A Friday Freebie: Microsoft Office 2013 Quick Start Guides

Get on board with Microsoft Office 2013 by downloading these FREE Microsoft Office 2013 Quick Start Guides.  The Guides are by Microsoft and are downloadable as separate PDF files.

Access 2013 Quick Start Guide

Excel 2013 Quick Start Guide

OneNote 2013 Quick Start Guide

Outlook 2013 Quick Start Guide

PowerPoint 2013 Quick Start Guide

Project 2013 Quick Start Guide

Publisher 2013 Quick Start Guide

Visio 2013 Quick Start Guide

Word 2013 Quick Start Guide

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Stardock Makes Windows 8 Easier With ModernMix

Stardock is currently working on a Windows 8 application called ModernMix, that is a must have application for Windows 8. ModernMix is in Beta; however, it has been released for public use.

We all know that Windows 8 has been challenge for most users due to the interface change. We have been trained, by Microsoft, for over 20 years; to open, close and minimize applications via the windows controls in the top right corner of a window. When you boot to the Windows 8 Start Screen, which is host to and the launching point for Windows Apps, your first instinct is to try and close an app by looking for those controls; only to find out that they do not exist. ModernMix changes all of that.

After you install ModernMix you will notice that any App you open there is now a set of controls. These controls, located in the top right corner of the app you have open, allows you to toggle the app into a Windows mode, toggle the app back to the Start Screen Mode, or close the app. When you are at the desktop level and you have a Windows App open you can open, close and minimize the window (containing the app) just as you always have.  Another cool feature is that you can pin the app to the Windows taskbar.

Once the app is open in a Window it will act as it normally does.  For example, using the screenshot above.  I opened a news app on the Windows 8 Start Screen, toggled the control to the Windows mode (which took me to the desktop) and was able to scroll horizontally through the news articles.

ModernMix is currently $4.99, and typically I only promote FREE software; however, this is one exception. ModernMix is the missing link to Windows 8 and I highly recommend it. Stardock has once again pushed the envelope and came up with a very useful software application that will make your Windows 8 experience a good experience.

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Is The Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet Computer Going To Hold Up To The Competition?

The best description I can give for Microsoft Surface Pro is that it is a laptop in tablet form. It will run the same programs that you have been running with Windows 7; BUT, will this be enough to standup to the competition (the Android Tablets and iPad)?

I am a Windows user, always have been, but there is two things that is holding me back from the Surface Pro, and has me questioning Microsoft’s strategy:

1. The price of $899+ is too salty for my pocketbook. For 899+ I can get a pretty decent Ultrabook with a touch screen. Granted the Surface Pro is comparable to the full Windows desktop and notebook computer experience that I have always been used to; however, after personally using and experiencing the simplicity of the Android Tablet (at a much lesser price), and the iPad, I cannot see existing home based computer users or the new generation of users (our kids and grandkids) going for Microsoft’s flavor of the tablet (Pro or RT Models).
   

   For example, I have two elderly friends of mine, one owning an Android Tablet and the other owning an iPad. Both have expressed how easy it was for them to use these devices in comparison to their Windows based computers. As a matter of fact, they are spending less time at the keyboard.

2. The Surface Pro (best model) ships with a 128 GB of space and from what I am reading this space can drop dramatically to around 89 GBs with Windows 8, Microsoft Office and the built in Windows apps installed (click here). Also, I have noticed that many of the Windows Store apps can be quite large in file or install size compared to the typical apps installed on the Android OS and iOS (iPad) platforms.

I don’t want to sound too negative about Microsoft Surface, because I am a true Windows based user who has lived in the operating system for years; BUT, that has been my passion, my hobby, my life blood… Most people I know could care less about computers or Microsoft Windows. All they want is an easy computer (internet) experience and they want it at a reasonable cost; whether it is Android, iOS (iPad) or Microsoft. In other words, I am starting to realize that the writing may be on the wall and that myself, desktop computing and Microsoft is becoming old school pretty fast.

I would love to hear insight on this from the experts in the field and from the everyday computer user at home.  (see a related article here, called Rethinking Tablets, at TTC Shelbyville - a Tennessee Tech School).

Get the manufacturer specs on Microsoft Surface Pro - [ HERE ]

Customer Reviews: See what other people are saying about Microsoft Surface Pro – [CLICK HERE]

Product Features

i5 processor with Intel HD Graphics 4000
4GB Ram Dual Channel Memory
Windows 8 Pro
128 GB
10.6″ ClearType HD Display

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Second Testing Cycle In A Row – Microsoft Security Essentials Has Failed Certification As An Effective Security Application

The title of this post tells it all; AND, as a matter of fact it is a direct quote from Bill Mullins’ Weblog – Tech Thoughts where his article “Microsoft Security Essentials – Breaking Up Is Hard To Do – But, It’s Over; You’re Gone” quickly opened my sleepy eyes this morning.

I had been reading inklings here and there where Microsoft Security Essentials (also called Microsoft Defender on Windows 8) has been faltering here of late and I shrugged it off, thinking the software giant was on top of it; however, Bill’s article was the kick in the butt that I needed.

It is really concerning to me that my main level defense on my PC may be lacking and further concerning (and a lesson to be learned) that even the giant can have weaknesses.  As a matter of fact, I can remember many, many, many, many moon’s ago where Microsoft developed their own antivirus software and they eventually dropped the product. I sure hope that we are not heading in that direction again and history is going to repeat itself.

After reading Bill’s article, I have decided to take his advice and take a look at AVG AntiVirus Free 2013. When I was managing a network, years back, AVG was my antivirus (and anti-malware) software of choice; however, AVG even took a dip there for awhile; BUT, they are back in full tilt, as Bill’s article will highlight.

As blogger’s we can make a difference and I am sure once Microsoft starts to see these articles, we may see a change that will open the sleepy eyes of the giant.

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The Main Source For Microsoft Office Templates

Many users of Microsoft Office are unaware that an online gold mine exists that contains hundreds (and maybe even thousands) of templates for the following Microsoft Products:

What is really cool about this treasure trove of templates is that they are neatly organized (in the following categories) so that you can easily find a template to get the targeted job done. I personally have used templates from the Microsoft Gallery of Templates to help me get started on my own design; OR, as a learning tool on how to complete a specific Microsoft Office function…

You can click on any of the links below to be taken to that category of templates!  Enjoy…

Access databases Agendas Award certificates Books Brochures Budgets Business cards Calendars Cards Charts	Labels Letterhead Letters Lists Memos Minutes Newsletters Planners Proposals Presentations
Contracts Design slides Envelopes Faxes Flyers Forms Inventories Invitations Invoices Job descriptions	Projects Receipts Records Reports Resumes Schedules Statements Stationery Time sheets

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You Have Until January 31st To Upgrade And Save On Windows 8

I was in a conversation with a fellow about Windows 8 and I realized that he was unaware that money can be saved on the Windows 8 Pro upgrade if you purchase and download it directly from the Microsoft Store by January 31, 2013, (for $39.99). The DVD copy is available for $69.99. As a result of that conversation with this fellow, I thought I would let the reader’s of the blog know that the deadline for the savings on the upgrade is January 31st.

I know many are going to stick with their Windows XP, Vista or 7 setups; but, I can tell you I went the upgrade route to download Windows 8 and found it to be very stable, and an improvement over the previous versions of Windows. Yes, this version of Windows can present some challenges, but once you overcome the challenges you will ultimately be ahead of the curve and will soon be on the hunt for your own collection of Windows apps (which are being developed and posted on a daily basis).

Upgrading to Windows 8

If your PC is running Windows 7, your files, programs and settings will easily transfer to Windows 8 Pro. If your PC is running Windows XP or Windows Vista, you will need to reinstall your apps. Some features such as touch may require a new PC. To check compatibility, visit your PC manufacturer’s website and check out www.windows.com/upgrade to run the Upgrade Assistant to check for compatibility and get more details on system requirements.

Also, if you are a Windows Media Center user, you will have to download the Windows Media Center Pack as a separate download.  This download is free, only for a limited time (until January 31, 2013).

If your PC is running Windows 8 Pro and you’d like to get Windows 8 Media Center Pack so you can watch and record live TV with Windows Media Center, you can take advantage of the following special offer [click here]

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Four Ways To Easily Get To The NEW and IMPROVED Windows 8 Task Manager

The NEW and IMPROVED Task Manager that we find in Windows 8 was designed in such a way to not overwhelm the end user and can be quite useful, especially when you need to shut down a task (or program) that is not playing well with your computer. When you first open the Task Manager in Windows 8, you are going to initially find a very basic interface (see below) that will only show what tasks (or programs) are currently active. This basic interface was an on purpose design, with the idea that it makes it easy for the non-technical type of person to get to the task manager, review and shut down  tasks (or programs) quickly, then get out.

To get to the more expanded (advanced) options to the Task Manager, you will need to click on “More Details”, which in turn will give you what you see in the screenshot below.

The expanded view is more for the technically inclined individual; however, I encourage new visitors to the Task Manager to not be afraid and go for the tour. You will find tabs for the processes running on your computer, performance gauges, Windows 8 App History, the programs starting up on your computer (which you can disable for troubleshooting purposes), Users, Details (on the programs and processes that are running), and Services.  I especially like the Details tab where if I see a process or program that is running that I am not sure of, I can right click on that process or program and perform a Google search to see what exactly the program or process is. So you see, the Task Manager has come a long way and can be used as a great troubleshooting tool.

Now that I have briefly covered the Task Manager, here are four ways to open the Task Manager up in Windows 8?

1. At the Windows 8 Start Screen, simply start typing “Task Manager”.  You will see the screen populate with a “Task Manager tile.  Click on the tile…
2. From the Windows 8 Start Screen or the Windows 8 Desktop use the hotkey Ctrl – Shift – Esc on your keyboard.
3. At the desktop level, move your mouse pointer to the bottom left corner of the screen until you see the Start Screen Button appear. When the button appears, right mouse click on the button and select Task Manager from the menu.  Also note the other options on that menu.
4. Believe it or not, this is the one I use the most. I guess it is because I have used it from day one when Windows was born. It is what I call the “three finger salute”.  Hit the Ctrl – Alt – Del keys simultaneously on the keyboard. You will be taken to the solid colored screen (usually blue by default) where you can select Task Manager.  To come out of that screen, simply Esc on the keyboard.

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