Thursday, June 17, 2010

Office web apps from Microsoft now live

I’ve been checking my Microsoft Live account to see if the Office web apps are live yet in Australia and to my surprise they’ve now been enabled.

The online Office applications from Microsoft look very good and should be sufficient for many people with fairly basic word processing and spreadsheeting requirements. I’ve found over the years many people often need little more than the basics to do what they need and the Office web apps will do that and more.

The first thing you may wish to do is to set your spellchecker language to Australian English in the Word app.

As I explore Microsoft Office web apps I’ll share information via the JustLocal blog and solutions to problems using MyAnswers.

 

Enjoy,

 

Kelvin Eldridge

 

 

 

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Remote Desktop

My aim with JustLocal is to help people to purchase products and services locally. Sadly, over the last 10-15 years I don’t recall any local business asking me what I did and thus using my IT services. From those I ask in the local area they’ve had a similar experience.

It never ceases to amaze me how we have created a world where our customers come into our business, buy from us, and then we go and buy from someone else who most likely will never use our business. That by the way isn't how I work. Whenever possible I try to look for ways to purchase products and services from my customers first and then from others.

I know encouraging people and businesses to buy local is a long term goal for me. I believe in it which is why I invest my time an energy. I believe once people start to realise the benefits of supporting each other locally, that will have a huge impact on our day-to-day lives including the cost of travelling to and from work. The government puts so much emphasis on public transport. Buses are the only form of public transport in my area and given buses really aren't that much better in fuel efficiency than small cars, imagine how we could reduce our need for public transport if we did more locally. How huge a saving that could be on the public purse, our taxes, our own wallets and the environment.

Ideally I'd like to have a good group of local clients. However my business like everyone's has developed over time and my IT clients are scattered around Melbourne.

Lately I've been setting up Windows Remote Desktop on my client's machines. It is actually very technical, but once set up it enables me to connect to their network and provide remote support. The added advantage is clients can then connect to their own network from home and do some after hours work if required.

Having local clients is a great way to save fuel, time and thus money. However, technology also provides us with other ways where our physical location is not an issue. With Remote Desktop which I've tested across Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, I can now effectively assist my clients from a location which may be anywhere in the world where I can get internet access.

If Remote Desktop interests you and you'd like to have it set up in your business, please feel free to contact me.

Kelvin Eldridge

Tags: remote desktop, desktop remote, remote access, remote connection, windows remote desktop, xp remote desktop, remote desktop server, remote desktop port

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Free solutions for JustLocal advertisers

The following are the list of recently solved problems and some general information I share, via MyAnswers solutions to clients and advertisers on JustLocal. Perhaps one of these problems currently has you stumped. 

    When I type a wrong address into Internet Explorer I end up going to a Google search page. How to I stop this happening. Most of the time I know I've typed a single letter wrong and I just want to correct the web site address.

    I go to print a PDF document which I'm viewing on the internet using Internet Explorer 8. When I go to select properties for the printer (FX Docucentre-IV C3370 PCL 6) so I can select printer settings, the screen fades locks up..

    Be careful of companies selling low cost domain names.

    How to permanently delete your Facebook account.

    Review of an electricity bill for a family member between Red Energy and AGL - Saving estimated at $90 a year.

    When I start Windows XP Microsoft Security Essentials doesn't appear in the System Tray and if I right click on a file I can't scan it for malware.

    Repairing  cracked Applie iPhone screen

    How do I stop iTunes from opening when I plug in my iPhone? Most of the time I just want to charge my iPhone.

    Trafalgar European tour - Saving $270-$528

    Flight from London to Athens - Saving $126

    How do I stop 3 (Three) Mobile Broadband starting every time I turn on my computer?

    Setting up a robots.txt file

    If you're considering the Three service in this solution I share my experience with the performance of the Three service. Had I known what I know now, I would most likely have made a different decision.

    Creating your own search provider based on a search form in Internet Explorer 7 was very easy. Here I show how to create your own search provider so you can add it as a search engine for Internet Explorer 8.

    Travel insurance for Europe holiday. Well know travel agent - $749. My price from well known company - $352.15. Saving $396.85.

    I have a HP Color Laserjet 2600N. When I check for drivers for Windows 7 there is only a USB driver. I want to use the printer on the network. What options do I have?

These solutions are free for clients of Online Connections and advertisers on JustLocal. It is my way of saying thank you for your support.

 

- Kelvin Eldridge