Personal Computing Demystified.
Personal Computing
Microsoft is jumping on the free office suite bandwagon.. finally.
0470 days
by admin
in Personal Computing
Openoffice.org has been the go-to open-source office suite platform for some time now, and it is by far my best recommendation if you need compatibility with the M$ office file formats but don’t really have the cash to get there. Microsoft (in true Microsoft fashion) has finally conceded that there is a place in their product portfolio for a limited-functionality version for a few pieces of the Office suite.. so enter Microsoft Office 2010 Starter edition.
What’s the catch?
Of course there’s a catch. For starters, Office 2010 starter is only available on a new PC. Second, you only get Word and Excel, and the functionality of these apps is somehow limited. Third – you’ll have to put up with ads. It is what it is.
My mother just got herself a new pc after having needed a replacement for a little while and it came with Office 2010 starter. I got that running for her and it does indeed fulfill her needs for an office suite.. and to be honest, the ads aren’t really all that intrusive.
Good show Microsoft.. even though you’re years late to the party!
Windows 7 SP1 – sorry for the hype.
0566 days
I’ve been running Windows 7 SP1 for about a week now.. and it has been largely underwhelming. I knew that there were no new features in the service pack, mainly just specific bug fixes and a few low-level security fixes – I guess I was expecting more. Maybe a shiny SP1 badge or something. Oh well. So, why would Microsoft release a hodgepodge of patches in this manner? I think I know the reason – Corporate Adoption. There’s an unwritten rule in IT shops across the globe – don’t install a new Microsoft OS until it reaches service pack 1 status. IT managers would rather read about the trials and tribulations of installing the latest and greatest OS from an outside source than from an internal email from the sysadmins they employ. While I believe that Windows 7 is seeing higher adoption rates (that statement is based on how we’re handling it in my company) it still hasn’t attained that magical SP1 badge and that *might* be keeping some folks away from deploying it.
So.. brass tacks. When SP1 pops up for you to install via Windows Update – go for it. As with any update be sure you have a backup just in case.. and if you’re not doing backups, you should be. Click here for my thoughts on that.
Happy Computing!
Soft Launch of EverydayIT.net services..
0567 days
by admin
in Personal Computing
I’ve decided to go ahead and do a soft launch of some service offerings I’ve been considering for quite some time now. It seems that every day I hear of someone paying what I consider to be way too much for basic computer services like virus removal and home networking help. With that said, enter EverydayIT.net Services!
My service hours will be from 5pm to 9pm five days per week. During that timeframe I am available for the following common IT services:
Virus scanning and removal – $100 if I pick up, $90 if you deliver (this service takes multiple days)
Home network setup/troubleshooting – $75 (on-site service)
Software/hardware installation – $50 (software must be legally purchased)
These are just a few of the services that I can offer – more services will be added as I continue to formalize the business. To schedule service please email me at neild@everydayit.net and I’ll get back to you to schedule a service time. Emails will not be returned until after 5pm on weekdays and during normal business hours on weekends – I do have a full time job that I will respect and give priority to at all times. Feel free to tell your friends and let me know that you have done so!
Thanks for your time.. and I welcome your suggestions!
