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.

I purchased an external hard drive. What should I backup?

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:18:43 GMT

Aug 13 2007

If you purchased and installed an external hard drive to backup your computer, you were probably asked this question when setting up the backup software. You may have been inclined to just backup your My Documents Folder, but you should probably backup more. The reason is many times popular programs save their critical data in a Folder other than My Documents.

For example, Outlook Express/Outlook (emails, calendarcontacts, etc), Quicken, and QuickBooks (all financial transactions) are just some of these type of programs. Each of these programs save your critical information in Folders deep within your computer.

The best practice is to setup your backup software to do a complete backup of your entire hard drive, not just your My Documents Folder. This way all your critical data is saved and can be retreived in the event your computer crashes.

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.

Let your fingers do the walking

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 11:29:03 GMT

February 28 2005

Q: I use ALT + TAB combination for manuvering between my open windows, but I have to stop and use my mouse when I get into programs that have windows inside them like QuickBooks and ACT!. Is there a way a similar key combination that will allow me to manuver within the open windows in these programs?

A: Yes. In QuickBooks and ACT! 6.0 all you need to do is press CTRL + Tab.

These program have windows within their main window. For example, ACT! will have Contacts, Calendar, and To-dos while QuickBooks, you will have Account List, Vendors, Invoices etc.

I noticed that this tip won't work with the latest versions of ACT! (2005-2006), but it will likely work with other programs. You will just have to do a little experimenting to find out all the ones which do.