Inside Delphian

Windows 7 - Themes

Are you a Windows Vista user? Do you like Themes? Windows 7 has expanded what you get with Themes, and even thrown in a few new ones.

A Windows Theme is a collection of colours, images, mouse shapes, sounds, icons, and desktop backgrounds. For example, if you pick the Nature Theme, you get very cool nature pictures, some interesting sounds (they call these sound schemes), a neat collection of changing mouse pointers, and so forth. Change the Theme and you get a different collection! Windows 7 has added a new feature (Slide Shows) to the mix, and added a few new Themes.

Getting to Themes in Windows 7 is easy: right-click on an empty desktop, and choose Personalize.

If you like interesting backgrounds like I do, you’ll want experiment with some of the new Themes; there are several new Aero Themes to play with, including Nature (my favourite), Architecture, and Landscapes.

One last thing you might want to be aware of: many Themes, and most Windows Vista or Windows 7 Aero features are processor-heavy. Though Windows 7 isn’t as much a processor or memory hog as its immediate predecessor, you should know that the most fancy features—Aero is one of those—require a lot of processing power. If your computer is underpowered, or acting sluggishly when all the bells and whistles of Aero are enabled, turn some of those off. In Windows 7, do the following:

• Right-click a blank area of the desktop and choose Personalize
• Scroll down through the Themes and look for Basic and High Contrast Themes, then click the one that appeals to you.

Windows 7 - Libraries

So a guy walks into the library, and voilà; finds everything he needs! Did you know that Windows 7 has added a feature called Libraries?

Have you ever had to search your computer for an errant document, photo, song, or other file? Organizing files on a computer can begin simply enough—after all, many of us just saved everything in the default folders (My Documents, My Music, My Pictures, etc.). But after a time, we may either inadvertently save a file someplace else, or want to, and there goes our organization. For those of you who are very organized (I’m not bad in that department), you’ve created your own folders and sub-folders for everything. Nice work, but time consuming to navigate through.

In Windows 7, a Library is a place that has references to everything you’ve stored. It’s not that all the files are on one drive or in one folder, but the references (the path) to them is. You can use the default Library (which, not so strangely, has folders for documents, music, etc.), or more likely, you’ll create one or more new Libraries of your own. One may contain references to everything to do with that new book you’re writing; images, documents, presentations, whatever. Another may contain references for all things financial. You decide!

Create a Library, tell Windows where to find your stuff (folders or files), and from that point on you’ll be more organized, and have a lot less searching to do.

Windows 7 - Jump Lists

I didn’t even have this on my Microsoft wish list, but they went ahead and added it: Windows 7 has added a unique and useful feature called Jump Lists.

Picture this … you click a running program on the Task Bar, or click the Start button and click the program, and voilà; enter the Jump List. What is a Jump List? How is it useful? Well, the List depends upon the program. For example, a Jump List for Internet Explorer 8 will show your most frequented websites. A Jump List for Microsoft Office Word 2010 (or any of the new Office products) will show the last few documents you did, and a list of commonly used commands. When you click an item in a Jump List, you go directly to that item. In Internet Explorer, you’ll go right to the website. In Word, you’d either go right to a recently accessed document or to a new document if you want.

For several months I have been a beta tester for both Windows 7 Ultimate, and Microsoft Office 2010. I have had the good fortune to see these two offerings from Microsoft paired together. Jump Lists work very well, are convenient, and are featured in every edition of the new Windows 7 operating system.

Windows 7

So the street (public) release of Windows 7--in all its variations--happened a few weeks ago. Thinking of trading up?

In the late summer I downloaded and began, unofficially, testing this new operating system (Windows 7 Ultimate). Then, as good fortune would have it, I connected with an educational publishing firm and contracted for two different projects that involved ... Windows 7. (One also involved Internet Explorer 8). In one contract, I was hired to do 'line-editing', so I really, really got to know Windows 7 well. In the other, I was updating content written for Windows Vista that had to, now, fit into Windows 7. Both textbooks are due out in early 2010.

As time goes on, I'll be speaking more about what I've found--good and bad--in Windows 7, as observed over the past several months. And it's looking more and more possible that I'll be putting together an e-book on Windows 7 (and possibly on Microsoft Office 2010) this coming winter. For now, here's a quick teaser on Windows 7:

• It has a gorgeous interface (hasn't quite matched the Mac, but it is nice)
• It has better virus protection
• It has a few bells and whistles that are worth the upgrade price
• It has changed how some of the functionality works

Power consumption seems to have gone down (a good thing), while start-up and shut-down times seem to have sped up (another good thing). More later...

I'm updating my software: again!

Over the years--but no more so than in the past year--I've spent countless hours updating software. It's that dreaded message that goes something like this: "Newer version available. Upgrade to 5.1.2.7a.3 by clicking this button". Argh.

For a guy who has been involved in computer software training, support, presenting, and teaching for over 20 years, well, you'd think I'd get used to this by now. But I haven't.

Granted, some software companies must release constant updates to their products. Anti-virus and anti-Spyware software comes to mind right away, as do software drivers (those little programs that 'drive' or supply instructions for many devices and other software we use on a computer). But really, what's been added that's of any value to a PDA-based calendar application that was updated two months earlier? Was it really necessary to release version 5.1.2.7a.4? Can they not simply tell me, plainly, why I need the upgrade?

Every week, E and I run full anti-virus and anti-Spyware scans on all computers. You can still use the machines while they're scanning, but performance is greatly impacted. In addition to those scans, I run scans on the Windows registry on each machine, at least once a month. Oh yeah, and then there are the regular backups we do to external hard drives.

Did I mention I can't get any work done some days? Okay so it's not that bad. But it does try one's patience sometimes...

Firefox routinely (and often, it seems) updates its browser. Every time it does, it checks to see if add-ins--those little extras that make browsers fly--are compatible. Often enough, the current version of the add-in will not work in the newer version of Firefox. Help! The cycle goes 'round and 'round.

A few months ago, Skype (the software I use for free VoIP phone calls), updated its software. It was a major update, and guess what? It was well worth it. Sound quality has improved tremendously. But I think Skype's story is a bit of a rare one. Most software updates are minor ones. So what to do about all those updates and fixes? Despite my griping, I'd say to follow three simple steps:

1. Try to find out (even if at a glance) if you really need the update. It may be of the "critical" variety. It will usually say so if it is.
2. Determine as much as possible its compatibility. Here, I'm speaking of compatibility with other software programs, and in some cases, with other components/features of a larger program.
3. If you can, schedule for an 'off' time. Some updates will allow this.

For a few all-too-brief moments, yes, you too can have the absolute latest software!

The new Windows is on its way

Early in January, Microsoft unveiled its beta release of Microsoft Windows 7. This will be the next version of Windows, and it will be a lot like Microsoft Windows Vista. But according to early reviews, the news is more good than bad.

Over the past week, I've skimmed through 3-4 reviews of Microsoft's new operating system (OS). The sources have been as diverse as The Dallas Morning News and PC Advisor (UK).

Windows XP users (we have Microsoft Windows XP, Media Center Edition installed on the Desktop, but Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium on the laptops) won't be too thrilled by the new upgrade, as at its core it is still based on Vista. On the flip side, there's at least one thing that existing Vista users won't like: if you have a piece of legacy hardware that wouldn't work with Vista (say a dated scanner, or printer), and if the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) hadn't updated their software driver (instructions) for Vista, chances are that piece of hardware still won't work.

But according to early reviews, there have been many improvements in both compatibility and performance. Here are a few examples:

• The memory requirements have eased up. The first laptop we purchased that came with Vista pre-installed almost lumbered along with its 1 GB of RAM and it's underpowered little processor. Accorinding to early reports, it should do much better with Windows 7.
• Programs launch more quickly. Don't know how much of a big deal this is to you, but it sounds like the new OS loads faster, and that most programs do too.
• Interface changes. Something's been added to the Taskbar that groups programs together, and that uses distinct icons for ease of recognition. Also there's something called a "Jump List" that groups recent documents according to the application used.
• The Sidebar is gone. According to PC Advisor this is a very good thing. It is a memory hog (but I got to like the way it looks and the fun stuff you can put on it).

It's important to understand that a beta release isn't a final release. In other words, beta users install and use (and 'test') software at their own risk. Improvements and stability fixes are made as time goes along, and eventually a final release is made publicly available for purchase (upgrade or first time). So please: unless you want to venture into somewhat unknown, unpredictable territory, don't go out of your way to install the beta release of Windows 7. Wait until it is released publicly.

Where do all the hours go?

When I took my Virtual Training Program (VTP) in 2006 through AssistU, I was introduced to all kinds of new software. That in itself was a nifty trick; as a trainer and professor who teaches software, I knew about and had used tons of different programs prior to taking my training. One of the titles that caught my eye during my training was TraxTime©. I’m now an unabashed fan.

For several years I have had to keep accurate information about the projects I work on, and in fact for any time I put in for my clients. TraxTime fits the bill nicely.

TraxTime allows you to set up "Projects" in any way you wish. In my case, I set up clients as projects. If it turns out that my clients themselves have specific projects they want me to do, I can easily create new projects for them in TraxTime, making it super easy to report back on how much time was spent on each. A client I had earlier this year asked me to do just that, and it only took a few minutes to do so.

This program has a robust Report function, allowing you to tailor reports in various ways. Reports can be saved, printed, displayed, or exported. If you have the Manager's edition of TraxTime, you can do several more things with the report function; for example, you can create a list of shared projects. Reports are easy to read, and can be as simple or detailed as you like.

Whether for client or personal use, I think TraxTime is a steal at $39.00. The folks there are always working on ways to improve their products, and have always been good with me in terms of their e-mail support. You get support from the same people who designed the program.

There are other time and/or project tracking programs out there (Smartsheet, a feature-rich collaborative software tool, is one that comes readily to mind). But for simplicity, price, and straightforward time tracking capabilities, TraxTime gets my vote.

Syncing Microsoft® Office Outlook® on two Computers

Question: Can you synchronize Outlook on two separate computers?
Answer: Yes.

I found several software solutions, and tested a few, but only one has stood the test of time for me. Before I jump into that, here’s what you need to know in advance of synching.

The same version of Outlook should be installed on both computers. The computers will both need to be on, and networked. You will need to know the location of Outlook’s .PST files on both computers. (See the end of this post for more information).

The program I use is called PSTSync, and it needs to be on one of the two machines.

Once PSTSync is running, you will need to open both Outlook.pst files (one on the computer you’re using, and the other on the second computer). When the PST files are loaded, you’ll need to choose which folders to synchronize, and then click one of three buttons: Right Sync, Left Sync, or Sync. The first syncs files from the computer you’re on to the remote computer. The second button does the reverse. The third button Syncs both ways.

The first sync may take a while. As you do more, the syncs get faster. There are quite a few other factors that influence how lengthy or complex the sync is. Here are the main ones:

• The size of your Outlook.pst files (or archive.pst files, if you choose those)
• What you’re syncing (i.e., Inbox, Sent, To Do, Notes, etc.)
• Network connection speed and strength
• Whether you resolve conflicts manually, or have PSTSync automatically resolve them

PSTSync has a free trial. If you decide to purchase it, it’s $60.00. This software has a truckload of other great features, by the way.

Let me button this post up on two notes. The first concerns Microsoft Windows. Of all the products I tried, I could not get any to work properly between two different versions of Windows: until now. PSTSync was the one program that didn’t seem to mind this anomaly!

Second, as promised above, here’s a look at where Outlook data files (Outlook.pst) are usually stored on Windows XP-based computers:

C:\Documents and Settings\[USER NAME]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Note that [USER NAME] will be Administrator or a name you created yourself. Also know that that you may have to modify the properties in My Computer to be able to see these (potentially hidden) folders.

Saying Goodbye to Norton 360

Saying Hello to Norton 360

For years now, I've been a staunch supporter of Symantec's products. Otherwise or popularly known by the their stalwart "Norton" namesake, I have diligently and routinely upgraded to their next product as it was released. This has not always been an easy or simple process; earlier versions of their products that included firewalls or Internet security sometimes initially blocked my access to known, and safe, websites or services. And certainly, Symantec's products are not known as the lightest products on the market (i.e., they can be so resource heavy as to slow down fairly meaty computers). But I have always trusted the Norton name—still do, as a matter of fact (read on).

When Norton 360 was first released, I was running Norton 2007 on both of Delphian's computers. I thought, okay, in the interests of keeping abreast of the latest (I teach software skills, so need to keep on top of what's new), and because I'm a loyal Symantec user, I will upgrade. And I did, starting with the desktop.

Things were uneventful at first. The interface was new, and the scanning seemed to take longer, but I was otherwise content that Norton was on the ball and would continue to work well into the next annual cycle (Symantec usually releases 1 or 2 new products each year).

Saying Oh Oh to Norton 360

It wasn't long—a few months—when some anomalies became evident. Evident and irritating.

Is Computer Support, Well, Supportive?

Do you have a good, maybe great story of computer support? How about a pitiful one? I have some that fit into both categories, and beginning with this article, plan on sharing some.

Though Dell™ has been knocked around in the press over the past couple of years (one of the more stinging problems was their recall of millions of notebook batteries in 2006), they have nevertheless been known for their stellar support and customer service. This is Dell good news story.

In 1992 and 1993, I worked for a seminar presentation company. At first a presenter, then later a training coordinator, I had the fabulous good fortune of criss-crossing Canada, delivering public presentations in the leading computer software of the day. As WordPerfect® and Lotus® 1-2-3 still held sway at the time, I often found myself presenting desktop publishing via WordPerfect’s word processing software, or ‘spreadsheets 101’ using Lotus.

I travelled around the country with my handy Dell laptop. I had purchased it in early 1992. By today’s standards, it would be one step up from a typewriter! But in its time, with its black & white screen, less-than-generous RAM, and puny little CPU, it was a thing of beauty! I received tons of compliments on it, and it was a real show piece.