April 30 2007
You probably use Google to do research, find the lowest price, or look for the closest restaurant.  Even I use it to find technical information.  It is absolutely indespenible.  But, did you know Google can help you find mathematical answers?  How about conversions?  Here's how...

When you want to convert units:
1. Open the Google web page
2. Enter the conversion into the Google search field like:
 '15 miles to kilometers' or '4 cups to ounces' or whatever


3. Press 'Google Search'
-The results are displayed on the next page

-This even works if you have Google setup as your default search provider in Internet Explorer 7.0 or

-You can use the Google Toolbar if it is visible in your Toolbar (near your clock)

You can even:

• Calculate exponents, square roots, sin, cos and more http://www.google.com/help/calculator.html
• Convert Currency http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/features.html#currency
• And more  http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/features.html

I hope this saves you time!

April 23 2007
You may have noticed that the latest versions of ACT! (2005, 2006, and 2007 - heck even ACT 5.0/2000 and 6.0/2004) have a Scan for Duplicates function.  But when you run it, it finds contacts that aren't even duplicate contacts or even doesn't identify duplicated contacts that you know are there. If you are wondering why, read on...

The Duplicate Scan function has a set of three criteria that it uses to search for duplicates.  By default the criteria is to set to find duplicated contacts based on:

If ACT! is finding contacts that are not true duplicates, it may be because it is finding contacts where the Company field is blank.

In this case try changing the criteria to something like:

If you are not finding duplicates that you know exist try loosing up the criteria like:

You can even just change the criteria to just:

That's it! 

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

1. Click on the link: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=2872567F1A1D49A3E040A68F5B28196E
2. Click 'Save'
3. Save it to your Desktop for easy reference
   -After its done downloading
4. Double click on the file d2d3290.exe