Business Software Made Easy - Time Saving Tips

So You Think You Are Still Ready for Vista?

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:23:32 GMT

Sept 24 2007

I wanted to follow-up to a previous Tip from Feb 25 'So You Think You Are Ready for Vista?' of this year regarding the software compatibility problems with Microsoft's Vista. Here are the updates since that time:

iTunes:

iTunes is now Compatible with Vista. You can download the latest version 7.4.2 at: http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Palm:

Palm Desktop software and HotSync is compatible with Vista with a few limitations. You can download the Vista compatible version at: http://www.palm.com/us/support/downloads/. Download the Palm Desktop and HotSync after selecting your Phone model and Carrier.

QuickBooks:

QuickBooks 2008 compatible with Vista

QuickBooks 2007 compatible with Vista

QuickBooks 2006 NOT compatible with Vista

Here's the compatibility chart of supported QuickBooks versions from Intuit.

ACT!:

ACT 2008 compatible with Vista

ACT 2007 limited compatiblility with Vista after download and installation of the Windows Vista HotFix

ACT 2006 NOT compatible with Vista

ACT Premium for Real Estate NOT compatible with Vista

Here's the compatibility chart including links for addtional support and download information from Sage Software.

If you are still considering Vista, be sure that ALL YOUR PROGRAMS will run on Vista especially your PRINTERS, SCANNERS, CAMERAS, and anything else you plug into your computer.

Can't insert merge fields in your Mail Merge template in ACT! 2007?

Sun, 3 Jun 2007 21:49:53 GMT

June 3 2007

If you are using ACT! 2007 (Standard or Premium for Workgroups), have Microsoft Word as your default word processing program, and tried to create a Mail Merge template you may have discovered something missing - the ACT! Merge Fields. Fortunately, Sage addresses the problem with a downloadable Hotfix for this version of ACT!.

Installing the HotFix is a two-step process. First, the download:

1. Go to: http://www.act.com/community/profile/login/index.cfm?type=profile&Host=www.act.com&Path=/support/updates/index.

cfm&QS=&CFID=36296765

2. Create an account If you haven't already (I know this is annoying, but they didn't ask me)

-After you have logged in

3. Click: http://www.act.com/support/updates/index.cfm?DOWNLOAD=349

4. Click 'Download Now'

5. Save it to your computer that is easy to find, like your Desktop or your My Documents folder

*It may be a good idea to save it to a network or shared drive if you have to install this Hotfix on other computers or you can just copy the downloaded Hotfix onto a USB Flash drive.

Second, the installation:

1. Close all programs including ACT!

2. Double click on the downloaded Hotfix file to start the installation

-The HotFix is installed

That's it!

So you think you are ready for Vista?

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 18:41:44 GMT

February 5 2007

Q: I recently bought a laptop that came with Windows XP, but I was wanting to upgrade to Vista. Do you think this would be wise thing to do?

A: So you think you are ready for Vista? Do you have a computer that is labeled Vista Compatible? Well before you take the plunge, be sure you and your computer are ready.

First you can download a handy program from Microsoft that will evaluate your computer's status, recommend which flavor of Vista will be best for your computer, and provide an outline of which of Vista’s new features it will be able to run: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?

familyid=42B5AC83-C24F-4863-A389-3FFC194924F8&displaylang=en

Second, prepare to purchase more RAM memory. Even if your computer is Vista compatible, be sure you have enough RAM. If you have 512MB that isn't even enough. You will want to get at least 2GB of RAM (just to start) if not just purchase the maximum amount of RAM memory your computer will hold.

Third, make sure that all your software will run on Vista. Unlike other software of the past, some programs won't run specifically on Vista:

-ACT! 2006 or older (ACT! 2007 will, but you need a download). Please see the following from Sage Software:

http://itdomino.act.com/act.nsf/1b3cab81ad2ef30207256bb300662231/

80fc1eeb75b3e71307257272005014ac?OpenDocument&Highlight=2,vista

-QuickBooks 2006 or older with exceptions. Please see the following from Intuit:

http://www.quickbooks.com/Helpcenter/vista/ProductCompatibility.aspx

-Here’s a statement from Apple regarding iPod and Vista:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/ptech/stories/

020307dnbusapplevista.9ae915.html

-Here’s some info regarding Palm & HotSync:

http://promosearch.palmone.com/search/promosearch?sp-q-required-1=

1&sp-a=sp10032ba7&sp-x-1=country&sp-q=vista&sp-q-3=knowledgebase&sp-x-2=

Model&sp-q-2=&sp-t=cat_search&sp-q-1=us&sp-x-3=col&sp-p-2=all&sp-i=1

Check all your software manufacturer's websites to verify Vista compatibility or if any additional downloads may be needed.

This is certainly a lot of areas to cover, but the time you save preparing will save you hours of troubleshooting and perhaps some frustration.