Business Software Made Easy - Time Saving Tips

Why is my AVG Antivirus Free expiring?

Sun, 1 Jun 2008 21:21:59 GMT

Originally Posted June 2 2008

If you are using AVG AntiVirus Free you may have noticed it warning that it will no longer be available on May 31. What this really means is that AVG AntiVirus Free 7.5 is being phased out in lieu of AVGAntiVirus Free 8.0. To upgrade to 8.0, here's what you have to do:

Delete the AVGAntiVirus Free and AVGAntiSpyware free by:

1. Click Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs (If you have AVGAntiSpyware Free, it should be listed next to AVGAntiVirus Free. Keep this in mind since you will need to delete this program too).

2. Click the AVGAntiVirus Free

3. Click Delete

4. Click the AVGAntiSpyware Free program if you have it

5. Click Delete

6. Restart the computer

7. Click on this link: http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition

8. Click on the AVG AntiVirus Free Edition 8.0 at the bottom, center of the page.

9. Click RUN when prompted

-AVGAntiVirus 8.0 Free downloads and installs

If you are wondering if you need to get an anti-spyware program don't worry. AVGAntiVirus 8.0 combines the AntiVirus and AntiSpyware functions into one program.

In case you are wondering, AVGAntiVirus Free is licensed for non-commercial use for a single computer. That translates into person who uses a their computer at home for checking their email and surfing the net.

If you like AVGAntiVirus and want to use it for your business computer, then the paid version (for only $51.99 with a 1 year subscription) is a good deal. Not to mention AVG provides excellent protection without bogging down your computer. Here's the link to paid AVGAntiVirus: http://www.grisoft.com/ww.product-avg-anti-virus

How to change new Word documents from double to single space in Word 2007

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:34:39 GMT

Originally Posted Feb 10 2007

Updated 4/13/08

If you are one of the new users of Microsoft Office 2007, undoubtedly you are using MS Word. You have probably have noticed that the line spacing is different than earlier versions. Actually, the line spacing is set to 1.5 lines between each line by default. If you find this undesirable, there is a way to fix it. Here's how

This makes the change to eliminate the additional spacing. In Word 2007

-Under the Home tab in the Ribbon

1. Find the Paragraph section

2. Click the down right arrow

-The Paragraph window appears

3. Change the After field to '0 pt'

4. Select 'Single' from the Line spacing: field

5. Click the 'Default...'

6. Click 'Yes'

You can also use this to change the default Font and Font Size.

That's it!

Why can't I open Word or Excel files with 'X' at the end?

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:45:48 GMT

Oct 15 2007

You may have started to receive Word and Excel files from your colleagues that you find that you can't open. They usually end with 'X' after their name like Proposal.docx or Commission Totals.xlsx. These files were created in using the 2007 version of Word and Excel respectively and unlike other versions they are not backwards compatible. In this case we have two solutions.

First, we can download a free converter from Microsoft that will allow us to access files created in Office 2007 software programs at:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&displaylang=en

Second, we can ask our colleagues with Office 2007 to save the files in 97-2003 format by:

1. Click the Office button in the upper left hand side of the screen

2. Click 'Save As'

3. Select ' _____ 97 - 2003 ___' from the list

4. Name and save the file as you would normally

That's it!

How can I save a file as a PDF?

Mon, 28 May 2007 22:59:08 GMT

May 28 2007

If you have been wondering how to convert files (like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, whatever) into a .PDF without buying Adobe Acrobat - Today is your lucky day. If you are using Microsoft Office 2007 (likely if you bought a new computer with Vista) there is a free download available from Microsoft that will let you do this. If you are using an earlier version of Microsoft Office, there is also a free download that will let you do this.

Microsoft offers a free download for Microsoft Office 2007 that will convert any file in the Office Suite to .PDF format. To install it, just click on the link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=4D951911-3E7E-4AE6-B059-A2E79ED87041&displaylang=en , save the downloaded program to your computer (your Desktop is a convenient location), and double click on it to install (You can delete the downloaded file when done).

When installed, you can save a file as a PDF by:

1. Create a file using any Microsoft Office software programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

2. Save your file as you would normally

3. Click the Office button in the upper left hand side of the window

4. Save As > PDF

-Keep the same name as the original file for easy reference

5. Click 'Publish'

-The file is saved as a .PDF and saved on your Desktop

If you are using an earlier version of Office, you can download and install CutePDF Writer. Here's how you can install it:

1. Click on the link: http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

2. Click on the 'Free Converter' link on the left hand margin, download it to your computer, and save it to your Desktop

3. Double Click on the downloaded file to intstall it

-When done

4. Click on the Free Download link again in step 1 and download the CutePDF converter in the left hand margin, download it to your computer, and save it to your Desktop

5. Double Click on the downloaded file to intstall it

-CutePDF is installed

To save a PDF:

1. Create a file using any Microsoft Office software programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

2. Save your file as you would normally

-In the program you are working in

3. File > Print...

4. Select 'CutePDF' from the 'Name' field

5. Click 'OK'

-The Save As window appears with the file name entered

6. Click 'Save'

-The file is saved as a .PDF and saved on your Desktop

That's it!

Are you safe accessing a wireless hot-spot with your laptop?

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 22:41:59 GMT

April 16 2007

If you are like many of our clients, you may use your laptop at public hot spots where you can access the Internet ususally for free. You may not realize it, but accessing the Internet through a hot spot isn't as secure as you may think.

When you access a hot-spot you are using that establishment's wireless network to access the Internet. The problem is that without the proper protection others can access YOUR computer and YOUR files while connected to the hot-spot. Here's a few safeguards that will protect you when using a hot-spot:

Be sure you have the latest Windows updates. Updates usually contain patches that address security issues in Windows. Having the latest will lessen your change of being hacked

You can check at: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/bulletins/

200704.mspx

Be sure you have a firewall. Firewalls protect your computer from unauthorized (or uninvited) users trying to access your computer. If you have Windows XP with SP2, Norton Internet Security, or McAfee Internet Security Suite you probably have a firewall. If you are not sure, then it's time to explore your security software (Having an anti-virus software is not good enough)!

ZoneAlarm, a free firewall is available from Zone Labs can be downloaded at: http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/

sku_list_za.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en

Before connecting, change your Workgroup. Your computer is shipped with either MSHOME or WORKGROUP as the default workgroups. This makes connecting to your computer while connected to a a hot-spot very easy. Change it to something else by:

1. Right click on your My Computer icon

2. Click the 'Computer Name' tab

3. Click the 'Change...' button

4. Enter a new Workgroup name

5. Click the 'OK' button

6. Click the 'OK' button to restart your computer

7. Connect to the hot-spot

**If you have Domain selected, do not make the above change

**If your computer is part of a network, be sure to change the Workgroup back when you return to your office

Before connecting, turn-off Windows file sharing:

1. Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall

2. Click the 'Exceptions' tab

3. Unselect 'File and Printer Sharing'

4. Click the 'Apply' button

**If your computer is part of a network, be sure to reverse this setting when you return to your office

If you are frequently, mobile you may want to invest in a data card from your Cellular phone company (Like Sprint Mobile Broadband or Cingular Laptop Connect cards. These data cards allow you to connect to the Internet without having to rely on a hot-spot and with much better security built-in.I hope this Tip helps!

This article was inspired by 'Four Ways to Surf Safely at Starbucks'. If you want to read the entire article, its at: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2109464,00.asp

Daylight Saving is earlier this year. Is your computer ready?

Sun, 4 Mar 2007 20:14:43 GMT

February 26 2007

Q: Is there anything that I should do for my computer since the Day Light Savings change dates are different this year?

A: If you didn’t know, the change to Daylight Savings is happening earlier this year. Actually, you need to change your clocks on March 11 (three weeks earlier than usual) and end on November 4 (1 week later than usual). This affects you because all your appliances like your VCR, DVD, DVR, Alarm Clock, Microwave, and even your Computer are affected. Since I can’t really help you on your other appliances, I will help you on your computer.

If your computer is already set to automatically receive updates from Microsoft, the change will be automatic like in Windows XP or Vista– your computer will make the adjustments without any intervention. If you use Windows 2000 or if you want to just update other programs like Outlook, click on this Microsoft Link to download the update appropriate for your computer:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_dst

Even if you are an IT manager, there are downloads available to help manage your network.

If you use XP and do not have automatic updates turned on, click on this link:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=

66F1420C-DF2D-400B-A8A9-EF9061A9A3CA&displaylang=en

That’s it!

You can see but can't touch attached files in Outlook Express

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:58:45 GMT

August 7 2006

Q: I use Outlook Express for my email program, but for some reason I cannot open attached files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and even PDFs) even though I can see them… This is driving me nuts! How can I access these files?

A: If you didn’t notice, this change took place after a recent Windows update was installed on your computer. That update included a new security feature designed to save your computer from potential viruses embedded in attachments. Unfortunately, almost all attachments have some risk when you open them. Unless you are willing to resort to a carrier pigeon to share files, you are going to have to turn this feature off. Here's how:

In Outlook Express:

1. Tools > Options...

2. Click the 'Security' tab

3. Uncheck 'Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could be potentially a virus.'

4. Click 'Apply'

5. Click 'OK'

You're done!

Does Microsoft Office automatically update?

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:46:17 GMT

August 22 2005

Q: Does Microsoft Office update as part of the Automatic Updates sent to Windows XP?

A: Microsoft Office does not automatically update.

You have to do this manually. Here's how:

1. Go to the Microsoft website: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/default.aspx

-Under the 'Office Update' section

2. Click 'Check for Updates'

Note: You may be asked to insert your Microsoft Office CD so be sure you have it handy before you start this process.