Originally Posted April 28 2008

If you are a new Vista user, you are probably finding several differences vs. Windows XP.  One of many is the missing Menu (File Edit View etc) in the File Folders.  All you need to do to reveal the Menu is press the ALT key on the keyboard, but if you want to have them displayed permanently, here's what you have to do.

1. Start button > Control Panel
2. Double click 'Folder Options'
 

-The Folder Options window appears
3. Check 'Always show menus'
4. Click Apply
5. Click OK

 That's it!

Originally Posted April 19 2008

Are you tired of waiting forever for your Vista computer to wake-up after it goes to sleep?  Do you wish there was a way that it would just turn-on instantly when the monitor is black?  All you need to do is change the Power Plan.

-In Vista
1. Start (button) > Control Panel
2. Click 'Classic View' for easy reference in the upper left-hand margin
3. Double Click Power Options
4. Click 'Create a power plan'

5. Enter a name for the power plan in the 'Plan name:" field
6. Click Next

-In the Put the computer to sleep:
7. Select Never for On Battery and Plugged in options
Note:
-You want to have your monitor turn-off after some period of time because LCD monitors will burn-in an image over time
-Leaving your hard drive on all the time is not recommended with a laptop computer because it will greatly reduce its battery life
8. Click Create

9. Verify your custom Power Plan is selected
10. Close the window

-Your power plan is now saved and applied to your Vista computer

That's it!

Originallyl Posted April 14, 2008

A nifty feature in Excel 2007 is Conditional Formatting.  It will help you identify numbers that meet criteria that you set by highlighting it or denoting it another way.

For example, let's say you have a list of numbers and you need to identify the cells with values less than 500.
-In Excel 2007

1. Highlight all the cells that have the numbers you want to evaluate
2. Click the Conditional Formatting button in the Ribbon

3. Select Highlight Cells Rules > Less Than...

-In the Format Cells Less Than field
4. Enter '500'
5. Click 'OK'

-All Cells less than 500 are highlighted

You can also apply:

• Color Scale
• Data Bar (kinda like a bar graph)
• Icons

As other methods to identify numbers.

That's it!

Originally Posted April 6 2008

If you are using ACT!, you should backup your database regularly.  If you have ACT 5.0 or 6.0, you may already get regular reminders when you open ACT.  Either way, here's how you do it.

In ACT! 5.0/6.0
1. File > Backup...
-The Backup window appears
For good measure, click the 'Options' tab
1a. Select all checkboxes
1b. Select Reminder
1c. Set a reminder for at least every 7 days
1d. Click the 'General' tab
2. Name your backup file (your database name)_(today's date).zip
-This will be easier to find if you need to recover it
3. Click 'START'

In ACT! 2005/2006/2007/2008
1. File > Back Up > Database...
-All your supporting files will be included in the backup
2. Name your backup file (your database name)_(today's date).zip
3. Click 'OK'

This process can be automated.  If your database is too important to be without it, please give me a call at 512-451-9720.  I would be happy to schedule an appointment to assist you with this - so you can sleep better at night!