Some Alternatives to Microsoft Word

Using a word processor should be easy, right? All you do is type, right? Microsoft Word is the most commonly used word processor and it’s not very simple. While some people enjoy the variety of features of Word, others don't need all the extras.


Too many features with Word?


One bothersome thing about Microsoft Word is that many of its features are automatically applied to your document. For example, auto indentations and capitalizations. If you did not want a word capitalized or a paragraph indented you have to take extra steps to reformat your document. Microsoft Word also underlines grammatical errors and misspelling, making your document visually disorderly.


If you do not use all of the features of Word and are searching for an alternative, there are several out there. The best thing about them is that they don’t cost anything.


Free Word alternatives


WordPad may be one of the best alternatives to Word. More then likely it is already on your PC. This program has evolved from a simple text editor to a sophisticated word-processing program. Most likely it has enough features to meet most users’ needs. You can access this program through the Windows’ start button. Navigate to “All Programs,” then you can find WordPad in the "Accessories" file.


Word’s online competitors


OpenOffice.org Writer might be even better than WordPad. This program is extremely robust and has the majority of the same features as Word. OpenOffice.org Writer is also very intuitive to use. If you get annoyed with Microsoft Word, give it a try.

Get the Most out of Windows 7

Not quite prepared to upgrade your operating system from Windows 7? No big deal, Windows 7 is pretty efficient. Below are a few tips to take advantage of it before you take the plunge into another OS.


Access videos from your Start menu: You most likely know you can access your pictures and music from the Start menu in Windows 7. What you possibly don’t know is that you can personalize it to enable you to access your videos also. To achieve this you must first right-click on the Start button and click "Properties." Then navigate to the Start Menu tab and click "Customize." Once the dialogue box pops up, scroll to the bottom and find the videos section. Select “Display as a link” and click “OK” and “OK” again.


Modify your Shut Down button: You know that your computer's Shut Down button turns off your computer. However, what if you almost never shut down your computer? A little known fact: you are able to customize your Shut Down button so that when you press it, it carries out another action, everything from restarting your computer to putting it in sleep mode. To accomplish this, right-click the Start button and pick "Properties." On the Start Menu tab, select the "Power button action" drop-down menu. After that you can select what action you'd like the power button to take as a default.


Add some privacy to your online searching: When you search Internet Explorer, your computer will instantly display the latest searches that you have performed. Maybe you'd rather not have this information accessible to other users. Luckily, you can customize Windows 7 to make this happen. You can switch off the "recent searches" feature from the Start menu. Once you pull up the Start menu's search box, type GPEDIT.MSC and press "Enter." This will set the Group Policy Editor in motion. Find the "User configuration" option. Then choose "Administrative Templates," "Windows Components," and "Windows Explorer." Once you are here, you can double-click "Turn off display of recent search entries in the Windows Explorer search box." Then select "Enabled" from the screen that comes up next. Then click "OK." You will now benefit from greater privacy when searching the Internet.

Downloading Alternative Browsers on Your iPad

Apple's Safari, the default web browser on all iPads and iPhones, is a powerful piece of software. Users can depend on Safari to quickly find and load their favorite web pages. But suppose you'd prefer to browse with Opera, Dolphin, or Chrome? The good news is you can download any browser you'd like to your iPad or iPhone. The bad news? Unless you're willing to manually tinker with your Apple gadget – which is something only expert techies should try – Safari will always remain your device's default browser.


The default option


This means that when you tap a link in a program, your iPad or iPhone will automatically use Safari to open that link. If you would rather open the link in another web browser that you have downloaded to your device, you need to copy the link, open your alternative browser, and then paste your link in that browser's search bar. Is this an annoyance? A bit. But if you really prefer an alternative browser to Safari, then you'll make the extra step.


Alternative browsers


In a recent column in USA Today, Rob Pegoraro points out that with the release of Chrome, Google highlighted the ability to download alternative browsers on Apple devices. If you would like to do this it is easy. After navigating to your browser of choices’ home page, simply follow the download instructions for iOS.


A mix and match approach


Using different browsers for different purposes can help you stay organized. For example, you might want to use Safari as your general web surfing browser, and use Chrome or Opera to keep the tabs open you are using for personal matters. Or perhaps you would like to use Dolphin for business. In either case, do not let the fact that Safari is your gadget’s default browser stop you from downloading and utilizing your favorite browser.

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Business Travel Tools

When you are traveling for business, it can be difficult to be as productive as you are in the office. The Internet connection at the hotel can be inconsistent, and it can be tough to stay on top of your email when you are in business meetings or traveling from one location to another. Luckily, there are several tech tools that can help immensely while you are away from the office. We have showcased a few below.


GroupMe: At times while on the road you have to communicate quickly with certain groups of employees or partners. You can make this easier with the GroupMe app. This app lets you create groups from lists of employees. Then you're able to send messages or updates to everyone on these lists with just one text message.


Belkin Mini Surge Protector DUAL USB Charger: A lot of us have a lot of devices we need to charge, and when you're traveling, you may not have enough plugs to charge them all at once. That is where this device comes in; it is a surge protector that includes three AC and two USB outlets. This lets you charge all your devices at once, in one place.


Campfire: If you want to talk, not just send a quick text, to your whole team, you can utilize the Campfire app. It allows you to set up a chat room with any amount of people you want. Everyone in the group will be able to see all of the messages people are sending. You can also make conference calls with it!

Bring-Your-Own-Device Takes off in the Workplace

Are you able to access your computer network at work with your personal iPad? What about your personal iPhone or your laptop computer? This movement, known as bring-your-own-device or BYOD, is on the rise in the workplace. It's a wise idea: When companies encourage employees to bring their own devices to the office, these same businesses don't have to spend as much on desktop computers and other high-tech equipment. The move also is practical for workers. Employees are often more familiar with their own devices. And if they bring their personal laptops and tablets to work, they can more easily transport their files, email messages and important documents back and forth from home to work.


The Risks of BYOD


All of that sounds great but there are a few risks in adopting a BYOD work environment that should not be overlooked. A writer for ComputerWorld recently wrote a column discussing this. For one, increasing the number of devices that are connected to a network raises the risk of malware attacks. Companies can install anti-virus software on devices they own, but it is difficult to manage the safety measures employees are taking using their personal devices.


Company Information at Risk


At the same time, when employees load delicate workplace data onto their mobile devices, companies face a wholly new set of concerns. What if employees lose their mobile devices? There's no guarantee that sensitive information won't fall into the wrong hands. Delaney writes that companies must properly educate their employees on how to use their mobile devices as safely as possible. Some companies might choose to ban outside devices from their networks. That's not entirely realistic, though. Outside mobile devices help employees do more work more efficiently. Companies do not want to limit the production of employees by refusing them accessibility to the network with these devices.


The BYOD Trend


As more and more people have tablets and smartphones, it is likely that more organizations will face this decision. The greatest benefit to allowing employees to use personal devices is the rise in productivity. This is due mostly to the fact that they know their devices and they always have them. If BYOD seems like it will work for your company, just be sure your employees take appropriate measures with their devices to keep your company’s data safe.

Three Big Cloud Computing Myths

When you think of cloud computing what do you think of? Do you think it’s a short-term fad, a risky move for businesses, and it’s really pricey? These are some of the most common myths about cloud computing. We will explore these myths a little further below.


Myth: Cloud Computing Is a Fad


Many companies use cloud computing now-a-days, and not just privately operated small business, but large companies like Amazon, Apple, and Google. In fact, these organizations use the cloud to deliver their services more effectively and easily to consumers. Cloud computing makes it much easier to share information so companies are jumping on board. Given the number of large companies who have incorporated it into their service offering, I do not think the cloud will be dissipating any time soon.


Myth: The Cloud Is Risky


Many companies are hesitant to adopt cloud computing for fear that their data will be more exposed to hackers. It doesn’t help that there have been a few instances of high-profile outages, such as one that recently hit Amazon Web Services. These events are likely to stick in our memories. However, if this is something you are concerned with, there are options apart from putting all of your important data on a public cloud. Manage Services Providers offer cloud services on a private cloud where your data is very secure. One benefit to this is that if your information is stored in the cloud, multiple people in your company can have access to it. Additionally, if your hard drive crashes, you won't lose all your data.


Myth: Cloud Computing Is Costly


As with any service, if a company wasn’t previously paying for it, it becomes an added expenditure. But while a company may pay more upfront, in the long run they will spend less on labor, as being able to share information over the cloud is much more efficient. All in all, cloud computing is more cost effective.

Annoying Smartphone Habits

In general, smartphones have made our lives simpler. They can help us navigate to a restaurant and they keep us connected to our social media accounts and mail. If they are so helpful, how come many people get agitated with smartphone users? Probably because there are some annoying habits they develop. If you are guilty of any of the habits shown below, you may be unintentionally annoying those around you.


Texting and driving


Although texting and driving is prohibited in most states, people still do it. This behavior is not only annoying, as it makes you less of an attentive driver, it can bring about car accidents. These accidents can just be fender benders or they can end in fatalities. Send a text to your friend telling them you will be five minutes late is not worth the chance of injuring yourself or someone else. If you can’t resist the urge to text, try turning your phone off when you are in a vehicle.


Paying more attention to your phone than your friends


Have you ever seen people eating dinner together but they are both on their smartphones? This habit is very annoying for individuals. When you make plans with your friends and family, the intent is to spend quality time with them, right? How do you do that if you are checking your email the entire time or texting? Remember how you have felt if you have been in the midst of a discussion and a friend has answered a text? Perhaps you felt less important. If you do not want your companions to feel this way, avoid your phone when out with them.


Noisy keyboards


When you navigate through your phone or type does it make little clicking sounds or beeps? You might not realize this, but it is probably aggravating the people surrounding you. When you are standing in line at the grocery store and texting your friend, the people around you don’t want to listen to the clicks of your fingers moving across the keys. It is simple to turn this off for the comfort of those around you.

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Lesser Known Tricks In Evernote

Evernote is a commonly used application where one can store notes, photos, web pages, and videos into virtual notebooks. One of the best aspects of Evernote is that you can easily search within it. It is a great organizational tool that allows you easy and quick access to the essential things you need to remember. However, some of the more robust features are often neglected as it is so easy to use.


Mobile


For example, you might not realize that it can sync with other devices. You can download the Evernote app onto your smartphone, tablet, and laptop. After logging into your account, Evernote will sync your devices, and will sync them routinely, so that you always have mobile access to your information.


Protect yourself


You needn't feel worried about storing sensitive information, even information associated with your bank account, on Evernote. That's because the program allows you to encrypt your most important data.


It is not hard to do this. Just highlight the text you want, right click, and choose the “encrypt selected text” option. You will then be asked to create a password for your encryption. Now your information is safe and sound.


Outside apps


Another lesser-known feature of Evernote is that it works together with outside apps. One of these being an app for the iPad called WritePad. It lets users to take hand written notes with their stylus or their finger. The user can then decide to save it directly to Evernote.

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Microsoft Word Tips: Increased Productivity at Work

1. Get comfortable with the Track Changes feature


Tools > Track Changes


Lawyers, publishers, and other word-processing pros use Track Changes. That’s because there’s no better way to edit or proofread a document for a co-worker or client. With Track Changes enabled, all of your edits are obviously marked for the original author to review and accept or reject. You can also add margin comments to recommend tweaks, ask questions, or offer words of support.


WARNING: Make sure to accept all changes and save your document before submitting it to a client or prospect—you don’t want them to see all of the edits which were made to the document. (They don’t need to know how the sausage is made…)


2. Use Find and Replace for efficient editing and formatting


Edit > Find > Advanced Find and Replace


Let’s say you’re editing an extensive document for a colleague who has this frustrating habit of spelling words the British way (e.g. colour for color, programme for program). You could either A) comb through the entire document and replace each word by hand (going cross-eyed in the process) or B) use the Find and Replace function to instantly take out all misspellings. In the same way, if you need to format a document’s typography to match your business’s branding, you can utilize the Find and Replace function to, let’s say, find all instances of Times New Roman font and replace them with Helvetica font (or whatever typeface your company uses).


3. Customize your toolbars to suit your daily needs and routines


View > Toolbars > Customize Toolbars and Menus


Most of us don't use all of the buttons and functions that are defaulted to appear in the toolbar of Microsoft Word. By spending a little time customizing your toolbar to have the functions you use with greater frequency, you can same yourself time in the long run.


4. Eliminate formatting frustration: Add the “Show all nonprinting characters” button to your toolbar


If you've ever had a annoying formatting problem in word, you can use this button to see all of the formatting elements at work in your document. It’s very easy to use; just click the “Show all nonprinting characters” you may then effortlessly correct any strange formatting that’s happening.

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The Race Between Malware and Antivirus Software

Keeping your antivirus software up to date is critical to guard your computer against malware and virus attacks, right? A recent article published by MIT's Technology Review says that it might not be as important as you think. Your computer may be more susceptible to attacks than you may want to think.


Antivirus Software: Unreliable?


The Technology Review story, actually, says that today's antivirus software can no longer be relied on to safeguard computers from the more sophisticated viruses that are being unleashed on a somewhat daily basis. The story is enough to make any computer user – even those who have armed their laptops and desktops with the latest versions of the most potent antivirus software on the market – think hard before zipping along the Internet.


Burned by Flame


One of the most complex examples of malware to date is Flame. Flame copies documents, audio, network traffic, and keystrokes made on a computer that has been infected by it. The scary thing is, Flame has been active for a couple years now. During all of this time, no security software has been created to detect this malware.


An Industry Under Siege


Wouldn’t it be nice if Flame was the only malware that could get by antivirus software? Unfortunately, this is not the case. There are quite a few that are more than difficult to detect and as soon as antivirus software gets upgraded, malware is developed that challenges it even more. This does not mean you should not take all measures available to protect your computer, like keeping your antivirus software up to date. You need to just be aware that there are viruses out there that may creep through. Hopefully the antivirus industry will eventually catch up with the development of viruses and malware.

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