes included. MS#33. "Preserve a lifetime of memories" It has a back up feature!!!! Really? MS#34. "Connect to the network at work or school" Not to mention connecting at your motel, Mickey D's, your grand ma's, and a million other places. Kids and businessmen have been doing this for years...Next! MS#35. "Because you'll know it when you see it" And we haven't seen it yet....moving right along.... MS#36. "Get a "do-over" when you need it" And I have some swamp property I need to unload before you lose everything. MS#37. "Keep your info under lock and key" This may be the best reason so far. But, let's face it, if Microsoft and the U.S. Government can't keep hackers out of their own stuff do you really think you have a chance? On the other hand, have you lost the pass words to get into today's IBM laptops? MS#38. "It's the cure for red-eye" No, they were not brazen enough to say it would keep you from working nights. What they are doing is touting an existing technology. MS#39. "Relive your memories…each and every one" O.K. Microsoft likes to be redundant, remote computer repair services does not. MS#40. "Because you love what you do" Especially when the windows operating don't crash or lock up, and performs more reliably like Ubuntu. But watch Microsoft's caveat at the end of this reasoning. MS#41. "Because your PC will stay up to date, automatically" Has it not done that for years? Oh, yes, I'm sorry. The Tennessee Mountain Man almost forgot. This is apparently our warning that Microsoft will come through the back door and make any changes they want whenever they wish despite our desires and upgrade and maintenance settings. MS#42. "E-mail your photos without worrying about the file size" Oh, really? The ISP on each end of the spectrum may have different ideas. MS#43. "It's parent friendly" What is that supposed to mean? It is slow? Because it is! Oh, sorry they are referring to parental controls like the ones parents and bosses have used forever. Got it. MS#44. "Because you have a need for speed" "Need to speed up your computer? Simply plug a USB memory stick into your desktop or notebook computer and let Windows ReadyBoost do the rest." O.K., I could, but I won't. Kudos!!!!!!!! MS#45. "Because you hate all those boxes and wires" That is why we had already eliminated them.....next... MS#46. "Your music can look as good as it sounds" At Branson maybe! Now just what does this do that is an improvement over XP? MS#47. "Let the fun start now" Are we having fun yet? No!!!!!!! MS#48. "Stay connected wherever you go" Duh!!!!!! We just covered this subject! MS#49. "Take your workspace with you" Although Microsoft remains redundant, I can't help but respond....The labor laws of the U.S. makes provisions for breaks and meal times. I want to get away on occasion and Microsoft wants a robot chasing me around demanding more...more...more...more! MS#50. "Get more out of the web" Watch the caveat as Microsoft makes a johnny come lately feeble attempt to catch up with other browsers. Is the Tennessee Mountain Man speechless yet? No, but we'll take another stab at it tomorrow with "Why Change To Windows Vista: Part 3 of 4". tmm

Windows Vista - Clean Install Tips

Windows Vista - Clean Install Tips Perform a clean installation of Windows Vista A couple of weeks ago I released an article entitled ,"9 Tips To Keep Windows XP Running Smooth". After that I published a lengthy (by necessity) article covering, "Upgrading To Microsoft Windows Vista Tips". I have since received several e-mail requests for pointers on clean Vista installs so I have compiled those conversations and am disseminating them for wider use. This will be much shorter and easier. There are no secrets here. Everything I cover is published in the windows help files or scattered across the Microsoft website. Perhaps it is compiled in a somewhat more usable form here. At least it will keep you from having to do the searches, from sifting out the chaff, and from sorting the usable data. Do you remember the PC and MAC ads? You might want to watch this one again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci2D1ig4df4&mode=related&search= Don't let it scare you off. Just know there are often major changes in what a computer will have and what Vista requires. Another warning to run the windows Vista Upgrade Advisor before doing anything else is in order. It is located at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx First, Please understand that this information pertains to a clean install....It will not work for an upgrade! If you need upgrade help please refer to my article on upgrading to Vista at http://remotehelpdesk1.com/articles.htm Second, APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING VISTA EDITIONS (YOU WILL FIND VERSION COMPARISONS AT http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx ) • Windows Vista Home Basic • Windows Vista Home Premium • Windows Vista Ultimate • Windows Vista Business • Windows Vista Enterprise • Windows Vista Starter Warning: In a clean installation, existing data is removed - that includes documents, pictures, movies, music, downloads, etc. This data includes personal data and settings. Please back up or make copies of any and all data you wish to keep to another hard drive or computer before proceeding any further. After you install the Vista operating system, you must also reinstall all programs and restore any data you moved in the previous step. AGAIN!!...Make sure that you back up your personal and business data before you perform a clean installation. To perform a clean installation of Windows Vista, use one of the following methods only after (I can't say it enough) running the upgrade advisor, it is located at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx Most people don't read the fine print: There are 23 (count them 23) warnings and exceptions hid behind this little ditty (Some product features are only available in certain editions of Windows Vista and may require advanced or additional hardware) hid at the end of Microsoft's 100 Reasons why you should upgrade to Vista. RUN THE UPGRADE ADVISOR FIRST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! O.K....Cleared that hurdle? Lets get started: Method 1: Run the Setup program after you start the computer by using the current operating system 1. Start the computer by using the current operating system. 2. Insert the Windows Vista DVD in the computer's DVD drive. 3. Use one of the following procedures, as appropriate: • If Windows automatically detects the DVD, the Install now screen appears. Click Install now. • If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, follow these steps: a. Click Start, click Run, type Drive:\setup.exe, and then click OK. Note Drive is the drive letter of the computer's DVD drive. b. Click Install now. 4. When you reach the Which type of installation do you want? screen, click Custom (advanced), and then follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen to install Windows Vista. Method 2: Run the Setup program after you start the computer by using the Windows Vista DVD 1. Start the computer by using the Windows Vista DVD. To do this, insert the Windows Vista DVD in the computer's DVD drive, and then restart the computer. Note To start the computer from the Windows Vista DVD, the computer must be configured to start from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure the computer to start from the DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with the computer, or contact the computer manufacturer. 2. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message is displayed on the screen, press a key. 3. Follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen to install Windows Vista. Much more information at http://remotehelpdesk1.com/articles.htm tmm

Windows Vista - Which Version Do You Need?

After deciding to shift to a Windows Vista OS, you need to decide on which Windows Vista version you should pick. Before you consider shelling out $400 for a Windows Vista Ultimate license, you really should ask yourself exactly what features you need and want so you can decide whether the price is right. Windows Vista Home Basic This is the most rudimentary version of Vista available. It has the more secure IE 7, the firewall, the quick search functionality, and easier connectivity. When it comes to the features that distinguish Vista from previous versions of the Windows OS, though, Home Basic is somewhat lacking, though it does offer parental control. Windows Vista Home Basic is a good choice only if you use your computer solely for web surfing and basic document processing, or if your computer is just barely powerful enough to run Windows Vista. Windows Vista Home Premium For an extra $40, you can get much more out of Windows Vista. Aside from including all the features of the Home Basic version, Home Premium offers all of the window-dressing that makes Vista look like Vista. You will have pre-packaged games and Aero interface capability. Aero gives your windows and icons a 3D appearance and smoother transitions, as well as allowing you to add transparency effects to window borders. Home Premium offers tablet PC functionality, document collaboration, and scheduled backups. Home Premium also offers the fully integrated Windows Media Center for all your home entertainment needs, plus a moviemaker which is HD format-capable. Windows Vista Home Premium is designed for the user who uses the computer for PC and network gaming, since Premium supports DirectX 10, with its advanced graphics technologies incredible graphics rendering. Premium is also designed for watching High Definition movie, editing/making video clips, burning DVD copies, and interfacing with the Xbox 360, which Home Premium edition automatically detects to allow for Video, Audio, and Picture sharing. Windows Vista Business Windows Vista Business drops Parental controls, Media Center features, and pre-installed games for obvious reasons. Vista Business does have the rest of the Home Premium features plus support for business applications and business data security (fax, remote desktop connectivity, file encryption, and complete shadow incremental backup). This version of Windows Vista is, as the name implies, strictly for business purposes. Windows Vista Enterprise Windows Vista Enterprise adds Microsoft’s BitLocker encryption technology to the feature set found in Windows Vista Business, but this version of Windows is only offered to businesses participating in Microsoft’s Software Assurance program. Windows Vista Ultimate This edition has everything that is included in the Home Premium and Business editions. Vista Ultimate also adds Enterprise’s BitLocker encryption technology for the computer’s hard drives, protecting the drives so that only authorized users can boot up the OS or view the files contained in the drives. Because of its full complement of features, Vista Ultimate is perfect for people who use the PC for fun and business in equal parts, as well as users who want to be protected from data loss and PC theft. This article may be republished freely as long as this copyright notice and box of resource links are included at the bottom. Copyright © 2007 MALIBAL, lLc

Better Typography and More Readable Text in PowerPoint

PowerPoint is, fundamentally, a tool for communication, and the heart of that communication is written words. As many charts, videos and illustrations a presentation might have, without text these add up to little more than a collection of disjointed elements pasted between slide transitions.

Words remain the glue that ties information together. Because of this, good typography is as important -- if not more so -- than any visual element in a presenter's PowerPoint file. (This not to say good presentation is a substitute for weak content; after all, content is king.)

"Typography" is a medium-independent term used to describe how type is presented. This includes everything from mixing fonts to choosing colors and point sizes to laying elements on a page in certain relation to other objects.

Good typography doesn't happen by accident -- it is a skill that is developed through practice and experimentation. Just as there are some general, fundamental guidelines that are as applicable to presentation software as they are to billboards and annual reports, there are a few typographical principles that relate directly to PowerPoint alone. Adhering to these simple strategies can result in a much more polished and professional-looking piece.

1. Fonts should never be less than 12 points in size. Even with substantial magnification over a projection system, people have difficulty focusing on smaller type. This really works against you anytime the audience needs to carefully read something, since most of their effort is spent squinting and leaning forward and not on actually understanding the content. The only exception to the 12-point rule would be small copyright information, dates or watermarks that are not related to the primary content.

2. Bigger is better. Headlines should float around 20-24 pt, larger if needed. Body copy generally works well in the 16-18 range, although 14-point is not uncommon for squeezing a few extra lines in. Headline point size should never be smaller than the content size.

3. Don't be afraid of leading. "Leading" is the term for adjusting the space between lines, and can be found under Format > Line Spacing. This does not have to be drastic; often, a subtle 1.1 - 1.5 can really open up the design on a page and make long blocks of text much easier to read.

4. Stick with the standard font faces that are included on a typical Windows machine. These include Times New Roman, Impact, Arial, Verdana, Georgia and Trebuchet. Using off-beaten fonts that you've installed may make your presentation more visually interesting, but it will cause numerous problems when moving the piece between different computers. While these non-standard fonts can conceivably be moved with your file, the end product is rarely worth the resulting headaches.

5. When choosing fonts, it is often better to stay with sans-serif typefaces like Arial and Verdana. Their blocky, minimal nature makes them ideal for headline applications, where they can be displayed at larger sizes and still retain maximum readability. In PowerPoint, it is even more important to use sans-serif fonts in bullets, paragraphs and other small point size applications. Serif fonts like Times New Roman and Georgia are more decorative, and while they perform superbly in the printed realm (look no further than The New York Times for endless columns of the Times face), study after study demonstrate they hinder reading speed and comprehension when presented on screen.

6. Pick font colors that contrast with the background:

* For white backgrounds, black and dark versions of red and blue work exceptionally well.

* For dark backgrounds, like black or rich blues, white is ideal, but options such as yellow or very pale, icy blues can achieve interesting and often captivating color combinations.

* A good visual trick is to use a background color that accepts both white and black font colors. Dark oranges, rich greens (apple green especially) and even certain blues can be excellent choices for the design-adventurous.

* Color combinations to avoid: Black and red, in any situation. Color-similar combinations, such as orange text on yellow backgrounds, or light blue text on dark blue backgrounds.

7. Since PowerPoint works so well with bullet points, it is a presentation technique widely adopted as a means of displaying important information in bite-sized chunks. But consider exploring different typographic solutions for bullets; small changes can often encourage better readability and audience interest. There are several techniques that I have successfully used.

* Consider making the actual bullet a different color than the text. For instance, if your text is black, a medium gray bullet might work well. They serve to primarily guide the eye from line to line, so it is not always critical to make them as visually important as the text.

* Also, making the active bullet line a different color might be a good way to reinforce what you are saying. If each bullet appears manually, dependent on where you are in your speech, this can be a subtle but powerful means of reminding the audience what you are talking about.

* Also, try using different shapes for bullets! PowerPoint's flexible options allows a variety of pre-installed symbols, or even an imported graphic, to be used in place of the rather dry default circles.

8. Consistency. This is, without a doubt, the most important typographic tip in any medium, PowerPoint or other. Design your master template and stick to it. If you use 24-point Arial as a headline font, 16-point Verdana as the body font and a customized set of bullets that change color, use that combination through the entire presentation. And not just sizes and colors, but also positioning. The first sign of amateur PowerPoint is text fields jumping from spot to spot across different slides.